What‘s Included

Meeting and Pickup

What To Expect

Reviews

• Great care with memorable experiences

  74cathleenm,

  Sep 24, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My parents, fiancé and I took a trip with Vagabondpinas to Banaue, Batad, and Kalinga in September 2025. JP was attentive and accommodating during the planning stage. Brayan, Jeff in Banaue, Arlene in Batad and our guide to see Whang Od took such great care of us! Special thanks for Brayan who was such a thoughtful and knowledgeable guide. He made sure my parents (in their 60s) were well equipped and cared for during the challenging treks and rainy weather. Dood and our Banaue jeepney driver made us feel safe during our journeys across the mountains with their experienced driving. This heritage trip meant a lot for me and my family. Thanks to the team and JP, we had an unforgettable trip of a lifetime. Highly recommend this group of caring and experienced professionals!

• 10/10 experience while in the Philippines!!

  Ellie F,

  Sep 23, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Could not recommend this experience more! We had a great time and owe it all to Brayan and Jeffrey!! They could not have been more kind, welcoming, and knowledgeable. We would recommend this experience over and over again!

• Legendary trip to Banaue- Batad

  talt912,

  Jun 14, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My trip to Banaue-Batad ancient rice terraces was an amazing, once-in-a-life-time experience. While considered low season for tourism, it was THE BEST time to be there. The rice was high and stood out in its green and yellow colors, making all my pictures breathtakingly beautiful. The weather was perfect temperature wise (although very humid), which made the swim at the waterfall possible and very refreshing. The Vegabondpinas team took great care of me, anticipating my every need, reassuring and encouraging when the steep climb seemed beyond my reach, and super professional when it came to coordinating all the logistics for this trip. The home stay was very clean and both Inns offered a hot shower which I don’t take for granted. I want to call out the outstanding communication with JP (the owner) from planning stage to my return to my hotel in Manila. He and his crew (driver, guide, inn managers) treated me like family - truly invested in my trip being everything I could hope for and more. Having them navigate the local environment allowed me to focus on the beauty surrounding me and the epic adventure I was on. Being there, I can fully understand why Batad is considered the eighth wonder of the world.

• Well planned and worry-free tour with great staff from Vagabondpinas

  mlansang2018,

  Jan 19, 2025

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This was a spectacular and unforgettable experience for me and my niece! The private tour arranged by Vagabondpinas was planned to a perfect T and allowed for a worry-free holiday trip. Many thanks to our very experienced guide, Kenneth, who was very patient with us neophyte hikers (one of whom is a septuagenarian) and anticipated our every need (and shortcomings). Our very experienced and accommodating driver, Bong, made the 9-hour trip to and from Banaue-Manila fly by in a comfy Toyota Fortuner. He even showed us where to shop for local produce/veggies in Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija1. Beatrice of Banaue Homestay welcomed us warmly. Our room had a wonderful view of part of the rice terraces, and the roosters crowing in the cool dawn mist provided a great bucolic touch. Simon's Inn in Batad had more spartan amenities (as with other inns in the village, I believe) - be prepared with your own towel and toiletries. We realized that those who don't proceed to the 800-step one way hike to the Tappiah Falls could actually complete the arduous walk to the Batad top viewpoint (where there is, amazingly, internet connectivity by the hour) by early afternoon, rest and have a snack at Simon's Inn, then head back to the more comfy Banaue Homestay (tip). Another tip: ensure you're in tiptop physical condition to do the hikes - the sturdy walking sticks provided by Kenneth were truly a Godsend. Thanks a lot to Vagabondpinas and partner Expedia Philippines for this super memorable trip!!!

  

  

  

  

  

• Banaue Batad Epic Adventures!

  Valerie B,

  Nov 3, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  My husband, adult daughter and I made our first trek to the Philippines with the goal to experience the people, culture and different regions of Luzon. Our excursion with Vagabondpinas Outdoor Travel will be remembered as an experience of a lifetime. JP’s communication and planning with our specific itinerary was outstanding. We met Edmon in Manila and grateful to be in his care for our long journey north to Banaue. We were concerned about motion sickness so loaded up with ginger chews, wrist acupressure bands and Dramamine. Upon arrival to Banaue Edmon stopped at a lovely lunch spot overlooking the terraces and town. We stopped at overlooks for photos and to stretch our legs before checking in to Banaue Homestay. Miss Beatrice is a kind and welcoming hostess. She provided us with delicious breakfasts and dinners during our stay. Nothing better than coffee and fresh fruit on the view deck! The 2nd day we were greeted by Edmon, Michael (jeepney owner/driver) and Jonathan (local guide extraordinaire) for our adventure to Batad. Jonathan is very knowledgeable about the history of the Ifugao people and the rice terrace. We had a spectacular day hiking and taking in the breathtaking sights. We decided to skip the hike down to the waterfall given our out of shape bodies and the heat. Enjoyed a lovely lunch in Batad overlooking the rice terraces. My favorite part of the day was riding on top of the jeepney all the way back to Banaue. Jonathon was able to communicate with local museum which opened for us to tour in the late afternoon. The museum was one of our favorite stops as the artifacts collection is superb- black and white photos of the people, rattan baskets, spears, clothing and tools all depicting an extraordinary way of life.

