Day 1
0600 Depart for Basco, Batanes on PALexpress Flight 2P084
0750 Arrival at Basco Airport, Transfer to Hotel (5 mins by foot)
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Arrival area of the Basco Airport |
0815 Arrive at DDD Habitat Hotel, Check-in
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Aircon room for only 1,200 Pesos/night Fan room at 600 Pesos/night |
0845 Rent a Bike at Amboy's located along Abad St.
*bike rental fee is 25 Pesos/hour for a maximum of 250 Pesos/day
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My bike in front of the Honesty Coffee Shop |
0900 Bike thru the towns of Batan Island (Basco, Mahatao and Ivana, about 15 kms. one way)
*Alternatively, you can get a day tour for 1,000-1,500 Pesos for a Van, a more comfortable way of seeing Batan Island with less time, include the Malboro Country, Valugan Boulder Beach and Fundacion Pacita in the itinerary if renting a van.
Things to see along Basco-Mahatao-Ivana Road:
1. Mahatao view deck
2. Mahatao Church
3. House of Dakay
4. Ivana Church
5. Honesty Coffee
You can have lunch at Vatang Grill along the national road in San Vicente, Ivana.
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Viands cost between 130-300 Pesos/dish |
After a long day biking, I'm sure you'll be happy to just rest and sleep at the Hotel. :)
If you're in the mood for dinner, at around 4PM, the fish vendors will be selling their catch at Abad st., you can get lobsters and fish at a very cheap price and have it cooked at the hotel.
Day 2
0400 Bathroom and Breakfast (if you want to have breakfast at the hotel, be sure to tell them a day in advance, breakfast costs 150 Pesos)
0445 Wait for a Jeep at Castillejos St., 5 seconds walk from DDD Habitat to go to Ivana Port, if you miss the jeep, it would be better to do the Sabtang Tour on your 3rd day.
0545 Arrive at Ivana Port
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Boat rides costs 75 Pesos/way |
0600 Wait for the Boat, St. Thomas(smaller) or Sta. Ines (bigger). Write your name on the passenger manifest before boarding and then board. Payment is collected when you arrive at Sabtang island.
0645 Arrival at Sabtang Island
The Sabtang Tourism Office collects 200 Pesos/person as an environmental charge
Should you have no reservation, there are tricycles within the port that will offer you a tour of Sabtang Island. (800 Pesos for 2 towns, the lighthouse and beach, 1,500 Pesos for 4 towns, the lighthouse and beach.)
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Rolling Hills of Sabtang |
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Chavayan Town, where you could buy authentic Vacul |
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The only remaining church with cogon roof (Chavayan Town) |
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Sabtang Lighhouse |
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Lunch is optional at 300 Pesos/person, served beachside, make sure you reserve with the tour guide before the tour |
1300 Arrive at Sabtang Port for ferry back to Batan Island
1330 Arrive at Ivana Port
If prior arrangements have been made, you can go around southern Batan Island including the Malboro Hills, Vayugan Boulder Beach, Fundacion Pacita and PAG-ASA weather station. Otherwise, ride a jeepney to Basco (27 Pesos) and rest until sunset and dinner at the Basco Lighthouse.
*Jeep passes in front of
1400 Rest at DDD Habitat
1645 Walk to the Basco lighthouse to see the sunset and have dinner at the bunker cafe (reservations needed)
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Basco Lighthouse |
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Bunker Cafe (Reservations needed, they really won't accommodate you if you don't have one) |
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The Sunset at Basco Lighthouse |
1945 Head back to the hotel to rest
Day 3
1000 Go to Church
1200 Lunch at Shanedels or Batanes Seaside Resort or Octagon (please make prior arrangements)
1400 If you did not take the south Batan tour on your second day, now is the time to take it (Malboro Hills, Vayugan Boulder Beach, Fundacion Pacita and PAG-ASA weather station)
1800 Dinner at Pension Ivatan for some local dishes. (refrain from eating coconut crabs as they are endagered.
2000 Rest for the night or drinks at shanedels or octagon
Day 4
0500 Dress up and pack your bags for your return flight.
0600 Head towards the Airport, 5 mins walk
0810 Flight to Manila via PAL Express
I missed some of the attractions deliberately to be sure that I would go back to Batanes.