Banaue Rice Terraces Tours Reviews
Travellers who have walked these terrace walls and slept in these villages, in their own words. The critical account is here too, because a breakdown on a mountain road is a real outcome and worth knowing about before you book.
Ratings below are the operators’ own figures from their booking listings, not ours. Every trip they describe is compared on banaue rice terraces tour from manila, and visiting the terraces sets out what a trip involves. Practical questions are answered on the FAQs.
What travellers say, trip by trip
The trek through the Banaue Rice Terraces was tough in places — the elevation, and the state of some of the paths — but the views made every step worth it. Fred was knowledgeable and chatty and made us feel genuinely welcome. The evening entertainment in the village was a lovely window into local life.
Emily · Couple, United Kingdom · August 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
Very energetic three days with some astonishing scenery. We were a group of two with different fitness levels and Fred read that quickly, offering options and alterations so it worked for both of us. Calm, informative and easy to walk with.
Jasmine · Friends, United Kingdom · July 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
Almost fifteen kilometres on the first day through landscapes that made us forget the hours on the bus, then about seven on each of the others. Fred matched our pace and explained how rice is grown and what happens after the harvest. He showed us a traditional Ifugao house and we tried rice wine.
Lydia · Couple, France · April 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
Organised from start to finish, so we could simply relax and walk. The itinerary was flexible and adapted to what we wanted, which made it feel personal rather than packaged. Scenic and memorable, and our guide shared a great deal about local culture.
Sofie · Couple, Belgium · April 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
Emane and Fred guided us, both cheerful and generous with their region. Rice fields, hot springs, a waterfall and an evening in the village with the children. The programme was tailored to what we wanted and to how tired we were.
Fabrice · Group of friends, France · July 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
Extraordinary country, and a guide who shared the values of the region rather than just the route. A huge thank you to Eman. I would recommend it without hesitation.
Sébastien · Solo traveller, France · January 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
A big thank you to Fred, our guide — very pleasant, always smiling and attentive throughout. It made the difference on the harder stretches.
Sophie · Couple, France · February 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
A superb excursion. Fred adapted to what we wanted and always found the best places to eat, explore and stay. We saw extraordinary landscapes, stayed with local families and shared their meals, discovering dishes we would never have found alone.
Emilie and Vinciane · Friends, France · February 2026 · 3-day trek, from Banaue
Extraordinary, very well organised, and a complete change of scenery. We learned a great deal about the lives of the people in these regions and about traditional rice cultivation. Everywhere we went we were welcomed generously, ate well and were looked after.
Gueudet · Group of friends, Philippines · April 2026 · 4-day, Sagada + Banaue
I was the only booking on my date and ended up the winner: Zohan tailored everything to my interests and took me to his village. The treks were short but quite challenging for a senior, and he watched every step. Brace yourself for the bus journeys — air conditioning and comfort breaks, but still a bus.
Rosie · Solo traveller, United Kingdom · February 2026 · 4-day, Sagada + Banaue
A unique part of the Philippines and well worth the trip north. Everything was planned and organised, and the pace was adapted to the people on the expedition.
Aldona · Solo traveller, Poland · March 2026 · 4-day, Sagada + Banaue
Beautiful scenery, a family atmosphere and an attentive guide. Excellent from beginning to end.
Landais · Family, Philippines · April 2026 · 4-day, Sagada + Banaue
The hospitality of the people and the trekking through the Banaue Rice Terraces were the two things I will remember. Our guide Herson went out of his way to make us feel at home. It made our visit to the terraces unforgettable.
Maia · Couple, Australia · July 2026 · 3-day trek, from Manila
A brilliant few days trekking the terraces with Herzon. The views were remarkable, the accommodation was lovely and the whole thing was perfectly organised by Josephine.
Samuel · Friends, United Kingdom · June 2026 · 3-day trek, from Manila
Hiking from village to village through the fields is what makes this trip. The organisation was thorough, and Josephine helped us extend the trip with guides and places to stay. Our guide Mullins was excellent, and made it fun for the children with games along the way.
Tatsiana · Family, United States · June 2026 · 3-day trek, from Manila
The route is genuinely challenging — walking the edges of the rice fields, steps up to the tops of the mountains — but the guide adjusted it to what I could do and kept an eye on me the whole way. The accommodation along the route is comfortable and the food is very good.
Jerome · Solo traveller, France · June 2026 · 3-day trek, from Manila
My guide Mulin was kind, helpful and funny, and taught me a great deal about life here. He organised extra activities and made sure I was comfortable throughout. Thanks also to Josephine and her husband for organising it end to end.
Josef · Solo traveller, Germany · May 2026 · 3-day trek, from Manila
This is a part of the Philippines that should not be missed. The eight-hour drive from Manila is a trek in itself, but once you see the Banaue Rice Terraces you realise it is worth it. Our guide Jonathon was extremely knowledgeable and personally invested in the place.
Allan · Family, Philippines · February 2026 · 3-day private van
Like seeing the Ifugao terraces with your best mates. Small group, private van, and the whole thing handled for us from the Manila pickup onwards.
