Excitingly Elusive: The Ifugao Rice Terraces

MANILA, Philippines - We’ve studied this natural wonder since our grade school days, and seen it in postcards in almost every tourist store in the country: the awe-inspiring Ifugao Rice Terraces in the municipality of Banaue! A strong contender in almost any Filipino’s bucket list, a journey into the elusive mountain ranges of Ifugao to behold the 2,000-year-old hand-sculpted terraces is certainly bound to be an unforgettable experience. And since flights going up to the area have long been discontinued, it leaves us with only one main access option: via roadtrip!

My suggested mode of transportation for a journey such as this would have to be a reliable and comfortable four-wheel-drive vehicle such as the Mitsubishi Montero Sport GTV 4x4. Its 2.5L common-rail diesel engine provides for reasonable fuel economy (especially for such a distant destination) and surprisingly, even more horsepower (15HP more) than its older 3.2L GLS counterpart. It also features VGT (variable geometry turbo) technology that takes care of the typical turbo lag experienced with older, turbocharged vehicles. From the inside, its firm and supportive leather seats provide agreeable ride comfort alongside its inherent vehicle capability. Its multimedia and information system prove to be especially useful for long drives into the countryside, displaying real-time information such as fuel consumption, drive range, outside temperature, atmospheric pressure, altitude, tire pressure, and the like. The built-in GPS is also a welcome feature, in case anyone strays away from the right direction.

The trip to Banaue is a long, breathtaking journey through zig zags, mountain cliffs, paved roads, dirt roads, and occasional footprints of mini-landslides here and there. While definitely not an easy site to reach, it’s probably this detachment from the rest of the lowland world that gives this destination its peculiar charm. It may not be an easy drive once you hit the off-road, Cordillera Mountain region, but segments of mini terraces carved into some of the mountains will greet and inspire you along the way – like mini-teasers to the main event.

Once popularly known among Filipinos as the world’s “eighth wonder”, this mind-blowing series of rice plantations that use an ancient irrigation system sourced from rainforests above it remains a national cultural treasure. It’s definitely worth visiting at least once in your lifetime – though getting there is half the adventure! Vehicle-wise, you can’t go wrong with a solid performer such as the Montero Sport.