The Home of the Winds, The Land of Ivatans, The Northernmost Frontier, The Highway of the Storms, The Land of True Insulares. These are some of the titles given to Batanes Group of Islands. Too many titles and labels but a lot will agree that if there’s one single word that best describes the archipelago, it would be “paradise”.
But due to its distance and isolation, the road to “paradise” isn’t an easy one. The high cost of airfare and the unpredictability of weather make Batanes an elusive dream for some. And its impression as an expensive destination is a big turnoff for most travelers.
But an impression is all but assumption, it can be real or otherwise. The only way to verify is to experience the place first hand. So I went to Batanes on a mission to experience the paradise on the most budget friendly way and here’s how my trip went.
Batanes Itinerary
Day 1: Biking North Batan & Tayid Lighthouse of Mahatao
0745H – 0800H: Arrival in Basco Airport / Disembarkation
0800H – 0930H: Airport transfer to Marfel’s Lodge, Quick Rest
0930H – 1630H: Bike: Basco Town – Naidi Hills Lighthouse of Basco – Vayang Rolling Hills – Valugan Boulder Beach – Japanese Tunnel – Fundacion Pacita – PAGASA Station – Tukon Chapel on the Hill (Mt. Carmel Chapel) – Chawa View Deck – Mahatao Church – Tayid Lighthouse – Mahatao Town – Mahatao Cemetery – Mahatao Boat Shelter
1630H – 1700H: Back in Marfel’s Lodge, Quick Rest
1700H – 1715H: Bike to Naidi Hills Lighthouse of Basco
1715H – 1830H: Sunset at Naidi Hills Lighthouse of Basco
1830H – 1900H: Return to Marfel’s Lodge
1900H onwards: Dinner, Free Time
Day 2: Biking: Batan Island Loop
0530H – 0600H: Call Time / Breakfast
0600H – 1430H: Bike: Basco Town – Chawa View Deck – Mahatao Church – White Beach/Lagoon – House of Dakay – Ivana Church – Honesty Coffee Shop – Uyugan Town – Sitio Song Song – Alapad Hills – Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Hills) – Mahatao Lighthouse – Mahatao Town – Basco Town
1430H – 1700H: Rest, Free Time
1700H – 1730H: Bike to Vayang Rolling Hills
1730H – 1830H: Sunset at Vayang Rolling Hills
1830H onwards: Back to town, Dinner, Free Time
Day 3: Sabtang Island Tour
0530H – 0615H: Call Time / Breakfast
0615H – 0700H: Basco to Ivana Port
0700H – 0800H: Ivana to Sabtang Boat Ride
0800H – 1230H: Sabtang Island Tour: Sabtang Town – Savidug Village – Chamantad/Tinyan Viewpoint – Chavayan Village – Morong Beach / Limestone Arc Formation
1230H – 1330H: Lunch at Morong Beach
1330H – 1400H: Return to Sabtang Port
1400H – 1500H: Sabtang to Ivanna Boat Ride
1500H – 1600H: Ivana to Basco, Back at Marfel’s Lodge
1600H – 1630H: Quick Rest
1630H – 1700H: Bike: Basco Town to Vayang Rolling Hills
1700H – 1800H: Sunset at Vayang Rolling Hills
1800H – 1900H: Return to Basco Town, Proceed to Fundacion Pacita for Dinner
1900H – 2100H: Dinner + Socials at Fundacion Pacita
2100H onwards: Back to Basco Town, Lights Off
Day 4: Departure
0530H – 0615H: Call Time / Breakfast
0615H – 0700H: Proceed to Airport / Check-in
0700H – 0800H: Basco to Manila
Expenses
P1,807 – Promo airfare (Manila – Basco – Manila)
P1,050 – Accommodation for 4D/3N at Marfel’s Lodge
P1,140 – Bike Rental (2 Days + 2 Hours)
P1,500 – Food +Miscellaneous + Pasalubong
P1,400 – Sabtang Island Tour
——
P6,897 for 4D/3N in Batanes including airfare
Tips
- Best months to visit Batanes is during dry months or summer, preferably from February to early June
- Landbank and PNB have ATMs
- Mobile signals of all networks are present although 3G and LTE are quite difficult
- Marfel’s Lodge has room for as low as P350 (January 2014 rate) for a single fan room (Ate Fe: +639088931475)
- Join group tours of Ryan Cardona of www.discoverbatanes.com to save cost (Ryan Cardona Contact No: +639158034582)
- Bike rental in Batanes is P300/day for a Japanese Bike and P500/day for Mountain Bike
- Kuya Nard’s MTB is well maintained, it was the one I used in my bike tour of Batan (Kuya Nard’s Contact No: +639153827136)
- Tricycle transport in Batanes is systematically controlled by Batanes Trycicle Operators and Drivers Association (BATODA), passengers have to call or text to use their service (BATODA Contact No: +639297038404)
- If you plan to tour Batan Island on your own, you may hire a tricycle for only P200/hour (good for two [2] passengers).
- Advance reservation and order in Fundacion Pacita are required (Contact No: +639399016353/ +639178559364)
- Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Skyjet Air have regular flights from Clark and Manila to Basco, watchout for promo to avail of the budget airfare
- Sky Pasada and Northsky Air fly from Tuguegarao and Laoag to Basco
Hi,
Is there anyone here planning a trip to batanes around april2015?
Thanks!
Lhey
Hi, wala po akong na rereceive. Ano po bang fb mo ?
