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10-Day Philippines Natural Wonders Trip to Palawan Island, Cordillera Highlands & Mt. Pinatubo

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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

Go on a 10-day journey to the Philippines and explore the highlands and islands of Luzon. This package is an easy way to see some of the most beautiful destinations in the country. The itinerary includes not just tourist-favorite spots but also a few hidden gems. You can relax and enjoy your vacation as the package already comes with your transfers, accommodations, entrance fees, and tour guides. 

In 10 days, you'll discover world heritage sites, historical landmarks, and national treasures. Your journey will start in Manila; then, you will go to the highlands and then fly off to the island of Palawan. 

Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines, and it is located in the northern area of the country. It is home to the capital city of the Philippines, Manila. In this city, you will get to know more about the history and culture of the Filipinos. You’ll also get to explore  Intramuros, which is a walled historic area of Manila.

Your tour even includes a trip to an active volcano. Mt. Pinatubo is infamous for its eruption in the 90s. Now it has become a popular tourist site. You can sample some of the freshest fruit at La Trinidad Strawberry farm of Benguet in the highlands. You will also get to enjoy the cool weather in Baguio City, also known as the City of Pines. This city is home to green spaces, including Camp John Hay.

After your trip to the highlands, you will then fly off to Palawan, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Your itinerary includes a tour of Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa and the Big Lagoon in El Nido.

Experience some of the Philippines' best attractions and enjoy this 10-day trip to the highlands, underground river, and islands of Luzon. 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 Tour)
Day 7 to 9 - Puerto Princesa and El Nido Tour (Palawan)
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

Island Hopping
Culture, Arts & Historical Tours

Daily itinerary

Day 1
Casa Manila in Intramuros

Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour

Once you have arrived in the Philippines, your van will pick you up at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and then take you to your accommodation on Roxas Boulevard. On the first day of your tour, you will be visiting Intramuros in the capital of the Philippines, Manila. The first tourist destination you will visit is Fort Santiago. This defense fortress was first built in the 1500s. Jose Rizal, the national hero, was imprisoned here before his execution during the 19th century. The next stop is Plaza Roma, one of the public squares in Intramuros. Manila's city has had a long relationship with the Ethnic Chinese, and you can learn more about this at Bahay Tsinoy. Meanwhile, at Casa Manila, you will know more about the Filipino lifestyle during the Spanish era. The beautiful San Diego Gardens is a small park that leads to Baluarte De San Diego. This fortification consists of three concentric structures built during the 16th century. The last two attractions you will visit in Intramuros are religious sites. The first stop is San Agustin Church and Museum, a Baroque building completed in 1607. The next stop is the Manila Cathedral, built In 1581. After several reconstructions, the structure that stands today was completed in 1958.
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Day 2
Breathtaking wide shot of Mt. Pinatubo

Day 2 - Day 2: Mt. Pinatubo Tour

On the second day of your tour, you will leave Manila and head north. You will stop by the province of Tarlac to visit an active stratovolcano. Mt. Pinatubo is located along the Zambales mountains. In 1991, it was responsible for one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the world. One of the results of the eruption was the formation of a crater lake. On this day, you will hike up Mt. Pinatubo to visit it. Once you have reached the basecamp, you need to ride a 4x4 jeep to cross Crow Valley. This area is extremely craggy and sandy due to the lahar. The second part of your tour involves a short hike towards the crater lake. The hike is easy enough even for beginners. You will be on open terrain with hardly any shade available, so it's best to start the hike early so it wouldn't be too hot. The crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo is a beautiful shade of blue and green. The serene lake is surrounded by rough crater walls and grassy patches of land. Even if it is tempting to take a dip in the refreshing lake after a long hike, visitors are reminded not to swim in it.
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Day 3
Scenic view of Batad Rice Terraces in Banaue

