12-Day Philippines Nature Trip to Cordillera Mountains, Ilocos Region & Bohol Island

Your fun-filled heritage tour continues at Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. From Manila, you will board a plane to Laoag Airport. Your van will take you to a nice hotel where you’ll be staying in Laoag.

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Laoag City, also known as the Sunshine City, serves as the provincial capital. Its name came from the Ilocano word, “Lawag” which means bright and light. This beautifully preserved city is home to Italian Renaissance and Baroque-inspired architecture.

Your first destination is St. Williams Cathedral. The Sinking Bell Tower is only a few meters away from the cathedral. As the name implies, the belfry tower sinks at least an inch into the ground every year.

Your museum-hopping tour begins at Museo Ilocos Norte. Here, you will see antique collections depicting the rich culture of Ilocos Norte.

Next, you will see the 19th-century Tobacco Monopoly Monument standing at the center of Aurora’s Park. You will also visit the Malacañang of the North, a former holiday residence of the Marcoses.

In Batac town, you will marvel at the Marcos Museum to see the cenotaph of the late President Marcos. Lastly, you will explore the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum to learn about the life and works of the famous Luna brothers.

On Day 3, you will leave early from your Laoag hotel to visit the nearby towns of Burgos and Pagudpud. Your first stop is Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, the highest lighthouse in the Philippines. It is nestled on top of Vigia de Nagpartian Hill overlooking the West Philippine Sea.

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Your next destination is set along the coast of Bangui Bay. Here, you will see Bangui Windmills, a wind farm consisting of 20 giant turbines in front of the sea. Then, you will pass by Pagudpud’s scenic coastal bridge, known as the Patapat Viaduct. Up next is Agua Grande, where you can soak your hands and feet into a cold stream that flows to Pasaleng Bay.

Your next destination is Paraiso ni Anton. It has a sacred grotto with water that is believed to miraculously heal the sick. Then, you will witness the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, a majestic coastal attraction in Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

Before leaving Ilocos Norte, don’t forget to drop by Pasuquin Salt Stand to purchase the best-tasting salt-preserved food in town. For an alternative adventure, you may book an add-on 4x4 ride for 4 pax to La Paz Sand Dunes, an 85 square kilometer coastal beach and desert in Ilocos Norte.

Revisit 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 stop, the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex.

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You will get a glimpse of the region’s rich culture and heritage at the museum. 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.

You will also visit Syquia Mansion Museum, a 19-century traditional mansion featuring symbolic heirlooms of the Syquia family. Then, you will learn traditional pot making at Pagburnayan Jar Factory. Drop by Crisologo Museum to see the antique furniture and belongings of Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and his family.

At Calle Crisologo, you will find several ancestral houses and historical structures. 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. Plaza Salcedo is right across the church.

Finally, you will see life-size dinosaur statues and wild animals at the Baluarte mini zoo. At the end of your tour, you will head back to your hotel.

On Day 5, your private van will fetch you early from your Vigan accommodation. You will head to another scenic spot up north, the rustic town of Sagada. To get there, you will drive along Halsema Highway, one of the highest roads in the Philippines.

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Your first stop is at Sugong Cave. Bokong Falls flows directly to the cave’s underground river. The nearby Kapay-aw Rice Terraces also obtain the same water source from the falls.

Then, 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 perfect spelunking spot with more than 60 caves. The largest among them is Sumaguing Cave, which boasts ancient stalactites and stalagmites. On your cave exploration, you will discover natural pools and streams inside the cave. Expect to get wet during your adventure.

After your spelunking adventure, you will visit the Bontoc Tribal Museum. It showcases vast artifact collections like traditional costumes, hunting weapons, and farming tools. Here, you will learn about the culture and traditions of the indigenous tribes in Mountain Province.

At the end of your Sagada tour, you will head back to your hotel.

On Day 6, you will explore the scenic town of Banaue, home to amphitheater-like UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces. First, your private van will take you to the laid-back town of Batad.

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Here, you will witness The Banaue Rice Terraces or Hagdang-hagdang Palayan, one of the earliest-made rice terraces. More than 2,000 years ago, the Ifugao ancestors tirelessly carved the paddy fields using their bare hands.

You can go up the Batad Banaue Viewpoint to witness the best view of the terraces. Another alternative option is to trade Batad Banaue Viewpoint for a short visit to the Tappiya Waterfall. Once you arrive at the fall, you will be rewarded with an enchanting view of the cascade.

