Here’s your cheat sheet to 25 of the must-see Ifugao tourist spots in Ifugao province. I hope this travel guide helps you discover the location of Ifugao which is at the foot of the Cordillera Mountain Ranges in the Philippines.
Ifugao prides itself as the home to the Banaue Rice Terraces, the eighth wonder of the ancient world. Aside from the majestic rice terraces in almost all parts of this mountain province, Ifugao is also home to other jaw-dropping natural sceneries, and world heritage sites perfect for your travel plans.
From Manila city, tourists can reach Ifugao via an 8-hour bus ride offered by Ohayami Trans or KMS Bus Line.
These tourist destinations listed here are arranged according to their locations. This way, you can visit these spots with a well-laid out itinerary.
25 Best Ifugao tourist spots
Start your Ifugao escapade from Banaue, home of the famous Banaue Rice Terraces.
1. Batad Rice Terraces
The Batad Rice Terraces is one of the top tourist spots in Ifugao. The majestic amphitheater-shaped rice terraces carved on the mountains is proof of the engineering and architectural skills of the Ifugao ancestors.
Batad Rice Terraces is part of the famous Rice Terraces of the Cordillera, the 8th Wonder of the Ancient World, and listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ifugao ancestors used big boulders from the river at the foot of the mountain to build the rice paddies. Isn’t it a wonder?
How to get there? From Banaue, take a jeepney up to Saddle Point. From Saddle Point, hike for less than an hour to reach Batad. Head to Banaue tourist information center for current advice.
2. Tappiyah Falls
From Batad, hike for almost an hour to reach Tappiyah Falls. If you’re not used to trekking on the mountain, it’s better to bring with you a cane or a stick to support you from falling down the rice paddies.
Falling from 75 meters high, the Tappiyah Falls welcomes visitors to enjoy its cold water. It is better to go there during summer, from March to May, because the water is unbearable during colder months.
3. Banaue Rice Terraces
One of the must-see Banaue tourist spots is the Banaue Viewpoint. It offers visitors the best glance at the Banaue Rice Terraces and there are some shops to buy souvenirs also. Just like the Batad Rice Terraces, the Banaue Rice Terraces are carved by hands more than 2000 years ago by Ifugao ancestors. Stopping by Banaue ethnic village is also recommended.
4. Bangaan Rice Terraces
Of the five rice terraces of Ifugao included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bangaan Rice Terraces is the most preserved but most accessible. Alternatively, Nagacadan rice terraces come highly recommended also.
5. Hapao Rice Terraces
One great thing about Hapao Rice Terraces is you can experience walking on the rice paddies and see the farmers working on the fields during planting season. It is one of the great places for farmers to watch!
6. Bogyah Hot Spring
Bogyah Hot Spring is a great place to relax after visiting the different tourist spots of Banaue and Hungduan.
From Hapao, hike for 45 minutes to reach the hot spring and enjoy a relaxing sulfur bath to soothe your tired body and mind.
Adjacent to the hot spring is the cold water of Hungduan River, where you can enjoy a cold bath.
The local tourism office built a mini pool, which can accommodate ten people, to contain the water coming from the spring.
7. Mt. Napulawan
This list of Ifugao tourist spots wouldn’t be complete without Mt. Napulawan. This mountain got its name from the Tuwali word “pulaw” which means “white” because fogs and clouds hover over its mountaintop every day.
Mt. Napulawan is a mysterious mountain rising 2, 643 meters above sea level. History says that General Tomoyuki Yamashita sought refuge in this mountain during World War II.
Hiking to the peak of this mountain may take 2 to 3 days which is one of the tiring but fun outdoor activities in the area. If need, you can seek help from the Tourism Office of Hungduan to make your trip seamless!
8. Balentimol Falls
Your trip to the town of Hungduan will not be complete without visiting Balentimol Falls situated at the foot of Mt. Napulawan. Dropping by Balentimol Falls is one the best destination for hikers looking for refreshing waterfalls to massage their tired bodies after exploring Mt. Napulawan.
9. Buyukan Falls
The vast mountain of Hungduan is the source of another waterfall, the Buyukan Falls.
Going to the falls can be risky because of the trail; that’s why they only recommend expert hikers to take the three-hour hike to reach the falls.
The best time to visit Buyukam Falls is during summer because leeches swarm the falls during the rainy season.
10. Mt. Anapowan
Another mountain to explore in the town of Hungduan is Mt. Anapowan. It is a perfect camping site for hikers and nature-lovers. From the summit of Mt. Anapowan, one can see the municipalities of Kiangan and Lagawe and the green mountains, pine forest, and terraces of Hungduan.
11. Bintakan Cave
Bintakan and Nahtoban Caves are located in the province’s capital town of Lagawe. You can take a tricycle from the town proper and hike for about 20 minutes to reach the cave’s entrance.
This three-room cave overlooks the Ibulao River from the entrance. Inside the cave are different forms and shapes of stalagmites and stalactites formed from dripping waters.
12. Nahtoban Cave
On the other hand, Nahtoban Cave is 4 kilometers away from the town proper and has larger chambers than Bintakan Cave.
