15-Day Heritage, Countryside & Islands Tour to Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Bohol & Dumaguete from Manila

On the 2nd day of your vacation, you will visit the top cultural attractions in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. From Manila, you will board a plane to Laoag Airport. Your private van will fetch you and take you to your Laoag hotel.

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Laoag City or the Sunshine City serves as the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. As the name implies, “Lawag” means bright and light. This historical city features beautifully preserved architecture as seen in its heritage sites and century-old churches.

First, you will head to St. Williams Cathedral. Upon stepping into the church, you will admire its impressive stone-walled architecture. The Sinking Bell Tower also stands majestically beside the cathedral.

Up next is Museo Ilocos Norte, which used to be a tobacco warehouse. Then, you will head to Aurora’s Park. The 19th-century Tobacco Monopoly Monument stands right in the middle of it.

Your heritage trip continues at the grand presidential museum for former President Marcos, known as Malacañang of the North. Then, you will marvel at Marcos Museum, featuring the cenotaph of the late president Marcos.

At Juan and Antonio Luna Museum, you will learn about the life and works of former General Antonio Luna and Filipino painter Juan Luna.

On Day 3, you will explore the beautiful coastal town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. From your Laoag accommodation, your van will pick you up and take you to the nearby towns of Burgos and Pagudpud.

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Your first destination is Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. It is the highest lighthouse in the Philippines that sits on top of Vigia de Nagpartian Hill. Up next, you will head over to the scenic coastline of Bangui Bay. Here, you can find the Bangui Windmills with 20 giant wind turbines facing the sea.

Then, you will drive along Pagudpud’s scenic coastal bridge, the Patapat Viaduct. At Agua Grande, you can take a refreshing dip into its cold stream. Next, you will visit a famous healing grotto at Paraiso ni Anton. Your trip continues at Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, a stunning attraction along Burgos coastline.

Before you head back to your hotel, you can still drop by Pasuquin Salt Stand to purchase salt-preserved food. If you’re still up for adventures, you may book a 4x4 ride for 4 pax to La Paz Sand Dunes, an 85 square kilometer coastal beach and desert in Ilocos Norte.

After your exhilarating trip to Pagudpud attractions, you will head back to Laoag.

Your Ilocos tour continues at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan. From your Laoag accommodation, your van will take you to your first destination, the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex.

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Revisit the glorious past of Vigan and browse through historical artifacts inside the museum. Afterward, you will marvel at Bantay Church and Bell Tower, which served as the town’s watchtower before it turned into a belfry tower in 1857. On top of the tower, you will see the whole Bantay district and a portion of Abra province.

Up next is Syquia Mansion Museum, a 19-century stone mansion featuring the significant heirlooms of the Syquia family. Then, you will head to Pagburnayan Jar Factory to learn traditional pot making. At Crisologo Museum, you will see the antique belongings of Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and his family.

If you like to have a glimpse of the Spanish colonial period in Vigan, you can visit the iconic Calle Crisologo to see traditional architecture.

Then, you will step inside St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral near Plaza Salcedo. Here, you will see Baroque-inspired painted ceilings. There is also a dancing fountain across the church. Finally, you will discover life-size dinosaur statues at Baluarte mini zoo.

On Day 5, you will head up north to the rustic town of Sagada. Your van will fetch you early from your hotel in Vigan. To get to Sagada, you will pass through Halsema Highway, one of the highest roads in the Philippines.

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Sagada is one of the most-visited destinations in Northern Luzon. Travelers flock to its mountain ranges to see breathtaking sceneries. Sagada boasts over 60 caves, perfect for spelunking. For your first stop, you will visit the Sugong Cave. It has an underground river that comes from Bokong Falls and goes directly to Kapay-aw Rice Terraces.

Afterward, you will go trekking to Echo Valley. You will traverse the path leading to the famous hanging coffins, which serve as part of the burial traditions in Mountain Province.

Up next is Sumaguing Cave, the largest cave in Sagada. You will scramble and crawl through three stages. Be mindful of your steps because the path is very slippery and wet. There are also surrounding natural pools and streams.

After your spelunking adventure, you will discover traditional artifacts at Bontoc Tribal Museum. The museum will give you a better understanding of the customs and traditions of the indigenous tribes in Mountain Province.

