17-Day Philippines Scenic Countryside & Heritage Tour Package to Visayas Islands & Luzon Highlands

You will catch a flight to Laoag Airport after leaving your accommodation in Manila. From the airport, your guide will then transport you to Laoag City to begin your city tour. St. Williams Cathedral will be the first stop on your schedule. This cathedral, which features an Italian Renaissance style, was built in 1612 and served as the principal church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Laoag.Read more

After admiring the church's beauty, proceed to the adjacent Sinking Bell Tower next, believed to be erected following the 1707 earthquake. You will then visit Museo Ilocos Norte. This museum houses a large collection of Ilocano, Igorot, and Itneg antiquities. From there, you will make your way to Aurora Park, located only a five-minute walk from the museum. Previously named after Spanish King Alfonso XII, this park was once Laoag's community center before the end of the 16th century.

Following your exploration of the city, you will go to Paoay to see the Malacanang of the North, a presidential museum initially utilized as the late President Ferdinand Marcos' and his family's official residence during his administration. Take a stroll around the well-preserved house before visiting Paoay Church next, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the region. Finally, you will end the day at the city of Batac, where you can find the Marcos Museum.

Your guide will pick you up at your Laoag hotel and transport you to Burgos, where you will begin your day at the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse. This Spanish Colonial-era lighthouse is over a century old but remains operational to this day. You will go to the Bangui Windmills next. Composed of 26 units, the windmills provide enough electricity to meet more than 40% of Ilocos Norte's energy needs.Read more

Following a quick picture-taking at the windmills, your guide will bring you to the Patapat Viaduct, the country's fifth-longest bridge. You will then make your way to Agua Grande, a picnic area that comes complete with a waterfall, a stony creek that flows into the sea, and gray sand and pebble beach. The grotto of Paraiso ni Anton is located adjacent to the park and features a miraculous stream.

Following your grotto tour, you will travel about 47km to the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation. This limestone structure provides a fantastic vantage point for photographs of the Bangui Windmills. Finally, the day will conclude at the Pasuquin Salt Stand, where you may purchase bags of freshly produced sea salt. If you have any remaining energy, you can include a 4x4 tour through the La Paz Sand Dunes before returning to your Laoag hotel.

You will spend this day exploring Vigan City, another must-see town in the Ilocos region. When you reach the town, your day will begin at the Ilocos Sur National Museum Complex. This museum features items from the Iloco-Kankanay-Itneg civilization, as well as those from two significant figures in Philippine history: Filipino Catholic priest Jose Burgos and former President Elpidio Quirino.Read more

From there, you will make your way to Bantay Church and Bell Tower. This church and bell tower was constructed in the early 1590s in a Neo-Gothic style with elements of pseudo-Romanesque. After visiting the church, your guide will take you to the Syquia Mansion Museum, a heritage house converted into a museum.

The Pagburnayan Jar Factory will be your next stop. The locals here will teach you about the traditional and genuine methods of pottery making. Additionally, you may attempt to make your own jar here. Afterward, you will visit the Crisologo Museum. This ancestral home was formerly owned by Floro Crisologo, a former Ilocos Sur Representative, until it was transformed into a museum.

The remainder of your tour will include a visit to Calle Crisologo, a cobblestone street dotted with centuries-old Spanish residences. After a quick stroll along Calle Crisologo, you will visit St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral next. Finally, the Baluarte zoological park will be your last stop.

Your guide will take you to the highlands, specifically to Sagada town, once you check out of your Vigan hotel early in the morning. The climate of Sagada is a subtropical highland, with typical daily temperatures ranging from 17 to 20 degrees Celsius. Knowing this, make sure you have your winter clothing packed and ready.Read more

When you arrive in Sagada, your first stop will be to Sugong Cave, located near the town center. This burial ground is well-known for its hanging coffins, a centuries-old tradition that is still followed today.

