10-Day Philippines Countryside Sightseeing Trip to Luzon Highlands, Cebu City & Bohol Island

Aerial shot of Pescador Island in Cebu
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Description

Summary

Tour starts
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Duration
10 days
Ending place
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Languages:
English
Difficulty:
Easy
Minimum age:
None

Description

See the amazing attractions of the Luzon highlands and the top attractions of Cebu and Bohol on this 10-day trip. Besides having an amazing itinerary, this package already includes roundtrip flights to Manila, land and sea transfers, accommodations with breakfast, entrance fees, and tour guides. There’s nothing left for you to do but enjoy your vacation to the Philippines.

When you think of the Philippines, you might instantly think about the sun and the sea. But the country can offer more than just pristine islands and beaches. On this 10-day tour, you’ll get to see the wonderful highland attractions of Luzon. From mountainside destinations to historical sites, you’ll be visiting Manila and then heading to Tarlac, Banaue, Sagada, Benguet, and Baguio.

Some of your trip highlights include the historic Intramuros of Manila, where you will see some of the country's oldest structures. You’ll also get a chance to hike up an active volcano going through Tarlac to reach the summit of Mt. Pinatubo. In the province of Benguet, you’ll go to the expansive La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. Meanwhile, in the City of Pines or Baguio City, you’ll go to Camp John Hay.

In the Visayas, you’ll be going around the island provinces of Cebu and Bohol. You'll get to see the beauty of nature in Cebu’s Sirao Flower Farm and also Bohol’s Loboc River Cruise. The jaw-dropping Chocolate Hills is definitely one of the best attractions in the Philippines, and you’ll get to see it with your own eyes. For the adventurous, there’s a chance to explore Kawasan Falls of Cebu too.

There’s truly so much to discover in the Philippines, and this 10-day vacation can give you a variety of experiences.

Come to the Philippines and visit the Luzon Highlands, the city and countryside of Cebu, and Bohol. Check availability by choosing a date. 

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Included

9 nights accommodation (budget category)
9 days breakfast
9 lunch
All flights with 20kgs baggage allowance
Day 1 - Intramuros Tour (Manila)
Day 2 - Mt. Pinatubo Tour
Day 3 to 6 - Banaue, Sagada, Benguet Tour (Cordillera Region)
Day 7 to 9 - Cebu and Bohol Tour (Central Visayas)
Day 10 - Back to Manila
All transportation to and from included activities and destinations
All environmental fees, port fees, and all other applicable taxes

Activities

Culture, Arts & Historical Tours

Daily itinerary

Day 1
Baluarte de San Diego inside Intramuros

Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour

On your very first day in the Philippines, you’ll get to go on a tour of the historic district of Intramuros located in the capital city of Manila. The first spot you’ll visit is one of the most important historical landmarks of the country. The 16th-century Fort Santiago is a defense fortress, the prison of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, before he was executed. Intramuros used to be the city's central business hub, and right at its heart is Plaza Roma. Today it is a quiet and simple park, but it was the site of significant events, such as bullfighting in its heyday. You’ll get to know more about Manila's history at the following museums you’ll visit, Bahay Tsinoy and Casa Manila. At San Diego Gardens, you can take a little breather and enjoy the incredible landscape of the small park. Right outside the garden’s entrance is Baluarte De San Diego, a bastion from the 16th century. San Agustin Church and Museum is an excellent example of a Baroque church. This 16th-century structure is a world heritage site and a National Historical Landmark. Nearby is another historical landmark, the Manila Cathedral.
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Day 2
Crater lake of Mount Pinatubo, one of the most popular tourist spots in the Philippines

Day 2 - Day 2: Mt. Pinatubo Tour

You’ll get a unique experience for the second day of your vacation. This time, you are going to hike up to a crater lake of an active volcano. Mt. Pinatubo caused one of the most devastating eruptions in the world during the 20th century. The eruption was so big that its ashfall even reached neighboring countries. With its summit destroyed, a caldera was formed. The crater of Mt. Pinatubo was filled with water and has since turned into a lake. To reach this destination, you will be going through rough terrain on a vehicle and foot. Your van will pick you up from your Manila hotel and take you to the volcano’s base camp in the province of Tarlac. Once you have reached the base camp, you need to ride a 4x4 vehicle. The surrounding terrain of Mt. Pinatubo is filled with lahar, so it’s bumpy and sandy. Once you have reached the trail towards the crater lake, you need to proceed by walking. Not to worry, though, as beginners can do the hike. And at the end of your hike, you will find a beautiful crater lake. After your tour, you will check-in at a hotel in Nueva Ecija.
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Day 3
Tappiya Waterfalls in Banaue

