Things to see and do Banaue

Located at about 20 kilometers from Banaue, Hungduan is a small village of 1,000 inhabitants renowned for its rice fields. Their visit, accompanied by a local guide, can be easily organized through your Banaue guesthouse. The place is simply sublime. Accompanied by a guide who will provide you with a lot of information, we cross the rice fields by walking on the low stone walls that separate the plots. These rice fields are also about 2,000 years old and are part of the Unesco site. It is a magical experience. They spread out in a staircase on both sides of the river, in the hollow of the mountains. The best time to visit is from January to May. July and August is the rainy season, but if you go in August you can attend the Punnuk festival (no specific day because it marks the end of the rainy season). It takes place in the rice fields and in the rivers, the three villages of the valley including Hapao compete in games and parade in traditional costumes.

It takes about 2 hours to walk in the rice fields with the explanations of your guide on the process of planting and harvesting rice. The rice fields of Hapao unlike those of Banaue are still used by the different owners and therefore maintained, which makes them particularly beautiful. Be careful if you are afraid of heights, there are some paths that are not as high and narrow as others, but tell your guide in advance because it might not be very pleasant for you.

These rice fields, considered the ^8th wonder of the world and classified by Unesco, are 2,000 years old. They are the oldest rice fields in the world. The Viewpoint offers the best panorama on these terraces which rise like steps to the sky. Ifugaos are there in traditional costume and take pictures of tourists for a fee (give 30 PHP if you don't mind this "good exchange"). Go down a few steps and advance to the end of the first rice fields, the view is all the more impressive.

A site of rare beauty, in danger. The site and the view are absolutely grandiose and of a rare beauty. But when you see the rice fields of Batad or Hapao, those of Banaue are very impressive. In fact, there are almost no real rice fields left: some have been transformed into vegetable gardens, others are still devoted to rice cultivation and the majority have fallen into disuse and are covered with grass. This abandonment is explained by the fact that the farmers are getting older, most of them have already passed away and the new generations have neither the desire nor the time to take care of them, they are studying and have other ambitions. It is necessary to understand them, the work in the rice fields is grueling (planting, harvesting, maintenance of the low walls, irrigation systems, heat, physical effort, loads to carry). However, they are aware that this exceptional landscape is a major tourist site and that they therefore need it. They are waiting for the government and UNESCO to take measures to preserve it.

Located in the center of Banaue village, this is where the buses arrive. The tourist office is not particularly useful, you will mostly go through your guesthouse to organize your visits. However, they can provide the visitor with a map of the area (20 PHP), arrange private transportation and find you an official guide whose rates are fixed: it is necessary to count around 1 500 PHP per guide for one day. This will avoid you having to use the services of a "fake" guide (who can wait for tourists at the bus station).

Nestled at the bottom of the valley which shelters the sublime rice fields of Hapao, we reach it after 1 hour of walk. We cross the river by a small bridge to reach these natural hot springs. In a small natural pool, bubbles are formed. There is a light smell of sulfur because it is what creates the bubbles. On the spot, there are cabins to change (remember to take your bathing suit and keep an eye on your things). It is very pleasant to bathe in such a naturally warm water. It seems that the sulfur also has benefits for the body.