11-Day Heritage, Scenic Highlands & Trekking Tour to Mt. Pinatubo, Ilocos & Bohol Pamilacan Island

On your second day, you will board a direct flight to Laoag Airport from Manila. Your private van awaits you at the airport terminal. Once you are all settled, your private van will drive you to your Laoag accommodation.

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Laoag, known as the Sunshine City, serves as the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. As its name implies, Laoag came from an Ilocano word, “Lawag” or bright light. The city boasts remarkable structures featuring Baroque and Italian Renaissance architecture.

First, you will visit St. Williams Cathedral. You will come across the Sinking Bell Tower, which sinks at least an inch every year. Then, you will visit Museo Ilocos Norte to learn about the region’s flourishing culture over the years.

Standing near St. Williams Cathedral is the Aurora’s Park, home to the 19th-century Tobacco Monopoly Monument. You will also visit the Malacañang of the North, the grand presidential museum for former President Marcos. It also served as the official residence of the Marcoses.

Marcos Museum will be your second to the last destination in Laoag. It features the cenotaph of the late President Marcos. Lastly, you will drop by the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum to see the Luna brothers’ notable works.

On Day 3, you will leave early from your Laoag hotel to explore the beautiful coastal towns of Burgos and Pagudpud. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is your first destination. It stands majestically on top of Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the West Philippine Sea.

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Then, you will proceed to Bangui Bay. Here, you will admire 20 giant wind turbines overlooking the sea. Before you head to your next destination, you will pass by Pagudpud’s scenic coastal bridge, known as the Patapat Viaduct. You will proceed to Agua Grande. It has a cold stream that flows to Pasaleng Bay.

Your fun-filled tour continues at Paraiso ni Anton. Beside the grotto, you can find water that is believed to miraculously heal the sick. Then, you will drop by the Burgos coastline to discover the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, a stunning rock attraction facing the sea.

Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the chance to buy local treats. Before concluding your tour, you can pass by Pasuquin Salt Stand to purchase the best-tasting salt-preserved food in town. Cap off your tour by booking an add-on 4x4 ride for 4 pax to La Paz Sand Dunes, an 85 square kilometer coastal beach and desert in Ilocos Norte.

Your 4th day of vacation will take place at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan. You will leave early from your accommodation. The first destination is the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex.

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Browse through historical artifacts and learn about the flourishing culture of the region. After marveling at the museum, you will visit Bantay Church and Bell Tower. Witness the whole Bantay district and a portion of the nearby province of Abra on top of the tower.

Your next stop is Syquia Mansion Museum. It is a 19-century stone mansion that exhibits symbolic heirlooms of the Syquia family. Then, you will head to Pagburnayan Jar Factory to learn how to make traditional pots. Afterward, you will see the antique furniture and belongings of Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and his family at Crisologo Museum.

If you want to witness more ancestral structures, you can stroll on the iconic Calle Crisologo. It features several beautifully preserved houses during the Spanish colonial period. Then, you will pay a short visit to St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral. It is right across the dancing fountain at Plaza Salcedo.

Your last stop is Baluarte mini zoo. You can take photos behind life-size dinosaur statues.

On Day 5, you will wait for your private van to fetch you from your hotel. Your destination is the rustic town of Sagada. You will drive along Halsema Highway, one of the highest roads in the Philippines.

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Beneath the rolling hills and mountain ranges, Sagada boasts over 60 caves. First, you will visit Sugong Cave. It has an underground river with water coming from Bokong Falls. The water also flows straight to the Kapay-aw Rice Terraces.

Then, you will trek to Echo Valley. It has a path leading to the famous coffins hanging on the cliffside. The people of Sagada follow sacred and unique burial traditions. Some of the coffins are more than 2,000 years old. However, these practices are slowly dying because the younger generations have converted into Christians.

Your cave exploration in Sagada continues at Sumaguing Cave, a perfect spelunking spot up north. You will discover ancient stalactites and stalagmites along with natural pools and streams. Prepare to get wet during your adventure.

Your last destination in Sagada is the Bontoc Tribal Museum. Browse through traditional costumes, hunting weapons, and farming tools. You will learn more about Ifugao tribes and their traditions in the Mountain Province.

Prepare to leave early from your Sagada accommodation on your 6th day of vacation. Your destination will be the scenic town of Banaue in Ifugao.

To get to your first destination, you will head to the town of Batad. Banaue Rice Terraces or Hagdang-Hagdang Palayan is a National Cultural Treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Over 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao ancestors carved the paddy fields by hand to create a sustainable landscape for planting rice.

