12-Day Philippines Natural Wonders & History Tour to Islands of Palawan and Bohol & Luzon Highlands

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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 the natural wonders and heritage attractions across Palawan Island, Bohol island, and Ilocos towns with this 12-day vacation package. For your convenience, this trip includes roundtrip flights from Manila City, land/ferry transfers, and accommodation.

Embark on a heritage tour at the walled city of Intramuros in Manila City and see the iconic structures along the cobblestone streets. You will get a glimpse of the Spanish colonial period. Afterward, you will head to Malacañang of the North in Ilocos Norte, the grand presidential museum for the former President Marcos.

Your heritage tour continues at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan. Here, you will see ancestral houses along Calle Crisologo. Afterward, you will head to the breathtaking Banaue highlands. You will drop by the Banaue Museum to see Ifugao artifacts.

Enjoy the cool breeze at the City of Pines, Baguio. You can try outdoor activities at Baguio’s leisure park and former military base, Camp John Hay. Then, you will see Itogon mines at Mines View Park. Conclude your Luzon highlands tour in Mount Pinatubo and ride a 4x4 vehicle to reach its majestic crater lake.

From Manila, you will ride a plane to Bohol. You will immerse inside Cambuhat Village to learn about oyster farming. Then, visit Corella Tarsier Sanctuary to see one of the smallest primates. You will also witness the stunning geological formation at the Chocolate Hills.

This trip also lets you experience a tropical getaway in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. You will go island-hopping to Honda Bay, where you will visit Starfish Island, Cowrie Island, and Luli Sandbar. Then, you’ll enter one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the Puerto Princesa Underground River.

Explore the Philippines’ top attractions with this 12-day natural wonders and heritage vacation package to Palawan, Bohol, Baguio, and Ilocos. Check availability by choosing a date.

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

Map

Attractions

Philippine Military Academy

General Yamashita Surrender Site

Ifugao Museum

Tappiya Waterfalls

Bontoc Village Museum

Syquia Mansion Museum

Pagburnayan Jar Factory

Crisologo Museum

Bantay Church Bell Tower

Bilar Man-Made Forest

Cambuhat Village

Calle Crisologo

Malacañang of the North

Paoay Church

St. William Cathedral

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Marcos Museum & Mausoleum or Balay Ti Ili

Loboc River Cruise

Museo Ilocos Norte

Centennial Park

Good Shepherd Convent

Baluarte de San Diego

Plaza Roma

Banaue Museum

Cambuhat Oyster Farm

Puerto Princesa City Baywalk Park

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Activities

Island Hopping

Culture, Arts & Historical Tours

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Tourists going around Fort Santiago in Intramuros

Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour

You will arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on your first day. Expect your private van will fetch you and take you to your hotel in Manila or near Roxas Boulevard. Marvel at Intramuros, one of the oldest districts in Manila. You will admire the beautifully preserved historical and iconic structures, including Fort Santiago. Back in the Spanish era, our national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned here before his execution in Bagumbayan. Up next is Plaza Roma, a former public square in Intramuros. The statue of King Charles IV of Spain stands majestically at the center. Afterward, you will visit Bahay Tsinoy to learn about the lifestyle of ethnic Chinese. Your next destination is Casa Manila, an Illustrado-inspired museum showing the gentry’s affluent colonial lifestyle. Then, you will stroll along the walkway beneath lush greeneries at San Diego Gardens. Baluarte De San Diego, a 16th-century bastion, is right across the garden. Your final destinations are two century-old churches in Intramuros. First is the San Agustin Church and Museum, the oldest stone church in the country. Lastly, you will enter the grand facades and multi-layered arches of the 300-year-old Manila Cathedral. It is the episcopal throne of the Archbishop of Manila.

Day 2

Day 2 - Day 2: Laoag Tour

On Day 2, you will go on a historical tour across the iconic structures in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. From Manila, you will board a plane to Laoag Airport. You will be staying in a nice hotel in Laoag City. Also known as the Sunshine City, Laoag City serves as the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. Its name is derived from the Ilocano word, “Lawag” which means bright and light. St. Williams Cathedral is the first destination in your itinerary. Only a few meters away from the cathedral lies The Sinking Bell Tower. As the name implies, the belfry tower sinks at least an inch into the ground every year. Then, you will marvel at Museo Ilocos Norte. Here, you will see antique collections depicting the Ilocos Norte’s flourishing culture and history. Afterward, you will drop by the 19th-century Tobacco Monopoly Monument in Aurora’s Park. You will also visit the Malacañang of the North, a former holiday residence of the Marcoses. In Batac town, you will get inside the Marcos Museum to see the cenotaph of the late President Marcos. Finally, you will explore the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum to learn about the life and works of the famous Luna brothers.

