10-Day Philippines Scenic Highlands & Island Hopping Tour to Palawan Islands & Cordillera Mountains
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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
Explore the Philippines' highlands in Luzon and Palawan's stunning islands. You’ll be high up a mountain one day and then splashing around the beach on the next. This 10-day Philippine package already includes accommodations and flights, and other transfers plus entrance fees and tour guides. Everything is pre-arranged, so all you have to do is make the most out of your trip.
In Manila, you’ll visit important sites during the Spanish occupation, like solid forts, churches, and museums. Then, you’ll get a glimpse of the Spanish Colonial period in the well-preserved Calle Crisologo in the historic City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Up in the highlands, you’ll get a chance to see a jaw-dropping attraction from Banaue Viewpoint. You can also experience the cool weather and relaxing ambiance at Baguio’s Camp John Hay. To complete your highland experience, you’re going to see a crater lake of the active volcano, Mt. Pinatubo.
The latter part of your trip is allotted to one of the best island destinations in the world. Palawan is known for its amazing islands and beaches. For several years, it has been included in travel lists of both international and local media.
With this package, you’ll be exploring both the road less traveled and tourist-favorite spots. In Puerto Princesa, you will go on an island-hopping tour at the famous Honda Bay. Then, you are going to a more quiet area of the Province of San Vicente. This town is home to a quiet fishing village known as Port Barton where the islands have fewer visitors.
This engaging 10-day trip will have you visiting one attraction after another. It’s definitely a good value deal if you are looking to explore the interesting attractions of the Philippines.
Go on this 10-day trip to the refreshing highlands of Luzon and the stunning islands of Palawan. 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 to 3 - Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur (Ilocos Region)
Day 4 to 6 - Sagada, Banaue, and Baguio Tour (Cordillera Region)
Day 7 - Mt. Pinatubo Tour
Day 8 to 9 - Puerto Princesa and Port Barton 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
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines and is one of the earliest global cities in the world. On this day, you will be exploring “Old Manila” where the remnants of the past still stand. Intramuros is a walled area within Manila City and is home to historic structures and other tourist attractions.
You’ll first visit Fort Santiago, a former military prison and a citadel constructed during the 16th century. Then, you’ll go to one of the public squares of the city, Plaza Roma. During the Spanish Colonial era, this square was used for events until it was turned into a garden during the 18th century.
The Spanish weren’t the only ones who have contributed greatly to shaping the City of Manila. At Bahay Tsinoy, you’ll get to know more about the Ethnic Chinese and their long ties with the country from the first encounter up to the present.
Casa Manila is a museum housed in a replica of a Spanish grand house. The 3-story building features a patio, a stable, an anteroom, and an office-cum-library. It also has well-preserved furniture and memorabilia.
The San Diego Gardens is a small but pleasant green space of the city. It leads to the oldest stone fort of the city, Baluarte De San Diego. On the other hand, San Agustin Church and Museum is the oldest stone church in the country. Your last stop is the Manila Cathedral, the Philippines’ premier church.
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Day 2
Day 2 - Day 2: Ilocos Norte Laoag Tour
On day 2 of your trip, you will be heading to Manila Airport to catch a flight to Ilocos Norte. You will land at Laoag International Airport and stay in a Laoag City hotel. The tour starts in the city center at St. Williams Cathedral. This 17th-century church has an accompanying belfry that is said to be sinking into the ground, aptly called the Sinking Bell Tower.
You’ll see the relics and artifacts of the local tribes at Museo Ilocos Norte. This museum is even housed in a historic structure, a Tabacalera warehouse from the 19th century. At Aurora Park, you’ll find the Tobacco Monopoly Monument. It was erected in gratitude to King Alfonso XIII of Spain for lifting the tobacco monopoly in 1881.
Outside of Laoag City, you’ll be visiting 2 nearby towns. The first is Paoay where the presidential museum, Malacanang of the North, is located as well as the UNESCO World Heritage site, Paoay Church.
