15-Day Scenic Countryside, Islands & Heritage Tour to Puerto Princesa, Cebu, Bohol & Vigan

On Day 2, you will board a direct flight to Laoag Airport. Once you arrive at the terminal, your private van will fetch you and take you to your Laoag accommodation.

Laoag City, also known as the Sunshine City, is the provincial capital of Ilocos Norte. Its name is derived from the Ilocano word, “Lawag” which means bright and light. Because of its beautifully preserved architecture, Laoag showcases various notable churches and iconic landmarks.

Your first destination in Laoag is St. Williams Cathedral. Just across the cathedral is the Sinking Bell Tower. From the name itself, the bell tower sinks at least an inch into the ground. Then, you will browse through Museo Ilocos Norte to learn about the region’s flourishing culture.

You will also drop by the 19th-century Tobacco Monopoly Monument, which is situated in the middle of Aurora’s Park. Afterward, you will also marvel at Malacanang of the North, the grand presidential museum for former President Marcos.

Your Ilocos Norte escapade continues in Batac town. You will head to the Marcos Museum to witness the cenotaph of the late president Marcos. Finally, you will check out the Luna brothers’ life and works at Juan and Antonio Luna Museum.

The third leg of your jam-packed tour continues in the beautiful coastal town of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. Your van will pick you up early from your Laoag accommodation. Then, you will head to the nearby towns of Burgos and Pagudpud. Cape Bojeador Lighthouse is your first destination, a historical tower on top of a hill overlooking the West Philippine Sea.

For your second destination, you will head over to Bangui Bay. Along its majestic coast, you will see the Bangui Windmills. This wind farm consists of 20 giant turbines facing the sea. Then, you will drive along Patapat Viaduct, known as Pagudpud’s scenic coastal bridge. Next, you will drop by Agua Grande. Its cold stream directly flows to Pasaleng Bay.

Your 5th destination is Paraiso ni Anton, which is famous for its healing grotto. Then, you will proceed to the stunning Kapurpurawan Rock Formation near the shoreline in Burgos town.

If you’re looking for local delicacies, you may opt to drop by Pasuquin Salt Stand to buy salt-preserved food. For those seeking additional adventures, you may still book a 4x4 ride for 4 pax to La Paz Sand Dunes, an 85 square kilometer coastal beach and desert in Ilocos Norte.

On Day 4, you will explore the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan. Prepare for an early departure from your Laoag accommodation. Your van will drive you to your first destination, the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex.

Browse through historical artifacts and heirlooms that represent the glorious past of Vigan. You will marvel at the museum to learn about the region’s culture and heritage. Then, you will proceed to Bantay Church and Bell Tower, where you will capture a panoramic view of the Bantay district and a portion of the nearby province of Abra.

Syquia Mansion Museum will be your next destination. It is a 19-century stone mansion featuring the antique collection of the Syquia family. Afterward, you will learn how to make traditional pots at Pagburnayan Jar Factory. Then, you will admire the extravagant belongings and heirlooms of Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and his family at the Crisologo Museum.

Afterward, you will stroll along the iconic Calle Crisologo and see beautifully preserved ancestral houses. Then, you will witness the majestic ceiling paintings at St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral. There is also a dancing fountain right across the church. Lastly, you will visit Baluarte mini zoo to see life-size dinosaur statues.

On the 5th day of your vacation up north, you will head to the rustic town of Sagada. Your private van will fetch you early from your accommodation in Vigan. You will traverse the Halsema Highway, one of the highest roads in the Philippines.

Your first destination is Sugong Cave. The water coming from the cave’s underground river directly comes from Bokong Falls. Then, it irrigates the nearby Kapay-aw Rice Terraces. Afterward, you will hike to Echo Valley. You will take the path leading to the famous hanging coffins, which serve as part of the burial traditions in Mountain Province.

Sagada features more than 60 caves, perfect for spelunking. Sumaguing Cave is the largest among them, which features ancient stalactites and stalagmites. During your cave exploration, you will get a little wet. You will pass by natural pools and streams inside the cave.

After your pulse-pounding trek and cave exploration, you will visit Bontoc Tribal Museum. It showcases different traditional costumes, hunting weapons, and farming tools. Here, you will get a better understanding of the culture and traditions in Mountain Province.

At the end of your exhilarating and fun-filled adventure, your van will take you to your hotel in Sagada.

On Day 6, you will leave early to reach the mountainous province of Benguet. From Sagada, your van will take you to your first stop, the 79-hectare La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. The production of strawberries in the region dates back to the Spanish era. Since then, the farm has been producing about 1,775 metric tons of strawberries per harvest.

