SAMPLE ITINERARY and CONTACT INFORMATION : BATANES, part of every Pinoy traveler's bucket-list

swept away by the wind and rolling hills (North Batan Island tour)

And finally, one of my dreams to travel and explore Batanes came through this year! Batanes group of islands is the most northern part of the Philippines. It's islands were so small yet have the most picturesque views a photographer is dreaming of. If you are going here soon, better invest in lots of memory cards and extra battery pack to capture each moment and take those shots of the stunning scenery.

I will share my experience with you guys and a 4day-3night itinerary I had during our stay in Batanes. I traveled with my sisters and my aunties, who were senior citizens. Yes, you read it right, oldies can enjoy this destination if you have a pre-arranged tours and transportation.

How to get there?

Flying with United Airlines

From Manila to Basco, there are several options via Skyjet, Philippine Airlines, and other chattered flight that you can choose from. A regular one-way costs around P 3500.00 - P 8,000.00 (base fare only). However, due to the influx of local tourist going to this area of ​​the country, airline promo fares posts twice or three times a year. If you're lucky, you can get a round-trip air fare and around P 3500.00 (base fare + tax)! How cool is that! Buying tickets to Basco during a Travel fares is also recommended. Flights to Batanes most of the time is more expensive than that of Hong Kong or Singapore.
Tip:  If you are booking via an airline office, ask for a discount in case you are / or traveling with a student (around 12% discount, if I am not mistaken) or senior citizens (20% discount).

Where to stay?
There are various choices for accommodation in Batanes which ranges from P250.00 to a whopping P25,000.00 honeymoon suite for two.

We choose Amboy Hometel , which is located in Brgy. Chanarian, Basco, Batanes. Since we are traveling with some oldies, the first thing to consider is comfort. Amboy Hometel is a bit new and offers tour packages as well if you stay with them.
Unlike other hotels and resorts, the Check in / out time depends on you flight arrival and departure to Batanes.

You may also check out  www.batanestravelandtours.com  for additional details about Batanes.

Here's our itinerary during our unforgettable 4-day stay in Batanes group of islands.

DAY 1
ETD 0530 NAIA Terminal 3
ETA 0800 Basco
0830 Check in and Amboy's Hometel
           Breakfast
           Unpack and Rest
1230 Lunch
1300 North Batan Island Tour
              Tukon Radar Station
              Tukon Chapel
              Fundacion Pacita
              Japanese Tunnel
             Valugan Boulder Beach
             Basco town proper - (capitol and church, Rolling Hills Vayang
             Basco lighthouse Naidi Hills and Sunset Viewing)

1600 Back to Hometel
1930 Dinner

DAY 2
0500 Breakfast
0530 Pick-up for Sabtang Island tour
0600 Boat ride to Sabtang Island (30-45 mins.)
           Sabtang Island Tour              
              Registration and Sabtang Heritage House:
              Visit San Vicente Ferrer Church.
              Visit Barrio Savidug traditional Vemacular Houses,
              Visit Sto. Thomas Chapel
              Lime Kilns
              Visit the famous Idjang (Ancient Ivatan Fortress)
              Trekking / Picture-taking and Chamantad Tinian Viewpoint
              Visit Barrio Chavayan (UNESCO Nominated Site)
              Refreshments / Picture taking wearing of vacullkanayi (Ivatan protective headgear),
              Go swimming at Morong Beach and picture taking and the famous rock arch formation.
1230 Lunch
1400 Travel back to Ivana port for a boat ride back to Batan Island
1500 Arrival  at Ivana Port
1545 Back to Hometel
1630 Buy garlic and shallots from the neighborhood
1700 Sunset viewing
1900 Dinner

DAY 3
0730 Breakfast
0830 South Batan Island tour
             Picture taking and Paderes Viewpoint
             Go Down and Mahatao Chawa View Deck,
             Quick Stop at All Weather Boat Shetter Port
             Mahatao Town Proper, Spaniard lighthouse & San Carlos Borromeo Church
             Trekking and Tayid Lighthouse
             Diura Visit Fishing Village and trekking to the Fountain of Youth
             Visit Racuh-a-enriched (Marlboro Country)
             Alapad and Lo-Ran Station,
             Visit Brgy. Imnajbu & San Lorenzo Chapel,
             Ruins of Songsong,
             Municipal Park of Uyugan (Motchong Viewpoint)
             Uyugan Town Proper,
             Visit San Antonino de Florencia Church,
             Ivana Town Proper,
             Honesty Coffee Shop,
             Visit San Obreo Church,
             House of Dakay (oldest traditional house),
             Spanish Bridge,
             White Beach Spaniards Blue lagoon,
            Disvayangan Beach
            Exit to Mahatao town
1300 Lunch and Vatang Restaurant
1400 Pasalubong time!
1500 back to Hometel
1730 Dinner at Fundacion Pacita
1930 back to Hometel

DAY 4
0700 Breakfast
ETD 0800 Amboy's Hometel
           Arrival at Basco Airport
ETD 1130 Batanes (delayed flight)
ETA 1230 NAIA Terminal 3
         
Technically, we have explored the untouched beauty of Batanes for 3 full days. I wish we had more time so we can visit Itbayat Island (far northern island of Batanes group). I am currently completing my posts about Batanes visit. I can not pinpoint a specific "Best" photo that I got during this trip. Expect more photos and less paragraphs on my succeeding posts. :)