8-Day Historical, Sightseeing & Trekking Tour to Ilocos, Baguio & Dumaguete with Apo Island from Man

1 / 7

Likely to sell out soon

Free cancellation

Perfect travel plan

Fully customizable

Description

Summary

Tour starts

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Duration

8 days

Ending place

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Languages:

English

Difficulty:

Easy

Minimum age:

None

101 reviews

Description

Discover some of the best historical and natural attractions of Luzon and Visayas in the Philippines with this 8-day vacation package from Manila. Visit the well-preserved structures of Ilocos, the lush park of Baguio, caves in Sagada, historical spots of Dumaguete City, and swim with turtles in Apo Island. Complete with accommodations, daily breakfast, transfers, entrance fees, and guides, this trip is a must-book for travelers wanting to go on both wet and dry activities while in the country.

Upon your arrival in the Philippines, your guide will fetch you from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and take you on tour around Intramuros in Manila. This walled district is well-known for its old-world charm and its plethora of well-preserved historical landmarks. From there, you will take a trip up north to the Ilocos, where you will see more heritage sites in and around the towns of Laoag and Vigan. Calle Crisologo, Vigan's postcard-worthy cobbled lane, is one of the must-see attractions on your itinerary.

You will also head to Sagada to go spelunking in its caves. Another stop is the city of Baguio where you will visit several of its tourist hotspots, one of which is Camp John Hay. This popular recreational area offers a nature trail, food stalls, a shopping center, and even a museum. Following the highland tours, you will go on a hiking trip to Mt. Pinatubo's crater lake in Tarlac. Appreciate the beauty of this famous natural attraction before you fly to Dumaguete in the Visayas for a two-day trip.

You will spend your first day in the city exploring the sights, including the Silliman University, a private academic university. The university's 62-hectare campus is home to six museums and a myriad of acacia trees. After enjoying the land attractions, you will ride a boat off the coast of Dumaguete to the breathtaking Apo Island. You will go diving, beach bumming and hiking here before capping off your tour and returning to Manila.

See the best of Ilocos, Baguio, Sagada, and Dumaguete City with this 8-day jam-packed trip from Manila. Check availability by choosing a date.

Included

7 nights accommodation (budget category)

7 days breakfast

7 lunch

All flights with 20kgs baggage allowance

Day 1 - Intramuros Tour (Manila)

Day 2 - Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur

Day 3 to 4 - Sagada and Baguio Tour (Cordillera Region)