It’s time to explore the breathtaking Banaue on the 6th day of your vacation. From Sagada, your van will take you to Banaue province. Here, you will see amphitheater-like and jaw-dropping rice terraces that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

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First, you will proceed to the town of Batad. Your first destination is the spectacular Banaue Rice Terraces, a priceless creation of Ifugao ancestors around 2,000 years ago. These earliest-made terraces are also known as “Hagdang-hagdang Palayan” in Filipino. You can go up the Batad Banaue Viewpoint to get the best view of the terraces.

You may also opt to trade Batad Banaue Viewpoint to visit the Tappiya Waterfall. When you get there, you can take a refreshing dip into its cold waters. Next, you will visit Banga-an Village. This laid-back community consists of around 30 families who live in cogon-made houses. Their houses have a ground floor mainly for domesticated animals.

While you immerse yourself inside the community, you will learn about their customs and traditions. Afterward, you will head over to Banaue Museum. It is an ethnic museum that features Ifugao life through vintage photographs. You can also find treasured jewelry, weaponry, and Igorot artifacts.

On Day 7, you will go sightseeing at the City of Pines, Baguio. This breathtaking destination up north is famous for its cool breeze and lush landscapes.

First, you will head over to Ifugao Museum. You will discover Ifugao artifacts depicting ancient customs and traditions. Your 2nd stop is the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, a historic site to commemorate Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II.

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You will also visit the Philippine Military Academy, an educational institution for aspiring military officers in the country. Then, you will stroll along the 373-hectare Fort De Pilar. Afterward, you can visit The Mansion, the official summer residence of the Philippine President. Travelers often drop by its grand ornamental gate to take some photos.

At Camp John Hay, you can try leisure activities like zipline, canopy ride, skywalk, and tree drop. Then, you will head to Mines View Park, where you can find old Itogon mines. Afterward, you can rent horses to ride at Wright Park. You can also see beautiful flower gardens in Centennial Park.

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

On your 8th day, you will ride a 4x4 vehicle and trek to reach the majestic crater lake of Mt. Pinatubo. You’ll find this active stratovolcano between the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales.

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Mt. Pinatubo’s 1991 eruption is the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the past 100 years. During that time, the destructive lahar and mudflow reached and destroyed hundreds of structures. However, after almost three decades, Mt. Pinatubo has now become a famous attraction for hikers and adventure-seekers.

To reach the jump-off point, you have to get to the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana by riding a van. Upon arrival, you will switch to a 4x4 vehicle. Due to previous eruptions, the terrain is a bit rough and challenging. However, the path going to the lake is easily accessible even for beginners.

Before the trek, you have to wear proper hiking gear to ensure your safety. Your 4x4 jeep will be passing through the Crow Valley. You will soon get off the vehicle to hike toward the mountain’s deck.

The blue-green crater lake awaits you at the end of the tour. Appreciate the breathtaking view while taking photos of the largest lahar canyon in the world.

On Day 9, you will board a direct flight to Panglao International Airport. Once you arrive at the terminal, your van will take you to your Panglao accommodation. You will visit the countryside attractions in Bohol.

Your first destination is the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary, home to one of the smallest primates.

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You can see the tarsiers up-close, but make sure not to use the flash of your camera when taking pictures of them. Be careful not to irritate tarsiers because they’re highly sensitive to light.

Up next, you will traverse the calm blue-green waters of the Loboc River. You board a floating restaurant, where you will enjoy your lunch. There are also folk singers onboard who will serenade you with classic love songs. Then, you will visit Baclayon Church, a National Cultural Treasure in Bohol.

At Bilar town, you will see diverse species of butterflies in Bohol’s first butterfly breeding and conservation site, the Butterfly Conservatory. You will also head to Bilar Forest, a 2km-long mahogany forest.

Finally, you will visit the famous Chocolate Hills. This breathtaking geological formation boasts over 1,000 hills. During summer, the vegetation turns dry and brownish. It turns greenish again during the rainy season.

Your Bohol escapade continues in Pamilacan Island. You will explore its vast and pristine seascape. From your Panglao accommodation, you will ride a boat to reach the island at the heart of the Bohol Sea.

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This breathtaking marine sanctuary is one of the most-visited diving spots in the Philippines. Here, you can see beautiful coral gardens and impressive underwater sanctuaries. Back in the 90s, manta ray and whale hunting was the main source of livelihood for the locals. However, the government prohibited this illegal practice, so they focused on the island’s tourism development.

Before reaching Pamilacan Island, you will witness occasional sightings of whales and dolphins that may pop out of the water. You will soon arrive in Pamilacan Island. You can go snorkeling, swimming, or diving to see its majestic underwater wonders. Some of the species you’ll see include sea turtles, bucket sponges, moray eels, and sea snakes.

