12-Day Cultural, Heritage, Trekking & Island Hopping Tour to Ilocos, Baguio, Bohol & Puerto Princesa

One of the most popular tourist spots in Bohol, Loboc River
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Description

Summary

Tour starts
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Duration
12 days
Ending place
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Languages:
English
Difficulty:
Easy
Minimum age:
None

Description

Discover some of the Philippines’ best cultural, historical, and tropical islands with this 12-day vacation package from Manila. This tour will take you to the cultural and historical attractions of Ilocos and Baguio and the idyllic islands and beaches of Bohol and Puerto Princesa. This package already comes with accommodations, daily breakfast, transfers, entrance fees, and the service of guides.

After landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, you will head on a historical tour around Intramuros. This walled district in the heart of Manila previously served as the seat of government during the Spanish colonization. From there, you will head north to explore the hotspots in the Ilocos region. You will visit the presidential museum called Malacanang of the North in Ilocos Norte and see the Spanish houses lining the Calle Crisologo in Vigan. 

Following your trip in the northern region, you will make your way to the highlands and stop by the Banaue Museum in Banaue and Camp John Hay in Baguio. Banaue Museum is home to numerous indigenous artifacts from the ancient tribes of the Igorots, while Camp John Hay is a military base turned mountain resort. 

After exploring the highlands, you will go on a day hike to Mt. Pinatubo in Tarlac. You will see the breathtaking crater lake at the volcano’s summit. Then you will fly to Bohol and do the famed Loboc River Cruise. Your guide will also take you to the majestic Chocolate Hills. 

From there, you will board a plane for Palawan. Here, you will embark on an island-hopping tour across Honda Bay and cruise along the Puerto Princesa Underground River. You will end your vacation on Day 12 as you fly back to Manila. 

Take a 12-day vacation to the Philippines and go from Manila to Ilocos Norte and Sur,  Baguio, Bohol, and Puerto Princesa. Check availability by choosing a date.

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Included

11 nights accommodation (budget category)
11 days breakfast
11 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 - Bohol Tour (Central Visayas)
Day 10 to 11 - Puerto Princesa Tour (Palawan)
Day 12 - 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
Old stone structure of Fort Santiago in Intramuros

Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour

You'll travel to the Philippines and land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where you will meet up with your guide. You will then make your way to Intramuros. A century-old walled city in the heart of Manila, Intramuros has long been a popular spot for picnics and historical tours. It owes its popularity to its old-world beauty and abundance of Spanish-era landmarks. Fort Santiago is one of the iconic destinations inside the walled district. This stone castle, which served as the prison for national hero Jose Rizal, dates from 1593. From there, you will walk to the nearby Plaza Roma, one of Intramuros' three major public squares. Your guide will then lead you to Bahay Tsinoy. Established to highlight the understanding and harmony shared by the Filipinos and Chinese, this museum houses life-size dioramas of Chinese goldsmiths and traders, a collection of photos, old coins, porcelain, and kitchenware, among others. Another museum you will visit is Casa Manila, a fully-furnished home-turned-museum that exhibits how the locals lived during the Spanish colonial era. In the southwestern corner of Intramuros, you'll drop by the San Diego Gardens and Baluarte de San Diego before proceeding to San Agustin Church and Museum. You will then stop at Manila Cathedral, the first-ever cathedral in the country.
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Day 2
Colorful skies in Paoay Church in Laoag

Day 2 - Day 2: Laoag Tour

You will ride a plane from Manila to Laoag International Airport in Ilocos Norte. Your guide will show you around the city's many attractions, including the St. Williams Cathedral. It currently serves as the seat or central church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag. Across the street from the church is the Sinking Bell Tower, the tallest historic building in the city that mysteriously sinks about an inch every year. You will then go to the Museo Ilocos Norte after visiting the bell tower. Housed in the historic Tabacalera warehouse, this museum showcases numerous artifacts depicting the region’s culture and heritage. You will also visit Aurora Park next, where a multi-tiered obelisk dating back to 1881 stands. Your guide will then bring you from Laoag down to the town of Paoay to visit Malacanang of the North. Now a presidential museum, this was once the residence of former President Ferdinand Marcos and his family. Paoay Church is another attraction you will be visiting in Paoay. Also known as Saint Augustine Church, this Roman Catholic Church dates back to 1710. Before you head to your accommodation in Laoag, you will drop by the Marcos Museum in Batac to see the cenotaph of the former President Marcos.
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Day 3
Spanish-style streets of Calle Crisologo in Vigan

