11-Day Philippines Adventure Vacation Package to Apo Island, Mt. Pinatubo & Luzon Highlands

On Day 2, you will board a plane to Laoag Airport from Manila. Your private van awaits you at the terminal. You will then proceed to your hotel in Laoag.

Laoag City is the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. Its name came from an Ilocano word, “Lawag” which means bright and light. To discover its beautifully preserved architecture, you will stroll along its iconic landmarks and Baroque-inspired churches.

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At St. Williams Cathedral, you will see The Sinking Bell Tower which is right across the church. Every year, the bell tower is believed to be sinking at least an inch into the ground. Next, you will see a vast collection of historical artifacts and heirlooms at Museo Ilocos Norte.

Standing right in the middle of Aurora’s Park is the 19th-century Tobacco Monopoly Monument. This monument was built in honor of the lifting of the tobacco monopoly in the Philippines in 1881.

Your next destination is the Malacanang of the North, the grand presidential museum for former President Marcos.

In Batac town, you will visit the Marcos Museum to see the cenotaph of the late President Marcos. Finally, you will get to know the famous Luna brothers at Juan and Antonio Luna Museum.

Learn about the Hispanic era at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan on the third day of your vacation. From Laoag, your private van will take you to your first destination, the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex.

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Marvel at the museum and check out the rich culture of Vigan in its historical artifacts. Then, you will proceed to Bantay Church and Bell Tower. Here, you can capture the whole Bantay district and a portion of the nearby province of Abra.

Up next is Syquia Mansion Museum, a 19-century Bahay-na-Bato mansion featuring symbolic heirlooms of the Syquia family. Afterward, you will learn traditional pot making at Pagburnayan Jar Factory. At Crisologo Museum, you will see the antique collections of Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and his family.

Your historical Vigan tour continues at Calle Crisologo. You will wind up gazing at some of the ancestral structures lined up along this iconic street. Afterward, you will pay a short visit to St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as Vigan Cathedral. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia.

Right across the church is Plaza Salcedo, where a dancing fountain welcomes you. Lastly, you will explore Baluarte mini zoo to see life-size dinosaur statues.

Go on a scenic tour to the rustic town of Sagada on your 4th day. From Vigan, your van will drive you toward Halsema Highway, one of the highest roads in the Philippines.

Your first destination is Sugong Cave. It has an underground river with water coming from Bokong Falls. The nearby Kapay-aw Rice Terraces also obtains its source of irrigation from the falls.

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Then, you will set on foot an arduous journey to Echo Valley. Its path will lead you to the famous hanging coffins on the side of a cliff. Igorot tribes believe that hanging the remains of the dead will make them closer to their ancestral spirits.

Sagada is also an ideal place for spelunking adventures. Behind its scenic mountain ranges, you will find more than 60 caves. The largest among them is Sumaguing Cave, which features ancient stalactites and stalagmites. There are also natural pools and streams inside the cave. Prepare to get wet during your cave exploration.

Afterward, you will visit the Bontoc Tribal Museum. Upon entering the two-story museum, you will see traditional costumes, hunting weapons, and farming tools of the Ifugao tribes.

At the end of your tour, you will return to your hotel.

On Day 5, you will have an early departure from your hotel in Sagada. You will head to the breathtaking town of Banaue, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces.

The earliest-made rice terraces are nestled in the town of Batad. You will soon arrive at The Banaue Rice Terraces or Hagdang-hagdang Palayan. More than 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao ancestors worked tirelessly to complete the carving of these terraces.

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Proceed to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint to capture the best view of the terraces. You may also trade Batad Banaue Viewpoint to visit the Tappiya Waterfall. Once you arrive, the enchanting view of the falls will make you want to dip in its cold waters.

Afterward, you will immerse yourself at Banga-an Village, a laid-back village consisting of cogon-made houses. Domesticated animals are kept on the ground floor of the houses.

This small community only consists of 30 families. They depend on livestock farming as one of their main sources of livelihood. During your stay inside the community, you must respect the customs and traditions of the village people.

Your final stop is Banaue Museum, an ethnic museum featuring the life of Ifugao tribes through antique portraits and other treasured artifacts.

Your exhilarating vacation up north continues in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio. From Banaue, your private van will take you to the City of Pines. It is a great sightseeing spot for travelers seeking peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle.

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Your first stop is the Ifugao Museum, which exhibits the life of indigenous tribes. Then, you will head to the Surrender Site of General Yamashita in honor of Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II.

Up next is the Philippine Military Academy, a top-ranking institution for aspiring military officers in the country. Then, you will head to Fort De Pilar, which occupies 373 hectares of land. Afterward, you will proceed to The Mansion, known as the official summer residence of the Philippine President.

