Hiking in Batak Tribal Village tour

We took this tour as a cruise ship excursion from Puerto Princesa in mid-November, 2023. We met our guide Ricky and driver Romell outside the port gate on time. On the way to the Batak village, we stopped at a grocery store, at our request, to purchase groceries for the villagers. Ricky helped us on what to purchase based on phone calls to the Village Coordinator, Rosalfi. who we met after the 1-hr drive north from the port. After meeting Rosalfi, we drove off the main paved road and over a dirt/gravel road until the first river crossing. We had to cross the river 5 times, at about 12”-18” deep. Finally we climbed up a fairly steep dirt trail to the Batak village of about 180 or so people. One or more of the villagers carried our donated supplies on a motorcycle, and then by hand, including a 25kg “half-bag” of premium rice. After reaching the village, we sat to rest for awhile on a porch in the shade with mostly women and children. Eventually we met the village chief and when all the women were ready, we were taken to an open area where they put on a little traditional dance and music demonstration for us. The village coordinator, who was fluent in English and the Batak language, explained what we were about to see, and then the performance began. First, two boys with wooden swords did a traditional fighting dance, then women only danced, then everyone, including us joining in. Afterwards we gave our thanks and said goodbye and walked back down the trail and across the river (four more times) to our waiting, air conditioned car for the 1-hour drive back to the port.

Unfortunately we were not able to access the village due to the damage caused by a typhoon in 2021. In our opinion this tour should no longer be offered. A small group of villagers did come to the main road and gave us a short dance presentation. The local guide explained a few things about the village and recent events.

I did this tour with a tour guide leading me along the way. At first I was hesitant because I was doing this alone and there aren’t too many reviews on this tour, if any, but I’m so glad I trusted my gut and went because I got to experience the lives of the indigenous Filipinos for the day. The tribe was so friendly and welcoming, the motor bike ride to get to the village was a jaw dropping scenery, they welcomed me by performing a few dances allowing me to join it, they let me explore their village and homes, and they answered any questions that I had. I think this is a hidden gem tour that almost everyone I spoke to in Puerto Princesa knew nothing about. This is an amazing and unique cultural experience that I’ve never had before and I embraced it with an open mind and open heart. If you go I recommend bringing things to give to them such as snacks, candy, donations, anything, they really appreciated it. Also, bring water shoes, you’ll be walking across a few lakes. One thing I wished the tour guide would have done was to go deeper into the history of who the Batak tribe is so that I could learn historical facts about them.