9-Day Philippines Adventure & Countryside Package to Luzon Highlands, Bohol Island & Apo Island
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Description
Summary
Tour starts
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Duration
9 days
Ending place
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Languages:
English
Difficulty:
Easy
Minimum age:
None
Description
Discover the Philippines’ majestic sights, iconic museums, and top attractions with this 9-day vacation package to Luzon Highlands, Bohol, and Apo Island. Visit hundreds of scenic spots in this tour with roundtrip flights to Manila, land and boat transfers, and accommodation with breakfast.
The first stop on your itinerary is Intramuros, deemed as the oldest historic center of Manila. In this walled city, you will have the opportunity to wander around its sophisticated Baroque-inspired structures and marvelous Spanish-Italian architecture. You will also get a chance to visit ancient museums and century-old churches like San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral.
One of the highlights in your itinerary is trekking to Mt. Pinatubo. You can ride a 4x4 vehicle and go on a thrilling escapade to the volcano’s crater lake. After hiking up Mt. Pinatubo, you will head to Banaue, where you can find the breathtaking Ifugao rice terraces.
You can also unwind while enjoying the cool breeze and relaxing ambiance in the rustic mountain town of Sagada. Then, take a trip to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm and visit Camp John Hay’s leisure and adventure spots.
This tour includes pre-arranged flights and trusted boat and land transfers to Visayas. You can marvel at Chocolate Hills, stroll along Bilar Manmade Forest, and have a relaxing lunch cruise along the blue-green waters of Loboc River.
Afterward, you will head to Dumaguete City, where you can drop by its scenic Rizal Boulevard. You’ll also get a rare opportunity to swim with sea turtles and hundreds of marine species in Apo Island’s world-class diving spot.
Explore the best of the Philippines and make the most out of your trip with this ultimate 9-day vacation package to Luzon Highlands, Bohol, and Apo Island. Check availability by choosing a date.
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Included
8 nights accommodation (budget category)
8 days breakfast
8 lunch
All flights with 20kgs baggage allowance
Day 1 - Intramuros Tour (Manila)
Day 2 - Mt. Pinatubo Tour
Day 3 to 6 - Sagada, Banaue and Baguio Tour (Cordillera Region)
Day 7 to 8 - Bohol and Dumaguete Tour (Central Visayas)
Day 9 - Back to Manila
All transportation to and from included activities and destinations
All environmental fees, port fees, and all other applicable taxes
Upon your arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a private van will pick you up and take you to your accommodation in Manila. For your first day tour, you will head to the walled city of Intramuros. Your first stop will be at Fort Santiago. This iconic defense fortress is where the national hero Jose Rizal stayed before his execution.
Next on your list is Plaza Roma. This public square served as a trading center and venue for different events like bullfights. Meanwhile, two of Intramuros’ iconic museums, Bahay Tsinoy and Casa Manila, represent the strong Filipinos and Ethnic Chinese relationship. Casa Manila also features the Philippine lifestyle during the Spanish era.
The next destination is San Diego Gardens. It has gazebos perfect for lounging in the afternoon. Right across is Baluarte San Diego, a circular tower built to safeguard the city during the Spanish era.
Lastly, you will be visiting two marvelous churches. The San Agustin Church and Museum is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Being a Baroque-inspired church, San Agustin Church has detailed murals and paintings on its walls. You will also visit Manila Cathedral, where you can take photos against its grand facades, majestic interiors, and multi-layered arches.
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Day 2
Day 2 - Day 2: Mt. Pinatubo Tour
On your second day, you will experience an adrenaline-rushing escapade to Mt. Pinatubo. Prepare yourself on a hiking adventure like no other. Mt. Pinatubo is one of the most active volcanos in the Philippines. Set between the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales in Northern Luzon, Mt. Pinatubo had a massive and destructive eruption in 1991.
Due to the explosion, the terrain going to its crater was filled with lahar. You have to ride a van to reach the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana. Once you get there, you will switch to a 4x4 vehicle, which will take you to Crow Valley. Only 4x4 vehicles can cross the area since the terrain is rough and bumpy. Afterward, you have to get off the vehicle and trek to the mountain’s deck.
You’ll need to wear proper hiking gear for your safety. Trekking is the only way to get to the volcano’s crater lake. The path is beginner-friendly, so it would be easy for anyone to reach the endpoint. At the end of the tour, a breathtaking view of the volcano’s crater lake awaits you.
After your Mt. Pinatubo tour, you will proceed to Ifugao, home to Banaue rice terraces.
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Day 3
Day 3 - Day 3: Banaue Tour
You’ll head up north to the province of Ifugao for your 3rd day. Here, you can witness the breathtaking Banaue and its majestic rice terraces. The upland province is filled with amphitheater-like rice terraces and paddy fields, which are part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Like Sagada, you can also enjoy Banaue’s cool atmosphere.
Banaue is around 85km away from the rustic town of Sagada. If you like to capture a better view of the terraces, you can trek to the Batad Banaue Viewpoint. For a more exciting adventure, you can also trade Batad Banaue Viewpoint for a visit to the Tappiya Waterfall. You will be experiencing a long and tiring journey on your way to this hidden wonder.
Then, you will proceed to Banga-an Village, a small community with less than 30 families. They live in traditional hut-like houses with cogon roofing. Their sources of livelihood are farming and raising livestock animals. When you visit this tiny village, you’ll also discover more about the Ifugao tribe and their culture.
The last destination on your itinerary is Banaue Museum. It houses treasured jewelry, weaponry, Igorot artifacts, traditional clothing, mountain baskets, and vintage photographs depicting the Ifugao culture.
