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Below is what\u2019s commonly referred to as \u201cBatan North Tour<\/strong>\u201d \u2014 as the name implies, you will venture through the top spots in the northern part of the main island of Batan for your Batanes itinerary.<\/p>\n I have gotta say though\u2026 I couldn\u2019t help giggling as they took me around because it was all a bit surreal \u2014 imagine, I was a local being toured around (where else but)<\/em> in my own hometown!<\/p>\n Still, it was quite an experience and I surely saw Batan<\/em> in a new light, especially when (for example)<\/em> I arrive at a location that was normally just a normal hangout place for me and my classmates during high school, but was now a top tourist attraction. I guess tourism also brought something good for us because they have also started digging more into our history!<\/p>\n NOTE<\/u>:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not fit for biking or motorcycling around the island to visit the following spots during your Batanes itinerary, you can rent a tricycle <\/em>(at Php 1,000 for 2 pax Batan North Tour), a car <\/em>(depending on the size of the car, the costs start at Php 2,000 for a whole day), or just go for a guided North Batan tour<\/a> by reserving your spot online<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n North Batan Stops<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Mt. Carmel Chapel \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Fundacion Pacita<\/strong> Who is Pacita? <\/strong>She is an\u00a0internationally known artist who was a full-blooded Ivatan and Fundacion Pacita was her former home when she was still alive.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0PAG-ASA Radar Station \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Didawud Idjang (Fortress) \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Chanpan\/Valugan Boulder Beach \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Provincial Capitol Area \/ Casa Real \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Our Lady of the\u00a0Immaculate Conception Cathedral \/ Sto. Domingo Church \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Vayang Rolling Hills<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Naidi Hills and Basco Lighthouse \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Kural Marine Sanctuary \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n Substitute Activities<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got the extra time during your Batanes itinerary, I highly recommend the following:<\/p>\n \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Climb Mt. Iraya<\/strong> NOTE<\/strong>: This mountain also supplies the water in all households in Basco \u2014 so yes, when you\u2019re in Batanes, you can drink from the tap! It\u2019s safe and fresh spring water!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Given that Batan is a huge island, this day of your Batanes itinerary will be spent on the southern parts as you go through the top highlights of the remaining areas:\u00a0Mahatao,\u00a0Uyugan, Ivana, Itbud, and Imnajbu.<\/em><\/p>\n TIP: <\/strong>If you\u2019re ever pressed on time, this Batan South Tour can be combined with the North Tour and can be done in a day. But of course, it\u2019s always best to take it easy so that you can have more time (and photo ops!) <\/em>in each location. Remember: you should make the most of your trip here!<\/p>\n NOTE<\/u>:<\/strong> If you\u2019re not fit for biking or motorcycling around the island to visit the following spots, you can rent a tricycle<\/em> (at Php 1,500 for 2 pax Batan South Tour), a car<\/em> (depending on the size of the car, the costs start at Php 2,000 for a whole day), or just go for a guided South Batan tour<\/a> by reserving your spot online<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u2013 \u2013 \u2013<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n South Batan Stops<\/strong><\/mark><\/p>\n \u25d8\u25d8 Chawa Viewdeck<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Boat Shelter Port<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8 San Carlos Borromeo Church<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8 Homoron Blue Lagoon (or Spanish Lagoon)<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Maydangeb White Beach<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Diura Fishing Village<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Rakuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country)<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Spanish Bridge<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0House of Dakay<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0San Jose de Obrero Church \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Honesty Coffee Shop<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Songsong Ruins<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Itbud Town<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Itbud Idjang<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Alapad Pass and Hills<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0LORAN Station<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Disvayangan Beach Front<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Tayid Lighthouse<\/strong> \u25d8\u25d8\u00a0Ranum ni Kumalakal \/ Rakuh-a-idi (Spring of Youth)<\/strong>\n
