Banaue Rice Terraces: A Google Maps Mistake That Led To An Unforgettable Adventure

What if Google Maps sent you the wrong way? What if, instead of guiding you to the World’s Eighth Wonder, it takes you straight into disaster? With modern technology, reaching out-of-the-way places like the Banaue Rice Terraces should be easy.

Yet, for some bizarre reason, our trip to Sagada and the Banaue Rice Terraces felt like an unpredictable adventure. 

With wrong turns and unexpected detours, what was supposed to be a convenient weekend trip turned into a journey full of surprises.

To some, this might seem like an inconvenience or a disaster. 

But to me, our not-so-smooth-sailing Luzon trip was an opportunity for growth. 

The truth is, every wrong turn and unexpected setback leads to new discoveries and lessons.

So, what exactly happened on our Luzon adventure? 

And did I find anything worthwhile as we explored Sagada and the Banaue Rice Terraces?

My Banaue Rice Terraces experience

17 months earlier: My first encounter with the Banaue Rice Terraces

I dreamed of seeing the Banaue Rice Terraces with my own eyes ever since I was a child. 

It was a vision tattooed in my mind and a place I had longed to witness beyond postcards and textbooks.

I had imagined countless times standing at the edge of those terraces with the morning mist rolling over the giant emerald steps. 

I had daydreamed of soaking up the moment and filling my lungs with crisp mountain air. 

And then, finally, it happened.

After decades of anticipation and a long, winding journey via the Nueva Vizcaya–Mountain Province Road, I stood before them.

The view of the terraces from the Dianarra View Deck was everything I had hoped for.

Breathtaking, surreal, and humbling, it was even better than I had imagined.

The massive terraces stretched endlessly into the horizon.

And the layered steps formed a grand stairway to the heavens.

It was like an enormous staircase built for ancient mythical giants or the Anunnaki.

But I felt like there was something wrong with this picture.

Even though I had fulfilled one of my dreams, there was something missing.

It didn’t feel like a culmination or a conclusion to a story.

It felt like a subplot or a chapter of an unfinished novel.

And it felt like a short episode of a long, multi-season TV series.

Maybe it felt that way because it was just a side trip between our Mount Amuyao climb and Buscalan trip.

From Dianarra View Deck, we continued with our Luzon trip.

Along the way, we discovered the Bayyo Rice Terraces.

We made a quick stop, and admired its mesmerizing beauty and elaborate structure.

I paused, letting the moment sink in, making mental notes of the surrounding landscapes.

As someone who had a knack for blazing new trails, it was natural for me to observe everything in my surroundings.

I wasn’t just admiring the view. 

I was also understanding the landscape, feeling its rhythm, and sensing the endless possibilities for adventure.

Years ago, I formed and led a team of local hikers in Cebu: Day Hike Therapists (DHT).

With my passion for learning, navigation, and uncovering new places, I led my team to discover multiple secret spots and trails in Cebu.

One day, I found out that someone wanted to kick me out of the team.

They wanted to take the reins and shape the team in their own vision.

So, I stepped away from the team to focus on self-love and personal growth.

Ever since then, I have been traveling solo or joining other groups on organized tours.

And slowly, I have lost my navigation skills and passion for helping people lead to places they’ve never been to.

Day 1: Arrival in Baguio

Something was off on this drive to Sagada from Manila.

I couldn’t put my finger on it yet, but I knew this route didn’t follow our original itinerary.

When I saw the iconic Lion’s Head in Baguio, I kind of knew we were f*cked up.

I wasn’t an expert in Luzon’s geography, and I had no experience driving these steep, winding roads. 

But I still had a decent sense of direction. 

And even though my trailblazing days were supposedly over, I still had some navigation instincts left in me.

I pulled out my phone and checked our itinerary. Banaue Rice Terraces was supposed to be our first stop.

I wasn’t wrong.

If the driver had followed the itinerary, we should have been on the Nueva Vizcaya–Mountain Province Road. 

Instead, we were deep in Baguio, with the driver glued to his phone, following Google Maps.

A deep sigh escaped me as I stared out the window. 

