Breathtaking Batanes: Exploring the Natural Beauty of North Batan

Rolling Hills.
Lighthouses.
Traditional Stone Houses.
Blow Ur Horn Signages.
..and the list goes on.

Well, those are just some of the things associated with Batanes, the tourist icons of this off-the-beaten-track province. You may have read various articles or have seen gorgeous photos circulating online regarding how beautiful the province is, but mind you, those will not give full justice to how breathtaking Batanes truly is versus experiencing it yourself. With the conclusion of my recent trip in Batanes, together with my travel buddy Em (@emsmithcb), let me share a visual story of our exhilarating experience in Batanes – truly every traveler’s dream destination.

Batanes is the northernmost and smallest province of the Philippines and among the sought-after tourism frontier destinations located at the confluence of the West Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean. It is actually nearer to Taiwan (190 kilometers north), than mainland Luzon (280 kilometers away from Aparri, the northernmost tip of mainland Luzon). Also known as “Nature’s Playground“, Batanes is an archipelagic province composed of 10 islands, three of which are inhabited (Batan, Itbayat and Sabtang) while the islets of Dinem, Siayan, Ditarem, Misanga, Mavudis, Dequey and Vuhus are uninhabited.

Batanes has been awe-inspiring tourists for years – and it’s not hard to see why. For first timers, Batanes adventure usually involves exploring the natural beauty of North Batan (mostly tourist spots in Basco) since it can be done half-day – a prelude to the Paradise of the North has to offer.

Here’s a rundown of what to do in Batanes for 5D4N (starting with North Batan).

DAY 1: BATAN NORTH TOUR

Even before we landed in Basco, Batanes, I couldn’t hide my excitement seeing the exquisitely crumpled landscape of Batan Island from up above. I even took videos of the stunning scenery down below from my window seat until the plane finally landed on a seemingly shortest runway I’ve ever observed. For the longest time, I’d always wanted to tick “Explore Batanes” off my bucketlist. I’ve been dreaming of this destination since I was 21 and the realization of finally having set foot to this far-flung and elusive gem has given me a great sense of fulfilment. And it’s about to get really giddy!

Basco Welcome Arch Sign

To kick-off our Batanes exploration, it’s only fitting to have a mandatory photo in the Welcome to Basco arch sign as the first itinerary of your Batan North Tour. The place is actually a viewdeck perched along the cliffy, long and winding highway that boasts the quaint natural terrain of Basco town proper.

If the schedule of your arrival in Basco is around noon like what we experienced, then you may want to fill your stomach first for an exciting day ahead. Good thing, Ryan Cardona of BISUMI Tour and Services already pre-arranged it for us. See more details about BISUMI at the end of this article.

Vunong At Jessica’s Place

We visited Vunong at Jessica’s Place and little did we know, we are about to gorge on all the delicious and healthy meal – vunong. Vunong is an Ivatan traditional food wrapped in kabaya leaf (from tipuho plant that is endemic in Batanes). If you’d like to experience traditional Ivatan way of life, try Jessica’s Place ‘coz it promotes simple living and customary eating with bare hands.

While Batanes is well-known for its organic zone where home-grown crops and vegetables have no chemicals, the traditional menu is likewise cooked in a healthy manner so you can enjoy guiltless indulgence.

Iglesia de Santo Domingo

The Batan North Tour continued with a visit to the town’s famous 18^th century Santo Domingo Cathedral (a.k.a. Basco Cathedral or Iglesia de Santo Domingo). Simple yet classic, this cream-colored religious building is the first Roman Catholic church in honor of the Patron Saint of Basco, the capital of Batanes. We stepped inside and prayed for a good weather ahead. With so much gratitude, He instantly answered our prayers.

Warning: The subsequent images (predominantly captured in refreshing greenery) will make your jaw drop!

Vayang Rolling Hills

Quoted from the text carved in Vayang Rolling Hills’ official stele slab: “This undulating picturesque green meadow on the west side of Basco is an ordinary pastureland to a lot of Idiptan (residents of Diptan or Barangay San Antonio farmers). It encompasses several farms from Mahedhed, Maluyuluy, Sakaan, Mayahaw, Mayawyawen, and Mapia’s Katakey.”

Imagine going to an international destination, without actually having to carry and present a passport or a visa. Monikered as the New Zealand of the Philippines, Batanes is the place to go! Thanks to the verdure foliage and the presence of undisturbed herd of cows, Vayang Rolling Hills exudes a natural beauty akin to (even outshine) that of New Zealand’s native grasslands.

But wait until you see Marlboro Country (South Batan) and Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint (Sabtang) in the succeeding articles.

The extraordinary charm of this revitalizing site was promoted largely by widely distributed photos and much-loved photo shoots of tourists allured to its charm. And it deserves to be well-celebrated and shared continuously.

Vayang Rolling Hills boast a perfect fusion of landscape and seascape and a seemingly endless wave of rolling verdant hills. Make sure to take a lot of postcard-worthy photos here, there and almost everywhere. Be warned of the gusty winds though – it may flip your hair back and forth – somehow affecting your selfie goals. LOL!

Basco Lighthouse in Naidi Hills

Naidi is an old sitio derived from the Ivatan words “Na” which means past and “Idi” which means settlement or community. Proudly stands 66-ft tall, Basco Lighthouse illuminates its beauty amidst a sea of greens of Naidi Hills and blues of the west Philippine Sea.

One can also get a panoramic view of the town atop the hilltop 66-ft sentinel. Rental of Ivatan traditional headdress and various merchandise for sale are also available in this area.

Located here are the American-era wireless telegraph facilities which were bombed by Japan during World War II. The mixture of white and aquamarine setting of the stone-clad building is perfect as a backdrop for your next profile picture. Don’t miss it!