<\/strong>Located at Sitio Tukon in Barangay Chanarian in Basco, this chapel is the most recently built\u00a0worship house in Batanes\u00a0and the\u00a0only chapel that adopted the stone house style. \u00a0Its prime position above the hills has made it a popular spot not only for weddings but also for tourists who are looking for Instagram-worthy shots.<\/p>\n
This is Batanes\u2019 only luxury hotel<\/a> and rightly so as it is nestled above a picturesque hill that has a grand view over the sea and the surrounding Batan terrain. Rest assured, you\u2019re free to wander inside its premises even if you\u2019re not a hotel guest. You can also visit its indoor museum where Pacita Abad\u2019s works are found.<\/p>\n\n
<\/strong>This used to be a USA weather station and climbing to the top of it will offer you great panoramic views over the island.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>There are a total of 4 Idjangs<\/em> in Batanes and this is one of them. In the olden times, the\u00a0Ivatan people used it as fortifications (likened to castles) <\/em>to protect themselves during times of war. Originally, these were elevations that were formed by molten volcanic magma which acted as a plug on an extinct crater.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Located in the hills of Tukon, this five-door tunnel that\u2019s complete with a series of chambers, was a bunker that served as a lookout spot and a water reservoir during the Japanese occupation.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>This is popularly known for its long stretch of boulders due to Mt. Iraya\u2019s eruption in 400 AD. The rock formation, smoothed over time by the strong Pacific waves, presents a panoramic\u00a0view over the horizon and of Mt. Iraya that must be included on your Batanes itinerary!<\/p>\n
<\/strong>Built between the 16th to 18th centuries, it\u2019s a government building and is commonly regarded as the center of the town (nearby, you will find\u00a0a vast sports plaza where most of the island\u2019s celebrations are usually held).<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/strong>This is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Batanes and\u00a0it is\u00a0the first parish church to be built in the early 18th century\u00a0in which it was originally\u00a0made up of cogon grass roofing. It was also the first to have galvanized iron roofing in the 1890s. The feast of its patron saint, Sto. Domingo de Guzman, is celebrated by the Ivasays<\/em> (people from Basco) every August 8.<\/p>\n
These are seemingly endless waves of rolling hills that are perfectly backdropped by the seascape. It is best\u00a0enjoyed from afar, but it is also best experienced when explored on foot; plus, this spot is the best vantage point for an unhampered view of the province\u2019s three major islands.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>This is one of my fave hang-out spots when I was young!\u00a0<\/strong>An old sitio<\/em> derived from the Ivatan words \u201cna\u201d <\/em>which means past, and \u201cidi\u201d\u00a0<\/em>which means settlement. Located here are old wireless telegraph facilities by the Americans which were bombed by Japan during World War II. One can also get a breathtaking view of the town atop the hilltop 66-feet lighthouse.<\/p>\n
<\/strong>I remember visiting this place for picnics on weekends with family, friends, and relatives! In 2005, it has been found that the marine life in this area is so rich and perfect for diving that it has been decided to properly protect it. After acquiring a pass, anyone can dive, swim, snorkel, and picnic here to enjoy its natural beauty.<\/p>\n
Towering over Basco at approximately 1,009 meters above sea level, this dormant volcano is the first attraction you will see upon landing at the airport. To get a picture-perfect view, timing and patience are required since its peak is almost always covered by clouds. As for climbing this mountain, it can be quite challenging\u00a0because of its abundant endemic flora and fauna, but it\u2019s absolutely doable. As such, it\u2019s not advisable to do it alone; however, there are some tour guides who offer a guided hike up the mountain.<\/p>\n\n
Do a Batan South Tour<\/strong><\/mark><\/h3>\n
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(Mahatao) <\/em>A perfect spot to enjoy Batanes sunsets! Via a nearby staircase,\u00a0you\u00a0can also descend more than a hundred steps down to the adjacent cliff to fish, take pictures, or frolic in the waters.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao)<\/em> This supports the\u00a0goals\u00a0of the fishing industry of the province namely: fish sufficiency and generation of employment.\u00a0It\u00a0was constructed in October 2005\u00a0and as a\u00a0130-million pesos project, it is the biggest infrastructure project by the Provincial Government at that time. The area was chosen because of its cove-like structure that gives good protection to the boats during inclement weather.