9-Day Philippines Nature & History Tour Package to Luzon Highlands & Bohol & Apo Islands from Manila
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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
Explore the top land attractions and islands across North Luzon, Bohol, and Apo Island with this 9-day vacation package. It includes roundtrip flights from Manila, land and boat transfers, and accommodation with daily breakfast.
Your trip begins in the walled city of Intramuros in Manila. Stroll along the oldest district of Manila and discover its iconic landmarks. Here, you will learn about the Filipino culture and lifestyle during the Spanish period.
You’ll also take a trip up north in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Explore top attractions, including Malacanang of the North, Paoay Church, and Marcos Museum. You’ll also get a chance to explore Vigan’s historic structures. Then, take an afternoon stroll along the vibrant streets of Calle Crisologo and check out Ilocano food stalls near the plaza.
Next on your itinerary is the rustic town of Sagada. You can explore caves, try spelunking, and marvel at breathtaking sceneries. You’ll also explore Baguio, also known as the City of Pines. Enjoy the cool breeze, take a refreshing stroll in the park, and try outdoor activities at Camp John Hay. You’ll also make a stop at Tarlac to visit Mt. Pinatubo. You will hop on a 4x4 vehicle and hike to reach the crater lake.
You’ll board a plane from Manila to go to the Visayas and explore Bohol. Your Bohol countryside tour highlights include sightseeing at Chocolate Hills, strolling along Bilar Forest, and dining on a floating restaurant in Loboc River. You will also explore Bohol’s Pamilacan Island, known for its vibrant marine life. You will board a ferry and head to Apo Island in Negros. Swim with sea turtles and dive underwater to check out flourishing marine sanctuaries.
Take an enchanting escapade across Luzon Highlands, Bohol, and Apo Island with this 9-day vacation package. 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 - Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur (Ilocos Region)
Day 3 to 4 - Sagada and Baguio Tour (Cordillera Region)
Day 5 - Mt. Pinatubo Tour
Day 6 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
Once you arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, a private van will take you to your hotel in Manila or Roxas Boulevard. The first destination on your itinerary is the walled city of Intramuros.
Being the oldest district in Manila, Intramuros has survived various natural and man-made disasters. It significantly shows in the defensive structures that surround the city. One of which is Fort Santiago, a defense fortress built back in 1590. Plaza Roma is a public square that holds the statue of King Charles IV of Spain and another historic building, Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center.
For your next activity, you will take history lessons to learn about the Chinese influence on Filipinos’ lifestyle during the Spanish colonial era at Bahay Tsinoy and Casa Manila. Before heading to the next attraction, you can stop by San Diego Gardens and rest for a bit.
The garden is right across Baluarte De San Diego, a National Cultural Treasure that has survived earthquakes and wars. You will then explore two century-old churches in Intramuros. The San Agustin Church and Museum is the oldest stone church in the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Manila Cathedral serves as a seat of the archbishop in Manila.
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Day 2
Day 2 - Day 2: Ilocos Laoag and Vigan Tour
For your second day, you will board a plane from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Laoag Airport. Alight at the terminal and ride a van to your Laoag hotel.
Ilocos Norte boasts various museums and notable structures. This trip will let you explore museums and historical attractions. Known as the hometown of the late president Marcos, the region dedicated a place for his memoirs. The Malacanang of the North is known as the grand presidential museum for Marcos.
Gaze at the serene atmosphere of Paoay Lake and explore the interior of the Paoay Church. In your next destination, the Marcos Museum, you can find the late president’s cenotaph. You can also learn about the life of the Luna brothers at Juan at Antonio Luna Museum.
This trip will also take you to Vigan. Marvel at the ceiling paintings of Saint Paul Metropolitan Cathedral and visit Bantay Church Bell Tower. Then, learn traditional pottery making at Pagburnayan.
Inside the National Museum Ilocos Regional Complex, you can find Burgos Museum and the Crisologo Museum, which honors the late Congressman Floro S. Crisologo. Before heading to Baluarte’s zoo, you’ll first drop by the iconic Calle Crisologo, where you can stroll along its cobble-stoned streets.
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Day 3
Day 3 - Day 3: Sagada Tour
Your third day continues up north in Sagada, Mountain Province. You will leave early from your hotel in Vigan to reach the laid-back town of Sagada. You will pass by Halsema Highway. Buckle up as you will be driving through steep slopes and zigzag routes.
The first destination in your itinerary features an underground river. The Sugong Cave has water from Bokong Falls, which will then irrigate the rice fields of Kapay-aw. Sagada is also famous for its hanging coffins. To get there, you will do a short trek at Echo Valley. The hanging coffins are part of the burial practices of the people in Sagada.
The rustic town has more than 60 caves, which makes it a perfect spelunking spot for adventure-seekers. For your next activity, you will explore the largest cave in Sagada, Sumaguing Cave. It boasts ancient stalactites, stalagmites, natural pools, and streams.
In your last destination, get a chance to learn about the history and culture of the indigenous tribes in the Bontoc Tribal Museum.