After shooting several photographs near the cave's limestone cliffs, you will return to town through Echo Valley. This area is densely forested and lushly vegetated, making it ideal for trekking and animal observation. Then you will go to Sumaguing Cave, commonly known as the Big Cave.

Sumaguing Cave usually draws tourists from all over the nation, particularly spelunkers who wish to see Sagada's well-preserved subterranean beauty. Inside the cave, there are fascinating rock formations, as well as an ice-cold pool. Your tour will end with a visit to the Bontoc Tribal Museum. This museum is built in the style of an Igorot home and has a collection of items from the Ifugao, Bontoc, and Kalinga tribes.

You will head to the Banaue highlands after departing Sagada in the morning. Once you reach the town, you will make your way to the Batad Rice Terraces, located in the tiny village of Batad. These amphitheater-shaped rice fields have been enlisted as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Banaue. They were constructed by the Ifugaos in the first century CE, utilizing compacted earth and a complex irrigation system.Read more

Feel free to pose for some photographs with these distinctive rice fields before continuing to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. From this observation platform, you will get a panoramic view of the Batad rice terraces. If you're not interested in visiting the view deck, you can proceed directly to Tappiya Waterfall and dive into its spring waters.

Alternatively, you may skip the waterfalls completely and travel straight to Banga-an Village. This little rural region is home to a few traditional Ifugao homes. While you are here, you will also learn more about their way of life.

From there, you will visit the Banaue Museum. This institution features weaponry, jewelry, traditional clothing and headgear, and early twentieth-century photographs of Banaue. Additionally, you can find several books by American anthropologist Henry Otley Beyer displayed here.

From your Banaue accommodation, you will make your way to Kiangan town, where you will kick off your day at the Ifugao Museum. This ethnographic museum includes various Ifugao antiquities and tells war stories that happened in the region. Afterward, you will visit General Yamashita's surrender site, found less than a kilometer from the museum.Read more

After posing for photos at the surrender site, you will go to the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City to see the cadets in training. Following that, the tour will continue at The Mansion. This building, located on the city's eastern outskirts, includes a massive gate imitating the gates of London's Buckingham Palace.

Your next stop will be Camp John Hay. This property, which spans 246 hectares, is a great location for trekking, food tripping, and golfing. From there, your guide will take you to Mines View Park, where you may dress in full Cordillera regalia.

Additionally, you will enjoy horseback riding at Wright Park before heading to Centennial Park, a renowned meeting and ceremony place for indigenous people. Finally, your day will conclude at the Good Shepherd Convent, where you can purchase local delicacies, including ube jam and butter pastries.

For this day, you will make your way to the neighboring province of Benguet to see more of Luzon's highlands. The first site you will go to is La Trinidad, known for its Strawberry Farm. Aside from strawberries, you can find several rows of vegetable crops in this big field. You will then pick your own strawberries and sample some of the strawberry-related items offered here.Read more

You will head to Atok Sakura Flowers after your strawberry harvesting session. Featuring over 30 Sakura trees from the Japanese Prefecture of Kochi, this property has been named the Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park. Feel free to take some photographs near the cherry blossoms before heading to the Northern Blossom. This two-hectare flower farm located some 37km away is adorned with rows of beautiful and unique blooms.

Your next stop will be the Second Highest Point in the Barangays of Cattubo and Paoay. This site is close to the road and has an observation deck with views of the surrounding mountain ranges, vegetable garden farms, and a beautiful sea of clouds. Finally, the day will come to a close with a visit to the Spanish Trail, a man-made path built during the Spanish era.

On Day 9, you will climb the infamous Mt. Pinatubo. This active volcano, which reaches a height of roughly 4700 feet, is located on the triangle border of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It gained popularity after its 1991 eruption that wreaked havoc on the country, causing billions of pesos in damage. Despite its tragic history, Mt. Pinatubo remains a popular attraction in the region.Read more

From your Baguio accommodation, you will head south to the Sta. Juliana Tourism Center in Tarlac province. You will board a 4x4 vehicle here that will take you through Crow Valley to the foot of the volcano. Expect a rough ride on the sandy terrain in this valley, and make sure to carry protective masks and glasses to screen yourself from the elements. After roughly an hour, you will arrive at the jump-off site and begin your ascent.