• It's like seeing the Ifugao Rice Terraces with your best mates

  H8643KIjeffw,

  Oct 15, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  If you're short on time while in Manila but want to take in the wonders of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, then this is the tour for you. We cannot say enough about the team of people who looked after us – from Edmond who drove us from Manila to Banaue and back again, Michael who expertly piloted his Jeepney from Banaue to Batad and back again, Jonathan our guide extraordinaire and took us into the rice terraces themselves, Beatrice who looked after us at her homestay in Banaue, and Simon, who did the same with the help of his daughter in Batad. I am mentioning these people by name because I feel like we became good friends with all of them. And behind the scenes, making sure everything was ok, was JP. He checked on us regularly via WhatsApp (before, during and after), which was so appreciated. And then to the tour itself! We got to see the rice terraces of Banaue (Beatrice’s place looks right over them), Bayninan, Bangaan and Batad (the latter two being UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with their villages). We explored the rice terraces of Batad as well as a hike out to the Tappiyah Waterfall. Guide Jonathan was awesome assessing our fitness levels and tailoring the pace of the hikes accordingly. He also assessed weather conditions to a tee (it rains a lot this time of year) to make sure we got the best photo opportunities. A big part for us though, is that we were trialling a drone for the first time. The team just absolutely embraced and encouraged us using the drone, and helped with suggestions which led to some amazing footage. We just had so much fun! A big thank you to all at VagabondPinas. You guys absolutely rock!

  

  

  

• It's like seeing the Ifugao Rice Terraces with your best mates

  Jeff W,

  Oct 15, 2024

  - Review from Viator

  5.00

  If you're short on time while in Manila but want to take in the wonders of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, then this is the tour for you. We cannot say enough about the team of people who looked after us – from Edmond who drove us from Manila to Banaue and back again, Michael who expertly piloted his Jeepney from Banaue to Batad and back again, Jonathan our guide extraordinaire and took us into the rice terraces themselves, Beatrice who looked after us at her homestay in Banaue, and Simon, who did the same with the help of his daughter in Batad. I am mentioning these people by name because I feel like we became good friends with all of them. And behind the scenes, making sure everything was ok, was JP. He checked on us regularly via WhatsApp (before, during and after), which was so appreciated. And then to the tour itself! We got to see the rice terraces of Banaue (Beatrice’s place looks right over them), Bayninan, Bangaan and Batad (the latter two being UNESCO World Heritage Sites along with their villages). We explored the rice terraces of Batad as well as a hike out to the Tappiyah Waterfall. Guide Jonathan was awesome assessing our fitness levels and tailoring the pace of the hikes accordingly. He also assessed weather conditions to a tee (it rains a lot this time of year) to make sure we got the best photo opportunities. A big part for us though, is that we were trialling a drone for the first time. The team just absolutely embraced and encouraged us using the drone, and helped with suggestions which led to some amazing footage. We just had so much fun! A big thank you to all at VagabondPinas. You guys absolutely rock!

  

• A highly recommended adventure!

  EirenneR,

  Jun 10, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We are very grateful to have had Vagabond Pinas as our tour guide on our Banaue- Batad trip. They offered comfortable and safe transportation, good accommodation with the best views, some history and stories on the rice terraces and its people, and an overall stress free trip. We enjoyed the whole trip and are still awed with the beauty and culture of the rice terraces. It was more than we expected. Thank you Vagabond Pinas for making this experience extra personal, memorable and comfortable. It was truly an unforgettable and highly recommended adventure!💯🙌 We also very much appreciated their extra patience, care and guidance towards us as we are not a fit couple, and going through some of those rocky and narrow tracks was a bit of a challenge. 😄 It was definitely an amazing adventure! And the rooftop jeepney ride was a great experience and a must! 👍👍

  

• Extraordinary moments!

  24laura78,

  May 1, 2024

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our driver Bond (James Bond for short) managed to get us through the 8 hours of driving from Manila to Banaue with ease and happiness thanks to his good humor! It was also a wonderful discovery of the rice fields of BANAUE and BATADE thanks to our exceptional guide Jonathan who knew how to introduce us to his region and its culture. A very good guide and caring with children, he knew how to captivate young and old with his simple but sincere explanations. And we will remember his communicative laugh from him!! Thank you for these wonderful moments of sharing, of exchanges and for this great discovery - it was our first experience of such a big family trip and we recommend it 100%.

  

  

  

• Great experience but needs to provide more details/be more organised

  Fiona L,

  Apr 25, 2024

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  We enjoyed this tour a lot; we had a lot of amazing experiences such as riding on top of a jeepney (like a local), visiting Tappia Waterfalls and experiencing the rice terraces of Batad and Banaue. Detailed feedback/suggestions are below: - Our driver (Jay) was prompt and arrived early to greet us at hotel. He was friendly & was happy to be flexible with the drive (in terms of stops for lunch or toilet break etc). The van was clean and very comfortable. - Banaue Homestay B&B - nice accommodation ran by a very friendly lady, she also took upon herself to go through what to expect for the next day instead of local guide (when local guide didn't show up for orientation at 5pm) - Local guide (Effy) was knowledgeable and was lovely to have him around showing us the area and explain to us what we were seeing and how plantation works - Batad Simon's Inn was fine, although our room had a side window that could not open, so room was a bit hot/stuffy with the curtains down (to keep bugs out as there were no flyscreens). As there were no flyscreens, bugs were hitting curtain in the dark trying to fly into the room. Shared toilets and showers were OK, although other guests left rubbish after them in the shower which was a bit unpleasant, and toilet paper was not readily available (but luckily we brought some tissues with us). - After we booked this tour, we were messaged by the tour operator with items to bring. We suggest to clearly state that the towel to bring is for showers as they are not provided in Batad (we brought a towel for swimming which we ended up using for showers), and to bring own toilet paper.

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