Sagada Series 1: Trekking Banga-an Rice Terraces

We just see post cards of rice terraces from our social studies class in elementary, now, we’re actually walking, or should I say trekking, on one. First in our list of activity in Sagada was trekking the Banga-an Rice Terraces, something I nor Sago haven’t done before.

After registering our group at the local tourism office, which every tourist is required to do, we proceeded to Banga-an rice terraces by hiring a private jeepney.
Mr. Goatee here was the first one to greet us from the elevated starting point of the trek.
He was kind enough to pose for us and was not freak out with a swarm of new tourists taking a picture of him/her; or it .:)

It was not immediately the multi-level rice terraces where we trekked upon. We started with a level rice field but nonetheless walk on concrete dikes wide enough for one person and a half.

It was marvelously beautiful, like post cards coming into life. All these amazing views of the green sea while the cool breeze of the field runs across your face.

Just a few minutes after, we could now see the leveled rice terraces; and we are to walk on its sides like passers-by on a side walk street minus all the elements of the busy city.
Nothing but only the blue sky, the grey boulders we step on, the green palay and the brown soil beneath them.

This time, it’s more challenging since bigger steps are necessary to hop down the levels of rice terraces.
Remember, this is a decending trek.
Our target finish line is the Bomod-ok (Big) Falls which would be the focus of “Sagada Series 2.” For now, let’s continue trekking.


Interestingly. there are a number of Igorot village communities along the way. They are the ones who take care and till the soil of the terraces. There are three main communities in the rice terraces of Banga-an. We were able to pass through one of them and only see the other two from afar.
This guy in the picture above is the tour guide of the group from Travel Factor, the lifestyle travel agency facilitator of this trip.

We were also able to meet some smaller groups on their way up, back from the falls. Passing the same walk-way, both parties had to lean a little to allow them pass on each others sides.
The group had a number of rest along the trek. In total, the Banga-an rice terraces trek to Bomod-ok Falls was about an hour and a half (short rests included).

The trek is not really that tiring since it is a ‘descent‘. Moreover, we had a number of stops where our local travel guide companion discusses some trivia about the villages, the people, and their way of life. Some controversial topics including ‘marijuana‘ plantations was even raised. However, such topic is beyond the scope of this story. 🙂

And that is the Banga-an rice terraces trek adventure story of Sago in Sagada. Come back and watch out for more of the next Sagada series for this month of May.
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I loved the virtual tour you gave through the photos you posted. To go here and experience it is on my bucket list. I just hope I’ll be able to do so in the very near future!
I loved your Sagada photos. I included this blog post in my list of notable Sagada blogs for this month.
cheers from the,
SaGaDa-iGoRoT
mr. goatee is so adorable! and your monkey mascot, too!
@MommyBa – Let’s Go Sago! 🙂
@ Sagada-Igorot – thanks!
@ Miss Igorota – haha, aliw talaga yang si Mr.Goatee, di gumagalaw, behave lng. 🙂
i love love sagada! everything is just so fresh and green! 😉
Your Sagada pics are breathtaking. Too bad I didn’t have a camera when I went there in 2006.
My husband didn’t know about Sagada until a friend told him all about it. He was intrigued about very simple lifestyle of the people and if he’d survive staying there with the most basic of comforts!
Love the shots! Hoping to visit Sagada soon.