I glanced around. 

Everyone was clueless and excited about this getaway in Luzon.

So, what should I do?

I had two choices.

I could be assertive, and tell the driver he’s leading us in the wrong direction and risk looking like a know-it-all.

Or…

I could just go with the flow. 

I could just trust the tour operator and trust the Universe.

My solution?

Well, Que Sera, Sera.

Day 1 at 7 AM: Breakfast in Benguet

After a hearty breakfast, my friends and I chatted a bit and were ready for the exciting activities that day.

Then, they asked the driver if we were close to the Banaue Rice Terraces.

The driver looked stunned and puzzled.

He replied that we were only an hour away from Sagada.

I quickly estimated the drive time. 

At that moment, I knew we had to be flexible and open to changes.

I thought we’d miss the iconic Banaue Rice Terraces on this quick weekend trip.

After all, the drive from Baguio to the Banaue Rice Terraces takes about 3 hours in my estimation.

If we continued straight to Sagada, we’d miss Banaue entirely. 

If we went straight to the Banaue Rice Terraces, we might arrive too late to participate in some of the planned activities.

The driver checked Google Maps and said our schedule wouldn’t be deeply affected if we went straight to the Banaue Rice Terraces in Luzon.

He said we could still go to the Banaue Rice Terraces.

I was skeptical, but then again, I wasn’t an expert in navigating the roads of Luzon.

He may know something I didn’t know.

So, once again, all I could say was Que Sera, Sera.

Day 1 at 10:00 AM: Lost in Luzon 

I woke up, expecting we were close to either Sagada or the Banaue Rice Terraces.

I glanced at the landscape outside and noticed some familiar sights.

Since I was passive the whole time and slept for an hour, I wasn’t sure if we’d start with Sagada or Banaue.

Soon, we all realized we were running in circles.

The driver wasn’t sure where we were going.

He was confused with the directions given by Google Maps.

I checked my Google Maps and realized we were so close to Sagada.

Also, I checked for any familiar sights outside to help me identify our location.

Along the way, I saw a place designated for tourist information for those bound for Sagada and Buscalan.

Moments later, the driver made another U-turn and went back to the road, where he made a turn earlier.

Everyone was anxious, confused, and stunned.

What’s going on here?

Everyone consulted Pat, the leader who planned this trip for those of us who are from Cebu.

Pat was just as clueless as the rest of us.

At that moment, I felt like I had to do something.

If I didn’t take action, we might miss a ton of activities on this short weekend break.

Worse, we could end up miles away from either Sagada or Banaue with no time to recover.

I took a deep breath, and said to myself, “alright, let’s figure this out.”

The road back to Sagada 

For a moment, I hesitated.

This wasn’t my trip.

I wasn’t the leader here. 

Pat was.

I didn’t want to offend Pat and the driver.

I was a joiner to this trip and even a late addition to the list.

But as a team player, I also had to do what was best for the team.

So, I asked questions to the driver and checked what was on his Google Maps.

Then, I found out why we had been lost on this trip.

I asked Pat if we could switch seats, so I could help the driver find our way back to Sagada.

Then, I informed the rest of the team that we had to skip the Banaue Rice Terraces because it was still hours away.

I had no idea what to do, but I knew I could solve this problem.

I have years of experience in getting lost in the middle of nowhere.

And I have explored international cities alone amid language barriers.

I have somewhat explored this region on my climbs to towering mountains, like Mount Pulag and Mount Tabayoc.

I was confident we could nail this.

I just have to channel the inner leader and navigator in me.

I had to be assertive and use all the lessons I’ve learned in finding new paths and places.

So, I added the right details to the driver’s Google Maps.

Afterward, we went back to the tourist information center where I asked for directions from the guides.

Soon after, we were back on the right path.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the Inverted House Sagada. 

Finally, we arrived in Sagada.

Exploring Sagada

Even though we missed the Banaue Rice Terraces on the first day, our weekend adventure was an absolute blast. 

From Sumaguing Cave to Blue Soil, it was a weekend full of fascinating sights and surprises.

Still, everyone felt there was something missing on this trip: the Banaue Rice Terraces.

