10-Day Philippines Mountains & Islands Tour to Luzon Highlands, Dumaguete City & Apo Island

You will leave Manila and head to Ilocos Norte for your Laoag tour. It’s just a short flight to Laoag Airport. From your accommodation in Laoag City, you will begin your tour at St. Williams Cathedral. This historic church was founded in 1580, however, the building that stands today was constructed in 1612. St. Williams Cathedral has an accompanying belfry known as the Sinking Bell Tower. You’ll get to learn more about the region’s culture, interesting history, and rich heritage at Museo Ilocos. It has displays of various artifacts, like ceremonial objects and traditional clothing, of the Itneg, Igorot, and Ilocano. Before you move onto the next town, you will make a stop at Aurora Park, which was the center of the community during the 16th century. In the town of Paoay, you will visit 2 imposing structures. The Malacanang of the North is a grand mansion that has been turned into a museum. The expansive property overlooks Paoay Lake. Paoay Church is a designated world heritage site. This Earthquake Baroque church was constructed in 1710 while its belfry was made in 1793. At the Marcos Museum, you will learn about the life of former President Ferdinand Marcos’s life. This museum also served as his mausoleum.

On the third day of your trip, you will visit and stay at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The City of Vigan has impressively-preserved structures and streets, so you can expect to visit a lot of historical attractions for the day. At the National Museum Ilocos Sur Complex, you’ll find the Burgos House, which is dedicated to Padre Burgos, a martyr of the Philippine revolution. It also has the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail, which is now a museum that showcases memorabilia of Elpidio Quirino, the former President of the Philippines and an Ilocos native. In the nearby town of Bantay, you’ll visit a picturesque church and its belfry. The Bantay Church and Belltower were established during the 16th century. The next attractions you will go to will give you a better insight of the culture, heritage, and history of Vigan and Ilocos. This includes the Syquia Mansion Museum, the Pagburnayan Jar Factory, and the Crisologo Museum. Calle Crisologo is the famous street of Vigan City. It has a cobblestone road and grand houses sitting right next to each other. Walking through the street makes you feel like you have traveled back in time. St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral is the main church of Vigan. It is also the final resting place of Ilocano Leona Florentino, a poet from the 1800s. Before going back to your hotel in Calle Crisologo, you’ll make a final stop at Baluarte. This zoological park features a safari gallery. It also has an open space where tame animals roam about and visitors can interact with them.

Day 4 of your trip is for exploring the wonderful natural attractions of Sagada. Situated in the Cordillera Mountains, you can expect the ride going to town to be a bit rugged. Your tour will require a lot of walking and hiking, so dress comfortably. You will make your way to Sugong Cave, where you will find an interesting view. It is the site of the Sugong Hanging Coffins. It’s believed the people of Sagada have been practicing this burial method for over a thousand years. At Echo Valley, you can take in the wonderful view of the foliage and the limestone cliffs. Inside Sumaguing Cave, you’ll see yet another natural site, this time with large rock formations to stalagmites and stalactites. Don’t be surprised if you spot bats in the cave. The Bontoc Tribal Museum has a wide collection of artifacts of the Ifugao people. You’ll be able to find photos of headhunter warriors to the hunting tools they use, traditional costumes, and household implements. There’s even a display of archaeological objects and Chinese ceramics that were found within the caves of Cordillera. The museum is housed in a replica of a traditional Ifugao house, which are stone shelters. After your tour, your van will take you to your accommodation in Sagada.

It’s time to visit another UNESCO World Heritage Site. After checking out of your Sagada accommodation, your van will pick you up and take you to Banaue, about 80-90km away. You are going to Batad, which is where the Batad Rice Terraces are located. The rice terraces is an ancient irrigation system wherein plant fields are carved into the mountains. From afar, it looks like an amphitheater. You’ll get a better vantage point of this attraction when you go to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. It’s about a 30 minute hike away. If you don’t want to go to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint, you may simply go to Tappiya Waterfall. This location is a bit more physically-demanding to reach. But the reward you get in the end is well worth it. The Tappiya Waterfall is about 30m tall and it has a refreshing natural pool at the bottom. If you don’t want to go hiking or trekking, the location that requires the least amount of effort to visit is the Banga-an Village. This small village has a few souvenir shops where you can purchase locally-made goods. Before going to your hotel, you’ll make a stop at Banaue Museum first. This museum houses some of the works of the Philippines’ Father of Anthropology.

