Mountain trekking in the Philippines

1. Life in the Cordillera begins and ends with the harvest of rice.

2. Tourists walk through the endless terraces in Batad village, a short day hike from Banaue.

3. Now is planting season in the Cordillera and, while trekking amongst the terraces, many women can be seen completing the backbreaking task. Traditionally, it is only the women who plant.

4. Batad's "Ampitheatre" must rank as one of the top viewpoints in the world. 360-degree views of endless rice terraces down a steep mountainside and, at the center, a sleepy little village.

5. The water is freezing, but who would pass up a chance to swim under the beautiful Tappia waterfall, a short hike from Batad.

6. Locals in Banaue are used to tourists passing through, but some remain shier than others.

7. Everyday life in the rice terraces requires balance and dexterity to avoid falling off the tiny pathways, and the locals accomplish this with ease.

8. A warm welcome from the village kids of Dananao in Kalinga province. A sharp contrast from Banaue and Batad, the kids in these isolated villages have not learned to ask for candy and money from tourists and simply offer smiles instead.

9. This lady in Kalinga proudly displayed her tattoos, which were common on women as a sign of beauty up until the 1950s. On men, on the other hand, chest tattoos signified rank as a headhunter.

10. High in the mountains surrounding Tinglayen lies the isolated village Dananao, where only a few decades ago headhunting and tribal war were a part of daily life.

11. Tobacco is a very important crop to the local tribes, secondary only to rice. Many tribal elders can be seen smoking out of the traditional pipe or, like this women, rolled leaves.

12. A tribal elder enjoys his tobacco out of a hand-carved pipe while reflecting on the days of headhunting and the Japanese occupation.

13. Before arriving in Kalinga, I was warned of "evil" people and "backwards" customs but found the opposite in the wonderful villages surrounding Tinglayen.

14. Throughout the Cordillera, harvest months differ. While one place only a few hours south might be muddy and brown, the terraces farther north could be at their greenest.

15. In these high hills, coffee can be grown and is a welcomed treat after a hard day trekking in the rugged mountains.

16. This elderly couple requested I take this photo so I could send them a copy and their grandkids would remember them forever. It's important to keep these promises, as not following through may lead to mistrust of foreign visitors.

17. If they can afford the cost of the animals sacrificed, Appalai elders around Sagada continue to be hung in coffins placed on the limestone cliffs. Upwards of 20 pigs and twice as many chickens is the normal price for this unique custom.

18. Due to a lack of infrastructure, homestays are the only option of accommodation in some of the more remote villages. Be prepared for basic sleeping quarters and "exotic" food, as well as an unforgettable experience.