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Day 4
Day 4 - Day 4: Sagada Tour
On your fourth day, you’ll leave Banaue to head to your next destination: Sagada. Being one of the most breathtaking spots up north, Sagada is a rustic town favored by tourists for its chilly weather and scenic attractions at a high altitude. Many travelers seek peace and tranquility in its majestic scenery. You should fasten your seatbelts and get ready to pass by the town’s steep slopes and uphill routes.
First, you’ll have an exciting cave exploration at Sugong Cave. Here, you can find an underground river with water that flows from Bokong Falls, which will then irrigate the rice fields of Kapay-aw. Second, you’ll visit Echo Valley and then head to the famous hanging coffins of the Mountain Province. As part of the burial traditions, indigenous tribes hang coffins at the side of the mountain.
Sagada is a perfect spelunking spot with more than 60 caves. Among them, Sumaguing Cave is the largest one. It has natural rock formations, ancient stalactites, stalagmites, natural pools, and streams.
Finally, you’ll visit Bontoc Tribal Museum, where you’ll learn more about the history and culture in the Mountain Province.
You will head back to your hotel in Sagada by the end of your tour.
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Day 5
Day 5 - Day 5: Benguet Tour
Your fifth day will take place in Benguet, known for its mountain ranges and flower fields. First, you will head to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. You’ll travel 8km away from Baguio City to reach this 79-hectare farm. La Trinidad Strawberry Farm brings approximately 1,775 metric tons of strawberries per harvest.
The second destination on your itinerary is the Atok Sakura Flowers. You don’t have to go to Japan to see cherry blossom trees up-close because Atok already offers you almost the same experience. Since 2016, over 30 Sakura trees blossom here yearly.
Afterward, you will be heading to the majestic floral carpet of Northern Blossom Flower Farm. The three-hectare flower plantation is home to distinct and vibrant flowers. It has everything from annual to perennial flowers, including cabbage roses, sunflowers, snapdragons, marigolds, and Peruvian lilies. From a distance, you can also see the mountain ranges of Mt. Timbak and Mt. Pulag.
The 2nd Highest Point will be your second to the last destination. Set along Halsema Highway, it offers breathtaking mountain views. Finally, you will be passing by the Spanish Trail’s cave-like tunnels.
After your Benguet tour, your van will take you to Baguio or the City of Pines.
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Day 6
Day 6 - Day 6: Baguio Tour
For your sixth day, you’ll explore the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio. If you like to go soul-searching away from the metro, Baguio is a perfect spot to unwind.
The first attraction you’ll visit is the Ifugao Museum. Here, you can find a great collection of Ifugao’s artifacts. You’ll then head to the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, a historic site to honor Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II.
Up next is the educational institution for aspiring military officers in the country, the Philippine Military Academy. Fort De Pilar is also nearby, which occupies 373 hectares of land. You’ll then proceed to The Mansion, where Philippine Presidents stay during their vacation in Baguio.
Next on your itinerary is Camp John Hay, a former US military base that has transformed into a popular leisure spot. Afterward, you’ll proceed to the breathtaking Mines View Park.
The last two destinations are great spots to relax. You can ride horses or explore art galleries and gardens. Lastly, your van will lead you to Good Shepherd Convent, where you can buy Baguio’s best-tasting ube jam or purple yam.
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Day 7
Day 7 - Day 7: Bohol Countryside Tour
On your seventh day, you’ll be exploring the Bohol countryside. You'll fly to Panglao International Airport then check-in to your accommodation. Your van will take you to Corella Tarsier Sanctuary first. This wildlife relief sanctuary is home to one of the smallest primates, the Bohol Tarsier. Travelers should be careful when taking photos because tarsiers have huge yet sensitive eyes.
Then, you’ll have a relaxing cruise along the blue-green waters of the Loboc River. You will have your lunch at the floating restaurant while enjoying enchanting views of the famous river. Afterward, you’ll proceed to Baclayon Church, which is a declared National Cultural Treasure. Baclayon Church underwent renovations after a massive earthquake in 2013.
Your countryside tour continues in the town of Bilar. The first attraction is the Butterfly Conservatory, which is Bohol’s first butterfly breeding and conservation livelihood program. The second is Bilar Forest, an impressive 2km man-made forest planted with mahogany trees.
On your last day in Bohol, you will visit the famous Chocolate Hills. This geological formation consists of over 1,000 hills sitting closely together. Ideally, the best time to visit this remarkable natural attraction is during the dry season. It is when the vegetation of the mounds turn into brownish and chocolate-like color.
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Day 8
Day 8 - Day 8: Apo Island Tour
You will visit Apo Island on the eighth leg of your Visayas tour. Apo Island is one of the most popular snorkeling spots and dive sites in the world. After traveling from Bohol, you will check-in at your hotel in Dumaguete. Your tour starts when you're picked up to head to the jump-off point in the town of Dauin. You will then hop on a short boat ride to get to the volcanic island, which is around 10km from the mainland.
Apo Island boasts abundant and diverse marine biodiversity. With around 400 coral species, the island is perfect for snorkeling. You will also find different marine species like tuna, manta rays, and hammerheads.
Another must-visit attraction on the island is Turtle Point. Here, you can swim with sea turtles. If you’re not fond of swimming, you can also lounge in the island’s powdery white-sand beaches.
After swimming, you can trek to Habagat Eco Trail. Set at the southern end of Apo Island, Habagat Eco Trail is a 600-meter trail that offers a panoramic view of the sea. On top of the trail, you can capture the area's majestic seascape and natural rock formations.
At the end of your tour, you’ll head back to your hotel in Dumaguete.
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Day 9
Day 9 - Day 9: Departure to Manila
It’s time to cap off your 9-day vacation and leave your hotel in Dumaguete. Your van will fetch you and take you to the airport. You will board a direct flight to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
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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.
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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.
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