Originally, our plan was just to visit Batad and some viewpoints of Banaue Rice Terraces but destiny had other plans for us as we also went to Hungduan. Together with Lai of PinayTravelista.com and Kuya Dane, my brother, it was a perfect vacation with imperfect logistics and imperfect events.
Two weeks before the trip Kuya Dane was asking me to provide the itinerary and budget for our travel, unfortunately, for the past months I have been too busy to create our budget and itinerary. All I can say that time was the budget was 5,000 Pesos per person and we are leaving on the night of June 11 and arriving in the early morning of June 15.
In the end the budget was not followed, so did the planned dates for our travel. The details of these unfortunate events will not be written on this post as it will be too long to write them all here.
What I will be focusing on is my own personal expenses during our travel. As you can see the budget of 5,000 Pesos for this trip does not coincide with the budget of the previous itinerary that I made for Batad and Banaue. Aside from the fact that it was made four years ago (2011), I was not planning for a budget trip. I want this trip to be as comfortable as a do-it-yourself travel can get and still be adventurous enough not to say no to unexpected adventures due to lack of finances. I brought 8,000 Pesos for this trip, obviously not following the estimated blown up budget. Besides, the more I buy in the community the more income they will get from me. I do hope that the income helps the community.
Batad Rice Terraces
Anyways, below is the expenses that I spent on my travel to Batad, Hungduan and Banaue in the province of Ifugao.
Amount is in Philippine Pesos.
| Amount | Description | Additional Information |
| June 12, 2015 | Philippine Independence Day | |
| 450 | Ohayami Bus from Manila to Banaue (Reserved in advance) | 450 Pesos/person (one-way) |
| June 13, 2015 | ||
| 5 | Restroom Fee on Stop Over #2 | |
| 50 | Snacks on Stop Over #2 | |
| 20 | Environmental Registration Fee in Banaue | 20 Pesos/person |
| 280 | Jeepney Rental from Banaue to Saddle Point, Batad | 2,800 Pesos/jeep |
| 100 | Guide fee from Saddle Point to Simon’s Viewpoint Inn | 300 Pesos/guide |
| 50 | Batad Heritage Fee | 50 Pesos/person |
| 240 | Breakfast at Simon’s Viewpoint Inn | |
| 23 | Snacks at Simon’s Viewpoint Inn | |
| 333 | Guide fee to Highest Viewpoint, Tappia Falls and Batad Village | 800 Pesos/guide + 200 Pesos tip |
| 300 | Softdrinks and water on the trek around Batad | |
| 223 | Dinner at Simon’s Viewpoint Inn | |
| 350 | Whole body massage | 350 Pesos/person |
| June 14, 2015 | ||
| 223 | Breakfast at Rita’s Mountview Restaurant | |
| 250 | 1 night stay at Simon’s Viewpoint Inn, Batad | 250 Pesos/person/night |
| 30 | Charging Fee at Simon’s Viewpoint Inn (1 camera battery) | 30 Pesos/gadget |
| 667 | Van Rental from Saddle Point, Batad to Hapao, Hungduan | 2,000 Pesos/van |
| 33 | Hungduan Conservation Fee | 100 Pesos/group |
| 70 | Lunch at Leila Keith Eatery at Hapao, Hungduan | |
| 100 | Snacks and drinks at Leila Keith Eatery | |
| 200 | Guide fee from Hungduan Welcome Center to Giovanni’s Place (Hapao) | 200 Pesos/guide |
| 500 | Guide fee for Bogyah Hot Spring | 500 Pesos/guide |
| 400 | 1 night stay at Giovanni’s Place, Hapao | 1,200 Pesos/room/night for 3 persons |
| 103 | Dinner at Giovanni’s Place | |
| June 15, 2015 | ||
| 100 | Breakfast at Leila Keith’s Eatery at Hapao, Hungduan | |
| 467 | Tricycle Rental from Hapao Rice Terraces to Banaue with sidetrip to Banaue Viewpoints (2 tricycles) | 700 Pesos/tricycle |
| 250 | 1 night stay at People’s Lodge, Banaue | 250 Pesos/person/night |
| 200 | Lunch at People’s Lodge | |
| 100 | Snacks at People’s Lodge | |
| 50 | Banaue Museum Entrance Fee | 50 Pesos/person |
| 70 | Early Dinner at Kalut’s Eatery at Banaue | |
| 450 | Ohayami Bus from Banaue to Manila | 450 Pesos/person (one-way) |
| June 16, 2015 | ||
| 50 | Snacks and drinks at Stop Over #1 | |
| 5 | Restroom Fee on Stop Over #1 | |
| 75 | Snacks and drinks at Stop Over #2 | |
| 6,818 | TOTAL |
These are all the expenses that I can remember. Some of them are estimated and there is also a high probability that I forgot some other expenses.
At least I brought around 8,000 Pesos, enough for my transportation to get back home from the bus station and stop by other places.
Hapao Rice Terraces in Hungduan
Was all my expenses worth it?
Yes, it was all worth it. Every Peso was worth it.
In fact, the money we brought were insufficient. On the last day, we were planning to head over to the Heritage Village and Weaving Center of Hungduan, and along the way see more rice terraces of Hungduan, unfortunately, the price was already too much to the amount of money each of us brought and we had to decline the tricycle drivers offer and go back to Banaue from Hapao Rice Terraces. I really wanted my travel buddies to see them because the places were all worth a visit. Planning another trip to see them is actually more expensive in the long run. Some of us may never have another chance to see them.
Sad, but we have to accept the fact that we are limited one way or another.
Tappia Falls in Batad
In the end, it was a really good adventure. My much needed vacation from a stressful work that I am enjoying. The people I was with were fun to be with. The weather was perfect. Even if my body was hurting allover due to over exertion, it was a good exercise too.
Imperfect plans and imperfect events for the perfect travel.
I look forward to visiting Ifugao again in the future. Hopefully in the near future.
I’m fond of hiking but this one is the most unforgettable experience. I was so tired and it killed me. hahaha. Anyway, it’s a good exercise and it all worth it.Very beautiful nature.
Agree on the so tired and it killed me part. hahaha! It was very beautiful but you really have to be fit to enjoy the place.
Rice Terraces! Makes me miss home so bad actually migrated here in Canada for more than a decade now and i might be going home for a visit. 🙁
Thanks for the guide!
Thank for visiting my blog Michael. I do hope you get to visit the Philippines again soon. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the breakdown of your expenses! Noted that the jeepney & tryke rental fees are more expensive than the food & accommodations. Must’ve been long rides, hehe. Looking at the pics, it seems to be all worth it. 🙂
Yes. It was all worth it. I hope you get to visit Banaue soon! Enjoy!
Hi,how long the hiking will take to go to Batad?is there any summit there.i used to join mountain climbing atleast 4hours walk only. Tnx
I think my post on the link below would help you to answer your question.
http://www.lakas.com.ph/2015/07/itinerary-batad-hungduan-banaue-ifugao/
Reading your blog makes me even hungrier to exploe my home country. We’re planning to visit the rice terraces soon. Can you give some tips coz we’re travelling with our toddlers. Where can we have a great view of the terraces without doing much trekking? Of course we love to do it but circumstances don’t suggest. When is the best time to see the green paddies? Thanks a lot.
I’m glad my blog is making you hungry to explore the Philippines. If you just want to see the Banaue Rice Terraces you can hire tricycles in town to take you to different viewpoints. But the best view is in Batad which requires a lot of trekking but worth the effort.
I’m not sure when would the paddies be green as they change the dates of when they start planting.