Day 3 - Day 3: Banaue Tour

Your highlands adventure will start in Banaue. You’ll make your way first to the Ifugao Museum, where you can learn the culture, heritage, and tradition of the Ifugao. Then, you will also visit the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, where an important World War II event occurred. In the small village of Batad, you can marvel at the rice terraces, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want a better vantage point of the rice terraces, you can go on a 30-minute hike to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. If you would rather see another location close to the village, you can trek up to Tappiya Waterfalls. This serene site also has a pool where you can swim. For a less physically-demanding option, you can go to the quiet Banga-an Village. This area still has traditional huts and also has souvenir stalls offering locally-made goods. After your visit to your chosen destination, you will go to Banaue Museum. Apart from seeing priceless artifact collections of the Ifugaos, you will also see the Father of Philippine Anthropology's written works, Otley Beyer. After your tour, your van will take you to your accommodation in Banaue.
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Day 4
Tourists exploring the Sumaguing Cave in Sagada

Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour

Make sure to wear the proper shoes for this day as there will be a lot of hiking and even spelunking on the Sagada Tour. You can also expect a long ride with some zigzags along the way. The town of Sagada is located in the Cordillera Mountains. You’ll first be hiking towards Sugong Cave, which is one of the most popular sites in Sagada. It has the famous hanging coffins, a burial practice that has been done for over a thousand years. To this day, there are still locals who bury their dead by placing them inside wooden coffins that will be hung up on the side of a mountain. Exploring Echo Valley is an excellent field trip where you can immerse yourself in nature. The trail on this valley leads you through a river and then a waterfall. The town of Sagada is also known for its caves, and on your tour, you will visit Sumaguing Cave. Inside the big cave, you can expect to find steep steps, natural pool formations, and stalagmites. To wrap up your Sagada Tour, you will go to the Bontoc Tribal Museum. It displays various artifacts from the Bontoc tribes and even a few old pieces dug up from the caves.
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Day 5
Strawberry Farm in Benguet

Day 5 - Day 5: Benguet Tour

The next province you’ll visit is Benguet, which is known for its production of vegetables. On your tour, you’ll get to visit fruit and flower farms as well as elevated sites with great views. The first stop of the day is La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. This expansive land produces millions of strawberries every year. During harvest season, visitors can get the chance to handpick strawberries themselves. The second and third destinations for the day will have you seeing beautiful flowers. At Atok Sakura Flowers, you’ll get to see the famous cherry blossoms, which are commonly found in Japan. The cherry blossom trees at the farm are a gift from the Japanese government to Benguet. In Northern Blossom, you’ll come upon a 2-hectare flower farm filled with colorful blooms. It’s a popular site for photo taking as you have marvelous mountains as your backdrop. Along the Halsema Highway, you’ll be at one of the highest elevations in the country. The 2nd Highest Point is 2,300m above sea level, situated in the town of Atok. The last tourist spot of your tour is the Spanish Trail. This centuries-old trail goes through 3 tunnels and is more or less 4km long.
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Day 6
Open field at Camp John Hay in Baguio

Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour

Before you leave the highlands, you’ll enjoy a full day at the country’s summer capital first. Baguio City is 1,470m above sea level and is home to many parks. The climate in Baguio is cooler as compared to other cities in Luzon. The first stop for the day is the Philippine Military Academy. It is the premier service academy of the country and was established as early as the 19th century. Visitors are allowed inside the expansive campus, which has a museum. The second stop of the day is The Mansion. This is the summer palace of the President of the Philippines. One of its main draws is its beautiful landscaped garden and ornate gate that resembles the one in Buckingham Palace of London. Your Baguio Tour will have you exploring the superb green spaces of the city. At Camp John Hay, you’ll be able to visit beautiful gardens like the Bell Amphitheater and the Secret Garden. In Mines View Park, you can see excellent views of Cordillera Mountain's old copper and gold mines. The tranquil Wright Park is surrounded by pine trees and is a popular place to go horseback riding. Meanwhile, at Centennial Park, art takes center stage amidst nature. Before you go back to Manila, you’ll make a stop at Good Shepherd Convent, where you can purchase delicious goodies, like ube.
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Day 7
The Heritage of Cebu Monument where people can learn more about the city's history