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Day 4
Day 4 - Day 4: Baguio Tour
Enjoy the cool breeze in the City of Pines, Baguio, on your fourth day. Baguio has picturesque sceneries and breathtaking sights that you will be able to visit on this day. You will first visit the Ifugao Museum. Here, you can discover a great collection of Ifugao artifacts.
Your next destination, the Surrender Site of General Yamashita, serves as an iconic site to honor Yamashita’s act of surrendering during World War II. Next, you will proceed to the Philippine Military Academy, a premier educational institution for aspiring military officers in the country.
Your trip continues in Fort De Pilar, which occupies 373 hectares of land. Afterward, you’ll visit The Mansion, where you can strike a pose with the ornamental ironwork main gate as your backdrop.
Up next, you can try outdoor activities at Camp John Hay. Then, breathe the fresh air as you go up the Mines View Park’s observation deck and enjoy the view.
For your next activity, you can opt to explore Centennial Park or ride horses at Wright Park. Your last destination is the Good Shepherd Convent, where you can buy local treats for your friends back home.
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Day 5
Day 5 - Day 5: Mt. Pinatubo Tour
On your fifth day, you’ll go on an adventurous escapade to Mt. Pinatubo. You will ride a 4x4 vehicle and traverse the path going to this scenic volcano. Mt. Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located between the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. In 1991, thousands of households were covered in lahar due to its massive eruption.
To get to the base camp in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana, you will need to ride a van. From there, you will be switching to a 4x4 vehicle. The terrain going to the crater lake can get rough. You should wear proper hiking gear to ensure a smooth-sailing trek.
Your 4x4 vehicle will take you to Crow Valley. However, you can only reach the mountain’s deck on foot. You will get off the vehicle once you reach the jump-off point.
By the end of the tour, the majestic scenery of the volcano’s crater lake awaits you.
This full-day hike will reward you with panoramic views of the volcano. After your adventurous escapade to Mt. Pinatubo, you will fly off to the Visayas.
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Day 6
Day 6 - Day 6: Bohol Countryside Tour
The next part of your trip continues in Visayas, particularly in the province of Bohol. From your Panglao accommodation, your van will take you to your first destination, the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. Have an up-close encounter with tarsiers, one of the smallest primates. Visitors are not allowed to use cameras with flash because tarsiers are highly sensitive to light.
As part of your nature tripping adventure in Bohol, you will have a relaxing cruise along the blue-green waters of the Loboc River. Your lunch will be served in the floating restaurant. Apart from natural attractions, Bohol also boasts historical structures like Baclayon Church. It remains a National Treasure after surviving various disasters in the past.
The two next attractions will let you appreciate mother nature even more. First up, you will visit Bohol’s first butterfly breeding and conservation site, the Butterfly Conservatory. It houses different species of butterflies. Up next is Bilar Forest, an impressive 2km man-made forest with lean and tall mahogany trees.
Finally, you will visit the famous Chocolate Hills. During the rainy season, the hills are colored green. The best time to visit the Chocolate Hills is during the summer months when the vegetation becomes dry and chocolate-like.
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Day 7
Day 7 - Day 7: Apo Island Tour
On the eighth leg of your tour, you will ride a ferry to Dumaguete and head to Apo Island. This trip will let you get around the island, swim with sea turtles, and discover why it is known as one of the most popular snorkeling spots and dive sites in the world.
Apo Island is around 10km away from the mainland. With over 400 coral species, it boasts diverse and abundant marine biodiversity. When you go snorkeling or diving into its vast deep blue waters, you can find different marine species like tuna, manta rays, and hammerheads.
For your next activity, you can swim with sea turtles in Turtle Point. Aside from snorkeling and swimming, you can also relax on the island’s white sand. Afterward, you can trek to Habagat Eco Trail at the southern end of Apo Island. On top of this 600-meter trail, a panoramic view of the sea awaits you.
On top of the trail, you can capture the area's majestic seascape and natural rock formations.
At the end of your tour, you will be heading back to your hotel in Dumaguete.
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Day 8
Day 8 - Day 8: Bohol Pamilacan Island Tour
Your Bohol adventure continues in Pamilacan Island. Set in the middle of the Bohol Sea, Pamilacan Island is only 10km away from the mainland. While on your way to the island, you can spot whales and dolphins dancing gracefully in and out of the water.
Back in the 90s, locals of Pamilacan Island’s main source of living was whale and manta ray hunting. Thankfully, the local government has decided to put an end to this illegal hunting. The locals are now focused on promoting local tourism.
Once you get to the island, you can find pristine white-sand beaches. Pamilacan Island is also a great snorkeling spot that features rich marine sanctuaries. It is also a popular dive site where you can spot bucket sponges, sea turtles, moray eels, and sea snakes. Since the island is quite small, you can easily explore all of its attractions.
For your last destination, you can check out the remains of a historical tower. Some 200 years ago, Spaniards used this observation post to watch out for pirates. Afterward, you’ll return to Panglao.
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Day 9
Day 9 - Day 9: Departure to Manila
Wait for your van to fetch you from your hotel in Panglao Island. You will head to Panglao International Airport. You will catch a direct flight going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will arrive from where you started, Manila.
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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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