Day 5 - Mt. Pinatubo Tour

Day 6 to 7 - Dumaguete Tour

Day 8 - Back to Manila

All transportation to and from included activities and destinations

All environmental fees, port fees, and all other applicable taxes

Activities

Culture, Arts & Historical Tours

Map

Attractions

Manila Cathedral

Casa Manila

Bahay Tsinoy

Mt. Pinatubo

Philippine Military Academy

The Mansion

Camp John Hay

Mines View Park

Wright Park

General Yamashita Surrender Site

Ifugao Museum

Bontoc Village Museum

Pagburnayan Jar Factory

Crisologo Museum

Bantay Church Bell Tower

Rizal Boulevard

St. Catherine of Alexandria Church

Apo Island

Calle Crisologo

Malacañang of the North

Paoay Church

Paoay Lake National Park

Intramuros

Fort Santiago

San Agustin Church

St. Paul Metropolitan Cathedral

Marcos Museum & Mausoleum or Balay Ti Ili

Centennial Park

Good Shepherd Convent

Sumaguing Cave

Echo Valley

Baluarte de San Diego

Plaza Roma

Manila

Baguio

Dumaguete

Baluarte Ilocos

Museo nina Juan at Antonio Luna

Lab-as Seafood Restaurant

Sidlakang Negros Village

Valencia Forest Camp

San Agustin Church

Negros Oriental Arts & Heritage

Siliman University

Dumaguete Public Market

Claytown Pottery

Laoag City

Dumaguete Campanario

+39Show moreShow less

Daily itinerary

Day 1

Fountain inside Fort Santiago in Intramuros

Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour

When you arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, your guide will meet you and drive you to your hotel in Manila or along Roxas Boulevard. You will leave your belongings here and then go to Intramuros. This walled district served as the country's religious, educational, and economic center during the Spanish colonization. Today, Intramuros is the perfect place for a quick trip to the past. One of the landmarks you will visit here is Fort Santiago. Built as a defensive fortress against pirates, this Hispanic fortress now serves as a location for open-air theater and picnics. You will then proceed from the fort to the public square of Plaza Roma, considered the center of Intramuros. Pose for some photos here before heading to Bahay Tsinoy. This museum presents the story of the Chinese in Philippine history. You will then dive deeper into the past at Casa Manila, where you will see Spanish colonial furniture and art. You will then tour the San Diego Gardens and Baluarte De San Diego before concluding your day with a visit to two of Intramuros' most famous sites: the San Agustin Church and Museum and the Manila Cathedral. The former houses some religious artwork and statues, while Manila Cathedral features a large organ with 4500 pipes built in the Netherlands.

Day 2

Spanish style streets in Calle Crisologo, Vigan

Day 2 - Day 2: Ilocos Tour

Your second day begins with a flight from Manila to Laoag Airport in the north. Here, you'll enjoy a full-day tour of the Ilocos region, which will start with a stopover at Paoay's Malacañang of the North. This two-story building, which is now a presidential museum, was formerly the official home of late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family. Guests are welcome to wander the mansion and take a walk along the nearby Paoay Lake. Saint Augustine Church, more generally referred to as Paoay Church, is located just over 10km from the presidential museum. The cathedral has been designated a National Cultural Treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its distinctive architecture. After offering a short prayer inside, you'll drop by two of the region's must-see museums: the Marcos Museum and the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum. You will then go to Vigan, home to the Earthquake Baroque church of St. Paul's Cathedral. Another noteworthy church in the city is Bantay Church, one of the Ilocos Region's oldest. Pose for a photo here before heading to Pagburnayan to learn how the locals create their pottery. Visit the Burgos Museum, the National Museum, and the Crisologo Museum next to dive deeper into the culture and history of Ilocos. From there, your guide will bring you to Baluarte for some safari experience. You'll conclude your day with some selfies on Calle Crisologo's cobblestone streets.

Day 3

Lush forest surrounding Echo Valley in Sagada

Day 3 - Day 3: Sagada Tour

You'll embark on an early morning countryside road trip from Vigan to the town of Sagada in the Mountain Province. This rustic town is host to over 60 caves, one of which is your first stop: Sugong Cave. The cave, well-known for the coffins hanging from the limestone cliffs, is situated in the town center, just past the Sagada Cemetery. To get to the cave, your guide will lead you through a path that winds through the so-called Echo Valley. The valley itself is one of the town's must-see attractions, as it is framed by soaring mountains and dense trees. Keep your outdoor gear on since you will go on a spelunking trip in Sumaguing Cave next. Sumaguing, also known as the "Big Cave," is located approximately a one-hour walk from the Sagada town hall and includes a two-hour short course around its cavern. While inside, marvel at the various rock formations shaped like a bear, turtlehead, and chocolate cake. Day 3 concludes with a visit to the Bontoc Tribal Museum. This museum, which preserves the Ifugao people's history through objects and images, is built in the style of a typical Bontok hut with a pointed roof. At the rear of the building is a recreation of an Ifugao community.

Day 4

Day 4 - Day 4: Baguio Tour

On the way to Baguio City, you will travel south from Sagada to the town of Kiangan. You will visit the Ifugao Museum here, which highlights the culture and heritage of the Ifugao people of the northern Philippines. Additionally, the town is home to General Yamashita's surrender site, a National Historical Landmark that signifies the end of the Japanese occupation in the country. From there, you will head straight to Baguio to see the Philippine Military Academy. This premier institution not only trains Filipino cadets but also houses a scenic ground with vintage tanks and other historical military weapons. You will then make your way to The Mansion, the official summer residence of the Philippine President. Take a quick selfie in front of the building's gates before proceeding to Camp John Hay. Previously a US military facility, this location has been transformed into a leisure area for locals and visitors. It hosts a Historical Core with a museum, an amphitheater, and a butterfly sanctuary. You will see more of Baguio's relaxing scenery at Mines View Park, Wright Park, and Centennial Park next. Before you retreat to your hotel, pay a visit to the Good Shepherd Convent to buy some tasty treats to carry home as a souvenir.