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At Batad Banaue Viewpoint, you can capture the best view of the terraces. You may also opt to trade Batad Banaue Viewpoint for a visit to the Tappiya Waterfall. After passing by muddy and slippery trails, an enchanting waterfall awaits you on the side of the valley. Upon arrival, you can take a refreshing dip into the cold waters.

Your next stop is Banga-an Village, a laid-back village consisting of cogon-made houses with a ground floor for domesticated animals. The community shelters around 30 families. They get their source of living from livestock farming.

Cap off your tour at Banaue Museum, a two-story ethnic museum. It depicts the life of Ifugao tribes through vintage photographs, treasured jewelry, traditional headdress, weaponry, and artifacts.

Your 7th day of vacation continues at the City of Pines, Baguio. For those who like to enjoy the cool breeze, this destination up north is perfect for you! Here, you can take a refreshing vacation away from the city noise.

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Your van will take you to your first stop, the Ifugao Museum. You will learn about Ifugao’s ancient traditions while browsing through historical artifacts. Then, you will visit the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, which honors Yamashita’s act of surrendering.

Your next stop is the Philippine Military Academy, a premier institution for aspiring military officers in the country. Then, you will explore Fort De Pilar, which occupies 373 hectares of land. Afterward, you will drop by the ornamental iron gate at The Mansion or the official summer residence of the Philippine President.

Up next is Camp John Hay, a former US military base that turned into a forest watershed reserve in Baguio. At Mines View Park, you will see old Itogon mines. Afterward, you can go horseback riding and sightseeing at Wright Park and Centennial Park.

Before leaving Baguio, don’t forget to drop by the Good Shepherd Convent. Purchase local treats, including their best-selling ube jam or purple yam.

On Day 8, you will prepare for a heart-pounding adventure to Mount Pinatubo. You will reach the volcano’s majestic crater lake. To get there, you will ride a 4x4 vehicle and trek toward the mountain’s deck.

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Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano nestled between Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. It currently holds the place for being the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the past 100 years.

After its massive eruption in 1991, the place has been transformed into a famous hiking attraction. The eruption is also believed to have downgraded the world’s temperature by a few centigrade.

You will ride a van to reach the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana. You will soon arrive at the base camp. Then, you will switch to a 4x4 vehicle. The terrain is a bit challenging, so you have to prepare for a rough and bumpy ride.

While riding a 4x4 jeep, you will pass through the Crow Valley. Once you reach the jump-off point, you will get off the vehicle and trek toward the mountain’s deck. You will be rewarded with a majestic view of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake at the end of the trail.

From Manila, you will be flying off to Bohol via Panglao International Airport. At the terminal, your private van awaits you. You will proceed to your accommodation in Panglao, Bohol.

For your first activity, you will immerse yourself in the laidback village of Cambuhat River Community. There are nipa huts and lush mangroves on the side of the river.

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After paddling through the river, you will arrive at the community. Oyster farming is the main livelihood of the village people. Cambuhat Oyster Farm is nestled at the far end of the river. Aside from oyster farming, the locals also create hand-woven crafts. You can purchase these items as souvenirs.

To preserve the beauty of the river, the Cambuhat locals ensure to protect their natural resources by implementing eco-friendly practices. While immersing yourself inside the community, do not forget to respect their customs and traditions.

You will also indulge in the serene and simple life inside the community. While getting to know the community’s practices, the locals will also offer you mouthwatering seafood or shellfish lunch freshly cooked from their oyster farm.

After your amusing tour in Cambuhat River Community, you will paddle back and ride a van to your hotel.

The last leg of your Bohol adventure continues in Pamilacan Island. You will leave early from your Panglao accommodation. You will take a 16km-long boat ride to reach the heart of the Bohol sea.

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Pamilacan Island sits calmly in the middle of the sea. It is home to colorful exotic fishes and a variety of marine species. There are less than 1,500 residents on the island.

Back in the 90s, the locals relied on whale and manta ray hunting for their livelihood. The government banned this illegal practice, which made them rely on the island’s local tourism.

On the way to the island, you will spot some whales and dolphins that may pop out of the water.

Once you get there, you can go snorkeling or diving into the vast seascape and rich underwater sanctuaries.

Pamilacan Island is a world-class dive spot in Bohol. It shelters different marine species, including bucket sponges, moray eels, sea snakes, and sea turtles. After your sea exploration, you can sink your feet on the white sand beach.

You can also find the 300-year-old Pamilacan watchtower along the coast. Many centuries ago, it used to be a place where Spaniards watched out for pirates.

Wait for your private van to pick you up from your hotel in Panglao, Bohol. You will proceed to the Panglao International Airport. Then, you will board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will head back to where you started, Manila.