Aracay Rice Terraces in Barangay Aracay, Pandan, Antique, are farming marvel quietly sculpted into the mountainside. This off-the-beaten-path location which can only be reached on foot is a photographer’s paradise and a celebration of Indigenous creativity. Every step you take leads you closer to tranquil and multilayered scenery that showcases the beauty carved into elevation.
Layers of Local Legacy
These terraces represent traditional land use echoing the better known rice terraces of Cordillera except they were shaped by the Iraynon Bukidnon people in the Visayas. They highlight a cultural legacy that blends nature, skill, and communal stewardship reminding us that panoramic beauty can be hidden, but never forgotten.
Trekking to Panoramic Peace
Reaching Aracay involves a rewarding trek with views that gradually unfold layer by layer. Expect ascending trails that reveal woven terraces and rural vistas framed by the Central Panay mountain range.
Aracay Rice Terraces is not merely scenic, it’s a living heritage that whispered in footpaths and raised in rice paddies. Its serenity you tread carefully upon and a reward for those ready to venture beyond the tourist map. In every carved contour lies history, resilience, and the quiet pulse of Antique’s mountain life.
It is advised to engage with the local community respectfully since the terraces are an integral part of their heritage.
How To Get There?
Location: Barangay Aracay, Pandan, Antique, Western Visayas, Philippines
- Via Car: From Roxas City, drive approximately 2 hours to Pandan. Once in Pandan, continue to the jump off point for the hike to the terraces. Road conditions may vary so ensure your vehicle is suitable for rural terrain. If you come from Iloilo City, drive to Kalibo that is approximately 3 hours then take a bus or van to Pandan which is around 2 hours. From Pandan, proceed to the jump off point for the hike.
- Via Commute: From Roxas City, take a Ceres Bus to Pandan which is approximately 2 hours. Upon arrival, hire a tricycle to the jump off point for the hike to the terraces. Tricycle fare is approximately ₱150.00 one way. From Iloilo City, take a bus or van to Kalibo which is approximately 3 hours then transfer to a bus or van heading to Pandan which is around 2 hours. From Pandan, hire a tricycle to the jump off point for the hike.
