9-Day Philippines Heritage & Natural Wonders Tour to Luzon Highlands & Puerto Princesa Islands

On your second day, you will fly to Laoag Airport from Manila to explore North Luzon, starting with the Ilocos region. Upon arrival, you will first check-in at your hotel in Laoag before jumpstarting the day with a visit to the Malacañang of the North in Paoay, the official residence of the presidential family during Ferdinand Marcos’ presidency.

From here, you will get an overlooking view of Paoay Lake. Take in the quiet atmosphere of the lagoon before you make your way to Paoay Church. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this baroque church has a distinct architecture featuring 24 extravagant coral-block buttresses.

You will visit the Marcos Museum that houses a massive collection of memorabilia of the former president. You will also stop at the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum that houses the life and works of the brothers who played vital roles in Philippine history.

Afterward, you will begin your Vigan adventure with stops at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Bantay Church, both major places of worship in the region. Next, you will drop by Pagburnayan, the iconic pottery place of Ilocos.

Next, you'll explore several museums in the region, including Burgos Museum, National Museum, and Crisologo Museum, all of which showcase Ilocos' rich history and art.

Less than a ten-minute drive from Crisologo Museum is the Baluarte, which features a mini zoo, resort, and butterfly farm. You will end your day with a stop at the famed Calle Crisologo.

Your tour van will take you to Sagada on the morning of your third day. Tucked away in the Cordillera Mountains, Sagada is a small rustic town famous for its cool weather and scenic destinations.

After settling in your hotel, you will make your way to your first stop of the day: the Sugong Hanging Coffins. These coffins are suspended on the mountain cliffs instead of buried underground, and you can also see them from a view deck near the town center.

From there, get ready for some hiking as you head to Echo Valley. Named after the echoes heard throughout the area, this natural area features lush greenery, caverns, and the Sugong Cave trail.

Prepare to go spelunking next at the nearby Sumaguing Cave. As the biggest among the 60 caves discovered underneath Sagada, this chamber will most definitely leave you in awe. Its highlights include interesting rock formations like “the chocolate cake,” “the turtle head,” and “King and Queen.”

Before heading back to your hotel, you will enjoy a laid-back visit to the Bontoc Tribal Museum in the town proper. This museum is dedicated to the history and heritage of the indigenous people of the Cordillera region.

For your fourth day, you will be traveling a little further south to the town of Banaue by van/jeep. After getting settled in your hotel, your guide will take you to the hidden paradise of Batad to see the famed rice terraces. Named as a National Cultural Treasure by the Philippine government, these man-made terraces date back to about 2000 years ago and now make for an enjoyable hike.

From there, get a more picturesque view of the terraces from Batad Banaue Viewpoint. The deck sits about a 30-minute walk away from the main road. But the trek will be worth it as you will be rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view of the rice terraces.

If you opt not to stop by Batad Banaue Viewpoint, you can head to Tappiya Falls or Bangg-an Village instead. The fall sits at the bottom of the terraces and is perfect for a two or three-hour trek. Meanwhile, Bangg-an Village is a small community by the rice terraces, where you can immerse yourself in the life of the typical Ifugao tribe.

Before calling it a day, you will be driven to the Banaue Museum. The building is home to a myriad of artifacts from different Northern Luzon tribes, with displays spread across two floors.

After getting picked up from your hotel in Banaue, the tour van will take you to the City of Baguio. On the way, you will make a stopover at the Ifugao Museum in the town of Kiangan. This museum features a varied collection of Ifugao artifacts, from sacred wood carvings to household utensils.

Also in Kiangan is the surrender site of General Yamashita, known as Kiangan National Shrine. Built in 1974, the monument commemorates the end of World War II in the country. From there, you will then begin your Baguio day tour, starting with the Philippine Military Academy. Guests visiting the campus are free to observe the military drills and enjoy the scenery.

A half-hour drive from PMA is The Mansion, the official summer residence of the Philippine President. Take some photos of the building at the gate before making your way to Camp John Hay. Formerly a US military base, this spot is now packed with a handful of shopping outlets, activity centers, and food joints.

After enjoying the scenic view, drop by the Mines View Park, Wright Park, and Centennial Park next, all of which highlight Baguio’s natural side. You will then end your day with a visit to the Good Shepherd Convent, where you can buy souvenirs and local delicacies.

From Baguio, your tour van will drive you to your hotel in Manila before taking you up north again to Tarlac. Here, you will be trekking the world-famous Mt. Pinatubo, so make sure to get your gear ready before you depart for the province.

Upon your arrival in Tarlac, you will hop aboard a 4x4 jeep and enjoy an hour-long joy ride across Crow Valley, located at the foot of the volcano. Once you get to the drop-off point, you will begin your trek.

The hike to the Mt. Pinatubo crater will take about 1.5 hours at most. Although the trail is somewhat rocky, expect to see interesting volcanic formations from the volcano’s 1991 eruption.

At the end of your trail, you will be welcomed by the breathtaking view of Mt. Pinatubo’s Crater Lake. This famous lake changes its color from blue-green to deep blue depending on the season.

You will be given enough time to sit back and relax in the soothing atmosphere of the place while you enjoy your lunch. Feel free to bask in the sun and take plenty of photos of the lake and the landscape below before returning to the drop-off site and back to Manila.

On your seventh day, you will fly to Puerto Princesa Airport for your two-day Palawan escapade. Upon your arrival, you will be driven to the province's eastern side, where Honda Bay is located. Enjoy the sweeping view of the ocean before boarding your boat for your island hopping tour.

Your first stop is Starfish Island, home to an abundant number of rock starfishes. You will also see several schools of fish in the area, including the bloating puffers and rainbow parrotfish.

From there, you will sail next to Cowrie Island. Cowrie’s shape resembles that of a seashell, hence its name. It is the biggest island in Honda Bay and is the best place for swimming as it has a netted area to keep jellyfish away. There are also dining facilities in the area for the visitors’ convenience.

The last leg of your island-hopping tour will be at Luli Island. Best known for its sandbars that disappear at high tide, Luli also features a diving board, hammocks, and a snorkeling area. By the end of the day, you will make your way to the mainland and to your hotel in Sabang.

You will start your day with a tour of the world-renowned Puerto Princesa Underground River. On the way there, marvel at the lush forests and scenic limestone cliffs outlining the waters. You will see more impressive sights inside the river itself, such as stalactites and stalagmites shaped like vegetables, Pegasus, and even Jesus Christ.

After your 45-minute river cruise, you will head back to the mainland for a quick tour around Puerto Princesa City, starting with Baker’s Hill. This popular bakery sits on top of a hill and features numerous baked goods on sale. While here, make sure to try the mooncake-like pastry called hopia in different fillings of pork, mongo beans, and ube.

About 10km from Baker’s Hill is the historic Plaza Cuartel. Previously a garrison, the spot is now a city park for leisure and recreation. From there, you will head to the Crocodile Farm for some wildlife encounters before dropping by Mitra’s Ranch to see the panoramic vista of the city and go horseback riding.

You will end your escapade with a quiet stroll along the city’s promenade, the Puerto Princesa Baywalk. There are bike rentals and food stalls in the area for your convenience.

After eight exhilarating day tours in mainland Luzon and Palawan, it’s finally time to go back to Manila. Once you're finished checking out of your hotel in Sabang, you will make your way to Puerto Princesa International Airport and fly back to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.