STAIRWAY TO BANAUE

This Philippines National Cultural Treasure is hailed as the 8th Natural Wonder of the
World by many Filipinos.
The mountains of Ifugao hold the testament to handiwork, with the terraces
intricately carved by hand.
The region's mountainous areas have seen rice terraces thrive for over 2,000 years,
originating from Ifugao and northern Luzon Island.
The terraces were initially designed as a practical solution to grow rice on steep
land, causing vertigo.
The terraces soar to approximately 1500 meters above sea level, situated in one of
Luzon's most isolated regions. Due to its remote location, it requires a substantial
effort to reach the terraces, a fact that appears to discourage the typical influx of
coach-reliant tourists.
For the soul's refreshment, the weary business traveler may find the endeavor to be
well worthwhile.
The Sunrise Viewpoint is the go-to location for admiring the rice terraces, where
tribal members offer photo opportunities and sell handcrafted woodwork.
The striking visual of the wildflowers against the verdant green of the rice
plantations is further enhanced by their vibrant scarlet hue.
To fully appreciate the rice terraces, it is advisable to hire a guide for
navigation. Although the hikes can last for hours, the stunning terraced valleys offer
a satisfying reward. On occasion, there are tranquil waterfalls and inviting natural
swimming holes where hikers may refresh themselves following a lengthy hike.
Designated GMO-free in 2009, these rice terraces. Like how it was done hundreds of
years ago, farming in the area follows a similar pattern.
The Banaue Rice Terraces are just the most notorious terraces in northern Luzon but
there are other notable ones that are worth visiting: The Batad, Mayoyao, Hapao,
and Kiangan Rice Terraces: a group of distinguished sites.
The terraces are accessible year-round, though the ideal visiting period falls
between February and March, when maintenance and planting take place, and
between June and July, when harvesting occurs.
The best time to visit Batad Rice Terraces falls between April, May, and October,
November.
For centuries, the Batad community has masterfully integrated rice terraces into the
mountain landscape, showcasing their resourcefulness. Unlike their fellow ancient
rice terraces, the Banaue terraces stand out for their recognition on a particular
list. With UNESCO's recognition, the terraces have gained World Heritage Site status
in Apayao, Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao. The Philippines' Luzon region is
where Ifugao occupies an area of 251,778 hectares. The rugged terrain, river
valleys, and towering forests of Ifugao are home to Lagawe, its capital. In the
western and southern areas, these provinces intersect. The Ifugao people's rice
culture reflects their remarkable expertise and knowledge that has been
accumulated over time and passed on to the next generations. El Niños and a 1990
earthquake have put the Banaue rice terraces in danger, leaving them vulnerable to
drought and pests. The appeal of farming terraces among the younger Ifugao
population has gradually waned. The low returns on their labor were a consequence
of the challenging climate for terrace rice growth. The history and practices of the
Ifugao people are firmly bound to the Banaue Rice Terraces. The terraces are the
focal point of their religious festivals, as they center around the cultivation and
harvesting of rice. The Banaue rice terraces' existence can be attributed to the
Ifugao's dedication.
The rice terraces in the Philippines are mainly a system of parallel mountain ranges
with intervening plateaux’s and they are perceived as an exceptional example of an
advanced and living landscape with multiple cultural features. The development of
this particular landscape traces its origins back in the pre-colonial era of the
Philippines, almost two millennia ago. The broader region that hosts these
impressive rice terraces is known as the Philippine Cordillera and can be found on a
mountain on the island of Luzon.
The landscape covers an enormous area but, there are five of them which are
characterized as the most important and the most impressive ones. These are the
Batad rice terraces, the Bangaan terraces in Banaue, the Mayayao and Hungduan
rice terraces, as well as the Negacadan rice terraces in Kiangan. All of the above
mentioned can be found in the broader area of the Ifugao province and they are of
great importance as they were carved by the Ifugao ethnic minority that used to be
living on those mountains for over 2000 years. The most famous among the five are
definitely the ones that can be found in Banaue. This is because this site is often
perceived as the 8th wonder of the world.
The infamous Banaue Rice Terraces can be found in the provincial area of Luzon
which is approximately 370Km north from the capital city of Manilla. Travelers who
are interested in visiting this majestic location from Manilla can travel there either
by bus or by chartering a private transportation service for a more comfortable and
pleasurable experience. In what regards buses, two main companies offer a
frequent schedule with comfortable seating and buses with modern features.

Those who wish to explore the broader area of Banaue shall include in their
schedule a visit at the small and charming village of Badat. The village’s shape is
amphitheatric allowing some of the most iconic and breath-taking views over
Banaue’s rice terraces. The area has also multiple hiking trails leading to the
beautiful Tappiyah Falls for those wishing to proceed with some extra activities in
exploring the area. Due to the unspoiled character of the village and of the area in
general, visitors often found themselves lost into a journey in time, where the
everyday life of the people has no modern features. Visiting Batad and Banaue rice
terraces will definitely be a once in a lifetime experience like no other.
Except for the area’s significant importance as an agricultural and historical site,
Banaue has numerous interesting facts that visitors should be aware about. The
Banaue rice terraces can be found at an altitude of 1500 meters above the sea level
and cover a total area of 10360 square kilometers. In addition, the rice plantations
that the terraces have, receive water from the rainforests just above them. The
abovementioned statements often lead professionals and scientists to claim that
the rice terraces of Banaue are among the most notable engineering
accomplishments of the ancient world.
The rice terraces were constructed, as mentioned earlier, from the ethnic minority
of Ifugao that used to live in the area. Nowadays, the people that belong in this
minority are still living in the area and continue to cultivate the land and the rice
terraces. However, a great percentage of them are not interested in agriculture
anymore as they now focus on the tourists that visit their impressive terraces. As a
result, as many of them are not interested anymore in continuing the traditional
farming, scientists understood changes in the soil’s composition. More precisely, the
soil started to erode and in order to preserve these historical terraces, some of
them must be redone. The ethnic minority of Ifugao are characterized as welcoming
and warm people. In fact, they like to have fun and they organize the festival of
tunggul. This festival is a great opportunity for both, the members of the ethnic
minority and the visitors to interact by drinking rice beers and eating rice cakes.
Joining this festival would be a memorable experience as it forms the perfect
chance to understand more about these people and their culture.