Canoeing the Ibulao River, Banaue Area, Philippines

Every holiday I go on I am always looking for opportunities to go mountain biking or canoeing. Since canoeing is not very popular in the Philippines, I tend instead to look for rafting opportunities. Actually I heard of rafting in Ifugao Province whilst staying at the Banaue Hotel in Banaue, Ifugao Province. I had actually passed the river during the night getting to Banaue, so I was pleased to know I would see it returning to Manila. The Ibulao River rises in the mountainous regions of Ifugao Province.

There are several sections that offer whitewater:
1. Mungayang to Ibulao Bridge: This section of river is popular for rafting. The following map shows the location of Mungayang – on the Mountain Polis Highway – see www.mapplanet.com/?do=map&id=4880970&lat=16.2364&lon=121.1442, though I am not aware of the entry point. The exit point from the river is the Ibulao Bridge – viewed at: http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=lamut+philippines&sll=15.9761,120.5711&sspn=0.009964,0.019956&ie=UTF8&ll=16.784019,121.121049&spn=0.004961,0.009978&t=h&z=17&om=1.It&time=&date=&ttype=&q=lamut+philippines&sll=15.9761,120.5711&sspn=0.009964,0.019956&ie=UTF8&ll=16.784019,121.121049&spn=0.004961,0.009978&t=h&z=17&om=1.It might be best to ask locals how to get access to the river from the Mountain Polis Highway, or call the Adventure company below. I am guessing the rapids are grade 1-3 in difficulty.
2. Ibulao Bridge to Lamut (??): The possibility or utility of canoeing this section is unknown. I personally checked out the rapids in the gorge below Ibulao Bridge from a track running along the northern side of the gorge – follow the sign to the caves. Apart from providing a view of the river, I have seen a overloaded jeepney go along this road, so it must continue for some time. It might even provide an access point to the lower section of river. It would however be preferable to access the lower section of river from the highway around Lamut as the Caves road is mostly one-way with few turning places. There is a log in the gorge that would obstruct rafts from passing, and the conditions would make portage difficult. The obstruction should not hinder canoes however if they take the central route with care. Eventually this river joins a larger river before flowing into a reservoir (dam), so an exit around the confluence (flowing north) would be preferred, if not earlier. The rapids in the gorge are grade 1-3.

See my Ibulao Canoe Trip 3 - marked on my Google Maps at http://maps.google.com.au/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106791913239054408744.000443a6386cb1a223c36&ll=16.680924,121.224518&spn=0.638012,1.277161&t=h&z=10&om=1hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106791913239054408744.000443a6386cb1a223c36&ll=16.680924,121.224518&spn=0.638012,1.277161&t=h&z=10&om=1.

Accommodation is available in Banaue (The Banaue Hotel for P2300-3300/night) or Youth Hostel for P250/night) or perhaps Bagabag in the Cagayan Valley. See the following websites for video-photo footage of the river from people who have rafted this river with Uerm81 Adventures (email: totokalug@yahoo.com, Cell: 0919 694 5964) - see www.dailymotion.com/video/x1f4tf_river-wild and http://nl.truveo.com/Attandi-cudog/id/2769409785, and heaps of photos at www.flickr.com/photos/ral_m/page29. If you are concerned about leaving your vehicle around and like the idea of using inflatables, consider public transport options. Public transport necessitates travelling with an outdoors adventure company or using inflatable boats.

The options for transport include:
1. Bus from Manila – transfer in Cabanatuan City or Bagabag. Jeeyney to Banaue, and exit near river.
2. Bus from Manila – transfer in Baguio to Banaue jeepney.