Day 5

Tourists while riding a 4x4 ATV in Mt. Pinatubo

Day 5 - Day 5: Mt. Pinatubo Tour

This day will be dedicated to trekking Mt. Pinatubo, so wear hiking clothes and shoes. Once you're ready, you will head to the town of the province of Tarlac. When you arrive at the drop-off site in Sta. Juliana, you will board a 4x4 jeep that will transport you across the moon-like terrain of Crow Valley. This journey should take less than an hour but be prepared for dust and bumps along the route. At the trail's end, you will hop off at the base of the mountain and continue your ascent on foot. The trek usually requires about an hour and 1.5 hours. Along the way, you'll pass several unusual volcanic formations formed by the volcano's eruption in 1991. When you reach the summit, the first thing you can see is the turquoise water of Mt. Pinatubo's Crater Lake. You will have enough time to soak up the relaxing scenery and savor your lunch here. Take as many photos as you want before beginning your descent and returning to your Manila hotel for some well-deserved rest.

Day 6

University museum of Silliman University in Dumaguete

Day 6 - Day 6: Dumaguete City Tour

From Manila, you will board a plane going to Dumaguete in the Visayas. Your tour will start with a visit to the Silliman University Campus. Established in 1901, this used to be an elementary school for boys until it reached its university status in 1938. After that, you'll go to Dumaguete's promenade, Rizal Boulevard, for a relaxing stroll along the beach. Your next stop will be the Cathedral of St. Catherine de Alexandria, where you will see elaborately designed altarpieces and exquisite chandeliers. The Dumaguete Campanario, the Visayas' oldest bell tower, is also one of this Roman Catholic Church's highlights. From there, you will drop by Dumaguete Public Market, the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park, and the Claytown Pottery before heading to Sidlakang Negros Village. Located 2.5km southeast of the airport, this village a one-stop shop of Negros Oriental's finest arts, crafts, and delicacies. Following that, you'll stop for lunch at Lab-as Seafood. You'll then begin your journey to Valencia's Forest Camp, a mountain retreat. You will then go to the Cata-al War Museum. Among the items on display here are Nazi German artifacts, unfired bullets, unexploded bombs and mortars, machine guns, scissors, bones, uniforms, goggles, and also teeth from World War II. You'll stop in Bacong to see the century-old San Agustin Church and the Negros Oriental Arts & Heritage Center before returning to your hotel in Dumaguete.

Day 7

Day 7 - Day 7: Apo Island Tour

For Day 7, you'll be sailing for Apo Island. It is famous with local and international travelers as one of the best dive spots in the Philippines. It is situated at the southeast end of Negros island and is home to a sea reserve with a variety of marine life. When you arrive on the island, you will make your way to the turtle sanctuary, where you will spend some time with the gentle turtles. There is also a large coral garden with a multitude of colorful fish swimming here. Aside from exploring Apo Island's aquatic paradise, feel free to relax and take in the scenic beach vibes, as well. After you've had your fix of the water activities, you can proceed with a trek to Apo Island Lighthouse or the Apo View Deck. Take the 600m Habagat Eco-Trail, David's Trek, or Witchy's Trail here, and you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the island of Negros and its surroundings. At the end of the day, you'll board your boat and head to your Dumaguete hotel.

Day 8

Day 8 - Day 8: Departure to Manila

It's time to bid Dumaguete farewell and head back to Manila. You will check out of your hotel and proceed to the Dumaguete-Sibulan International Airport. After approximately an hour and 30 minutes, you will arrive at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport, marking the conclusion of your eight-day tour of the country.

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.

The season for dolphin watching in Dumaguete is from March to October and is subject to weather and wind conditions. If off-season or on days when the northeast monsoon is strong, dolphin watching may not be possible. During Habagat/ Southwest monsoon Season (June-October), boat ride to Apo Island may be rough.

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.