Philippines6 days

Batanes, Itbayat & Sabtang — 6 Days

Island hopping across the Philippines' northernmost province: limestone hills, traditional Ivatan settlements, and coastal fishing villages.

This six-day journey moves through the Batanes Islands, a cluster of limestone formations in the Bashi Channel that form the northernmost point of the Philippine archipelago. The route connects three main islands—Batan, Itbayat, and Sabtang—each with distinct geography and settlement patterns. Batan holds the administrative center of Basco and serves as the base for regional boat transport. Itbayat, reached by ferry, contains interior caves and distinctive boat-shaped burial grounds in limestone formations. Sabtang, accessed by a separate ferry from Batan, preserves traditional Ivatan architecture, including vernacular stone houses and a UNESCO-nominated community settlement. The terrain combines coastal cliffs, interior karst topography, and working fishing villages. Accommodation alternates between small local inns in Basco and homestays on Itbayat. An English-speaking guide accompanies the group throughout.

Highlights

Vayang and Naidi Hills on Batan Island, offering elevated views of the Bashi Channel and surrounding limestone ridges
Diura Fishing Village on Batan, an active settlement where daily boat operations remain central to local subsistence
Crystal Cave on Batan Island, an interior limestone formation accessible as part of the island tour
Turungan Cave on Itbayat, located within the island's interior karst system
Chimming Rock and the boat-shaped burial grounds on Itbayat, traditional burial sites set within limestone formations
Savidug Vernacular Houses on Sabtang, stone dwellings built in traditional Ivatan style with working lime kilns
Savidug Idjang on Sabtang, a fortified settlement from earlier periods
Chavayan traditional village on Sabtang, a UNESCO-nominated Ivatan settlement preserving community layout and building methods

Day by day

1Batanes Arrival and Island TourBasco · Vayang and Naidi Hills · Radar Hill · Tukon · Diura Fishing Village · Crystal Cave

Arrive in Basco and transfer to your local inn. Afternoon tour encompasses Vayang and Naidi Hills, Radar Hill, Tukon, Diura Fishing Village, and Crystal Cave—a comprehensive introduction to Batanes' limestone landscape and coastal character.

2Boat to Itbayat; Island Tour and HomestayItbayat · Barrio Raele · Itbayat Centro · homestay accommodation

Early boat crossing to Itbayat. Tour Barrio Raele and Itbayat Centro. Settle into homestay accommodation for the next two nights.

3Itbayat Interior: Turungan Cave and Burial GroundsTurungan Cave · Chimming Rock · homestay

Visit Turungan Cave within the karst system and Chimming Rock's boat-shaped burial grounds. These sites reflect traditional Ivatan practices. Overnight at homestay.

4Return to Batan; Transfer to Basco InnBasco on Batan Island · the local inn

The morning boat returns travelers to Basco on Batan Island. Check-in at the local inn provides the base for the following day's excursion to Sabtang.

5Sabtang Island: Vernacular Houses and Chavayan SettlementChavayan · Sabtang's eastern side · Savidug's traditional stone houses · Batan · Savidug's active lime kilns · Savidug Idjang

A boat carries you to Sabtang's eastern side, where Savidug's traditional stone houses and active lime kilns sit alongside the Ruins and Idjang fortification. Cross the island to Chavayan, a UNESCO-nominated traditional Ivatan village, before returning to Batan.

6Basco to Manila; DepartureBasco · Basco to Manila

Transfer to the airport in Basco for the flight back to Manila.

Included

3 nights Basco
2 nights Itbayat
meals as indicated
transfers
sightseeing
tours
boat rides as maybe required, English-speaking guide.
A separate multilingual guide from Manila can be provided at extra cost.