Once you have checked out of your accommodation in Banaue, your van will pick you up and take you to Baguio City. Your tour will start at the Ifugao Museum, where you can learn more about the indigenous people. Baguio City served an important role during World War II. You’ll get to visit the Surrender Site of General Yamashita. Long before WWII, Baguio City already served as the site of the Philippine Military Academy. It was first established in 1898. The Mansion is the grand summer home of the current president of the country. It was completed in 1908, however, it sustained heavy damages during the war. The Mansion was built again in 1947. At Camp John Hay, you’ll find restaurants, hotels, and shops. It’s hard to imagine today how the tranquil site was used as a military base. Mines View Park is a busy tourist destination. It’s main draw is its view deck, which offers views of the Itogon mining town. Another tourist-favorite site is Wright Park. It has horseback riding facilities and features the Pool of Pines. The last park you’ll visit is the Centennial Park. It’s a great place to appreciate the natural flora and also the art piece made by artist Ben-Hur Villanueva. You can buy savory goods and souvenirs at the last stop of the day. Good Shepherd Convent is well-known for their goodies and treats. Normally, there’s a long line of visitors buying products like ube, lengua de gato, and peanut brittle.

Once you have checked out of your Baguio hotel it’s time to head down the mountains. The 7th day of your trip is for exploring Mt. Pinatubo. Located in the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales, and Pampanga, Mt. Pinatubo’s access is at the former. There is a base camp at Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Tarlac. Mt. Pinatubo is an active volcano that shook the world in 1991. It’s eruption is one of the largest the world has ever seen and even caused damage to the ozone layer. But now, the volcano has become a popular tourist destination, thanks to its crater lake. One of the consequences of the eruption is the rough terrain surrounding Mt. Pinatubo. Not to worry, as 4x4 vehicles will take you across the Crow Valley. After that, you will need to walk to reach the crater lake. The hike is easy enough, although you will be crossing streams and walking through sandy and rocky terrain. It’s best to have the right gear to make your hike more comfortable. You will gaze upon a breathtaking view once you have finished the trail. The crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo is a beautiful blue-green and it is surrounded by rocky walls. After the tour, you will head back to Manila. Your van will drop you off at your hotel along Baywalk.

It’s time to leave Luzon and head to Visayas. Your van will take you to Ninoy Aquino International Airport where you will depart for Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport. You have a full day of exploring both city sites and countryside attractions. At Dumaguete City, you will visit the prestigious Silliman University and then see the wonderful view of Rizal Boulevard. Downtown, you’ll go to the 18th-century St. Catherine De Alexandria church as well as its belfry, Dumaguete Campanario. Nearby is the busy Dumaguete Public Market where you can purchase a wide range of products from fresh goods to local handicrafts. You’ll also go to the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park, which is a major events place for the city. If you are looking to buy some souvenirs, you’ll have the opportunity at the next 2 destinations: Claytown Pottery and Sidlakang Negros Village. All that shopping might have made you hungry, luckily, the next stop is at Lab-as Seafood. This established restaurant has been around since the 80s and has continued to serve delicious seafood and local dishes. It’s time to head out of the city and visit the countryside. In the town of Valencia, you’ll find the refreshing Valencia Forest Camp. This resort has good outdoor and leisure facilities. Then, you’ll visit the Cata-al War Museum. Meanwhile, in the town of Bacong, you’ll visit the San Agustin de Hippo Church. This colonial church was founded during the 19th century and is a National Cultural Treasure. At the last destination, the Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage Center, you can purchase a wide range of souvenirs and novelty items. There are local art pieces, precious stones, seashells, and more.

On the 9th day of your tour, you’re going to explore Apo Island. This 74-hectare volcanic island is about 7km from the island of Negros. It has a rich marine life, making it a popular destination for divers. But even if you aren’t a diver, you’ll still be able to appreciate Apo Island. The boat ride going to the island can be an exciting one. Keep a watchful eye for sea creatures that might pop out of the waters, like dolphins. Apo Island is also an excellent spot for snorkeling. You can find a number of colorful fish and beautiful corals under the sea. If you want to see some turtles, go to the island’s Turtle Point. Aside from being able to spot the green sea creatures, you may even swim with them. Apo Island is more than just for sea lovers. It has excellent beaches, with fine white sands, and with little crowds. There are a few hiking trails on the island, one of the best is the Habagat Trail. It’s less than a kilometer-long and it boasts a 360-degree view of Apo Island. After the tour, you will go back to the mainland by boat, then your van will bring you to your Dumaguete hotel.

It's time to leave Visayas and go back to Luzon. Your van will pick you up from your hotel in Dumaguete City and take you to the airport. The trip from Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport shouldn’t take more than 2 hours.