Farolas (or lighthouses) are one of the province’s postcard-worthy icons commanding great respect from all life-forms. Naidi Lighthouse is just of the many lighthouses that you’ll get to see during your stay in Batanes. In fact, it should be on your “to-do list” to try lighthouse hopping in Batanes. Yep, both South Batan and Sabtang Island have their own version of lighthouse, awaiting to stage your selfies.

Mt. Carmel Church

Nestled on Tukon Hills, Mt. Carmel Chapel is a classic Ivatan old-stone-edifice. Our guide mentioned that this is where most of the weddings are held. Too bad, it’s not yet fully recovered from typhoon Ferdie that devastated the province two years ago.

PAGASA Radar Station

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Radar Station, just like Mt. Carmel Chapel, was heavily damaged by a megastorm that wreck havoc to Batanes, considered one of the super typhoon ever recorded. It is still part of North Batan Tour but there’s nothing much to see here except for the remains of the typhoon’s onslaught.

Fundacion Pacita Basco Nature Lodge

Fundación Pacita is just a walking distance from the PAGASA Weather Complex. Once a home studio of internationally acclaimed Filipino artist Pacita Abad, who also hailed from Batanes, this traditional-looking-yet-high-end lodge is perched atop a hill that offers dramatic views and cozy accommodation.

I love how Fundación Pacita’s architecture is consistent with other traditional heritage in the province – rubble masonry finish, withstanding the test of time. If you like to splurge while you are in Batanes, then this is a good option for you. If you opt not to stay here, at least try eating at their posh restaurant.

Fundacion Pacita is not only famous as a wedding reception venue, the artworks and fancy decors inside the underground art gallery are also worthy to look into. Pacita Abad’s life story and photos of her art pieces are plastered on the walls of the museum.

Speaking of fancy arts, having a walling session in this vivid embossed tiles mosaic has never been this insta-worthy. Watch out for this selfie corner located in the middle of Fundación Pacita’s cozy lodge and adorned restaurant.

Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by a relatively huge hole on the ground that seemingly looks like a mouth of a cave. But actually it is a 5-door channel built during World War II by the Japanese soldiers that served as a hideout.

You need a flashlight (or just the light emitted by your phone) when you decide to enter the tunnel. It’s just a 5-minute walk to fully wander around and reach the end of this natural underpass.

I just find the mouth of the tunnel instagrammable. It’s like a subterranean passageway leading to another world – magical in its purest nature, just like Middle Earth or Narnia or something related to fantasy.

True enough, when you finally crossed the short chambers of this historical underpass, you’ll be rewarded with a marvelous view – the splendid yet unassuming, Mt. Iraya. What a bewitching sight to behold!

Valugan Boulder Beach

We are nearing our last destination for the Batan North Tour and we still can’t get enough of its natural beauty. I had to pinch myself as I threw another beguiling gaze at the shy Mt. Iraya from another viewpoint, this time from boulder-carpeted Valugan Beach.

Valugan Beach is blessed with rocks and boulders with various sizes and colors fashioned by Mt. Iraya’s devastating eruption last 1454. It was indeed a beautiful disaster as boulders are widely stretched over the beachfront, making every corner picturesque. You can even relax and chill out with your friends while enjoying the cool sea breeze and calming sounds of gentle sea waves.

The water surrounding Valugan Beach is transparent like a glass that you can clearly see the boulders on the ground. Can you spot miniature tourists in the picture? Share if you do!

And of course, having your “awra” shots in this spot would be so dramatic, thanks to the presence of fiery sunset hues.

Just we are about to bid goodbye to Valugan Beach, light rain shower passed by for a brief period of time and left a natural spectacle – a vivid rainbow at the far end of the beach – and it’s beautiful.

We ended our North Batan Tour with so much appreciation of Batanes – albeit just a prologue. We ate dinner at Octagon Bed & Dine and stayed at B & G Lodging House near Basco Airport.

This post is part one of the 4-part “Breathtaking Batanes” blog series.

For South Batan Tour (Day 2), read on: SOUTH BATAN
For Sabtang Island Tour (Day 3 & 4), proceed here: SABTANG ISLAND
For Diura Village and Spring of Youth Tour (Day 4 half-day): EPILOGUE

BISUMI Tour and Services

If you’re determined to explore Batanes, then by all means you should start planning your trip now. Watch out for seat sales from various airlines with routes from Manila/Clark to Basco to save on airfare.

To maximize your stay in Batanes, I highly suggest to opt for private tours of BISUMI Tour & Services. It is the most trust-worthy local travel agency in Batanes offering top-notch services and good value for money. While in Batanes, you won’t have to stress out preparing what to do, where to stay or where to eat because BISUMI Tour & Services got you covered. BISUMI stands for the 6 municipalities of Batanes (Basco, Itbayat, Sabtang, Uyugan, Mahatao and Ivana).

For your transportation during the tour, you may choose an open (fresh-air) tricycle or closed (air-conditioned) van. We preferred the open-type tricycle tour for the reason that it’s affordable and convenient, we can control our time and make special requests not usually catered during the usual closed-tours. You can even tour Batanes with only two wheels (e.g., bike), but I don’t think it is advisable if you only have a limited time in Batanes (e.g., 3-5 days). The choice is yours.

Here are the different tour options and its corresponding rates posted on BISUMI’s main office as of November 2018.

For inquiries and reservation, you may reach BISUMI at any of the following contact details:
Facebook: @bisumitours
Instagram: @batanes_bisumi_tours
website: www.bisumitours.com
BISUMI Office Contact Numbers:
+63 919 279 5963
+63 915 803 4582
+63 998 889 8078
+63 977 850 9647

Tags: Basco, Batanes, BISUMI Tour & Services, Breathtaking Batanes, North Batan, Paradise of the North