The second town you will go to is Batac. You will pay a visit to the Marcos Museum. It’s also known as the Ferdinand E. Marcos Presidential Center and is dedicated to the late former president. It was the site of his mausoleum and now his cenotaph.
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Day 3
Day 3 - Day 3: Ilocos Sur Vigan Tour
You’ll check out of your hotel in Laoag City and travel to Vigan City in Ilocos Sur. The City of Vigan is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks mainly to its well-preserved ancestral houses and Spanish colonial buildings.
The first site you’ll visit is the National Museum Ilocos Sur Complex. The exhibits are mainly centered around 2 prominent figures of Philippine history who are Vigan natives. The first is Padre Burgos, a martyr priest and one of the heroes of the Philippine Revolution. The second is Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines.
In the neighboring town of Bantay, you will visit a church that was established during the 16th century. Bantay Church also has a bell tower that was used as a watchtower during the Spanish Colonial period.
Back in Vigan City, you’ll get a glimpse of the life of the affluent during the 1800s at Syquia Mansion Museum. It is one of the oldest stone houses in the country. At Pagburnayan Jar Factory, you will learn about a traditional way of making pottery. Crisologo Museum is another ancestral house where you can find memorabilia and heirlooms that date back to the Spanish Colonial era.
Calle Crisologo is the most popular street in the city. It has cobblestone roads and rows of well-preserved mansions and grand houses. St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as Vigan Cathedral, was first built in 1641. However, it sustained damages during earthquakes and was even burned. The current building that stands today was constructed during the 18th century.
The final stop for the Vigan tour is Baluarte, an expansive zoo complex. It has a safari gallery and also houses big cats. There is an open space where visitors can interact with tamer animals.
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Day 4
Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour
The town of Sagada is nestled in the Mountain Province. This day tour involves a lot of walking and hiking, so be sure to wear proper footwear. But before you reach the quiet town, there’s a long and somewhat bumpy road that you have to go through first from Ilocos Sur.
Once you have reached Sagada, you’ll start off right away by visiting one of the most popular attractions of the town. The hanging coffins of Sugong Cave is a unique sight to see. The locals bury the dead by placing them in wooden coffins, which are then set onto the faces of the mountains. However, this burial practice is reserved for leaders or distinguished people of the community.
Echo Valley may seem like a regular terrain with lush greeneries. It garnered its name due to the fact that loud sounds will produce an echo in the valley. You’ll get a taste of spelunking at Sagada’s largest cave, Sumaguing Cave. It should be noted that the cave has pools of water inside aside from rock formations. You might get wet in chilly waters while exploring the area.
The last attraction you’ll visit before heading to your Sagada hotel is the Bontoc Tribal Museum. It has an array of ethnographical artifacts from the different tribes of the Mountain Province.
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Day 5
Day 5 - Day 5: Banaue Tour
You’ll be heading onto another mountain escape on the 5th day of your tour. Banaue is a town in the Ifugao Province that is home to a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll be visiting the famous rice terraces of Batad.
The small village of Batad is truly a remote location. You can expect to do a lot of hiking and walking on this day too. After visiting the small village, you can choose from 3 locations to go to afterward.
You may go on a 30-minute hike to reach the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. It’s one of the best places to see the amphitheater-like rice terraces of the village. You may also go on a more exciting trip to Tappiya Waterfall. The trek will offer scenic views of the rice terraces too but the main draw will be the serene Tappiya Waterfall. As a bonus, you can also cool off at its pool.
The last option requires the least amount of hiking, visiting the Banga-an Village. At this small village, you’ll get to see traditional homes, talk to locals, and even purchase souvenirs. To cap off your tour, you’ll make a stop at the Banaue Museum before heading to your hotel.
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Day 6
Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour
It’s time to head up to the Summer Capital of the Philippines. Baguio City is more than just a tourist destination with shops and restaurants. It’s a city with a rich culture and interesting history.
You’ll get to know more of the different traditions of indigenous tribes of Baguio at the Ifugao Museum. Then, you’ll go to an important World War II location in the city, the Surrender Site of General Yamashita.