Day 3 - Day 3: Banaue Tour

On day 3 of your tour, you will head up to the town of Banaue. This location is known for being the site of the rice terraces of Batad and Banga-an, which are designated world heritage sites. Along the way, you will first make a stop at the Ifugao Museum, where you can learn more about the locals' traditions. After that, you will visit the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, a notable event during World War II. To reach the village of Batad, you will need to walk through rice paddies. One of the best places to see the landscape is to go up to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. To reach the deck, you need to hike for 30 minutes. You have the option to visit another location if you wish. Tappiyah Waterfall is close to Batad Village, but the trek is a bit more challenging than the hike to the viewpoint. Another destination you can go to instead of the viewpoint and the waterfall is Banga-an Village. Here you will be able to see the life of the locals up close. Locally-made products, like woven baskets, can be bought from the village’s souvenir stalls. To wrap up your tour, you will go to the Banaue Museum, which has an impressive ethnographic display collected by anthropologist Otley Beyer and his son.
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Day 4
Popular hanging coffins of Sagada

Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour

The road to your next destination will be a long one, so be prepared. The town of Sagada is nestled within the Cordillera Mountains. On this day, there will be a lot of hiking and walking involved, and you will also explore a cave. Sugong Cave is one of the most popular spots in town as it is the site of the hanging coffins. The people of Sagada have been doing this traditional burial practice for over a thousand years. Next, you will be exploring Echo Valley, which is named as such because you will hear an echo when you shout. This natural area has a trail that leads to a river that will then end at Bokong Falls. There are dozens of caves underneath the town, and you will explore the biggest one. Sumaguing Cave is not for the faint of heart, the descent is very steep, and the path can be very slippery. Inside the cave are amazing rock formations and natural pools. Don't be surprised if you see a bat or two. You’ll get to know more about the tribes living in the area at the Bontoc Tribal Museum. It has a wide range of displays that includes everyday tools, headhunter trophies, traditional clothing, and more.
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Day 5
Freshly-picked strawberries in Benguet

Day 5 - Day 5: Benguet Tour

In the province of Benguet, you will get to see beautiful natural and man-made sites. The first is an expansive working farm where you can sample the best strawberries in Luzon. Millions of strawberries are harvested at La Trinidad Strawberry Farm every year. During harvest season, you can get to pick the strawberries yourself. The next destination is Atok Sakura Flowers. In 2016, the Japanese government gave Benguet a gift of over 30 cherry blossom trees planted at Atok Sakura Flowers. Soon they will bloom both pink and white varieties of cherry blossom. You’ll get to see more flowers at the next destination on the itinerary. Northern Blossom is a flower farm that has amazing views of the surrounding mountains. You can spot flowers like marigolds, snapdragons, and cabbage roses at this hillside farm. During your tour, you will visit the 2nd Highest Point, which is located along Halsema Highway. This major roadway used to have the highest elevation point in the country’s highway system, but it was bumped off from the top spot in 2019. You can get a better view of the winding roads and the surrounding mountains at the Spanish Trail. This short trail is less than 5 km long and passes through mountains, forming tunnels.
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Day 6
Sunset view of Baguio from Mines View Park

Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour

The City of Baguio is one of the most popular summer destinations in the country. With an elevation of 1,417m, this city's climate is cooler than in most major cities in the Philippines. The first tourist destination you will visit in Baguio is the Philippine Military Academy. The campus has a museum and gardens that visitors can go to. The next stop is the summer residence of the Philippine President, aptly named The Mansion. This grand palace has well-maintained gardens and a museum. One of the most photographed spots in Baguio City is The Mansion’s ornate gate. Camp John Hay used to be a military base, but it is now a tourist destination. It has wonderful parks, shops, restaurants, and even hotels. You will find dozens of souvenir shops at Mines View Park, but the main draw of it is its view deck, which overlooks an old mining town. The picturesque Wright Park is known for its horse riding facilities. It is also the site of the Pool of Pines. Meanwhile, at Centennial Park, you can view more than just trees and flowers but also art. Your trip to Baguio City is not complete without making a stopover at Good Shepherd Convent. The convent’s shop is known for its sweet goods, including peanut brittle and ube jam.
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Day 7
Aerial view of Luli Island in Puerto Princesa Palawan

