Captivating. Scenic. Enchanting. Natural Wonders. North Batan.

Finally, after strolling to South Batan and Sabtang Island, we are definitely back to complete our tour in North Batan before heading out to Manila the following day. Batan is the second largest land mass after Itbayat followed by Sabtang and the rest of seven (7) islets from the ten (10) group of islands in Batanes. Normally, North Batan tour should be the first thing to experience in Batanes to give you glimpse what’s up next but in our case, we did it last.

You will never get out of reasons to explore this spot that is truly one of the incredible places in Batanes. The capital Basco is located in the North of Batan, home of almost 10,000 people, the gateway of the archipelagic province, education, primary hospital care, banking, finance, commerce and industry. North Batan is a small tourists spots but with plenty of tourist footprints mainly because attractions are just around every after corner, so strolling around would not drained your energy. You can rent a bicycle (more economical, budget friendly, and good for the health!) for Php 100-200 pesos for the whole day in which we did. We stroll around the capital from the downtown up going to Basco Batanes Welcome Arch, Basco Lighthouse and Santo Domingo Cathedral (Immaculate Conception Cathedral).

Moreover, we still used the tricycle also provided by our homestay, Wakay Hostel to travel around some best places in the North such as Mt. Carmel Chapel, PAG-ASA Weather Station, Fundacion Pacita, Japanese Tunnel, Vayang Rolling Hills and the Valugan Boulder Beach.

Valugan Boulder Beach

4 kilometers away from Basco, you will find this incredible landscape of stones framed together with the beautiful mountains, cliffs and the roaring waves from the Pacific Ocean. The stones came from Mt. Iraya, a nearby dormant volcano and the highest peak in Batanes. The tides and waves helped smoothened these rocks overtime creating astonishing and pacifying scenery. Valugan Boulder Beach located in Costa Rica Road, Basco, Batanes and opens daily for tourists with entrance fee around Php 100-200 per head.

Vayang Rolling Hills

Vayang Rolling Hills among other famous rolling hills in Batanes is also one of a kind. Its unique location, stunning fertile grassy hills and landscapes is a silent sanctuary for mammals like cows and goats that can freely dine as far as their eyes can see. Another perfect view from this spot is the Chadpidan Beach, same like Valugan is filled with boulders lying across the Western coast of Batan.

Located in Brgy. Chanarian, Tukon, Basco, Batanes it was named after Pacita Abad, a famous Ivatan and a visual Filipino artist. She is of Ivatan origin born in Basco. Visiting over 80 countries until she died in 2004 at 58 years old allowed her career in painting and visual arts to grow and expand in more than 30 years. Fundacion Pacita is a nature lodge rests on top of the rolling hills. Fundacion Pacita is also a foundation that supports the education of young artists and helps in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Ivatans. For more information, you can visit their website, FundacionPacita.ph.

Japanese Tunnel

Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel was one of the remains of the World War 2 and a living proof of Japanese occupation in the country particularly in Batanes. For four years since 1941 when they arrived, Ivatans took an effort to dig this 250 meters long tunnel with five exit points, chambers, bunkers and of course, water reservoir. Inside was totally dark, so for your safety, make sure to follow your tour guides. Outside of the Japanese Tunnel is a picturesque view of Mt. Iraya.

Mt. Carmel Chapel (Tukon Chapel)        

Mt. Carmel Chapel also known as Tukon Chapel by locals is one of the infamous landmark in Batanes when it was open publicly in 2008. You probably seen a lot footage from this place in local movies and TV series like “You’re My Boss” of Toni Gonzaga and Coco Martin in 2015. Same with the traditional houses in the province, the chapel was made of stone but ceiling and roof has modern touched of bricks. This chapel was made possible by of one of the most prominent and influential Abad family. During our visit, the roof was under renovation, and thus, we had limited shots.

PAG-ASA Weather Station (Tukon Radar Station)           

A short walk from Mt. Carmel Chapel is the PAG-ASA Weather Station also known as Tukon Radar Station. Located in the hilltop, this was perfectly made to have a better 360 view of the whole Batan Island, the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Pacific Ocean, boulder beaches, magnificent Mt. Iraya and the old downtown of Basco.  

PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) was partially operational but still the best spot to capture Batan Island in one shot.

Basco Batanes Welcome Arch

We were able to get into this area using a bicycle and fortunately, we have a good weather in the late afternoon. This welcome arch is strategically located beside the mountain cliff and facing the gigantic Pacific Ocean. Old town of Basco can see from a distance. This spot is just simply amazing. Offering relaxation and tranquility by feeling the breeze, whistling winds, splash of waves to shoreline. Don’t missed to had a glimpse in here.