Day 3

Bantay Belltower, a popular tourist spot in Vigan

Day 3 - Day 3: Vigan Tour

Travel back to the Hispanic era in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan on the 4th day of your vacation. Your private van will take you to your first destination, the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex. You will see notable artifacts depicting the region’s rich culture and heritage inside the museum. Then, you will proceed to Bantay Church and Bell Tower. Here, you will witness the whole Bantay district and a portion of the nearby province of Abra. Up next is Syquia Mansion Museum, a 19-century traditional mansion featuring symbolic heirlooms of the Syquia family. Then, you will experience making pots at Pagburnayan Jar Factory. At Crisologo Museum, you will see the notable belongings of Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and his family. Your Vigan tour won’t be complete without strolling along the iconic Calle Crisologo. Here, you will find several ancestral houses and historical structures. Up next is St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral, also known as Vigan Cathedral. It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia. There is a dancing fountain right across the church. Lastly, you will spot life-size dinosaur statues at the Baluarte mini zoo. At the end of your tour, you will head back to your hotel.

Day 4

Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour

Discover the natural wonders up north on your 4th day of vacation. From your Vigan accommodation, your van will take you to the scenic and rustic town of Sagada. To get there, you will drive along Halsema Highway, one of the highest roads in the Philippines. At Sugong Cave, you will find an underground river that flows directly to Bokong Falls. Kapay-aw Rice Terraces is also nearby. It also gets the same water source from the falls. Afterward, you will trek to Echo Valley. You will be traversing the path that leads to the famous hanging coffins on the side of the cliff. Sagada is a well-known spelunking spot with more than 60 caves. The largest among them is Sumaguing Cave, which features ancient stalactites and stalagmites. Expect to get wet during your adventure as you pass by natural pools and streams inside the cave. After your heart-pounding adventure, you will visit the Bontoc Tribal Museum. Check out diverse artifact collections like traditional costumes, hunting weapons, and farming tools. You will also learn about the culture and traditions of the indigenous tribes in Mountain Province. At the end of your exhilarating tour, you will head back to your Sagada hotel.

Day 5

Day 5 - Day 5: Banaue Tour

On Day 5, you will go straight to the breathtaking Banaue, home to amphitheater-like UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces. To get to the majestic fields, you will first proceed to the laid-back town of Batad. You will be captivated by The Banaue Rice Terraces or Hagdang-hagdang Palayan, one of the earliest-made rice terraces. Around 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao ancestors tirelessly carved the paddy fields using their bare hands. To get the best view of the terraces, you can go up the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. Another alternative option is to trade Batad Banaue Viewpoint for a short visit to the Tappiya Waterfall. Prepare to be bewildered with an enchanting view of the cascade. Up next is Banga-an Village, a small village with cogon-made houses. The locals rely on livestock farming for their livelihood. That’s why the ground floor of their houses is reserved for domesticated animals. As you immerse inside the community, you will learn about the sacred traditions of the village people. Your next destination is the Banaue Museum. It houses treasured jewelry, traditional headdress, weaponry, and Igorot artifacts. This ethnic museum also depicts the life of the Ifugao tribes through vintage portraits.

Day 6

View of Baguio City from Mines View Park

Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour

Admire the lush pine trees amidst the misty fog in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio, on your 6th day. From Banaue, your van will take you to your first stop, the Ifugao Museum. Here, you will learn about the ancient traditions of the Ifugao tribes. Afterward, you will drop by the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, a historic site to honor Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II. Up next is the Philippine Military Academy, a premier institution for aspiring military officers in the country. Then, you will head to Fort De Pilar, which occupies 373 hectares of land. You will also drop by the grand ornamental iron gate at The Mansion, the official summer residence of the Philippine President. Then, you will visit Camp John Hay, a former US military base that turned into an adventure hub. Up next is Mines View Park. You can go up the park’s view deck to capture the best view of the Benguet mountain ranges. Afterward, you can go horseback riding and sightseeing at Wright Park and Centennial Park. At the end of your tour, don’t forget to drop by the Good Shepherd Convent to purchase Baguio’s best-selling treats, including the famous ube jam or purple yam.

Day 7

Pathway to the Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake

Day 7 - Day 7: Mt. Pinatubo Tour

On Day 7, you will hop aboard a 4x4 vehicle and trek to reach Mount Pinatubo’s majestic crater lake. Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located between the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. Mt. Pinatubo’s 1991 eruption is considered the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the past 100 years. Back then, hundreds of households and structures in nearby towns were destroyed. Three decades after the eruption, Mt. Pinatubo is now a well-known tourist spot and hiking destination. To get there, you have to reach the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana by riding a van. Once you arrive at the camp, you will switch to a 4x4 vehicle. The terrain is a bit challenging, but still beginner-friendly. Expect that the ride will get rough and bumpy along the way. For your safety, you need to wear proper hiking gear. The 4x4 jeep will pass through the Crow Valley. You will soon arrive at the jump-off point. Then, you will get off the vehicle and trek toward the mountain’s deck. A spectacular view of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake awaits you at the end of the trail. You can take photos behind the emerald-green lake as your backdrop.