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>Its beauty and excellent state of preservation made it a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines\u00a0in 2001. Outside the church, you will also find a typical olden\u00a0Spanish lamp post <\/em><\/strong>\u2014\u00a0<\/em>two vertical structures about 30 meters apart that used to be manually lighted with fire\u00a0so that the local fishermen could identify how far the shore is.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>Located between Ivana and Mahatao, it\u2019s an interesting spot for your Batanes itinerary because\u00a0back in the Spanish era only the Spanish were allowed to take a dip there.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>A cove with multi-colored rocks and white-colored sand, this spot can easily rival the beauty of Boracay!\u00a0It is located along the national highway about 9 kilometers from Basco and is being maintained by both Mahatao and Ivana Local Government Units (LGU\u2019s).<\/em><\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>A sitio in\u00a0Basco\u2019s\u00a0eastern part where an association of fishermen called mataw<\/em>\u00a0still practice the traditional fishing for arayu<\/em> (dorado<\/em> type of fish). They also still observe an\u00a0old ritual called kapayvanuvanua<\/em>\u00a0which signifies the start of the fishing season in March. Don\u2019t miss out on checking the beach front here too!<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>Dubbed by foreign tourists as Malboro Country because of its similar contour, endless rolling hills, and wind-swept communal pasturelands for cows, carabaos, and horses. For sure, this is a perfect spot for nature lovers and photographers.<\/p>\n
(Ivana) <\/em>This was constructed and formed as part of the main road of Ivana during the Spanish period as the road leads to the doorstep of the Church. It is still being used to date by people and trucks alike.<\/p>\n
(Ivana) <\/em>Probably the most photographed Ivatan house in the islands, this\u00a0was built of lime and stone in 1887 and owned by Luisa Estrella who bequeathed it to her favorite nephew, Jose \u201cDakay\u201d Estrella. A survivor of the destructive earthquake of September 13, 1918 which destroyed much of the rest of the town, the House of Dakay\u2019s shutters and floor have never changed and have retained much of its authentic look throughout the decades.<\/p>\n
(Ivana) <\/em>Built in 1784 by Fr. Jose Fausto de Cuevas, it is the only church in Batan with a separate bell tower that was constructed 30 years later.\u00a0Located by the coastal area, it is here where Katipunero revolutionaries commanded by Captain Perea landed on September 18, 1898 to liberate the province from the Spaniards.<\/p>\n
(Ivana) <\/em>An unmanned refreshment store that has become famous worldwide, and a must-to-see for your Batanes itinerary.\u00a0Showcasing the best of\u00a0Ivatan\u2019s honesty, here you will find\u00a0no standby seller because the owners rely on the honesty of its customers when they pay\u00a0for goods taken from the store.<\/p>\n
(Uyugan) <\/em>Remnants of an old settlement that was ravaged by a tsunami in the 1950s. Residents were given homesteads in Mindanao under the Magsaysay resettlement program\u00a0and today, it is a thriving coastal community again.<\/p>\n
(Itbud) <\/em>This is where the best-tasting local wine called palek<\/em> comes from and where maytuab<\/em> and sinadumparan<\/em>\u00a0(local Ivatan stone houses) still stand. It had the largest population in Batan\u2019s south-eastern part in the 18th century due to a stable water supply spring and a well-fortified idjang<\/em> (fortress).<\/p>\n
(Itbud) <\/em>One of the 4 Idjangs in Batanes. Here, rock carvings are still evident (probably for water storage)<\/em>, as well as their gathering\/meeting area and the rocks with bored holes for anchors are still intact.<\/p>\n
(Uyugan) <\/em>Offers a captivating view of several rolling hills and the vast expanse of the sea \u2014 a location made popular by the Filipino movie \u201cHihintayin Kita sa Langit\u201d<\/em>, starred by\u00a0Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta.<\/p>\n
(Imnajbu) <\/em>\u201cLong-Range Aid to Navigation\u201d where the US Coast Guards were based. Its lawns and buildings that were once beautiful and well-kept have deteriorated and were ruined after the Americans left and abandoned it in the 1960s. Today, it is a National Museum Branch.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>A row of private picnic houses with basic facilities\u00a0adjacent to a government-operated recreation building featuring two bowling lanes and a billiards room.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>Erected in 2000, this colonial-looking beacon offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, as well as other parts of Batan Island and its rugged mountain cliffs that face\u00a0the West Philippine Sea.<\/p>\n
(Mahatao) <\/em>A man-made pool with spring water and a view of the Pacific Ocean and Mt. Iraya. This spot is truly\u00a0ideal for picnics (and photo ops!).<\/em>
~ TIP<\/strong>: For your Batanes itinerary, you can book online<\/a> and reserve your spot on a half-day tour to this place, especially if you want some more time to relax here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nMake your way to Sabtang Island<\/strong><\/mark><\/h3>\n