9-Day Philippines Vacation Package to Luzon Highlands, Dumaguete & Cebu from Manila

On your second day in the Philippines, you will board a plane bound to Ilocos Norte. There, you will explore the beautiful cities of Laoag and Vigan. Your aircraft will take off at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and land at Laoag Airport. Your van will bring you to your Laoag hotel near the airport.

The tour will kick off at Malacanang of the North in the town of Paoay. It is currently a presidential museum that used to be the residence of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Then, you will make your way to Paoay Lake and Paoay Church.

Marcos Museum and Juan at Antonio Luna Museum will be the last two attractions you'll visit in Ilocos Norte before traveling to Ilocos Sur and touring around its capital, Vigan City. Here, you will stop by two religious structures that play significant roles in the province's history: St. Paul Cathedral and Bantay Church.

Another must-visit place in Vigan City is Pagburnayan Jar Factory, where traditional pottery is practiced. You'll get a more profound knowledge of the province's history in your following destinations: Burgos Museum, National Museum (Ilocos Regional Complex), and Crisologo Museum. Your two final stops will be at Baluarte and Calle Crisologo.

On Day 3, you'll depart from Vigan to the Mountain province early in the morning via van. The tour will focus on the attractions dotted around Sagada. You'll be going through a few zigzag roads on the way. Be sure to wear warm and comfortable clothes as the town has a colder climate, plus you'll be trekking and spelunking.

Your Sagada Tour starts in Sugong Cave, which boasts an underground river. Its water comes from Bokong Falls, flows down to Barangay Ambasing, and irrigates the Kapay-aw rice fields. Next, you'll go to a natural area called Echo Valley. This attraction is famous for its hanging coffins. Locals have been practicing this traditional burial for more than 2000 years.

You will also be exploring Sumaguing Cave, the largest of its kind in Sagada. It boasts natural pools and streams and amazes visitors with its ancient stalactites and stalagmites. Expect to get wet a little wet as you explore the cave.

Lastly, you will drop by the Bontoc Tribal Museum, where you will better understand the culture and traditions of the Mountain Province. After browsing the artifacts and artworks, your van will take you back to your hotel in Sagada.

For the fourth day of this vacation package, you will be spending a full day in the Philippines' summer Capital, Baguio. Your van will first bring you to your hotel in Baguio City, also called the City of Pines. Afterward, you will head to your first stop, the Ifugao Museum. Inside the building are exhibits presenting priceless Ifugao artifacts and ancient traditions.

From there, you will travel only less than a kilometer to your next stop, the Surrender Site of General Yamashita. The Imperial Japanese Army invaded Baguio City during World War II, and at the end of the war, General Yamashita conceded at the now historic site.

You will then proceed to the Philippine Military Academy, which is a leading educational institution for aspiring military officers in the nation. Then, you'll go to The Mansion, which serves as the summer palace of the Philippine President.

Camp John Hay, a previous US military base and now a popular tourist attraction, will be your next stop. After that, you will head to the city's go-to recreational areas: Mines View Park, Wright Park, and Centennial Park. The tour ends at Good Shepherd Convent, where you can purchase various local treats, including purple yam.

From your hotel in Baguio, you will travel south to the province of Tarlac. Here, you will go on a hiking trip to Mt. Pinatubo, which is well-known for the second-largest eruption in the world during the 20th century. Be sure to wear comfortable attire and proper gear since you'll be going on a hike on this day.

Mt. Pinatubo lies in the provinces of Zambales, Pampanga, and Tarlac. However, the base camp is located in the latter. In this tour, Barangay Sta. Juliana will be your starting point as this is where you'll hop on a 4x4 vehicle. Expect the ride to be quite bumpy as the area's terrain has become rocky and covered with lahar due to the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

The 4x4 jeepney can only take you across Crow Valley, so the rest of the journey will involve walking. Beginners need not worry as the trek doesn't require much effort. Waiting for you at the end of the trail is Mt. Pinatubo's marvelous crater lake.

After some pictorials at the site, you'll again ride the 4x4 jeepney and head back to the base camp. You will then head to your Manila hotel via van.

Day 6 on the vacation package is dedicated to Dumaguete in Visayas. Your van will pick you up at your hotel in Manila and take you to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where you will board a plane for Dumaguete Airport.

Upon your arrival, you will begin your tour of the city with Silliman University. The campus is one of Dumaguete City's prime educational establishments and home to historical structures and museums. You will next drop by a seafront promenade called Rizal Boulevard and Negros Island's oldest stone church, St. Catherine De Alexandria.

Just a few steps away is Dumaguete Campanario, an 18th-century coral-stone tower. Not far from here is the Dumaguete Public Market, which sells an array of food and handmade items. You'll also go to the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park and then see handcrafted works at the Claytown Pottery afterward.

More handicrafts can be found at Sidlakang Negros Village. You'll also enjoy your time at Lab-as Seafood and Valencia Forest Camp. Meanwhile, you'll find World War II artifacts at Cata-al War Museum and the Philippines' oldest pipe organ at San Agustin de Hippo Church.

For Day 7, you will be heading off the shore to see the beautiful Apo Island, which has become a go-to dive site and snorkeling destination. Your tour vehicle will pick you up at your hotel in Dumaguete and take you to the town of Dauin, where you'll board a boat.

Lovers of sea creatures will surely find this trip to Apo Island exciting as the place boasts a spectacular marine sanctuary. In fact, Apo Island is home to about 400 species of corals and a variety of aquatic animals like manta rays, hammerheads, and tuna. Once you dock at the island, you will be free to snorkel and see colorful schools of fish.

Make sure to visit Turtle Point on the island, as well. Here, you can spot and even swim with sea turtles. You may also sunbathe on the fine white sand of the island, relax under the trees while enjoying the place's tranquility and fresh air.

Trekking is another fun activity offered here. At the southern end of Apo Island is a 600-meter trail called Habagat Eco-Trail. There you will be rewarded with pristine blue waters and fascinating rock formations. After your Apo Island Tour, you will travel back to your hotel in Dumaguete.

On the eighth day of your trip, you will leave Dumaguete and travel to Cebu via ferry. The province of Cebu has lots of attractions to offer as well, and you will be visiting five of them, starting with Kawasan Falls in Badian. This natural attraction features pools and lagoons that are safe to swim in.

Those looking for adventure can go canyoneering at Kawasan Falls as an add-on. In this activity, you will go trekking, swimming, jumping off waterfalls, and descending natural slides. After a fun day at Kawasan Falls, you will visit the coastal town of Moalboal. This place is famous among divers because of its healthy coral ecosystem.

Moalboal will also be the starting point for island hopping. You will first go to Pescador Island, where exotic fishes, as well as soft and hard corals, are found. Next, you will sail to Turtle Island and see sea turtles up close. Your tour will end on Panagsama Beach, where you will see the amazing Sardine Run.

You will then head back to the mainland, and your van will bring you to your hotel in Mandaue City.

This is the end of your 9-day vacation package. After checking out of your hotel in Mandaue City, you will get on the van that will take you to the airport. The flight from Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport will take a little more than an hour.