Day 7 - Day 7: Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

It's time to leave the main island of Luzon and head to the archipelagic province of Palawan. Year after year, Palawan has been named as one of the best island destinations in the world, and today you will get to see why. You will ride a plane and land at Puerto Princesa International Airport. From there, your van will take you to the wharf to start your island hopping tour. Honda Bay is home to several islands, and on your tour, you will get to visit 3. Star Fish Island is named as such because of its inhabitants. Aside from starfishes, you can also see other sea creatures if you go snorkeling. You can expect clear waters and fine, white sand at Star Fish Island. Cowrie Island is the largest island on Honda Bay. Unlike the other islands, this one has tourist facilities where you can go picnicking or even take a shower. What's more, it has a safe swimming area; there is a net that will keep jellyfish from entering. The last stop is Luli Island, which disappears underneath the water during high tide. It's also a good spot for snorkeling. After your tour of Honda Bay, your van will take you to your accommodation in the town of Sabang.
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Day 8
A boat of tourists going inside Puerto Princesa Underground River

Day 8 - Day 8: Puerto Princesa City Tour

On the 8th day of your tour, you will visit another world heritage site. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a protected national park with a beautiful ecosystem and dramatic limestone mountains. It is one of the longest underground rivers in the world. The next part of your tour will take place in Puerto Princesa City. At Bakers Hill, you can sample a wide range of pastries made by locals. It's also an excellent place to purchase goods that you can take home. At Plaza Cuartel, you can learn about the city's history, including a dark event that occurred during World War II. You will see reptiles and other animals at the Crocodile Farm. This tourist destination and research facility is home to different species of crocodiles. It also has a mini zoo, which houses other reptiles and even birds and mammals. At Mitra’s Ranch, you can view the amazing cityscape of Puerto Princesa. This hilltop ranch also has facilities for zip lining and picnics. To wrap up your tour, you will head to the Puerto Princesa Baywalk. Aside from getting a great view of the city's port, the promenade also has food and souvenir stalls. After your Puerto Princesa city tour, you will go back to your hotel in the town of Sabang.
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Day 9
Shimizu Island in El Nido Palawan

Day 9 - Day 9: El Nido Island Hopping Tour

You will check out of your Sabang hotel, and your van will take you to the northern tip of Palawan. On this day, you will go island hopping in one of the most popular tourist destinations of El Nido—Bacuit Bay. The first stop is the Big Lagoon, a jaw-dropping natural site with limestone cliffs and jewel-toned waters. The second stop is Miniloc Island. With its rich ecosystem, it's a perfect spot for snorkeling. These days, the Secret Lagoon seems like it is no longer a secret. To reach it, you have to crawl through a small entrance. Since only a limited number of people are allowed to enter at a time, sometimes a long line forms outside the lagoon. Thankfully, there is a beautiful beach nearby where you can relax on. The Seven Commandos Beach is actually on the main island of Palawan. However, it can only be reached by boat as mountains surround the beach. The last island you will visit is the wonderful Shimizu Island. You can expect to find colorful corals and fish when you snorkel around the area. After your tour, the boat will take you back to El Nido. Your van will then bring you to your accommodation in Lio.
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Day 10
Passenger plane at the airport in Manila

Day 10 - Day 10: Departure to Manila

Your 10 days of exploring the highlands, the underground river, and islands of Luzon is done. Your van will pick you up from your Lio hotel and take you to the airport. The flight back to Manila shouldn't be longer than 2 hours. You will 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.

In El Nido island hopping tour mandatory environmental fee and/or user’s see is to be paid directly in cash to the service provider in El Nido, The tour itinerary is subject to change based on weather and tidal conditions. Tours will start only once operators are given permission to sail by the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Philippine Coast Guard. Delays in start of tours or cancellation of tours affected by this is beyond the service providers’ control.

Limitation to the number of tourists, boats, kayaks and time of stay in El Nido lagoons are strictly enforced by the PAMB. Secret Beach, Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon are no longer allowed to be toured on the same day as part of the policies of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of El Nido.

A mandatory user fee of PHP 200 per person is collected by PAMB for every entry to the Secret Beach, Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon.

Single use-plastics are banned in El Nido island tours. Please bring reusable water bottles or tumblers. All visitors are required to bring their own trash back to the boats.

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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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