Do not leave anything important behind!

The back story of this trip is this: I was just a back-up traveler.

Wednesday afternoon, I received a text message from my friend E.B. who was asking me if I had any plans over the weekend. I said I did not have any so she asked me to give her a call at the office. Then she told me her situation that she scheduled a trip to Batad Ifugao and couldn’t make it. So she asked if I could join on her behalf. And I gave it some thought like a day and a half…so I eventually decided to join Hehehe!

On my trips, I usually super duper prepare and do my homework. But since I had limited time to do so (I had to work in between pa) I just relied on the itinerary shared by Travel Factor, the tour organizers.

But after going through one hell-of-a-trip (in a good way), here are some must bring items if you plan to go to Batad, Ifugao one of these days…

Small back pack

Simply because you will be lugging your bag on your back (unless willing to pay for a porter). Just enough to bring the basics. If you do pack light, a regular sized Jansport backpack would actually do. But if you have the special mountaineering stuff, why not? Anything that would make the hiking trip more comfy for you.

I made a mistake of bringing my extra large speedo backpack which could fit 1-weeks worth of clothes. So I wouldn’t want you to make that same mistake I did.

Only 2-3 sets of lightweight cotton clothes (for an overnight weekend)

Why only 2-3 sets? You will walk and walk and walk and SWEAT. You hardly have the time to take a real bath. Well, except after trekking to Batad to Tappiya and back to Batad again. So you don’t need a whole set of wardrobe, which would add more weight di ba? Hassle pa.I would recommend dressing up in hiking gear on the bus trip going to Banaue pa lang. So you need not bring an additional change of outfits before starting the trek to Batad.

Lightweight clothes = cotton shirts / tank tops (for chicks) and leggings / jogging pants / shorts. For the ladies, best to wear a sports bra for support. No lace or underwire bras for your safety and comfort. Hehehe.

Lots and lots of water

Expensive drinks being cooled in the Tappiya Falls, Batad Ifugao

Hiking = Exercise. Exercise = Sweat. Sweat = Need to rehydrate. If you’d be adding weight to your load, I’d say it better be water. Why?

1. After walking, you will definitely be thirsty.
2. Water and other drinks are DAMN EXPENSIVE in Batad. Which is actually understandable since you will get to know the effort put into bringing down softdrinks, Gatorade and mineral water into Batad. A bottle of softdrink would cost you around Php 35 to Php 40, while a bottle of Gatorade would cost you Ph 70.

I did bring along 3-Liters of water on my back, which was literally a pain. But was eventually unloaded on the trek back to Batad Saddle since I was able to finish all 3-Liters.

You can always share the water load with your guy friends (if you’ll be going to Batad with guy friends). I’m sure they’d be happy to share some…especially if you’re a pretty lady

Camera (Of course)

If you have a DSLR and monster zoom lenses and other stuff, just make sure you can either carry them all or pay for a porter to carry them for you. Or because your gadgets are too expensive, baka ikaw na lang ang magdadala. Hehehe.

But if you think a nice lightweight camera (even a point and shoot) would do, better consider bringing this. Great photographs come from great photographers with the eye and not just the camera anyway. Hihihi.

Proper footwear!

Very important! Again, since I’m not a hiking person, I do not have hiking shoes nor the trekking rubber sandals. So I ended up wearing my trusty rubber shoes and a pair of rubber slippers, which I was so praying not to expire during the trip.

Do not wear RUNNING SHOES

Do not wear RUBBER SLIPPERS when hiking

So do not wear rubber shoes and rubber slippers when trekking! I’d really reco the rubber hiking sandals from brands like Tribu. The ones with straps secured around your foot and ankle like so…

Thanks to Ongai.com for the photo

Kc they are good for trekking in any weather condition with good foot traction for any type of terrain. Plus you can also use them in the bathroom while taking a shower. Hehehe.

Basic Toiletries and Medicines

Of course, please do not forget to bring toiletries (shampoo, soap and deodorant) for proper hygiene. Hehehe. Even if the weather is cool, you will definitely sweat and I am pretty sure nobody would want to smell. Oh and if you have any medical conditions, pls do not forget your medicines! You’d even have to trek to get to the Batad Pharmacy. Hehehe.

Just make sure to bring toiletries and medicines in travel friendly sizes so not to add more weight to your load

Lip Balm and NOT Lip Gloss

Throw in a lip balm to avoid lip burn / chapping in the cool weather. I brought my Burt’s Bees Lip Balm.

WOW ang haba na pala ng post na to. But the must brings are pretty simple to enjoy your hiking trip to Batad Ifugao to enjoy the rice terraces and Tappiya falls. Did I miss out on anything else? I’d be glad to hear from you guys especially since it is my first time in Batad Ifugao anyway.

Live Wais-ly,

Juana B. Wais