This 5.5-km trail may be completed between one and two hours only. As soon as you reach the peak, you will be greeted by the turquoise waters of Mt. Pinatubo's crater lake. Savor your lunch by the lakeside as you take in the beauty of the lake and the surrounding landscape. You will then return to the volcano's base and make your way to your accommodation in Manila.

You will depart from your accommodation in Manila and travel to Panglao International Airport on the island of Bohol. Here, you will embark on a three-day tour of the province, starting with a stop at Cambuhat Village. This peaceful community is located in the town of Buenavista, approximately 88km from the airport.Read more

When you arrive in Bohol, your guide will take you to Daet Bridge, where your tour boat will be waiting. From the shore, you will make your way through the tranquil Cambuhat River. Enjoy the peaceful beauty of the river's emerald green waters, mangroves, and nipa trees. Afterward, you will disembark at the Cambuhat Village Oyster Farm to see locals harvest oysters and learn about their best practices.

The residents will then offer you a delicious meal of oysters and other seafood dishes. While you eat, your tour guide will educate you about the local management of the Cambuhat River and other natural resources. The tour continues with a brief visit to the village to learn about traditional handicraft manufacturing. While you're here, the locals will demonstrate the process of making nipa thatches, baskets, hats, mats, and brooms. In addition, they will entertain you with a presentation of traditional dance.

In the morning, you will depart from your Panglao hotel and make your way to the Baclayon seashore. A boat will be waiting for you here to take you to the unspoiled Pamilacan Island. This remote haven is a popular gathering spot for dolphins and whales. Additionally, manta rays, sharks, and other sea animals have been sighted in the vicinity of Pamilacan.Read more

As you approach the island, a highly experienced spotter will assist you in searching for the area's resident dolphins. If you come between March and June, you are likely to see Bryde's whales and sperm whales, as well.

When you reach the island, your guide will allow ample time for relaxation and enjoyment. Bring your snorkeling gear and dive into the waves to explore Pamilacan's underwater world. While swimming across the water, expect to encounter soft and hard corals, schools of tropical fish, and even some sea turtles.

After snorkeling, you may unwind on the island's white-sand beaches. Take a stroll down the beach, snap some photos, or lie down and let the sun dry your skin. You may also take a short trek to the island's 200-year-old Spanish fort before returning to your Panglao hotel.

On Day 12, you will make your way from your Panglao hotel to the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary in the countryside of Bohol. This woodland region is home to tarsiers, which may be seen resting under leaves or leaping from one tree to another.Read more

Following your encounter with the googly-eyed primates, you will embark on the Loboc River Cruise. While floating along the Loboc River, you will be treated to a Filipino buffet lunch with live traditional Filipino music and dance performance in the background.

When you return to the dock, you will visit Baclayon Church, said to be the Philippines' second oldest stone church. You will continue to the Butterfly Conservatory next. While you're here, you will marvel at the beautiful butterflies bred and preserved in their garden-like facility. Afterward, your guide will bring you to Bilar Forest, a 2km-wide man-made mahogany forest.

Your journey will conclude with a visit to Chocolate Hills, the province's most well-known destination. This location got its name from the fact that the hills here turn chocolate brown during the dry season. Snap as many photos as you want on the view deck before your guide brings you back to your Panglao hotel.