I can’t blame them.

After all, it’s the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, and an otherworldly landmark featured in many textbooks.

I thought we lost the chance to see the Banaue Rice Terraces.

Technically, we could still go to the Banaue Rice Terraces, but it wasn’t on our itinerary for the 2nd day.

I checked our itinerary and saw that we had to go back to Benguet and visit the famous Northern Blossom Flower Farm.

So, we had two options for our side trip the next day: Northern Blossom Flower Farm or the Banaue Rice Terraces. 

We had to make a decision, and if possible, it should be unanimous.

Fortunately, it was an easy decision because the Northern Blossom Flower Farm was closed the next day (Sunday).

Day 2 at 2 PM: The journey to the Banaue Rice Terraces

The driver and owner of the van apologized for the mishap the previous day.

To be fair, it wasn’t his fault.

He was a last-minute replacement and was just told to drive us to Sagada.

That was it.

Nobody gave him the itinerary or instructions for this trip.

And he wasn’t familiar with what words to use to find the Banaue Rice Terraces.

If you search for rice terraces while you’re in the area, you’ll find multiple options.

That happened to us the previous day.

So, to make sure we don’t get lost again, I typed “Dianarra View Deck” on our Google Maps.

Furthermore, I sat at the front to help him find his way to the Banaue Terraces.

He said he could easily find routes from Manila to the Banaue Rice Terraces if he was informed earlier.

I believed him, but it was better to be sure at this time.

Plus, 2 or 3 thinking heads are always better than one.

Day 2 at 4 PM: The Final Roadblock

The journey back wasn’t smooth sailing.

Not long after we left Sagada, the skies darkened.

The once-sunny day turned into a misty, drizzly scene.

Then, somewhere along the twisting mountain roads, the rain got heavier.

The narrow, unpaved portions of the road became slick with mud, and visibility dropped significantly.

The driver slowed down, gripping the wheel tighter.

Some were a little nervous on this drive to the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Philippines.

I mean.

It looked like a scene straight out of a horror or mystery movie.

Oh, and the road? 

A nightmare of cliffs and sharp turns.

Trust me, one mistake here, and we’d end up in the news the following day.

We also noticed a lot of debris caused by landslides that occurred in recent days.

The signs weren’t positive, and it seemed like our trip would have a disappointing ending.

Soon after, we passed by the view deck of Bayyo Rice Terraces.

And if this view deck was an indication of what was to come, it’s highly possible the Banaue Rice Terraces would be covered in white.

So, I told everyone that it’s unlikely we’d see a clear view of the iconic Banaue Rice Terraces.

I didn’t want to give them false hopes, and I had to lower their expectations before we arrived at the view deck.

But I also said we have to go on and stop by the view deck.

Who knows?

Maybe the Universe would give us a favor.

Perhaps the Universe would reward us for our persistence and determination.

Moments later, we saw some of the hotels in the Banaue Rice terraces area, suggesting we were getting close to our destination.

Day 2 at 5 PM: The Arrival at the Banaue Rice Terraces

The van slowed to a stop after I pointed in the direction of a roadside view deck.

We had finally reached Dianarra View Deck.

Outside, the fog still clung to the mountains, rolling over the terraces like waves.

For a moment, no one moved.

I told them we had to move and spend a maximum of 20 minutes since we had flights later.

When we stepped outside the van, all we saw was a blanket of white covering the terraces.

We had prepared ourselves for this. 

We were prepared to see nothing.

If you have been following my stories, you probably know that not all hikes and trips have a magical, Hollywood ending.

Remember my trip to Albay in pursuit of seeing Mount Mayon?

How about Alto Peak, Mount Kalatungan and Mount Apo?

But then something happened.

Slowly, the fog shifted, as if something was pulling it away, revealing the emerald Banaue Rice Terraces.

Everyone rushed to the edge, snapping photos, gasping, and laughing.

We were all in awe of its heavenly beauty.

Suddenly, a few Banaue Rice Terraces tour operators arrived and admired the view.

Like us, they were also amazed and thrilled by the opportunity to see the terraces in their full glory.

