Chamantad-Tiñan Viewpoint (Sabtang, Batanes)

Posted on 4 December, 2024 by Benjie Layug — Leave a reply

From Savidug Village, we all boarded a van for the 4,1-km. (10-min.) drive Chamantad-Tiñan Viewpoint. One of the highest viewing sites in Sabtang Island, this is where tourists can enjoy the view of Chamantad Cove below and, beyond, Balintang Channel and Batan Island. This vast landscape, seated near the cove, is renowned for its curvy grass-carpeted scenery.

Before reaching the view point, there were plenty of huts along the highway offering a sample of their local sugarcane wine and Ivatan wild tea called tubho. At the entrance itself, there are huts where you can buy souvenirs and even taste, for free, some local delicacies as well as coconut and sugarcane wine.

Upon arrival, a calming atmosphere was provided by the sweeping landscapes and natural beauty of the vibrant colors of the rustic, rolling hills (especially during sunrise and sunset), a gentle breeze and the sound of the inviting waves crashing against the beautiful cliffs below. I could stare at this exquisite view all day.

The equivalent of Batan Island’s Racuh a Payaman and Vayang Rolling Hills, it was just beyond words and photos don’t do it justice. Truly, Sabtang does not disappoint when it comes to rugged, breathtaking scenery and magnificent views.

Check out “Racuh a Payaman” and “Vayang Rolling Hills”

For those hiking, the 10-15-min. journey to the viewpoint is a scenic adventure in itself as it allows one to appreciate the rich biodiversity of the place. The rolling hills conquering the area come in a variety of low and high slopes giving visitors different perspectives. You can also see mountain goats climbing and balancing off the cliffs. From here, a short walk will take you to the seascape lined with powdery white sand and small to medium-sized stones.

Voyavoy (Phoenix loureirii var hanceana) along the hillside

Chamantad-Tiñan Viewpoint: National Rd., Brgy. Chavayan, 3904 Sabtang.

How to Get There: Sabtang, on Sabtang Island, is located close to the port. There are scheduled 30 to 45-minute early morning boat trips by falowa (round-bottomed boat) from Ivana’s Radiwan Port to Sabtang. From the port, you can rent a tricycle to take you to the viewpoint.

Sabtang Tourist Information Center: Brgy. Sinakan, 3904 Sabtang. Mobile number: (0929) 226-8055. E-mail: tourismsabtang@gmail.com.

Provincial Heritage and Tourism Office (PHTO): Mobile number: (0929) 230-5934. Website: www.breathtakingbatanes.com.

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This travel blog, a diary of the author’s local and international travels, aims to provide the reader with news and information on people, places and events that would interest the avid traveler and tourist. But, it also aims to be much more, providing insights on the wonders of this beautiful country, as well as the world, beyond the strict confines of the city. Have a BLAST seeing old churches, exotic temples, educational museums as well as palm-fringed islands; white sand beaches; thundering waterfalls; placid lakes; fiery sunsets; turquoise seas; cathedral-like caves; swirling rivers; majestic mountains; stupendous, amphitheater-like rice terraces; awesome volcanoes and the like. Get to know the movers and shakers in the tourism industry; find out where to titillate the palate; rejuvenate your body; feed your adrenalin, unwind and relax; satisfy your craving for history and culture; and find out what's being celebrated and where.

BENJAMIN “BENJIE” LAYUG, an architect by profession (he finished his B. S. Architecture degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 1982), is also a copy editor for two publishing houses; travel writer; blogger; architectural historian; author; concert. movie and musical reviewer (for www.pep.ph); and a motivational speaker.

As a free-lance travel writer, he has, in the past, contributed articles to Travel Update, Philippine Daily Inquirer, COLORS, TODAY, 7107 Islands Magazine, Business Day and Bluprint. He currently writes for Artplus Magazine and the Business Mirror.

He is also the author of the following travel books:

A Philippine Odyssey (New Day Publishers, 2005)
Pathfinder’s Travel Guide: Boracay (Great Books Trading, 2006)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Churches (New Day Publishers, 2007)
A Tourist to Notable Philippine Historical Landmarks, Monuments and Shrines (New Day Publishers, 2010)
A Tourist Guide to Notable Philippine Museums (New Day Publishers, 2012)

Some of his books now appear in the local library shelves of the National Library of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas, U.P. Diliman, Centro Escolar University, San Sebastian College, Miriam College, Silliman University, to name a few, as well as internationally at the National Library of Australia and the University of California Berkeley Library.

Now a senior citizen, he is probably one of the oldest, if not the oldest, active travel blogger in the country today. He also has a lifestyle blog called F.Y.I.:Firing Your Imagination (www.firingyourimagination.blogspot.com). Benjie has traveled to two-thirds (53) of the country’s 81 provinces and over 20 countries in 4 continents.