After leaving your Bohol hotel, you will ride a ferry to Dumaguete City for a full-day trip. The first place on your itinerary for this day will be Silliman University. This 62-hectare campus has six museums, as well as an abundance of old acacia trees. Following your tour of the institution, you will walk along the 780-meter-long Rizal Boulevard and enjoy Dumaguete's seascape.Read more

You will then travel to St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral, a stone cathedral built in 1776. A quick walk away from the church is the Dumaguete Campanario. This watchtower was used to defend against Moro pirates. From there, you will go souvenir shopping at Dumaguete's Public Market before visiting the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park to see its well-kept lawns.

Then you will proceed to Clayton Pottery to see how the locals manufacture clay pots. Your trip will continue in Sidlakang Negros Village, followed by a filling lunch at Lab-as Seafood. Following your meal, you will proceed to Valencia's Forest Camp. Then it's over to the Cata-al War Museum, which exhibits World War II relics. The century-old San Agustin Church and the Negros Oriental Arts & Heritage Center, both in Bacong, will be the final two sites on your schedule.

Your day begins when your guide transports you from your Dumaguete hotel to Malatapay Port. Here, you will board a boat that will sail you to the nearby Apo Island. This 74-hectare volcanic wonderland off the coast of Negros province is one of the greatest diving and snorkeling locations in the Philippines. It is thought to be home to 600 different kinds of fish and over 400 distinct kinds of corals.Read more

Serving as a significant marine reserve, Apo Island features an abundance of aquatic species, such as big-eyed jacks, hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and tuna. You will also get up close and personal with the local turtles in the island's Turtle Point. Swim alongside the turtles while taking photographs of the beautiful underwater landscape. To make the most of your time on Apo Island, your guide will also take you to the must-see reefs.

After exiting the water, you may rest on the island's immaculate white-sand beaches and pose by the unique rock formations on the beach. If you have more energy to spare, hike the 600-meter Habagat Eco Trail, which provides a spectacular view of the island's mountains and oceans. You will then return to the mainland and your accommodation in Dumaguete.

After leaving Dumaguete, you will travel to Cebu Island for a full-day tour of the province's countryside. The world-famous Kawasan Falls in Badian town will be your first stop here. This spot is undoubtedly one of the best places in southern Cebu as it features three towering cascades falling into the blue pools of water below. After dipping in Kawasan's spring pools, you will then travel to Moalboal.Read more

This community is well-known for its thriving underwater resources. It also has white-sand beaches lined with a variety of diving schools. Enjoy a quick picture-taking by the beach before sailing off the coast to Pescador Island. Referred to as one of the best snorkeling spots in Cebu, Pescador Island houses magnificent coral reefs and unique sea creatures.

Following your island excursion, you will travel to Turtle Island, where you will get the opportunity to interact with sea turtles up close. Snorkel and observe the turtles as they glide through the water but don't touch or feed them. You will then return to the mainland's Panagsama Beach to prepare for the sardine run. As this massive school of sardines assembles in front of you, you will surely be in awe of their harmony and synchronicity. Afterward, you'll check into your Argao hotel.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Argao and bring you to Cebu City, located 74km away. Here, you will start your day at the Taoist Temple. Built in 1972, this Chinese-style temple sits 110 meters above sea level and features a spacious balcony with a scenic view of the city.Read more

From there, you will make your way to the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino, one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the country. A quick walk from the church will bring you to the Magellan's Cross. This cross signifies the propagation of the Roman Catholic faith in the country and is believed to be planted by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.

Afterward, you will head to the Heritage of Cebu Monument to see the major historical events in the province. You will then walk to the nearby Yap-San Diego Ancestral House. Constructed around 1680, this residential building now serves as a museum of antiquities, fine furniture, and religious art and curios.

Following your exploration of the lowland attractions, you will head to the mountains to visit the Temple of Leah and the Sirao Flower Farm, both of which offer amazing views of the surrounding landscape. Afterward, you'll check into your Mandaue hotel.

After your exciting Cebu vacation, you will check out of your hotel and make your way to the airport. From there, you will ride a plane to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, marking the end of your 17-day vacation in the Philippines.