Jeff · Group of friends, Australia · October 2024 · 3-day private van
We enjoyed this a lot — riding on top of a jeepney like a local, Tappiya Waterfalls, and the Banaue Rice Terraces at both Batad and Banaue. My feedback would be that it needs to give more detail up front and be a little better organised.
Fiona · Couple, reviewed on the listing · April 2024 · 3-day private van
A great visit to the terraces. JP was an excellent guide and driver, and we spent one day with a second local guide as well. The ride is long and winding up in the mountains — if you get car sick, bring something for it.
Sarah · Couple, reviewed on the listing · November 2019 · 3-day private van
The most memorable moment was the Banaue Rice Terraces opening up in front of you as you come over the rise. Hiking there made an impression that photographs do not.
UllaMaija · Solo traveller, Finland · February 2024 · 4-day trek, from Manila
Great experience and great views across the valley. The small group size made the village night feel like staying with people rather than passing through.
Sophie B. · Solo traveller, France · January 2024 · 4-day trek, from Manila
A very physical tour with every hour packed with things to see, hear, learn and hike to. Zohan, also known as Marc, was the best guide I have had — knowledgeable, eager to share and genuinely passionate about the region.
Maritess · Solo traveller, Philippines · March 2025 · 4-day, Sagada + Banaue
An experience I would recommend to anyone visiting the Philippines. The Banaue Rice Terraces were extraordinary and everyone we met was friendly enough to make the trip unforgettable. A special mention for our driver Miel.
Libby · Couple, Australia · April 2026 · 3-day, hotel transfers
An excellent way to discover the Cambulo and Batad terraces — two days and one night of trekking with a great guide, Barcy, who put us right in the middle of the terrace culture. It is a very physical hike, and I would not advise it for anyone with vertigo.
A traveller · Couple, reviewed on the listing · August 2026 · 2-day village stay
I booked for eight hours and had a great experience from start to finish. The driver got me there and back safely and waited patiently while I was at a wedding. A shout out to kuya Ed.
A traveller · Solo traveller, reviewed on the listing · June 2026 · Car & driver only
The worst and most expensive excursion of our whole trip around the Philippines. The transport was poor: a car meant to carry us 250 kilometres had a serious engine fault and had to stop every ten kilometres. The operator replied that the breakdown was unforeseen and that a replacement was arranged quickly.
Ioana · Couple, Spain · April 2025 · 3-day private hire
Operator ratings and review counts
These are the star ratings and review counts each operator carries on its own booking listing. They are the operator’s figures, shown here as plain text so you can weigh one trip against another. Two of these trips are new enough that no reviews have been left yet, and the table says so rather than showing a score.
| Trip | Shape | Rating | Reviews | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Manila: 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour | 4-day, Sagada + Banaue | 4.9 | 39 | 4 days |
| Small-Group Weekend Hiking Tour to Banaue-Ifugao from Manila | 4-day trek, from Manila | 4.9 | 34 | 4 days |
| Banaue & Batad UNESCO 3days 2 nights Tour ( Private Group Tour Max 6 Travelers) | 3-day private van | 5.0 | 33 | 3 days |
| From Manila: Banaue Rice Terraces 3-Day Hiking Adventure | 3-day trek, from Manila | 4.9 | 18 | 3 days |
| Banaue-Hapao Rice Terraces (Car Rental W/ Manila Tourist Driver) | Car & driver only | 5.0 | 18 | 3 days |
| Banaue-Batad: 3-Days Guided Trek with Meals & Accommodation | 3-day trek, from Banaue | 4.9 | 9 | 3 days |
| Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces 4-Day Tour | 4-day, Sagada + Banaue | 5.0 | 6 | 4 days |
| Banaue Rice Terraces Escape: 3 Days, 2 Nights with Transfers | 3-day, hotel transfers | 5.0 | 5 | 3 days |
| 3 Days Private Tour in Banaue Ifugao visiting Batad Rice Terraces | 3-day private hire | 4.0 | 4 | 3 days |
| Banaue and Batad Rice Terraces Cultural Immersion and Trekking | 2-day village stay | 5.0 | 1 | 2 days |
| Banaue Rice Terraces Hiking Tours | 3-day trek, from Banaue | — | No reviews yet | 3 days |
| Banaue Rice Terraces and Sagada 4-Day Tour | 4-day private, both provinces | — | No reviews yet | 4 days |
Ratings and counts as published by each operator on its own listing.
What comes up again and again
- The guides carry the trip. Named guides appear in review after review — Fred, Herson, Zohan, Barcy, Emane — usually for adjusting the pace, explaining how the rice cycle works, or finding somewhere better to eat than the itinerary promised.
- The bus is the weak link, and the platforms measure it. The four-day Sagada trip publishes its own breakdown alongside its 4.9: guides at 5.0, value for money at 4.6, and transport at 3.9. That last figure is the overnight bus, and it is the one thing travellers on this route consistently rate lowest.
- The walking is harder than the distances suggest. What comes up is the elevation and the state of the paths rather than the kilometres, with one warning against the Batad descent for anyone who suffers from vertigo.
- The village evenings surprise people. Bonfires, guitars, children singing and shared meals come up far more often than any viewpoint does.
Pick a trip
Sort by how far you walk, where you start, or what the fare actually covers.
Every trip and its own rating on Banaue Rice Terraces Tours.