Up next is Banga-an Village, a small village with cogon-made houses. These homes were built with a ground floor for domesticated animals. The locals rely on livestock farming for their livelihood. During your stay inside the community, you will learn more about the practices of the village people.

Afterward, you will proceed to Banaue Museum. Browse through treasured jewelry, traditional headdress, weaponry, and Igorot artifacts inside this ethnic museum. It also depicts the life of the Ifugao tribes through vintage portraits.

Savor the cool breeze in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio, on your 7th day. You will have an early departure from your accommodation in Banaue.

Your first stop is at Ifugao Museum, featuring the rich culture and ancient traditions of Ifugao tribes. Then, you will drop by the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, a historic site to honor Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II.

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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 visit The Mansion, the official summer residence of the Philippine President.

Then, you will gaze at pine tree forests while trying out outdoor activities at Camp John Hay, a former US military base. 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 from afar. 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 to purchase Baguio’s best-selling treats, including the famous ube jam or purple yam.

Your scenic highlands tour continues in the Benguet province. From Baguio, your van will take you to your first destination, the 79-hectare La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. Back in the 19th century, the Spaniards brought the production of strawberries to Benguet. Every year, the farm produces about 1,775 metric tons of strawberries per harvest.

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Up next is Atok Sakura Flowers. This majestic Benguet attraction boasts 30 beautiful cherry blossom trees. The cherry blossom seedlings were a gift to the municipality of Atok from the Japanese government.

At your next destination, you will witness a majestic flower carpet in Northern Blossom Flower Farm. This three-hectare Benguet flower plantation cultivates sunflowers, snapdragons, Peruvian lilies, and other colorful blooms from Japan. The rolling mountain ranges of Mt. Timbak and Mt. Pulag are majestically standing behind the lovely and captivating flower fields.

To capture a panoramic view of the nearby mountains, you will drop by the 2nd Highest Point along Halsema Highway. You will see Mt. Timbak, one of the highest mountains in Luzon. Then, you will traverse the Spanish Trail. Admire lush landscapes and scenic mountain ranges at the end of the trail.

Afterward, you will head back to your hotel in Baguio.

Level up your adventure and hop aboard a 4x4 vehicle on the 9th day of your vacation. Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano set between the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. To get to the majestic crater lake, you will go trekking after your 4x4 ride.

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Mt. Pinatubo currently holds the place of being the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the past 100 years. In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo erupted and destroyed hundreds of households and structures in nearby towns. After three decades, Mt. Pinatubo is now a well-known destination for hikers and adventure-goers.

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. 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. Upon your arrival at the jump-off point, you will get off the vehicle and trek toward the mountain’s deck. A majestic view of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake awaits you at the end of the trail. You can take photos behind the stunning emerald-green crater lake.

On Day 10, you will ride a plane to Bohol from Manila. Wait for your private van to pick you up from the Panglao International Airport. You will be staying in a nice hotel in Panglao, Bohol.

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Your first destination is the Cambuhat Village. To get there, you will paddle along the Cambuhat River. While gazing at the serene atmosphere, you will see nipa huts and lush mangroves on the side of the river.

You will soon arrive at the laidback community. Oyster farming is the main source of livelihood for the village people. Cambuhat Oyster Farm is situated at the far end of the river. Apart from oyster farming, the locals also sell hand-woven crafts. You can even purchase souvenir items 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. While immersing 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 accommodation.

Discover Pamilacan Island on the 4th day of your vacation in Bohol. You will leave early from your Panglao accommodation to take a short boat ride to the island.

Pamilacan Island is a protected marine habitat that is home to a wide variety of aquatic creatures like bucket sponges, moray eels, and sea snakes. Some whales and dolphins may occasionally pop out of the water on your way to the island. You may also get a chance to swim with green sea turtles and colorful exotic fishes.

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Only less than 1,500 residents are inhabiting Pamilacan Island. In the 90s, the locals have previously relied on whale and manta ray hunting as their source of livelihood. After prohibiting this illegal practice, the local government urged the locals to develop and promote local tourism on the island.

You can go snorkeling and diving to explore Pamilacan’s rich seascape. Don’t miss out on the chance to discover its underwater sanctuaries and diving spots.

Afterward, you can catch the sunset at the Pamilacan Watchtower. Back in the day, the Spaniards used it to check if there were pirates nearby. At the end of your tour, you will head back to your hotel in Panglao.

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