Day 7 - Day 7: Cebu City Tour

On Day 7, you’ll fly off to the island province of Cebu in the Visayas. You’ll be landing at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and your van will take you to your accommodation in Mandaue City. Your tour will start in the Taoist Temple, which boasts a wonderful view of the cityscape. The Taoist Temple was built in 1972 and features a grand design. The Great Wall of China inspires its entrance. You’ll then head downtown to the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino. This church was founded in 1565 and is the country’s oldest Roman Catholic Church. A few steps away is Magellan’s Cross, a cross planted in 1521 by explorer Ferdinand Magellan. At the Heritage of Cebu Monument, you’ll get to know more of the city's important events and people. Then at Yap - San Diego Ancestral House, you’ll see a historic residence built during the 17th century. After exploring downtown Cebu, your van will take you to the Temple of Leah, just a few kilometers from the city center. This grand temple was built in 2012 and has an elaborate Roman architectural style. Before heading back to your hotel in Mandaue City, you’ll stop by Sirao Flower Farm first.
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Day 8
Bilar Manmade Forest in Bohol

Day 8 - Day 8: Bohol Countryside Tour

On Day 8 of your tour, you are going to visit the neighboring province of Bohol. Your van will take you to the port where you will ride a ferry. The island of Bohol is home to a mix of man-made and natural sites. You’ll first get to visit Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. This is home to one of the world’s smallest primates. The tarsier is about as large as a hand, and its prominent feature is its large eyes. The Loboc River Cruise is one of the popular activities in Bohol. You’ll get to ride a floating restaurant that sails slowly through the beautiful Loboc River. After your cruise, you’ll visit Baclayon Church, a National Cultural Treasure. The religious building is made of coral stones and features a Neoclassical architectural style. At the Butterfly Conservatory, you can see dozens of colorful butterflies that are native to the province. Aside from that, you can also learn more about winged insects, including their interesting life phases. The next destination is a man-made forest. Bilar Forest is a 2km-long land that was planted with mahogany trees. The last stop of the day is the famous Chocolate Hills. This natural geological formation is comprised of over a thousand hills.
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Day 9
Tourists diving with sea turtles in Pescador Island

Day 9 - Day 9: Kawasan Falls and Moalboal Sardine Run Tour

After your tour of Bohol, you will ride a ferry back to the island of Cebu. This time, you will be exploring the countryside of the province. Expect to get wet on this day; you will be visiting beaches, islands, and waterfalls. First, you will go to the town of Badian, where Kawasan Falls is located. This natural site has a few waterfalls, natural pools, and jungle trails. If you are a bit adventurous, you can even jump off of Kawasan Falls. If not, you can take a dip at one of the pools. The next town you will visit is Moalboal. At this coastal resort, you’ll be visiting Pescador Island. With majestic caverns and marine life, it’s a perfect spot to go snorkeling and diving. Next, you’ll go to Turtle Island, where you can do more than see turtles. There’s even a chance for you to swim along with them. The final activity for the day is the Sardine Run. At Panagsama Beach, millions of sardines swim together. There are so many of them they can almost block out the sun if you are underwater. After your tour, your van will take you back to your hotel. Moalboal is around 90km from Mandaue City.
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Day 10
Interiors of the Manila International Airport

Day 10 - Day 10: Departure to Manila

Your 10-day trip is over, and it’s time to go back to Manila. Your van will pick you up from your hotel in Mandaue City and take you to Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which is less than 10km away. You’ll catch a flight to Manila and land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
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What to bring

Facemask and Face shield
Extra Clothes
Passport (Valid for 6 months from date of departure)
Swimwear and sunblock
Personal Medicine

Good to know

Please bring appropriate clothing. Please be aware that your itinerary may have to be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better.

All our guides speak English. For other languages, contact us for availability and rates.

Not all establishments accept credit or debit cards, and ATMs can be limited.

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Accommodation

See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. All accommodation levels, bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double, and odd number groups will always be allocated a single room. If you are travelling in a group, but prefer a single room, please make separate bookings. Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur.

For multi-day guided tours, accommodation cannot be upgraded and the levels below do not apply. Guide to the Philippines will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level.

We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.

Budget

Private rooms with private bathrooms in guesthouses or small hotels with basic amenities.

Comfort

Private Rooms with a private bathroom at three-star hotels or resorts located in the city center, in close vicinity, or near the beach area. Breakfast is included and with basic room amenities and toiletries.

Quality

Rooms at four-star to a five-star hotel in the city center or beachfront resort with a private bathroom at the absolute best locations with the best amenities, facilities, and services.

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