After swimming around Pamilacan Island, you can relax on the powdery white-sand beach. You can also go up the Pamilacan watchtower. The Spaniards used this tower to watch out for pirates. At the end of your tour, you can still purchase some local souvenirs for your friends and family.

On Day 11, you will explore the breathtaking underwater sanctuaries in Apo Island. This world-class diving spot is located at the southeastern tip of Negros Island. To get there, you will take a land and boat transfer from Panglao to Dumaguete.

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You will go on an island-hopping tour to discover Apo Island’s rich marine biodiversity, beautiful coral gardens, and impressive underwater sanctuaries. With over 400 coral species and 650 documented fish species, Apo Island features flourishing marine biodiversity.

This volcanic island covers 74 hectares of land area. Its marine habitat is protected under the jurisdiction of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). While exploring the underwater sanctuaries, you can see a school of jackfishes and barracudas.

Once you arrive on the island, you can snorkel or dive into its vast and breathtaking seascape. You will discover a wide variety of marine species, including tuna, manta rays, and hammerheads. At Turtle Point, you will get a chance to swim with sea turtles.

Afterward, you will hike up the 600-meter Habagat Eco Trail. Here, you will capture a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and natural rock formations. After your jam-packed day, you will head back to your accommodation in Dumaguete City.

On your 12th day, you will leave early from Dumaguete to reach Cebu province. Upon arrival, you will proceed to the laid-back towns of Badian and Moalboal. First, you will go on a canyoneering adventure to the three-staged cascading Kawasan Falls.

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To get to the enchanting falls, you will pass through the rocky edges along the Badian River. On your way to the falls, you will see beautiful gorges and river canyons. Once you arrive at Kawasan Falls, you can jump off a cliff as high as 30 feet. Then, plunge into its emerald-blue waters. You can also take a dip into its natural pools and lagoons.

Afterward, you will proceed to the beautiful coastal town of Moalboal. It boasts more than 20 stunning marine sanctuaries and dive spots. Many travelers flock to this town to learn and practice their scuba diving skills.

Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the breathtaking sardine run at Pescador Island. You will swim with millions of sardines merging perfectly. Up next is Turtle Island. Here, you can have a rare opportunity to swim with hawksbill and green sea turtles.

After your thrilling adventure, you will head back to your hotel in Mandaue.

It’s time for your much-awaited tropical getaway in Palawan on the 13th day of your vacation. From Cebu, you will board a direct flight to Puerto Princesa International Airport. Your private van will fetch you and take you to your accommodation in Lio properties.

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Palawan boasts world-class beaches and diving spots. Some of the majestic and scenic attractions are located in Puerto Princesa. Here, you will go on an island-hopping tour to the breathtaking islands dotting Honda Bay.

Your first stop is at Starfish Island. While strolling on its pristine white beach, you will spot different kinds and colors of starfishes. One of which is the perfectly symmetrical five-armed orange starfish. You can also swim with other aquatic creatures, including pufferfishes and yellowtail snappers.

Your second destination is Cowrie Island, the largest among all the islands. This boomerang-shaped island is a perfect snorkeling and diving spot in Puerto Princesa. There are also cabanas and huts available for rent throughout the bay.

Finally, you will stroll on the powdery and white sandbar at Luli Island, which submerges and reappears depending on the shifting tides. You can also sunbathe, take beach photos, and rest on the floating beach hammocks.

Your Palawan escapade continues as you cruise along Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage. From Sabang Boat Terminal, you will ride a boat to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

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Puerto Princesa Underground River is the longest underground river in the Philippines. Upon entering the cave, you will see odd-shaped stalactites and stalagmites. As one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, it features world-class cave systems and limestone formations.

After your 8km-long cruise, you will head to the city proper. Your first stop is at Baker’s Hill, where you can purchase some baked goodies and local pastries. Then, you will head to Plaza Cuartel. It is a former Spanish garrison and penal colony that has become a leisure park.

Then, you will visit Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, research center and breeding facility. Here, you can see crocodiles, birds, and reptiles that are endemic in Palawan.

Your next stop is Mitra’s Ranch, where you will see a panoramic view of Puerto Princesa. It is a leisure park atop a hill, which stands at the highest point in the city. Before you head back to your hotel, you can watch the breathtaking sunset at Puerto Princesa Baywalk.

Cap off your 15-day vacation and prepare to leave early from your hotel. Your private van will pick you up and take you to Puerto Princesa International Airport. From there, you will board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will head back to where you started, Manila.