The premier military institution of the country is located in Baguio City. The Philippine Military Academy’s campus has become a popular tourist destination as it is also a historical landmark. This institution was established as early as the 19th century.
The Mansion is the summer palace of the serving president of the Philippines. This grand property has an ornate gate fronted by the Pool of Pines. Your next destination is a historically-important site that has turned into a popular tourist attraction. Camp John Hay was once the military base of the Americans. Now it has hotels, dining and shopping establishments, and tourist facilities.
You’ll get to enjoy the refreshing climate and lush sceneries of Baguio in the following parks that you will visit: Mines View Park, Wright Park, and Centennial Park. Before the tour ends, you can shop for sweets and goodies at the must-visit Good Shepherd Convent.
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Day 7
Day 7 - Day 7: Mt. Pinatubo Tour
After visiting a few mountains, this time you will come face to face with an active volcano. Mt. Pinatubo is responsible for one of the largest eruptions in the entire world. As a consequence, its original summit was destroyed and hollowed out. Its crater soon turned into a lake and became a popular hiking destination.
To visit the crater lake, you’ll first make your way to the base camp in the province of Tarlac. Due to the craggy terrain as an effect of the eruption, it’s harder to navigate the area on a normal vehicle. A 4x4 jeep will take you to the crater lake trail, across the moon-like Crow Valley.
The hike towards Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake is easy enough that it can be finished by beginners. However, it can get very hot during the hike as there isn’t any shade in the area. At the end, you’ll be greeted with a mesmerizing blue-green lake.
You’ll make your way down the trail again and the 4x4 vehicle will take you back to the base camp. From Tarlac, your van will bring you back to Manila City. The distance is around 130km. You’ll then stay in a hotel along Roxas Boulevard.
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Day 8
Day 8 - Day 8: Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
On the 8th day of your vacation, you are finally going to Palawan. It’s one of the best islands in the world. You’ll be visiting Honda Bay and visit some of its best islands.
From Manila, you’ll fly to Puerto Princesa International Airport. And then from the airport, the wharf is just a little over 10km. Your Honda Bay tour starts off at the picturesque Star Fish Island. It’s a good place to spot starfishes on the sand. If you go snorkeling, you’ll be able to see colorful fishes and corals too.
Cowrie Island is the largest island in Honda Bay. It also has tourist facilities, such as food stalls, picnicking sites, and bathrooms. You can swim in peace as there is an area on the island that is surrounded by a net so jellyfish can’t enter. The island is named as such as it is shaped like a cowrie or a shell.
Luli Island is an interesting destination. During the high tide, the island disappears under the water. Only when the tide is low then it appears. After your Honda Bay tour, your van will take you to your hotel in Sabang.
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Day 9
Day 9 - Day 9: Port Barton Island Hopping
Day 9 of your tour is for another island-hopping excursion, this time in the quiet Port Barton. This village is in the town of San Vicente and is one of the less commercialized locations of Palawan. You won’t find a 5-star hotel in the area but you can expect to find clear, turquoise waters and uncrowded beaches.
The first spot you will visit on Port Barton is Inaladelan Island, which used to be called German Island. It has clear, blue waters perfect for snorkeling. You’ll get to see wonderful corals and colorful fish. Aside from snorkeling, you can also go kayaking around the island. On the beach, you can play volleyball or simply relax under a palm tree.
Luli Sandbar is named as such as it is the shortened term for lulubog and lilitaw. This means submerge and emerge as the sandbar has the tendency to hide and appear from the waters depending on the tide. Luli Sandbar is also a popular spot to see starfishes.
At the turtle snorkeling site, you’ll get a chance to see large sea turtles. You may even have the unique opportunity of swimming with these sea creatures. To cap off your tour, you’ll also be going to the Fish and Coral Snorkeling site.
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Day 10
Day 10 - Day 10: Departure to Manila
On Day 10 of your trip, you will be leaving Palawan and head back to Luzon. Your van will pick you up from your hotel in the town of Sabang and take you to the airport. The flight going back to Ninoy Aquino International Airport should be around an hour and a half.
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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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