DECEMBER 18 – 22, 2017 (BATANES)

Airfare
SKYJET AIR

Dec. 18 (615AM)
Dec. 22 (755AM)

= 14,503.57

HOTEL
Basco: Nanay Citas (+63 939 919 3616)
Sabtang: Nanay Adela (+63 921 496 7233)

Other places to stay in Batanes

Basco: Marfel's Lodge (+63 098 893 1475) – 1000Pesos/Day (fan Room with private CR)
Itbayat: Levinda Lodge (+63 921 566 8269)
Wakay Homestay (+63 919 317 4794)

ITINERARY
DAY 1 – BATAN NORTH

◘◘ Mt. Carmel Chapel

Located at Sitio Tukon in Barangay Chanarian in Basco, this chapel is
the most recently built worship house in Batanes and the only chapel
adopted the stone house style. Its prime position above the hills has
made it a popular spot not only for weddings but also for tourists who
are looking for Instagram-worthy shots.

◘◘ Fundacion Pacita
This is Batanes’ only luxury hotel and rightly so as it is nestled
above a picturesque hill that has a grand view over the sea and
the surrounding Batan terrain. Rest assured, you’re free to
wander inside its premises even if you’re not a hotel guest. You
can also visit its indoor museum where Pacita Abad’s works are
found. Who is Pacita? She is an internationally known artist who
was a full-blooded Ivatan and Fundacion Pacita was her former
home when she was still alive.

◘◘ PAG-ASA Radar Station

This used to be a USA weather station and climbing to the top of
it will offer you great panoramic views over the island.

◘◘ Didawud Idjang (Fortress)

There are a total of 4 Idjangs in Batanes and this is one of
them. In the olden times, the Ivatan people used it as
fortifications (likened to castles) to protect themselves during
times of war. originally, these are elevations that were formed
by molten volcanic magma which acted as a plug on an extinct
crater.

◘◘ Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel

Located in the hills of Tukon, this five-door tunnel that’s complete
with a series of chambers, was a bunker that served as a lookout
spot and a water reservoir during the Japanese occupation.

◘◘ Chanpan/Valugan Boulder Beach

This popularly known for its long stretch of boulders due to Mt.
Iraya’s eruption in 400 AD. The rock
formation, smoothed over time by
the strong Pacific waves, presents a
panoramic view over the horizon and of Mt. Iraya.

◘◘ Provincial Capitol area / Casa Real

Built between the 16th to 18th century, it’s a government building and commonly regarded as the center
of the town (nearby, you will find a vast sports plaza where most of the island’s celebrations are usually
held).
◘◘ Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral / Sto.
Domingo Church
This is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Batanes and it is the
first parish church to be built in the early 18th century in which it was
originally made up of cogon grass roofing. It was also the first to have
galvanized iron roofing in the 1890s. The feast of its patron saint, Sto.
Domingo de Guzman, is celebrated by the Ivasays every August 8.

◘◘ Vayang Rolling Hills

These are seemingly endless waves of rolling hills that are
perfectly backdropped by the seascape. It is best enjoyed
from afar, but it is also best experienced when explored on
foot; plus, this spot is the best vantage point for an
unhampered view of the province’s three major islands.

◘◘ Naidi Hills and Basco Lighthouse

(One of my fave hang-out spots when I was young!) An old
sitio derived from the Ivatan words “na” which means past,
and “idi” which means settlement. Located here are old
wireless telegraph facilities by the Americans which were
bombed by Japan during World War II. One can also get a
breathtaking view of the town atop the hilltop 66-feet
lighthouse.

Other/Substitute Activities

◘◘ Climb Mt. Iraya

Towering over Basco at approximately 1,009 meters
above sea level, this dormant volcano is the first
attraction you will see upon landing in the airport. To
get a picture-perfect view, timing and patience are
required since its peak is almost always covered by
clouds. As for climbing this mountain, it can be quite
challenging because of its abundant endemic flora
and fauna, but it’s absolutely doable.
NOTE: It supplies the water in all households in Basco
— so yes, when you’re in Batanes, you can drink from
the tap! It’s safe and fresh spring water!