Hi,
My flight supposed to be October 21-26 got cancelled and was rebooked. Now I got a new date Nov 13-18, 2015. Who has the same schedule? maybe we can get along..
MSG me up.
Hi sir,di po b na cancel flight nyo ng 18?
Hi, cancelled na rin po. UPSET! Magpapamove nalang ako ng Nov 11-15, matuloy lang. Kaw po?
Hi again! Same, nov 11-15,
Hi Nice. San ka mag stay?
Wala pa, ikaw ba meron na? May group ka?
Hi, fully book na ung ibang hotel e, Nag pa reserve ako sa Crissan Lodge kaso fully book sila, Sa ibang Lodge nya ako nirefer. Wat time flight mo? 6AM ako.
6 am, can i message you on your fb? Ano account mo?
yea.. [email protected]
Sent an email 🙂
Hindi sya masent, try mo po magtext sa marfel, kakatext ko lang dun kanina
email moko. [email protected]
Ako nalang mag add sa fb mo. 500 kasi kay marfel di ba?
Hi how about Feb 18-21, 2016? I’m interested po to join.
or November 14-17, 2015.
sayang hindi din ako tuloy this November. sana sa Feb 18-21 next year may makasabay ako.
Dapat nag pa move ka nalang din ng November
wala kasi akong ticket eh.. sayang, gusto ko n magbatanes
Hi, ay akala ko may ticket ka na rin..
hi guys baka po pwede akong maki join sa tour para makatipid solo lang po kasi ako sa oct.19-23 and gusto ko mapuntahan ang tatlong isla sa batanes.
I’ll be going alone too. October 21-26, 2015.
Who will be there?
Pa join ng group or travel alone. 🙂
I’ll be in Batanes Oct 19-25. Anyone with the same dates? Pa-join sa group. I’m travelling alone. 🙂
I’ll be going alone. October 21-26, 2015.
Pa join sa tour or sa travel alone 🙂
Hey,
May group ka na?
May group ka na?
Hi im travelling alone too. Did you find a group already? . Is your flight from manila to basco?
Hey bro. Wala pako ka group… Yap from Manila to Basco ako.. kaw ba?
Natuloy ba yung flight mo?
Natuloy ka? Anong date rebooking mo?
Anyone who’s planning to go here on Oct. 16-19? Baka pwede tayo bumuo ng group tour para makatipid. 🙂 Solo back packer here.
Hi you might want to join us oct 12-16
Hi Ann. Saan kita pwede imsg? I’ll be in batanes on Oct 12-16.
Hi Ann please viber me 09074651460. I’ll be in batanes on oct12-16. Thanks.
Hi Ann and Hazel. I’ll be in batanes on oct 12-16 too. I want to join with your group.
ill be in batanes sept25-30 🙂
sept. 28-oct. 2 nmn ako.. sana maabutan kita doon 🙂
hi. ill be in batanes on the 27th to the 29th..solo backpacker. nag join ka na ba ng group? I want to join too..contact at 09167348823..janeth
mukhang uulanin yung visit natin sa batanes… nakakalungkot. maya’t-maya tingin ko sa weather forecast ehh may bagyo pa namang paparating… ako hindi na ko sumali sa group tour… mag-bibike na lang ako para hawak ko oras ko…
Gaano po ba kalalayo ang agwat ng bawat tourist spot, para ma-ibike, hehe, though i know how to ride one, am not really sure if o can endure a long ride, -solo traveler here ^^
I’m pretty excited to have a vacation in ph.. It’s been so long.. I wanna travel alone is it expensive??
May 29 to june 1 please.:)
Hi Guys! We’re selling Skyjet Travel Passes to and from Batanes for only 2,500 each. Travel period is from June 15, 2014 – June 30, 2015. Check out http://goo.gl/iQSKeb for more details. 🙂
Hi is it still available? Pls pm me 09178832142
Hi. I’m also interested. PM me. Thanks. 09277316366
hi im interested.. 09235093993
are there available slots? for 2 persons?
Hello, Is it still available? kindly PM me.
09088721123, Thanks.
do you still have tickets? Kindly contact me, 09177143512. Thanks.
is there available slot for one person? june 26-28 po.. thanks!
Hello angel,
Thanks for these useful info.. Hope to visit batanes soon.. U’ve got some awesome pictures posted for your 2015 visit to batanes :))
Hi, may I know how to get the promo fare? thanks!
Hi Lakwatsero,
We would like to ask if you can help us to book to batanes this february 2015. We are about 10-15pax. We cant find airfare as cheap as what you have posted. Please let us know if there are still available. thanks!
Wow Batanes. Nasa bucket list ko yan
I Remember you… nakasabayan ka namin sa Sabang Tour and we are on the Same Lodge ^_^
That P1807 Rate of PAL is an Inaugural Flight… just got lucky to book that!
Hi- thanks for such useful information. just one question- how would the weather be like in batanes in early december? we plan to go around that time. i see that you went in january. would there be rain? would the water be warm for swimming?
hello.
thx to you we were able to do the changu narayan trail nepal w/o a hitch,also because of budget constraint ,we were able to go inside Bhaktapur temple with no fees…thx 4 the tip..
how did you manage to get a flight for 1807 roundtrip? what airline? pls help
thanks
Rosie
Wow! So you went to Nepal!!! That’s so cool!
The P1807 round-trip fare is from Philippine Airlines. I got it on a promo sale 🙂