And as for me, I snapped pictures and let the moment sink in.

Seventeen months ago, I had stood in this exact spot, feeling like my story here was incomplete.

Now, I had come back, through detours, uncertainty, and a path that wasn’t always clear.

But I had found my way.

Not just back to Banaue, but back to myself.

Through this trip, I rediscovered the talents I once left behind.

For years, I avoided organizing hikes and trips, convinced I was done leading. 

At work, I’m always the leader and decision-maker. 

Outside of it, I just wanted to follow for once.

But sometimes, adventure chooses you.

And in that moment, lost in Luzon with everyone, including me, confused, I realized something.

I never really lost my way.

I just needed the right journey to remind me.

The thing is, not every adventure is about reclaiming the past. 

Some are about embracing who you’ve become.

I may not be leading a team of explorers anymore, but when the moment calls for it, I know I can still step up. 

And maybe, that’s the kind of leader I was meant to be all along. 

I may not be the leader who always takes charge, but the one who finds the way when it matters most.

As we were about to leave, I realized this trip meant more than my first visit ever could.

Seventeen months ago, I saw the Banaue Rice Terraces under perfect conditions.

Clear skies. 

Golden sunlight. 

An easy, straightforward trip.

Back then, it was a childhood dream fulfilled.

But this time, the journey had struggles, wrong turns, and moments of uncertainty.

And yet, that’s what made it so much more meaningful.

Because this messy, unpredictable journey is a reflection of life itself.

Sometimes, in life, you’ll go through detours, obstacles, and unexpected challenges.

You’ll experience moments where you question if you’re even on the right path at all.

But when you push through, and when you keep going despite the setbacks, that’s when you find something even greater than what you were looking for.

Had we followed our original itinerary, we would have arrived in Banaue without any surprises or challenges.

But we wouldn’t have had the thrill of the struggle, the tension of uncertainty, and the ultimate triumph of finally getting there.

And isn’t that what makes life and adventure memorable?

It’s not the easy trips that change us.

It’s the ones that challenge us.

The ones that force us to find our way, even when the road disappears.

And when you finally make it, when you stand at the edge of what once seemed impossible, you’ll realize that everything makes sense.

The pain.

The struggles.

The tribulations.

The frustrations.

Every wrong turn.

Every delay.

Every moment of doubt.

You’ll understand why they happened.

And when that day comes, when everything aligns, and the struggle finally reveals its purpose, cherish it.

Live it.

Spend it like it’s the last one you have.

Because that’s the beauty of detours.

They don’t just take you where you need to go.

They show you who you’ve become along the way.

And as I took one last deep breath, I knew this trip had given me more than just another story.

It reminded me of who I am.

I’m not just an adventurer.

Not just someone who finds their way back.

But someone who keeps moving forward, no matter what.

Is Banaue Rice Terraces 7 Wonders of the World?

The Banaue Rice Terraces are not one of the New 7 Wonders of the World or the New 7 Wonders of Nature. However, they are often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” because of their breathtaking beauty and impressive engineering.

How do I go to Banaue Rice Terraces from Manila?

The easiest and most convenient way to get to the Banaue Rice Terraces is to join a guided tour. I recommend Sir Greg if you prefer to go with this route. By the way, he wasn’t the driver or van owner of this adventure in Luzon. He was our operator during my first visit to Banaue and our climb to Mount Amuyao.

How long is the trip from Sagada to Banaue Rice Terraces?

The trip from Sagada to Banaue Rice Terraces takes approximately 3 to 4 hours by van or bus, depending on road conditions, weather, and traffic.

Is Banaue worth visiting?

Banaue is one of the country’s most stunning and culturally rich destinations. If you love nature, history, and immersive travel experiences, it’s definitely worth the trip.

How many hours from Manila to Sagada?

The trip from Manila to Sagada takes approximately 10 to 12 hours, depending on your mode of transport, route, and road conditions.

How many hours from Manila to Banaue Rice Terraces?

The trip from Manila to Banaue Rice Terraces takes approximately 9 to 10 hours by land, depending on traffic, road conditions, and weather.