Michi Photostory

Batanes has been on my bucket list for the longest time and if you’ve read my year-end post last December 2017, Batanes is part of my Top 3 Places on my Travel Bucket List here in the Philippines. So I was really happy that at last, I was able to cross out Batanes on my bucket list before 2018 ends. 

I can still remember that a few days before our trip, my excitement was gone because it was raining cats and dogs, and when I checked the Basco, Batanes weather, mas lalo ko nalungkot. May nakikita ko rainshowers, very windy and thunderstorms pa. Sa sobrang tamad ko, I was packing our stuff 6 hours before we left the house and because of that I only had 3 hours of sleep. 

We left the house before 1AM and arrived at Clark International Airport before 3AM. At that time, Philippine Airlines has no Manila to Basco flight so we had no choice but to travel to Clark. While waiting at the boarding gate, I was praying that there will be no flight cancellation or delay. I’ve read a lot of stories about that so I was a little bit worried. I was glad when we boarded on time and I felt relieved when we landed at Basco Airport. 

Read: Glimpse of Clark International Airport 

Basco Airport is only small so we were out in a few minutes. Our hotel service was already waiting outside the airport, he drove us to an office where we need to pay the Eco-Tourism Fee, and then we went straight to Bernardo’s Hotel. 

Read: Glimpse of Basco Airport Terminal Building 

P100 - Basco 

P50 - Mahatao 

P200 - Sabtang 

P50 Adult 

P20 Kid 

Bernardo’s Hotel was our accommodation for four days. I love DIY travel but since this is a last-minute plan, we availed Bernardo’s Hotel Tour Package so we have room accommodation, round-trip airport transfers, three days tour, and full-board meals. The only thing that was excluded is Eco-Tourism Fee and Protected Area Entrance Fee (per person). 

Upon arrival, we paid the remaining 50% balance. They allowed us to check in early. We ate our breakfast and rested while waiting for our service for our first tour. 

  

Day 1: North Batan Island Tour in Batanes 

This is our North Batan Island itinerary but before we started our tour, we had lunch first at Pension Ivatan Hometel Restaurant. 

Visit Mt. Carmel Church (Tukon Church) 

Check out PAGASA Tukon Radar Station 

Drop by Fundacion Pacita 

Visit the Basco Idjang Viewing point 

Explore the Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel 

Check out Valugan Boulder Beach 

Walk along Basco Town Proper 

Visit Provincial Capitol 

Drop by the Cathedral of Santo Domingo de Guzman 

Visit Vayang Rolling Hills 

Explore Naidi Hills 

Visit Basco Lighthouse 

Go sunset viewing 

 

Day 2: Sabtang Island Tour in Batanes 

We did not celebrate New Year’s Eve anymore since we need to wake up early for our next tour. The call time is 6AM. We spent our first day of 2019 on Sabtang Island, we rode faluwa to reach the island. We landed on Sabtang Island safely but going back to Batan is a different story. Feeling ko second life na namin na nakabalik kami ng buhay after our scary boat ride. Despite the trauma, I’m still happy to see this place. Dito nagshoot yung “You’re My Boss” movie. 

San Vicente Ferrer Church 

Morong Beach and Mayahaw Natural Arc 

Brgy Savidug Stone House 

Savidug Idjang Natural Fortress 

Sto. Tomas Chapel 

Chamantad - Tinyan Viewpoint 

Chavayan Vernacular Houses 

Sta Rosa De Lima Chapel 

Sabtang Weavery Association 

  

This is our South Batan Island Tour Itinerary, it was a long list but we finished this in few hours kasama na yung pamimili namin sa souvenir shop. 

Chawa Viewdeck 

Mahatao Boat Shelter Port 

Tayid Lighthouse 

San Carlos Church 

Homoron Blue Lagoon 

Maydangeb White Beach 

Ivana Municipality 

Old Spanish Bridge 

House of Dakay 

San Jose De Obrero 

Honesty Coffee Shop 

Uyugan Municipality 

Muchong Viewpoint 

Song Song Ruins 

Itbud Village 

Alapad Pass and Natural Rock Formation 

Old Naval Station 

Imnajbu Village 

Racuh A Payaman (Marlboro Country) 

 

Check-out time is 8AM but the hotel allowed us to check out late since our flight is still before lunchtime. The airport is not far so we don't need to go early. Check-in time is 2 hours before the flight. Our flight was delayed because of weather conditions but still thankful na hindi canceled flight.

Traveling to Batanes is expensive but I can definitely say, it is worth the splurge. This is one of my favorite places that we visited in the Philippines. And if I have an extra budget, I would revisit Batanes even without the tour, I just want to enjoy the place and food.