DAY 2 – SABTANG

◘◘ Savidug Community (Vernacular Houses)

A village which is abound with traditional Ivatan houses. In
fact, it is the area where the endangered black face
spoonbill was sighted years ago. To this day, it continues
to fly in the area.
 ◘◘ Savidug Idjang (Fortress)
Among the 4 Idjangs in Batanes, this is considered to be the most
beautiful and perfectly shaped.

◘◘ Chamantad–
Tinyan Viewpoint
Located between Savidug and Chavayan, this place offers
spectacular view of nature and the Pacific Ocean. Take your
sweet time lounging here since the sights are quite stunning!

◘◘ Chavayan Community / Barrio

This is arguably the cradle of Ivatan culture and heritage.
Famous for its rows of old houses, narrow streets, and
old sites, Chavayan is likely to leave lasting memories on
your visit. Its Chapel, the only church in Batanes still
roofed with
cogon grass, is a
stone’s throw away from a picturesque shore.

◘◘ Nakabuang (Ahaw Stone Arch) in Morong Beach

One of the iconic and most photographed spots in Batanes
because of its natural rock arch formation in an ideal beach
cove.

DAY 3 – ITBAYAT

◘◘ Turungan Cave & Hills

The most ancient dwelling place in Batanes. It is believed to be
the first landing place of the Austronesians who came from
Formosa, Taiwan in 4000 BC. Today, it is an area where stone
boat-shaped burial markers are found, and it is is believed that
this is the burial grounds of the cave’s ancient settlers.

◘◘ Kumayasakas Cave River

An underground stream which flows to the sea and is a newly-
developed water source for the community.
 ◘◘ Rapang Cliff
Must-see! This is a natural park comprised of forest, cliffs and
rocky hills where bonsai arius trees are abundant along a
grazing area for goats. One unique formation that you’ll find
here is a flat stone which lies naturally upon another stone and
when you strike it with another stone, it produces a bell-like
sound. Apparently, it served as an alarm for the ancients
inhabitants against approaching enemies and a signal for
community meetings and for gathering goats.

◘◘ Manuyuk
A sinkhole that serves as the town’s giant drainage. It was explored by a German doctor named
Gechard Schmith in 1993 and was found to be around 45-meter deep and has two big chambers with
a narrow passage in between. Apparently, it’s regarded as a ‘haunted’ sinkhole because it is where the
ancient Ivatans threw witches as punishment according to the old justice system.
◘◘ Vernacular Houses
These are combinations of European and Itbayat architecture with
thick walls of stone and lime and several layers of cogon for
roofing. They are proven to withdstand strong typhoons,
earthquakes and other calamities, and can withstand the harshest
‘local’ winter from December to February.

DAY 4 – BATAN SOUTH

◘◘ Chawa Viewdeck
A perfect spot to enjoy Batanes sunsets! Via a nearby
staircase, you can also descend more than a hundred steps
down to the adjacent cliff to fish, take pictures, or frolic in the
waters.

◘◘ Boat Shelter Port

Located in Mahatao, this supports the goals of the
fishing industry of the province namely: fish
sufficiency and generation of employment. It was
constructed in October 2005 and as a 130-million
pesos project, it is the biggest infrastructure project
by the Provincial Government at that time. The area
was chosen because of its cove-like structure that
gives good protection to the boats during inclement
weather.

◘◘ San Carlos Borromeo Church

Its beauty and excellent state of preservation made it a National
Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines in
2001. Outside the church, you will also find a typical
olden Spanish lamp post — two vertical structures about 30
meters apart that were used to be manually lighted with fire so
that the local fishermen could identify how far the shore is.
◘◘ Homoron Blue Lagoon (or Spanish Lagoon)
Located between Ivana and Mahatao, it’s an interesting spot
because back in the Spanish era only the Spanish were allowed to
take a dip there.

◘◘ Maydangeb White Beach

A cove with multi-colored rocks and white-colored sand, this
spot can easily rival the beauty of Boracay! It is located along
the national highway about 9 kilometers from Basco and is
being maintained by both Mahatao and Ivana Local
Government Units (LGU’s).

