Southern Iloilo Countryside Day Tour | With Lunch and Transfers

See firsthand the beauty of southern Iloilo’s heritage sites with this day tour around the province’s iconic attractions. This tour is a definite must-book for history and architecture enthusiasts.

A designated driver will pick you up within Iloilo City and take you to your first destination, San Joaquin Church. Built in 1869, this Roman Catholic Church is known for its beautiful façade featuring the Spanish victory during the Battle of Tetuan.

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From there, you will be taken to another iconic church in the province, the Guimbal Church. Constructed using yellow sandstones, adobe stones and coral stones from neighboring Guimaras Island, this historic church stands at four stories high and became a watchtower during the Spanish occupation. Today, it is considered one of the oldest churches in the country.

Your next destination will be the Tigbauan Church. Aside from its Latin-American style, the century-old church is also renowned for its mosaic wall featuring the banishment of Adam and Eve.

Roughly 31 kilometers from the Tigabauan Church is the Garin Farm of San Joaquin. This farm is an inland resort that combines religion, agriculture, and recreation all in one site. You will find the so-called Pilgrimage Hill here, where a stairwell of 455 steps is featured. As you ascend the stairs, you will come across statues that portray scenes from the bible until you reach a dark crossing. Beyond that path is a heaven-like depiction of paradise, with white statues everywhere. 

Take time capturing photos in the pilgrimage before moving to Campo Santo. This historic cemetery has been designated as a national cultural treasure together with San Joaquin Church. It quietly sits on a hill where visitors can view the surrounding cityscape. 

You will then enjoy a sumptuous lunch at either one of two local restaurants, Tatoy’s Manukan or Breakthrough. You can also choose to eat at Camiña Balay na Bato, a well-preserved heritage house was built in 1865 and now serves as a historical site and restaurant.

After the meal, you will continue your tour to Taytay Boni, the only surviving stone bridge in Western Visayas. It was built in 1854 using yellow coral stone slabs called Tablea. From there, you will be moving to Mama’s Kitchen and Sinamay house where you can buy Ilonggo delicacies as pasalubong. Cap your day with a prayer at the Miagao Church, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the four Baroque Churches in the Philippines.

Hop on this immersive historical and cultural journey to learn more about Iloilo. Check the availability by choosing a date.