You will also visit Camp John Hay, a former military base that turned into a top adventure hub in Baguio. At Mines View Park, you will gaze at the Benguet rolling mountain ranges and old Itogon mines. Then, you can go horseback riding at Wright Park and take photos at the flower gardens in Centennial Park.

Before leaving Baguio, you will drop by the Good Shepherd Convent to purchase local treats, including the famous ube jam or purple yam.

From Baguio, you will proceed to the nearby Benguet attractions on your 7th day. Your first stop is the 79-hectare La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. During the Hispanic era, the Spaniards introduced the production of strawberries in Benguet. Since then, the farm produces around 1,775 metric tons of fresh and sweet strawberries per harvest.

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Your second stop is Atok Sakura Flowers. Since 2016, there are over 30 beautiful cherry blossom trees planted in this area. The cherry blossom seedlings were a gift to the municipality of Atok from the Japanese government.

Up next, you will discover majestic flower fields underneath a sea of clouds at Northern Blossom Flower Farm. This three-hectare Benguet flower plantation cultivates sunflowers, snapdragons, Peruvian lilies, and other colorful blooms from Japan. You can also take a photo behind the rolling mountain ranges of Mt. Timbak and Mt. Pulag as your backdrop.

After touring around flower fields, you will drop by the 2nd Highest Point along Halsema Highway. Here, you can capture a panoramic view of the nearby mountains, including Mt. Timbak. Lastly, you will pass through the Spanish Trail. At the end of the trail, you will admire lush landscapes amidst the misty fog.

On Day 8, you will go on a trekking tour to Mount Pinatubo. You will ride a 4x4 vehicle before you go trekking to the crater lake. Mount Pinatubo is a scenic volcano located between Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. Once you reach its summit, you will see its captivating turquoise-colored crater lake.

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Mount Pinatubo had a massive eruption in 1991. Up to date, it is still considered the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the past 100 years. Despite the destruction it brought to nearby towns, some people still refer to it as a beautiful disaster. After 30 years, Mt. Pinatubo is now a famous hiking spot up north.

To get there, you have to reach the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana by riding a van. Upon reaching the camp, you will switch to a 4x4 vehicle. You need to pass by a lahar-filled terrain. The ride gets rough and bumpy, but you will get there in time.

For your safety, you have to wear proper hiking gear. The 4x4 jeep will be traversing the Crow Valley. Once you arrive at the jump-off point, you will get off the vehicle and trek toward the mountain’s deck to see the crater lake.

Board a plane to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport on the 9th day of your vacation. Dumaguete, known as the City of Gentle People, is a premier educational spot in Visayas and Mindanao.

Your first stop is the campus of Silliman University. It is the first American-Protestant university in the Philippines and Asia. Inside the campus lies a university zoo and research facility.

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Then, you will proceed to downtown Dumaguete. You will drop by the iconic structure of St. Catherine De Alexandria and the historical Dumaguete Campanario. Then, you may proceed to Dumaguete Public Market with stalls selling fresh seafood. Afterward, you will visit the nearby Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park.

At Claytown Pottery, you can purchase handmade pots as keepsakes. You can also buy novelty items at Sidlakang Negros Village. Then, you will make a stop at Lab-as Seafood to take your lunch break.

For your next activity, you will go nature-tripping at the Valencia Forest Camp. Next is the Cata-al War Museum, where you will find various World War II artifacts. Then, you will pay a short visit to San Agustin de Hippo Church in Bacong town. Lastly, you will drop by the Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage Center to purchase souvenirs.

Take a 40-minute boat ride to Apo Island on the 10th day of your vacation. Apo Island is nestled at the southeastern tip of Negros Island.

This world-famous diving destination and snorkeling site is around 25km away from Dumaguete City. In the Visayan language, the name “Apo” means elderly or respected ancestor.

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Apo Island is one of the spectacular diving spots in the Philippines. This volcanic island covers 74 hectares of land area. It also showcases rich marine diversity and stunning underwater sanctuaries, with over 400 coral species and 650 documented fish species.

To ensure the preservation of the island, the locals implement strict eco-tourism practices. Just like them, tourists visiting the island must follow these guidelines.

You will soon arrive on Apo Island. Once you’re all set, you can dive straight into its blue waters. You will see diverse fish species, including tunas and manta rays. Then, get a chance to swim with sea turtles at Turtle Point.

If you’re looking for more adventures, you can go trekking to the 600-meter Habagat Eco-Trail. Here, you will see a panoramic view surrounding mountains and natural rock formations. At the end of your tour, you will head back to your hotel in Dumaguete.

Conclude your 11-day vacation and prepare to leave early from your hotel in Dumaguete. Your private van will take you to Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport. Then, you will board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will head back to where you started, Manila.