Day 3 - Day 3: Vigan Tour

You will depart from Laoag for Vigan, where you will visit the many historical sites in this UNESCO World Heritage City. The National Museum Ilocos Sur Complex will be your first stop here. Located along the Abra River’s delta, this museum complex houses the Padres Burgos Museum and the Ilocos Sur Provincial Jail, now serving as a museum of former President Elpidio Quirino’s personal effects. After that, you'll visit Bantay Church and the Bell Tower. This Neo-Gothic-style church was dedicated to St. Augustine of Hippo and was built in the early 1590s. Your tour guide will also introduce you to the Syquioa Mansion Museum, one of Vigan's oldest stone buildings. Following your visit to the museum, you will stop at the Pagburnayan Jar Factory on Liberation Blvd. Workers will demonstrate to you how they create pottery here. Then you'll go back in time at the Crisologo Museum, which contains antiques, memorabilia, and other valuable possessions of the Crisologo clan. Calle Crisologo, the popular cobblestone lane, is just a short walk from Crisologo Museum. You can snap lots of photos here as you marvel at the Spanish houses lining the streets. You will then continue your tour to St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and Baluarte before returning to Calle Crisologo and checking into your hotel.
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Day 4
Tourists exploring Sumaguing Cave in Sagada

Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour

After checking out of your Calle Crisologo accommodation, you will depart on an early morning country trip to Sagada, located in the mountains of the Cordillera Region. This rustic town features more than 60 caves and is famous for its scenic and calming mountain valleys. Upon arriving in the town, you will make your first stop at Sugong Cave. It is located in the city center, just beyond the Sagada cemetery. Sugong Cave is the popular site for hanging coffins, an age-old tradition of the locals. You will also enjoy Echo Valley on the way to Sugong Cave. Enclosed with lush scenery, this gorge also features calcareous cliffs and dense trees. Prepare your outdoor gear next as you make your way to the next stop, Sumaguing Cave. Sumaguing is also known as the Big Cave and offers visitors a two-hour tour through its rugged tunnel. It sits only about an hour trek away from the City Hall of Sagada, making it quite easy to reach. You will stop by the Bontoc Tribal Museum before returning to your hotel in the downtown area. Designed to resemble an Igorot house, this museum preserves the past of the Ifugao. You will see several traditional items here and a recreation of an Ifugao village behind the building.
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Day 5
Small village of Bangaan in Banaue

Day 5 - Day 5: Banaue Tour

You will check out of your accommodation in Sagada and travel south to Banaue, a town renowned for its stunning rice terraces. One of these amphitheater-like terraces can be found in the village of Batad. Apart from the terraces, you will spot miles and miles of paddy fields here, as well. You will then go to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint to get a clearer view of the terraces. This place is a 30-minute walk from the highway jump-off site. Feel free to snap as many photographs as you want while you take in the area's soothing vibes. If you're looking for a more adrenaline-filled experience, you can opt to go directly to Tappiya Waterfall. The falls are also located inside the village and are dubbed the Hidden Jewel Beyond Batad's Rice Paddies. Alternatively, you can take a more laid-back trip and visit Banga-an Village instead. It is a charming community of fewer than 30 households with a handicraft center displaying examples of Ifugao craftsmanship. Your trip will conclude at the Banaue Museum. Housing numerous indigenous artifacts from the ancient tribes of the Igorots, this museum will give you a better understanding of the region's tribes. Afterward, you will retreat to your hotel in Banaue.
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Day 6
Beautiful view of Baguio City from Mines View Park

Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour

On the way to Baguio City from Banaue, you'll make a short stop in Kiangan. Here, you will visit the Ifugao Museum, which showcases the culture and customs of the Ifugao people of the northern Philippines and the war stories that occurred in the town. Besides the museum, you will also drop by General Yamashita's surrender site before heading to Baguio. Once you arrive in the city, you will make your way to the Philippine Military Academy on Loakan Road. This institution trains the future officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. From there, you'll head to The Mansion, the Philippine Presidents' summer retreat. After posing for a photo in front of The Mansion's gates, you will proceed to Camp John Hay next. This was previously a US military rest and entertainment spot before it became a public recreation site housing a shopping center, museum, and convention center. Following that, you will explore Mines View Park, where you will see the Amburayan Valley and the Cordillera Mountains. Two other parks you will be visiting will be Wright Park and Centennial Park. Before returning to your hotel, swing by the Good Shepherd Convent to pick up some delectable cookies to take home as a souvenir.
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Day 7
Crater Lake at the summit of Mt. Pinatubo

Day 7 - Day 7: Mt. Pinatubo Tour

After checking out of your Baguio hotel, you'll take a van to Tarlac, where you'll hike Mt. Pinatubo. This active volcano, situated about 87 kilometers from the country's capital, is well-known for the disaster triggered by its eruption in 1991. After arriving in the province, you will head to the Sta. Juliana Tourism Center to board a 4x4 jeep to the foot of the mountain. You will then cross Crow Valley from the center. Although there will be some bumps and dust along the way, this lahar field is nonetheless breathtaking with its panoramic sand walls and lunar appearance. After about an hour, you'll disembark at the mountain's base and begin your climb. The Mt. Pinatubo trail is 5.4 kilometers long and moderately trafficked. It usually takes less than two hours to complete. You'll come across some lava sand deposits formed during the 1991 eruption along the way. When you reach the summit, the turquoise waters of Mt. Pinatubo's Crater Lake will welcome you. You'll have plenty of time to take in the tranquil scenery. Take as many photos as you want before beginning your descent and retreating to your hotel in Manila.
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Day 8
Famous Chocolate Hills in Bohol

