Batanes is every travellers dream. Let me share you my Batanes trip last October 3-7, 2018. Less hassle-free trip with the help of Chanpan Tours and Services Batanes.
Let me start by saying "Kapian kamupa nu dios si chamavukhas aya" - that is how Ivatan say Good Morning, quiet a tongue twister lol.
Let me tell you that this is a solo trip, and I do not want a DIY trip this time since I have no idea about the real life in Batanes. I contacted Chanpan Tours and Services Batanes thru their facebook page and decided to get their promo of 4 days 3 nights for only 8,200 pesos. Keep in mind that this is a promo, and prices may change anytime and prices will depend on the season.
Let me tell you that this is a solo trip, and I do not want a DIY trip this time since I have no idea about the real life in Batanes. I contacted Chanpan Tours and Services Batanes thru their facebook page and decided to get their promo of 4 days 3 nights for only 8,200 pesos. Keep in mind that this is a promo, and prices may change anytime and prices will depend on the season.
The 8,200Php package includes:
- 3 days tour (North Batan, South Batan, Sabtang Island)
- 4days 3nights airconditioned room with private bathroom
- Breakfast on 2nd day up to last day
- Free use of kitchen
- Towel and Soap
- Complimentary Round-trip Basco Airport Transfers
- Land Transportation (for Tours & Transfers)
- 3 Days Tour (North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang)
- Tour Guide Services/Photographer
- Lunch during Tours
- Boat Fare
- Registration fees and permits
The package is a lot cheaper if you are a couple or group. See packages below posted as of September 1, 2018:
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Day 1: October 3, 2018North Batan tour
I flew and arrived in Basco Airport around 8am. North Batan tour is a half day tour and starts at 12pm.
Destinations:
♥ Lunch at JPanda Grill
♥ Basco Town tour (Registration at Tourism Office)
♥ Mt. Carmel Chapel
♥ PAGASA Tukon Radar Station
♥ Fundacion Pacita Nature Lodge
♥ Refreshments at Café du Tukon
♥ WWII Japanese Hideout/Tunnel
♥ Boulder Beach in Chanpan Valugan
♥ Vayang Rolling Hills
♥ Basco Idjang Viewing
♥ Lighthouse in Naidi Hills
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For my accomodation, they gave me a family room in Pells Lodge since the room in Marfel's Lodge with private CR is currently booked at that time. Family room in Pells Lodge is very spacious, air conditioned, and can accommodate up to 6 people. They let me have an early check in since I arrived in Basco Airport around 8am, and travel time going to Pells lodge is less than 10 minutes. Btw, ate Marlyn from the reception is very accommodating and attends to the needs of every guest.
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♥ San Vicente Ferrer Church
♥ Malakdang Lighthouse
♥ Sinakan Stone Houses
♥ Brgy. Savidug Stone Houses
♥ Sto. Thomas Chapel
♥ Lime Kiln
♥ Savidug Idjang Viewing
♥ Chamantad-Tinyan Viewpoint
♥ Brgy. Chavayan Stone Houses
♥ Sabtang Weavers Association (Vakul Rental)
♥ Sta. Rosa De Lima Chapel
♥ Nakabuang Cave
♥ Ahaw (Natural Limestone Arc Formation)
♥ Morong Beach
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This tour starts early in the morning, they will pick you up around 6-7 am as the boat in San Vicente Port departs as early as 8am. Expect big waves during the travel (it depends on the weather) and travel time only takes 30 minutes.
You need a lot of energy for this tour as most of the destination requires a lot of walking. Once you reach the Sabtang Weavers Association, you can rent Vakul (Ivatan's Headgear) for 20-25 pesos and use it against the heat of the sun and take a good selfie as souvenir. The highlights of the tour are the stone houses, morong beach (where lunch is served in Pananayan Canteen), vakul, and viewpoint in Chamantad-Tinyan where you can also buy snacks and souvenirs.
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Day 3: October 5, 2018 - South Batan Tour♥ Paderes Point and Cliff Road
♥ Chawa Viewing Deck
♥ Mahatao Town Tour
♥ San Carlos Borromeo Church
♥ Mahatao Tayid Lighthouse
♥ White Beach and Hohmoron Lagoon
♥ House of Dakay and Old Spanish Bridge
♥ Alapad Hills and Rock Formation
♥ San Jose de Ivana Church and Ruins
♥ Honesty Coffee Shop
♥ San Antonino de Florencia Church
♥ Motchong Viewpoint
♥ Our Lady of Miraculous Medal in Itbud
♥ San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel in Imnajbu
♥ Lo-Ran Old Naval Base
♥ Racu-ah- Payaman (Marlboro Hills)
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South Batan tour is one of the popular tours in Batan Island because the landscapes are breathtaking. Bring extras batteries and memory cards if you are photo enthusiast, South Batan has a lot of gorgeous scenery to offer and make you fall in love with the place even more.
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There are two ways in getting to Fountain of Youth or Spring of Youth, either walk near the shore of Diura Beach (shortest) or walk up the 1 kilometer hill. Our guide Nelson from Chanpan, btw he is a good photographer, decided for us to trek because walking in Diura Beach is not advisable due to waves. Bring something to drink during the trek, I didn't bring one so I decided to drink the water from the fountain.
You can ride a tricycle for 500 pesos depending on your haggling skills, on my case I decided to join a tour. This tour is a side trip of the people I had met during my South Batan tour and costs 1,500 pesos divided into 8 people, they were on Sabtang tour that day. You have to pay an entrance fee of 50 pesos. Ideally the driver picked me up at Pells Lodge before we head to San Vicente port to pick them up after their Sabtang tour.
You can ride a tricycle for 500 pesos depending on your haggling skills, on my case I decided to join a tour. This tour is a side trip of the people I had met during my South Batan tour and costs 1,500 pesos divided into 8 people, they were on Sabtang tour that day. You have to pay an entrance fee of 50 pesos. Ideally the driver picked me up at Pells Lodge before we head to San Vicente port to pick them up after their Sabtang tour.
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Here are the other things that you can do in Basco Town:
1. Rent a Bike - 25 persos per hour
2. Stargazing in Naidi Lighthouse
3. Eat local foods. Check out this link (what and where to eat in Batanes)
4. Go to local bars and hangout with Ivatans (JPanda and KJ - very local)
Food and drinks in Batanes is rather expensive, you have to consider that things are imported. I normally spend 100-300 pesos for a decent meal during dinner since my breakfast and lunch on tour is already included on the package. I do not list down all my expenses but my estimated budget for this travel is around 10,000 pesos excluding airfare.
Expenses:
2,900 - Roundtrip ticket MNL-BSO
8,200 - 4D 3N Tour package
1,800 - Dinner and other snacks, Entrance Fee, Beers, Souvenirs
You will definitely fall in love in Batanes, this is the real place where you will find your inner peace lol. I would recommend this place especially to couples, this place is soooo romantic. If you are a solo traveler, I would highly recommend Chanpan Tours and Services, my tour guide Nelson, Art, and Arnel really know how to take instagram-worthy photos, I am amazed with their photography skills. Generous amount of food are also served during tour. You can contact them thru their facebook page or visit http://chanpantoursbatanes.com/
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