13. Kiangan Shrine
Kiangan Shrine was erected to commemorate the surrender of General Tomoyuki Yamashita during the Second World War.
It is a symbol of the bravery of Filipino veteran soldiers. Every 2nd of September, the provincial government of Ifugao hosts a program at the shrine to honor these veteran soldiers. The shrine is shaped like an Ifugao native house, and when you reach the top, you can see the grand mountains of Ifugao.
Inside the compound of the Kiangan Shrine is the Ifugao Museum. The museum houses different artifacts of the Ifugao people and their ancestors.
Upon entering the museum, visitors are welcomed by a recording of the Ifugao gong and a video clip of essential events in the Ifugao history and culture.
14. Kiangan Open Museum
The Open Museum is part of Nagacadan village in Kiangan, where tourists can personally experience planting rice in the terraces, listen to century-old songs and chants, and examine carefully old native houses and granaries.
Visitors can walk on rice paddies, usually a meter high, and can have a short conversation with local villagers about their way of living also.
Near the rice terraces is the Imbuliklik Rock, which measures 22 meters high. If you’re into mountain climbing, you may try going to the top of this enormous rock which makes it one of the fun ifugao tourist spots.
15. Ambuaya Lake
Before leaving Kiangan, head to Ambuaya Lake at Barangay Ambabag. It is a perfect place for picnics. Green vegetation surrounds the area making it a serene place to relax and enjoy nature.
Legend says that a boy and his grandmother made fun of a leech, which put the curse to the place and made it into a lake.
16. Pangaggawan Cave
To reach this cave, one needs to hike for almost two hours from the foot of the mountain to the cave’s entrance. At the cave’s entrance, you need to go down using a ladder of more than 50 steps. It takes two to three hours to navigate through the crevices of the cave. Stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes are present everywhere.
On the other hand, the most challenging part of exploring the cave is going through narrow and slippery spaces. So, prepare yourself to be wet and muddy.
Near the end of the cave is a cold stream, and when you reach the end, you’ll be welcomed by a waterfall with clear water inviting your tired body to take a cold bath.
17. Himmifoy Falls
Himmifoy Falls, located in Lamut, Ifugao, is one local tourist attraction to be discovered. The word “himmifoy” is an Ayangan term, which means “gutter.”
One can reach Himmifoy Falls through an hour and a half hiking from the national road. The distinctive feature of this falls is its heart-shaped basin of cold water.
18. Matangili Rock
Matangili Rock Formation is located at Lamut, Ifugao. It takes a 2-3 hours hike to reach the summit and enjoy the breath-taking view of the green valley below.
One thing hikers expect when reaching Matangili Rock is the sea of clouds surrounding the area. However, you need to be early to experience this one-of-a-kind experience.
19. Dar-awan Viewpoint
Dar-awan Viewpoint at Lamut, Ifugao offers a beautiful view of the Ibulao River flowing beside the green cornfields of Hapid village.
The panoramic view of the valley, along with the river, is ideal for picture-taking and picnics, making it one of the popular tourist attractions. To go there, take a tricycle from Lamut town proper and savor a 20-minute ride along rolling hills.
20. Mayoyao Rice Terraces
The Mayoyao Rice Terraces, as a whole, is also listed as World Heritage Site and as majestic as the other rice terraces in the province.
Rice terraces are present in almost all parts of Mayoyao, like in Chumang, Chaya, Banhar, Mapawoy, Bongan, and Buninan.
21. Tenogtog Falls
Tenogtog falls in Mayoyao, Ifugao is one must-see tourist destination. The word “tenogtog” means “chopped.” Before, hunters chop the meat of their prey like wild pigs or deers near the falls.
Unlike Tappiyah Falls, Tenogtog Falls, which is a 20-minute hike from the town proper, has three tiers of falls with small basins in between them.
22. Apfo’or Burial Tombs
The Apfo’or Burial Tombs were made with large stones like paddies of the rice terraces.
These dome-shaped graves, which are found only in Mayoyao, are the tombs of the bones of ancient warriors and wealthy Ifugaos before.
23. Mt. Nagchayan
Another mountain to climb in Ifugao is Mt. Nagchayan in Mayoyao. It is 1, 445 above sea level and can be an excellent destination for hikers and mountain climbers.
On top of Mt. Nagchayan, you can view the mountain ranges dotted with rice terraces.
24. Pikhu Falls
Another waterfall to discover in Mayoyao is Pikhu Falls. It has no basin at its base because of big boulders, but one can lay down on its cascading water and savor the soothing fall.
While laying down enjoying the freshwater, let your eyes feast on the surrounding green landscapes and vegetation.
25. 1000 Steps
Aside from the majestic mountains of Ifugao to climb, there is also the 1,000 steps in Alfonso Lista to ascend.
Upon reaching the last step, one can have a great view of the Magat Dam, Asia’s largest dam.
Also, keep your eyes peel for the Ifugao festival which can be a great way to understand the local culture. There you have it, the 25 must-see Ifugao tourist spots in the Philippines!
If you’re a nature-lover and looking for an adventure in the mountains, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and travel to Ifugao!
Let me know in the comments –
- Have you been to any of these Ifugao tourist spots?
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