Basco Lighthouse

Located in Naidi Hills, San Antonio, Basco Lighting sitting at the lush green hills and the breathtaking open sea. We reach this spot by hiking instead roughly 1-1/2 km because we can’t pedaled our bicycle going on an uphill slope. Completely build in 2003, this is a 6 story building with a perfect viewing deck that also offers magnificent 360 view of Batan Island. You can have clearer view of other nearby islands of Sabtang in the South and Itbayat in the North right in this spot.  

Santo Domingo Cathedral (Immaculate Conception Cathedral)

Santo Domingo Cathedral is the main catholic basilica in Basco, Batanes. Established by the Dominican priests in 1700’s, this was dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of Batanes. Prior to its grandeur façade, the church was made of cogon and woods until several fire incidents; it was rebuild in 1800’s with stone and galvanized iron sheets. The church is a living proof who happens to survived Filipino-American War from 1899 to 1902 and the World War 2 from 1939 to 1945. Destructive earthquake in July 2000 with 6.4 intensity hit the province bringing significant damaged in the cathedral.

To date, only the Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo in Mahatao, Batanes considered as National Cultural Treasures by the Philippine National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Batanes perhaps is one of the top dream destinations in the country. Travel bucket lists may not be completed without writing there the name of this infamous island in the far northern part of the Philippines. For some, this has always been their dreams to step their foot in this archipelagic island. Likewise, my dreams do came true when we set forth last year.

Flight tickets are quite expensive if you don’t book a promo, but if you’re not conservative enough and you’ve got that unlimited pockets, well then, it would be easy as A,B,C. However, in our case, we secured a promo round fare back in July 2018 and flight will be March of 2019. That is almost 8 months of waiting but a perfect timing since its summer and we’re kind of persistent and determined. Travelers said it is better to be there during summer and so be it. We can enjoy more of the perfect view of the mountains, cliffs and the sea. We stayed for 5 days and explore the island(s) together.

Basco Welcome Arch, Basco, Batanes

Batanes capital is Basco located in the island of Batan, the gateway and hub of commerce and transport for the whole island. From its 230 sq. km. land area, Batanes considered as the northernmost and smallest province. It has a total of 6 municipalities, Basco, Mahatao, Ivana (Ivana Alawi if from here. Just kidding), Uyugan, Sabtang and Itbayat. It has 29 barangays with a population of not less than 20,000. Having said that, it is among the most sought after tourism frontier located at the confluence of the West Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean.

Ivatan are what the people called themselves the same name of their language. The archipelagic province has been declared by the Philippine government as “Protected Landscape and Seascape” because of its rare flora and fauna, diverse marine life, limestone cliffs, and panoramic sceneries. Batanes is composed of 11 islands, but only three are inhabited. These are the Sabtang, Batan and Itbayat. Other islets are uninhabited but some crops and livestock also came from these areas. I think so. As per our tour guide.

The Team Goes to Batanes

My good friend Jon, is the one in-charge (the punong abala) in keeping up the travel itinerary, accommodation, finance, and all, even the restau or local pub where we will settle for lunch and dinner. She’s kinda used to it since she’s a frequent traveler. IMAO! While me, I was just enjoying the whole thing and savor every moment.  

I will share more of what we did in Batanes, places we visited, and some sort of local trivia and travel photos in the next posts. Meantime, see below sample itinerary that we have, courtesy of my friend, Jonalyn Jamon. Note that we only used a tricycle during the whole exploration in the island and thus, the time is ours, no constraint. The tricycle is actually part of the over-all package of the hostel that we had stayed.

The good thing about this three-wheeled vehicle is that, you can have a 360 view passing thru from one place to another compared to closed vans or mini coaster, which is also rare in the island. In addition, it is a huge help for locals as well as their supplementary income.

Chamantad View Point Deck

We just explored Sabtang and Batan Island for we are running out of time if we will proceed to Itbayat and even if summer, the weather is unpredictable in this region maybe because its rests within the Pacific Ocean were most typhoons started.

To date, three airlines has now open their routes going to Batanes such as Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEBGO) and the Skyjet. I don’t think there’s a regular flights in Batanes on a weekly basis so better to secure your tickets months before your scheduled trip to avoid inconvenience. Also, make sure to bring money since there are limited banks and ATM in the island. Bring your sunblock if you wish to come by summer. It’s typically hot during this season. And make sure to register at the LGU office, settle certain fees (your local tour guide will bring you there) and always be guided on policies and guidelines which can be read on the leaflets or flyers. Most of all, be nice to locals, always pay respect, and do not leave your trash.

Batanes is a peaceful and simplest place, also one of the most disciplined places I have visited so far with 0% crime rates. So before doing one, always think of it.
TRAVEL ITINERARIES