◘◘ Spanish Bridge
This was constructed and formed as part of the main road of Ivana
during the Spanish period as the road leads to the doorstep of the
Church. It is still being used to date by people and trucks alike.

◘◘ House of Dakay
Probably the most photographed Ivatan house in the islands,
this was built of lime and stone in 1887 and owned by Luisa
Estrella who bequeathed it to her favorite nephew, Jose
“Dakay” Estrella. A survivor of the destructive earthquake of
September 13, 1918 which has destroyed much of the rest of
the town, its shutters and floor have never changed and has
retained much of its authentic look throughout the decades.

◘◘ San Jose de Obrero Church

Built in 1784 by Fr. Jose Fausto de Cuevas, it is the only church in
Batan with a separate bell tower that was constructed 30 years
later. Built by the coastal area, it is here where Katipunero
revolutionaries that commanded by Captain Perea have landed on
September 18, 1898 to liberate the province from the Spaniards.

◘◘ Honesty Coffee Shop

An unmanned refreshment store which has become
famous worldwide. Showcasing the best of Ivatan’s
honesty, in here you will find no standby seller because
the owners rely on the honesty of its customers when
they pay for goods taken from the store.
 ◘◘ Song-song Ruins
Remnants of an old settlement which were ravaged by tsunami in
the 1950s. Residents were given homesteads in Mindanao under
the Magsaysay resettlement program and today, it is a thriving
coastal community again.

◘◘ Itbud Town
This is where the best-tasting local wine called palek comes
from and where maytuab and sinadumparan (local Ivatan
stone houses) still stand. It had the largest population on
Batan’s south-eastern part in the 18th century due to stable
water supply spring and a well-fortified idjang.

◘◘ Itbud Idjang
One of the 4 Idjangs in Batanes. In here, rock carvings are still evident
(probably for water storage), as well as their gathering/meeting area and
the rocks with bored holes for anchors are still intact.

◘◘ Alapad Pass and Hills

Offers a captivating view of several rolling hills and the vast
expanse of the sea — a location made popular by the Filipino
movie “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit”, starred by Richard Gomez and
Dawn Zulueta.
◘◘ LORAN Station
“Long-Range Aid to Navigation” where the US Coast Guards
were based. Its lawns and buildings that were once beautiful
and well-kept have deteriorated and were ruined after the
Americans left and abandoned it in the 1960s. Today, it is a
National Museum Branch.

◘◘ Rakuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country)

Dubbed by American tourists as Malboro Country
because of its similar contour, endless rolling hills, and
wind-swept communal pasturelands for cows, carabaos
and horses. For sure, this is a perfect spotfor nature-
lovers and photographers.

◘◘ Diura Fishing Village

A sitio in Basco’s eastern part where an association of fishermen
called mataw still practice the traditional fishing for arayu (dorado type of
fish). They also still observe an old ritual called kapayvanuvanua which
signifies the start of the fishing season in March.

◘◘ Disvayangan Beach Front

A row of private picnic house with basic facilities adjacent to a government-operated recreation building
featuring two bowling lanes and a billiards room.

◘◘ Tayid Lighthouse
Erected in 2000, this colonial-looking beacon offers a spectacular
view of the Pacific Ocean, as well as other parts of Batan Island and
its rugged mountain cliffs that face the West Philippine Sea.

◘◘ Ranum ni Kumalakal / Rakuh-a-idi (Spring of Youth)

A man-made pool with spring water and a view of the Pacific Ocean
and Mt. Iraya. This spot is truly ideal for picnics (and photo ops!).

Contact information of my local guides in Batanes:

Itbayat Island Guide – Jojo Labrador – 09206603801

Batan Island Guide – Sir Joel – 09493499350
Batan Island Accomodation – Nanay Cita’s Homestay – 09399193616
BATODA (Batanes Tricycle Operators & Drivers Association – 09297038404
Sabtang Island Guide – Jhun Castillo – 09084366357