Discover Northern Manila

Today you will fly to Manila, which is the capital of the Philippines and is the home to many significant architectural and cultural landmarks of the country. On arrival, your driver will welcome you at the arrival hall and transfer you to your hotel with a private car and driver. 

Today, you will head to Baguio with a short stop at Bacolor. Bacolor town is among hundreds of towns and villages, which have been devastated by Mt. Pinatubo's eruption in June 1993. Proceed to Baguio (about 4 hours' drive), the summer capital of the Philippines, and the gateway to the Cordillera, 1,500 km high up in the Cordillera Mountains.

Your guide will pick you up at your accommodation in Baguio in the morning.   You’ll then head to your first stop, the Baguio Botanical Garden.   Here you can relax amidst all the flowers and pine trees.   After taking pictures with your lush surroundings, your guide will take you to the Mansion, the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines.

Your next stop is Mines View Park.   Just as its name suggests, there is a deck in the park that overlooks the abandoned gold and copper mines of Benguet.   You’ll also see a beautiful view of the Cordillera Mountain Range.   Baguio is also known for its silver handicrafts, and you’ll have the chance to buy some silver souvenirs when you drop by Ibay’s Silver Shop.   After shopping, you’ll head to the Baguio Museum, where you will learn more about the history and culture of Baguio through artifacts, dioramas, and other exhibits.

Afterward, you’ll visit Burnham Park.   This tourist attraction is home to a man-made lake and gardens.   If the weather permits, you’ll have lunch here.   After lunch, your next stop is the Tam-Awan Village, an artist village that showcases Cordillera culture and craftsmanship.   You’ll learn more about the local culture at the Easter Weaving Room.   Feel free to buy handwoven items at the shop.

Your last two stops are Diplomat Heritage Hotel and the Kennon Road View Deck.   The hotel is an abandoned structure atop Dominican Hill that the National Museum of the Philippines has declared an important cultural landmark.   In Kennon Road View Deck, you’ll see a spectacular view of Baguio City and the mountains.

After the tour, your guide will bring you back to your accommodation in Baguio City so you can rest.

You will take a transfer from Baguio to Banaue with guide.

You will depart by local jeepney for a tour of the rice terraces as well as a local village.  Banga-an is a traditional village nestled in a panoramic valley of terraces.  The 20 minute walk on a descending trail permits a closer look of the Ifugao world.  Visit a typical home to see their way of life.  Proceed to the viewpoint to witness the Rice Terraces, acclaimed as the "8th Wonder of the World" and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built over 2000 years ago. 

Private transfer to Sagada with guide.

Bomod-ok Falls is also called the Big Falls because, well, it is definitely bigger than Bokong Falls, another popular waterfall in Sagada. Hidden deep in a valley, it takes an hour to two to get here by foot from the main road (and that’s just one-way). Bomod-ok’s cold, cold water cascades from the top of a beautiful naturally contoured cliff to a pool below, forming a 200-ft column of water and wonder.

Private transfer to Vigan with guide.

Experience the heritage and culture of northern Luzon with this tour that will take you to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Vigan in Ilocos Sur. This is perfect for travelers wanting to do some historic sightseeing with a ‘kalesa’ (horse-drawn carriage ride) experience in Vigan.

Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Ilocos Sur and take you to the most famous stop in Vigan, Calle Crisologo. It is best known for the Spanish-era houses that line the cobblestone streets. Here, you will enjoy a kalesa ride, a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage, around the area’s four blocks while your guide fills you in on its rich history and heritage. Feel free to go down and pose for creative photos while you’re at it. 

After your kalesa ride, you will head next to Syquia Mansion, located less than a kilometer away from Calle Crisologo. The mansion served as the residence of former Philippine president Elpidio Quirino. This ancestral house contains paintings of his family, memorabilia, and antique furniture. One of the most recognizable artworks inside is a replica of the Spoliarium by Juan Luna.

From there, you will visit Pagburnayan Pottery Making next where you will immerse yourself in a pottery-making experience. Upon arriving at the site, you will be toured around the pottery place where several earthen jars are displayed. You will then be taught how to make simple jars, which you can also buy afterward. 

Next, you will head over to St. Paul Cathedral. Also known as the Metropolitan Cathedral, it is regarded as a significant religious church not just in northern Luzon, but across the country. The cathedral is built in a Baroque style that has been renovated by Ilocanos to make it more earthquake resistant.

You will then proceed to the nearby Vigan National Museum. Also known as Padre Burgos House, this museum is the birthplace and ancestral home of priest patriot Fr. Jose Burgos. Discover the various displays and artifacts inside, such as the 14 Esteban Villanueva paintings.

Your last stop will be at Baluarte Zoo where you can see some animals endemic to the Philippines. Some of the animals you will spot here include Bengal tigers, leopards, ostriches, donkeys, camels, zebras, and many more. Enjoy sightseeing and learning more about these species before heading back to the hotel.

Private transfer to Laoag with guide.

Explore the heritage and natural attractions of Ilocos Norte on this day tour. This sightseeing trip will guide you through the province’s idyllic attractions and will give you a brief experience and knowledge of Badoc and Currimao. 

Once your driver picks you up from your accommodations in Laoag City, you will make your way to the first destination, Currimao Watchtower. The watchtower was built during the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade and was helpful in fending off pirates wanting to attack the village.

Your next stop is the Pangil Rock Formation. These enormous rock gardens are reminiscent of the Magpupungko Rock Formation on Siargao Island. They are made up of tidal flats, rock pools, and coralline rock formations. Afterward, you will make your way to Badoc, the first town of Ilocos Norte.

La Virgen Milagrosa De Badoc Church is the location of The La Virgen Milagrosa or Sanctuary of the Miraculous Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The life-size statue's origins may be traced back to Japan, where its missionaries who were working covertly sent it floating in the water out of concern for their safety.

Before heading back to your hotel, you have the option to take a trip to Badoc Island. This unspoiled 36.256-hectare attraction has a lengthy stretch of uncrowded white sand beach where you can relax and take in some peace and quiet. There are also fun water activities here like snorkeling, free diving, and surfing.

Enjoy your free time until your driver comes and escort you to the airport for your onward flight.