Day 8

A man shucking an oyster during the Bohol Cambuhat Tour

Day 8 - Day 8: Bohol Cambuhat Tour

From Manila, you will ride a plane to Bohol. Alight at the terminal and wait for your private van to pick you up from Panglao International Airport. You will be staying in a nice hotel in Panglao, Bohol. Your first destination is the Cambuhat Village. To get there, you will paddle along the Cambuhat River. You will see nipa huts and lush mangroves amidst the serene and scenic atmosphere of the river. You will soon arrive at the laidback community. One of the must-see places here is the Cambuhat Oyster Farm. Apart from oyster farming as their main source of livelihood, the locals also sell hand-woven crafts. You can even purchase unique keepsakes from them at the end of your tour. To preserve the beauty of the river, the Cambuhat locals implement eco-friendly practices to ensure the preservation of their natural resources. During your stay inside the community, you must follow their guidelines and respect their traditions. Your Cambuhat tour will not be complete without trying their shellfish delicacies. The locals serve freshly cooked oysters for their guests. After your Bohol Cambuhat tour, you will paddle back and ride a van to your hotel.

Day 9

Day 9 - Day 9: Bohol Countryside Tour

Continue your Bohol adventure to its famous countryside attractions. Your van will take you to your first stop, the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary, a wildlife relief sanctuary in Bohol. It shelters one of the smallest primates known as Tarsiers. Make sure to avoid using the flash of your cameras because they’re highly sensitive to light. Afterward, you will have a relaxing cruise along the calm and jade-green waters of the Loboc River. Hop aboard a floating restaurant and enjoy your lunch while the folk singers serenade you with classic love songs. After your enchanting river escapade, you will pay a short visit to Baclayon Church, a National Cultural Treasure and one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. Its structure is built with coral stones and egg whites. However, it got destroyed after the 2013 Bohol earthquake and underwent a major renovation in 2018. For your next destination, you will head to Bilar town. You will visit the Butterfly Conservatory, Bohol’s first butterfly breeding and conservation site. Your second stop is Bilar Forest, a 2km-long forest with hand-planted mahogany trees. Lastly, you will witness Bohol’s stunning Chocolate Hills. This geological formation boasts 1,000 hills with color-changing vegetation depending on the climate

Day 10

Aerial view of an island during the Honda Bay Island hopping tour

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

Escape to the breathtaking islands dotting Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, on your 10th day. From Bohol, you will take a short flight to Puerto Princesa International Airport. Your private van will take you to a nice hotel in Sabang. To start your island-hopping tour, you will ride a boat heading to Honda Bay. Recognized as the provincial capital, Puerto Princesa is the only coastal city in Palawan. It is a perfect getaway destination for travelers planning a quick vacation. Aside from limestone cliffs and rock formations, it also showcases white-sand beaches that are mainly found in Honda Bay. Your first stop is Starfish Island, home to different kinds and colors of starfishes. Other marine creatures inhabiting the island include pufferfishes and yellowtail snappers. Up next is the boomerang-shaped Cowrie Island. It is the largest among all of the islands in Honda Bay. You can ride a banana boat or wear your snorkel gears to explore its majestic seascape. If you ever get tired, you can rest on the cabanas and huts on the beach. Your last stop is Luli Island’s powdery white sandbar. The sandbar submerges and reappears again depending on the shifting tides. There are also floating hammocks throughout the bay.

Day 11

A group of tourists during the Puerto Princesa Underground River tour

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

Cap off your Puerto Princesa tour at its famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Puerto Princesa Underground River. From Sabang Boat Terminal, you will ride a boat to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The underground river stretches to 8km and directly flows into the sea. Upon entering the cave, you will see stalactites and stalagmites in different shapes and forms. With 22,000 hectares of land area, the underground river boasts impressive limestone cliffs, natural rock formations, and stunning cave systems. After your underground river tour, you will proceed to the city proper. Your first stop is at Baker’s Hill, where you can purchase local pastries. Then, you will visit Plaza Cuartel. It is a former Spanish garrison and penal colony that became a leisure park. Your third stop is Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, formerly established as Crocodile Farm Institute in 1987. It primarily houses critically endangered species in the Philippines, including saltwater crocodiles and talking mynah birds. Up next is Mitra’s Ranch, which is located on one of the city’s highest points. This leisure park stands majestically atop a hill. Afterward, you can catch the sunset at Puerto Princesa Baywalk, a famous seaside promenade.

Day 12

Sunset view from a window in Manila Airport

Day 12 - Day 12: Departure to Manila

Conclude your vacation in Palawan on the last day of your 12-day vacation. Your private van will fetch you early from your hotel in Sabang. Then, you will board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will head back to where you started, Manila.

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.

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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12-Day Philippines Natural Wonders & History Tour to Islands of Palawan and Bohol & Luzon Highlands

Description

Summary

Description

Included

Map

Attractions

Activities

Daily itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour

Day 2 - Day 2: Laoag Tour

Day 3 - Day 3: Vigan Tour

Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour

Day 5 - Day 5: Banaue Tour

Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour

Day 7 - Day 7: Mt. Pinatubo Tour

Day 8 - Day 8: Bohol Cambuhat Tour

Day 9 - Day 9: Bohol Countryside Tour

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

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

Day 12 - Day 12: Departure to Manila

What to bring

Good to know

Accommodation

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