Your 2nd destination is Atok Sakura Flowers. Here, you will see around 30 beautiful cherry blossom trees. Back in 2016, the Japanese government gave cherry blossom seedlings as a gift to the municipality of Atok.

On your 3rd destination, you will admire the stunning gardens at Northern Blossom Flower Farm. This picturesque three-hectare flower carpet features different types of wildflowers from Japan. You can find tall sunflowers, snapdragons, and many more. You can even see the rolling mountain ranges of Mt. Timbak and Mt. Pulag from afar.

Before leaving Atok, you will drop by the 2nd Highest Point along Halsema Highway in Benguet. You will see Mt. Timbak, one of the highest mountains in Luzon. Then, you will traverse the Spanish Trail. At the of it, you will witness a panoramic view of the lush landscapes and surrounding mountain ranges.

On your 7th day, you will explore the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio. It is a go-to destination for travelers who like to enjoy the cool breeze amidst breathtaking sceneries. Upon arrival at the City of Pines, you’ll appreciate the lush greenery while gazing at the pine trees covering the entire landscape.

Your first stop is the Ifugao Museum. It showcases various historical artifacts representing Ifugao's ancient traditions. You will also visit the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, a historic site to commemorate Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II.

Afterward, you will head to the Philippine Military Academy. You will also visit Fort De Pilar, which occupies 373 hectares of land. You will strike a pose behind a grand ornamental gate at The Mansion, the Philippine President’s official summer residence.

Your Baguio tour continues at Camp John Hay, a famous leisure and entertainment spot in the city. Then, you will head to Mines View Park to witness the Itogon mines. Up next is Wright Park and Centennial Park, where you can rent horses to ride.

Your trip to Baguio will not be complete without dropping by Good Shepherd Convent to purchase the famous ube jam or purple yam.

On Day 8, you will ride a 4x4 vehicle and trek to Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake. Mt. Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano situated between Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales provinces. In 1991, it had a massive eruption that brought destructive ashfall and lahar to hundreds of households and buildings.

The Mt. Pinatubo eruption is considered the world’s largest volcanic eruption in the past 100 years. To get there, you have to reach the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana by riding a van.

You will soon arrive at the jump-off point, where you will switch to a 4x4 vehicle. The terrain has been filled with lahar in the past, making the path rough and bumpy. Make sure to gear up ahead of time and bring water to quench your thirst throughout the trek.

Those who will hike up Mt. Pinatubo should wear proper hiking gear for safety. Your 4x4 jeep will pass through the Crow Valley. Upon arriving at the site, you will get off the vehicle to walk on foot toward the mountain’s deck. At the end of your tour, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Mt. Pinatubo’s crater lake.

Explore the countryside attractions in Bohol on the 9th day of your vacation. From Manila, you will board a plane to Panglao International Airport. You will alight at the terminal where your van awaits to take you to your Panglao accommodation.

The Corella Tarsier Sanctuary will be your first destination. It is a wildlife relief sanctuary that is home to Tarsiers, one of the smallest primates. When taking pictures of them up-close, do not use the flash of your cameras because tarsiers are highly sensitive to light.

Then, you will board a floating restaurant to have a relaxing cruise along the jade-green waters of the Loboc River. Enjoy your lunch while the folk singers are serenading you with classic love songs. Afterward, you will visit Baclayon Church, a National Cultural Treasure in Bohol.

Up next, you will head over to Bilar town. Your next stop will be at Bohol’s first butterfly breeding and conservation site, the Butterfly Conservatory. Your second stop is Bilar Forest, a 2km-long mahogany forest.

Lastly, you will marvel at Chocolate Hills, a stunning geological formation with over 1,000 hills. It’s best to come here during the summer months to see the hills in brown color.

On Day 10, you will go island-hopping to Pamilacan Island. From Panglao, you will take a short boat ride to get to the island. Its pristine seascape is situated at the heart of the Bohol sea.

Pamilacan Island comprises less than 1,500 residents. Their main source of livelihood is fishing and taking part in the island’s tourism development. Back in the 90s, the locals relied on whale and manta ray hunting for their livelihood. However, the government prohibited this illegal practice. As a result, the locals decided to focus on promoting tourism on the island.

On your way to the island, you will see occasional sightings of whales and dolphins that may pop out of the water. Here, you can plunge straight into the deep blue waters to discover a wide variety of marine species.

Pamilacan Island is a world-famous snorkeling and diving destination in Bohol. It is home to bucket sponges, moray eels, and sea snakes. You can even get a rare opportunity to swim with sea turtles.

