The Secret around 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.

Depart for Sagada via the La Trinidad Valley. Stops can be made at Bell Church where on request you get your fortune told by one of the priests. The scenic drive along the Halsema mountain highway will give you breathtaking views of the vegetable terraces farmed by Benguet tribes.

Marlboro Hill has become the go to sunrise viewing spot.  To catch the sunrise and the sea of clouds, you must leave at 4:30 am or earlier and drive to the jump off point.  Then continue the trek to the Blue Soil Hill, locally called Kaman-utek.  Along the way, you’ll pass by several scenic sites including more spectacular viewpoints and limestone cliffs.  It's a downhill trek so it's not that difficult.  Then, you'll reach Blue Soil Hill, which gets its powder blue color from the high amounts of copper sulfate in the soil.  You can take a rest here and have a quick bite.The trek takes around 2 hours, depending on your pace.  But the whole activity from pick up and Marlboro sunrise to the end of the trek lasts 4-5 hours.

In the early morning, your private tour today will show you as below.

Bomod-ok Falls

The falls take about a 1-hour trike, yet the site is rewarding. Being one of the untouched falls it gives clear and cool water that makes your skin smoother after long bathing with it.

Echo Valley

This area is surrounded by tall trees and scenic trails. It is said that when you scream here, it produces a pleasant echo sound, hence, got its name!

Hanging Coffins

High up on limestone cliffs are the Sugong Hanging Coffins. This burial practice is an ancient tradition still practiced by some of the people of Sagada. 

Suspending their deceased loved ones’ coffins up on mountain cliffs are said to bring their souls closer to heaven. The hanging coffins in Sagada can be seen on the road leading to the Sumaguing Cave entrance.

Private transfer to Banaue.

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. 

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

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.