Ifugao - Wandering Around Banaue

It took us about 9 hours to reach Banaue, the gateway to the world-renowned rice terraces of Ifugao province. Upon getting off the bus, cold weather and stunning view of the town welcomed us. The sun just started to shine, and the thick fog had begun to break. Awesome! It's my first time here and I'm so excited to finally set foot in Ifugao province!


Tired and hungry from the very long bus ride, we hurriedly find our way to a restaurant to have a well deserved breakfast.


As suggested by some locals, we went to People's Lodge and Restaurant near the public market.


We proceeded to the area where the balcony is, to have a very nice view of the town. Whoa! What a marvelous sight greeted us!



I ordered tapa with egg and red rice. It's my first to eat red rice. Masarap! Hahaha! I liked it!


While killing some time waiting for the jeepney bound for Sagada, we wandered to check things around the town proper.


We went to the hanging bridge that we saw from the restaurant's balcony. The view is truly breathtaking! The river underneath is surging with fresh and clean water and the rice paddies are just within reach.




We continued walking around while enjoying the awesome view and just observing the simple and laidback life in this town.


Until we got back to the jeepney terminal in front of the tourism office where the driver is patiently waiting for passengers bound for Sagada. After about 20 minutes, we left Banaue.


HOW TO GET THERE
As of April 2012, the only bus company that has direct trips to Banaue is Ohayami Bus Company. Their terminal is located in Lacson Avenue, corner Fajardo St., Sampaloc Manila (near University of Sto. Tomas). Travel time from Manila to Banaue is about 9 hours, fare is 450 pesos.

Regular Trip Schedules
09:00 PM - Manila - Banaue (during peak season)
10:00 PM - Manila - Banaue
06:45 PM - Banaue - Manila (during peak season)
07:00 PM - Banaue - Manila

Contact Numbers: 02-516-0501 / 09276493055
Email: ohayami@ohayamitrans.com
website: www.ohayamitrans.com

Alternatively, if Ohayami buses are full (especially during peak seasons), you can take Victory Liner or Florida Bus going to Tugegarao City in Cagayan. Alight in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya then take a jeepney to Lagawe, Ifugao then take another jeepney to Banaue.

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF TOP-RATED HOTELS IN BANAUE! ]

Map By: Wikipedia	This is part of my Holy Week and Araw ng Kagitingan long weekend holiday trip in Ifugao, Mt. Province and Kalinga last April 5-9, 2012. Ifugao, a landlocked province in the Cordillera Administrative Region is the 58th province on my list. Join me as I continue my journey to visit all 80 province in the Philippines! Wandering Around Banaue Seeing the Banaue Rice Terraces, "A Childhood Dream Fulfilled!"