Day 8 - Day 8: Bohol Countryside Tour

On Day 8, you will leave your hotel in Manila and fly to Panglao International Airport to begin your tour of Bohol's vibrant countryside. The Corella Tarsier Sanctuary will be your first stop here. This forest patch in Corella's Barangay Canapnapan is home to a sizable tarsier community. Aside from the tarsiers, there is also a visitor's complex with a reception area, display area, audiovisual lounge, mini cafeteria, and toilet facilities. Following your encounter with the googly-eyed monkeys, you'll board a floating restaurant for the Loboc River Cruise. A buffet lunch is offered here, and the locals on board entertain you with popular Filipino songs and dances. After your relaxing lunch break, you'll go to Baclayon Church. You can find a crystal chandelier, silver tabernacle, altar with carvings inlaid with gold, and life-size statues inside the church. Then you'll go to the Butterfly Conservatory, where butterflies are bred and kept. After that, you will take some selfies among the mahogany trees in the Bilar Forest before heading to the world-famous Chocolate Hills to see the thousands of symmetrically formed hills. At the end of the trip, your guide will return you to your Panglao Island hotel.
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Day 9
Deep blue waters of Pamilacan Island in Bohol

Day 9 - Day 9: Bohol Pamilacan Island Tour

On your ninth day, you will experience more of Bohol with a visit to the idyllic island of Pamilacan. Pamilacan is located in the center of the Bohol Sea, about 12.5 kilometers from the mainland. It is well-known for being a sanctuary for whale sharks and dolphins, so keep an eye out for these marine animals while visiting the island. Even though Pamilacan Island has a population of around 2,000 people, the island's natural beauty is preserved by the locals. You will see sandy white sand and clear blue waters here. Upon docking, you can immediately go swimming and snorkeling. Expect to encounter various types of fish, some sea turtles, and even bucket sponges while underwater. If you're into a more adrenaline-pumping experience, your guide can bring you to some diving spots on the island, as well. When you've had your fill of the ocean, you can take a quick walk to the 200-year-old Spanish fort on the island's northeast coast. This observatory was used to keep an eye out for Moro pirates and is now a National Cultural Treasure. At the end of the day, you'll head to your Panglao hotel for some well-deserved relaxation.
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Day 10
Aerial view of Starfish Island in Palawan

Day 10 - Day 10: Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour

After leaving your hotel in Panglao, you will fly from Bohol to Puerto Princesa Airport, where your Palawan adventure will begin. From the airport, your guide will take you to Honda Bay, located on the province's eastern shore. Take in the refreshing view of the seascape before boarding your boat that will whisk you on your island-hopping adventure. Starfish Island will be your first stop from the shore. This water-locked area is teeming with rock starfish and a variety of other fish species, including bloating puffers and rainbow parrotfish. You are welcome to snorkel and swim here before moving on to your next destination, Cowrie Island. Cowrie's shape resembles that of a seashell, hence its name. It is known to be the biggest island in Honda Bay and the safest swimming spot since there is a netted area here that holds jellyfish at bay. Additionally, there are dining establishments on the island that serve delectable seafood and Filipino dishes. Luli Island will be the last destination on your island-hopping adventure. While Luli is best known for its disappearing sandbars at high tide, it also features a diving platform, hammocks, and a snorkeling place. Afterward, you'll head back to the mainland and check into your Sabang hotel.
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Day 11
Rock formations outside Puerto Princesa Underground River

Day 11 - Day 11: Puerto Princesa Underground River & City Tour

Your guide will bring you to Sabang Wharf in the morning, where you will board a boat to reach the world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River. This site features an entire 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia. When inside, you will catch a glimpse of the cave's jaw-dropping stalactites and stalagmites formations. Following your river cruise, you'll travel to the mainland for a city tour of Puerto Princesa, beginning at Baker's Hill. This theme park serves as a bakery, as well, and sells a range of baked goodies as souvenirs. Additionally, there are many shops, a garden, and various picture-perfect locations here. From Baker's Hill, you'll make your way to the historic Plaza Cuartel. This site used to be a military base with an old Spanish garrison and tunnels. Today, it showcases the strategically important role of Puerto Princesa during World War II. Your guide will then bring you to the Crocodile Farm, located around a half-hour drive from the plaza before you proceed to Mitra's Ranch. Besides offering a panoramic view of the city, the ranch also has horseback riding and ziplining facilities. The trip will conclude with a stroll along Puerto Princesa Baywalk as you munch on street foods sold in the area.
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Day 12
View of Manila during a flight

Day 12 - Day 12: Departure to Manila

On Day 12, you will leave your lodging in Sabang and catch a flight at the Puerto Princesa International Airport. Your plane will land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in the city of Manila. The flight normally takes less than two hours.
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What to bring

Face mask and Face shield
Extra clothes
Passport (Valid for 6 months from date of departure)
Swimwear and sunblock
Personal medicines

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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