If you get tired of swimming, you can take a quick rest on the white-sand beach. Then, you can check out other attractions on the island, including the Pamilacan watchtower.

On your 13th day, you will leave your hotel early to go canyoneering to Kawasan Falls. You will reach the town of Badian via ferry and private van transfer. To get to the cascading falls, you have to scramble through rocky edges.

You will pass by the beautiful gorges and river canyons of the Badian River to reach Kawasan Falls. At the end of the trail, you will witness the emerald-blue waters of the three-tiered falls. You can plunge into the natural pools and lagoons surrounding the falls. The cliff is also as high as 30 feet, perfect for cliff diving.

After your adrenaline-pumping adventure, you will head over to the beautiful coastal town of Moalboal. This world-class diving destination boasts more than 20 impressive marine sanctuaries.

One of the much-awaited phenomena in Moalboal is the breathtaking sardine run at Pescador Island. Swim with millions of sardines congregating in perfect unison. Up next is Turtle Island, where you will have an up-close encounter with hawksbill and green sea turtles. You will also witness different aquatic creatures like nudibranchs, eagle rays, and ghost pipefishes.

By the end of your adventurous escapade, you will head back to your hotel in Mandaue City.

Your trip continues in Cebu, the Queen City of the South. Once you arrive, your van will take you to your accommodation in Mandaue City.

Your first stop is at Taoist Temple, a hilltop temple that showcases Chinese-inspired architecture. Here, you can find a replica of the Great Wall of China and dragon statues. There is also a souvenir shop within the vicinity.

At downtown Cebu, you will visit Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino, the country’s oldest Roman Catholic church. This iconic church underwent renovations until 1740. Another most-visited attraction in Cebu is the Magellan’s Cross, which is only a few meters away from the church. It was built in commemoration of Ferdinand Magellan’s exploration in 1521.

Up next is the Heritage of Cebu Monument. Here, you can have a glimpse of Cebu’s colorful history. It showcases relevant symbols, well-known figures, and historic events. You will learn about the Spanish galleon, the Battle of Mactan, and the 4th Philippine President Sergio Osmena.

Your next stop is the 17th-century Chinese settlement known as Yap-San Diego Ancestral House. Then, marvel at Cebu’s Taj Mahal or the Temple of Leah. Your final destination is Cebu’s own Little Amsterdam, the Sirao Flower Farm.

On Day 13, you will head to Palawan via Puerto Princesa International Airport. Upon arrival, your private van will take you to your accommodation in Lio properties. Once you’re all set, you will go island-hopping to the majestic islands dotting Honda Bay.

Puerto Princesa is a coastal city that boasts pristine beaches and impressive cave systems, including the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It also features breathtaking islands and marine sanctuaries.

First, you will stop by Starfish Island. As the name implies, the island is home to different colorful starfishes, including the perfectly symmetrical five-armed orange starfish. You can also swim with exotic fishes like pufferfishes and yellowtail snappers.

Second, you will lounge on the boomerang-shaped Cowrie Island. It is the largest island in Honda Bay. You can snorkel or ride a banana boat to explore the surrounding waters. Aside from trying out water activities, you may opt to rest on the cabanas and huts.

Lastly, you will walk along Luli Island’s powdery white sandbar. During low tide, the sandbar emerges and submerges at high tide. The name Luli came from the phrase Lulubog-Lilitaw, which means sink and arise. You can lounge on the floating hammocks throughout the bay.

On your 14th day, you will cruise along the longest underground river in the Philippines, the Puerto Princesa Underground River. This UNESCO World Heritage site is also part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

From Sabang Boat Terminal, you will ride a boat to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The 8km-long underground river spans around 22,000 hectares. It boasts impressive limestone cliffs, natural rock formations, and stunning cave systems.

After the underground river cruise, you will head over 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 visit Plaza Cuartel. It is a former Spanish garrison and penal colony that has become a leisure park.

Up next is Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, research center and breeding facility. Here, you can see two kinds of crocodiles: saltwater and Philippine freshwater crocodiles. This wildlife sanctuary is also a Crocodile Farming Institute that serves crocodile meat.

You will also go sightseeing at Mitra’s Ranch, the highest point in the city. Then, you will head to Puerto Princesa Baywalk. After a jam-packed day, you can rest a bit and catch the breathtaking sunset view.

Your vacation ends on your 15th day. You can still take some photos before packing your things. Your private van will fetch you from your hotel in Lio properties. Then, you will board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will head back to where you started, Manila.