Batanes Travel Tips and Do-It-Yourself Itinerary

Travel Tips:

1.    Batanes is feared for its pricey fare as the regular return airfare can go as high as P16k per head… Lucky for us, we were able to grab a promo fare of less than P1500 two-way per head.  We booked in October but our travel date was July of the succeeding year.

2.    Basco runway is just 1.25km long which explains the limitation in the aircraft capacity.  Brace yourself as landing can be a challenge especially at times of strong winds tied with the sways caused by being at Mr. Iraya foot.

3.    If you want an aerial view of Batan Island, choose a seat by the right side.  Also, be sure to be awake as you leave Luzon mainland because the sight of Babuyan Group of Islands underneath can be a once in a lifetime glance.

4.    As weather is becoming unpredictable nowadays, so as in Batanes.  During our July visit, it has a hot humid feel but there were cases of stranded guests due to torrent rain in April, supposedly the height of summer.

5.    Be reminded that Batanes is blessed with great scenery almost everywhere, it’s best to tour it in an open truck/van for a quick point-and-shoot clean image.  This sunrise picture with the elusive Mt. Iraya was taken on our way to Ivana Port for our Sabtang Island tour.

6.    Accommodation is pretty affordable but food/restaurant was somehow limited during our visit.  If your hotel offers breakfast at an added cost, grab it… Also, better if it has a kitchen or allows you to cook, who knows you can have a catch during your Sabtang Island cross like what our group had.

7.    Bicycle and motorcycle rentals are also available and cheap… It’s another alternative if you want to tour North Batan at your pace and time especially if you want a sunset vista by the lighthouse at your stride.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrived at Batanes and the North Batan tour

v  Tukon Church or Mt. Carmel Chapel

v  Pagasa Weather Station – Basco

v  Fundacion Pacita

v  Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel

v  Valugan and Chadpidan Boulder Beach

v  St. Dominic Cathedral

v  Vayang Rolling Hills

v  Naidi Hills

v  Sunset at Batanes Lighthouse

Day 2 - Sabtang Island tour
v  Chamantad – Tinyan Viewpoint

v  Chavayan Village

v  Savidug Village

v  San Vicente Ferrer Church

v  Nakabuang or Mahayaw Arch at Morong Beach

v  Sabtang Lighthouse

Day 3 - South Batan tour

v  Welcome to Basco Arc Viewpoint

v  Chawa View Deck

v  Mahatao Boat Shelter Port

v  Tayid Lighthouse

v  Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country)

v  Alabad Pass and Rock Formation at Imnajbu Point

v  Sitio Songsong Ruins

v  Honesty Coffee Shop

v  House of Dakay and the old Spanish Bridge

v  Homoron Blue Lagoon

v  San Carlos Borromeo Church (Mahatao Church)

v  Maywang A Libro Du Vatan (Batanes Blank Book Archive)

Day 4 – Traveled back to Manila

Batanes is undeniably known for its lighthouses, Ivatan houses, rolling hills and blow-your-horn warnings.  There’s more of Batanes that I wish to discover but for now - 
Dios Mamajes Batanes… until next time..

Travel time:  July 2014