Northern Philippines 5-day Tour
Northern Philippines 5-day Tour
Day 1: Manila - Banaue
We'll start this 5-day tour of the northern Philippines by picking you up at your hotel in Manila at the agreed time. Our first stop will be at Dos Castillas Street, where we'll see the Dimasalang Flower Market. Near this avenue is the La Loma district, where we'll find a variety of stalls with Filipino culinary specialties such as lechon a la brasa.
Next, we'll leave Manila behind to enter the Philippine countryside. We'll see the extensive rice plantations and pass through towns such as Nueva Ecija or Nueva Vizcaya, where we'll see the typical architecture of their bamboo huts.
Afterwards, we'll cross the meandering Cagayan Valley through the Dalton Pass, where we'll stop to admire the spectacular view of Sierra Madre and the Caraballo Mountains. Did you know that this pass is named after the American general who led the siege against the Japanese troops in World War II?
We'll continue ascending until we reach Banaue, passing through Lagawe, home of the Ifugao people. You'll get a chance to see the typical wooden handicrafts made by the people of this ethnic group. Then finally, we'll arrive in Banaue in the late afternoon and have dinner and rest until the next day.
Day 2: Banaue
First, we'll start the day with breakfast and then board a yipni, a peculiar urban transport in which we'll take a fascinating tour of the culture of Banaue. In this municipality, we'll see some typical Ifugao architecture and travel to the rice fields of Banaue, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
We'll enjoy a panoramic view of these terraces from the Barangay viewpoint and discover how the ancient local tribes built this marvel of agricultural engineering. We'll also find out why these structures are known as the stairway to heaven.
Then, we'll get out of the yipni for a walk on the terraces and visit a local village. Afterwards, we'll return to Banaue and finish the tour at an artisan market.
Day 3: Banaue - Sagada
On this day, after breakfast, we'll go to explore Mount Polis and make a stop at Bayyo. In this village, we'll enjoy a beautiful view of rice terraces and other crops forming a mosaic of green hues, dotted with thatched huts called allang.
Then we'll enter the Bontoc Museum, which holds an interesting collection of photographs, old maps, and artifacts of the Igorot tribe. After the museum, we'll continue by road to Sagada, a limestone valley famous for its hanging coffins. We'll explain what this peculiar funeral rite–which is very characteristic of this area of the northern Philippines–consists of. In addition, we'll visit the Lumiang Cave, one of the caves that serve as a cemetery.
We'll also visit the Sagada Weaving House, where we'll see how women make textiles on handmade looms. To end the day on a high note, we'll enjoy a typical Igorot dinner at a local restaurant and, weather permitting, we'll gather around a bonfire for a refreshing craft beer.
Day 4: Sagada - Baguio
After breakfast, we'll take the Halsema Highway towards the province of Benguet. Along the way, we'll be able to admire the endless rows of rice fields and the cable car cabins used by the Filipinos to transport vegetables from the top of the terraces to the bottom.
Our journey will take us through La Trinidad, the capital of the province and known for its wild fruit crops, and the city of Baguio. We'll take the opportunity to take a panoramic tour of this popular summer destination, touring its parks, gardens, and mansions. Finally, we'll visit the Baguio Public Market, one of the most important in the country, where you'll find a multitude of locally produced products.
Day 5: Baguio - Manila
On this last day of our tour of the northern Philippines, we'll say goodbye to Baguio and take the Kennon Highway, built by the Americans in the early 20th century.
Before arriving in Manila, we'll make a stop at the Pangasinan market and then another stop in Bacolor, a city hard hit by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. You'll be shocked by the buildings half-buried under hardened volcanic debris and amazed at how the locals rebuilt the city on top of the debris. Finally, we'll arrive in Manila in the early afternoon and we'll drop you off at the hotel you booked for that night.
Accommodation
The tour includes 4 nights accommodation in double room with full board. The hotels provided are as follows:
- Banaue: Banaue Hotel
- Sagada: Mr. Data Hotel or similar
- Baguio: El Cielito Inn or similar
Children
Children must be accompanied by 2 adults or more for the child rate to apply. If there is only one adult traveling with a child, the adult rate will be applied to the child.
More Information
Duration
5 days.
Language
The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.
Included
Hotel pickup and drop off
Transportation by bus or minibus
English–speaking guide
4 nights accommodation in double room
Breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
When to book?
You can book up until 7 days before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.
Type of voucher
Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.
Accessibility
Sustainability
All services published on Civitatis are carried out in accordance with our Sustainability Code.
Our providers commit to:
- Provide a safe and satisfying experience.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Incorporate eco-conscious technologies.
- Uphold fair employment standards.
- Foster the growth of local communities.
- Preserve the integrity of local culture.
- Safeguard both cultural and environmental heritage.
- Ensure ethical treatment of animals.
- Operate with honesty and transparency.
- Encourage sustainable behaviors among customers and staff.
This particular activity contributes as follows:
- Printed material is avoided.
- Include water in recyclable cartons.
- No single-use plastics are used.
- The show represents local culture.
- The indigenous community participates in the management of the activity.
- The activity helps the conservation of biodiversity.
- The activity helps the dissemination of local cultural heritage.
- The activity helps vulnerable groups.
- The activity helps to promote peace.
- The activity promotes local production.
- No printing of documentation required.
- Promotes local employment.
- Has a gender equality policy.
- Has a carbon footprint offset policy.
Provider
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Blue Horizons Travel & Tours Inc.
Corporate name: Blue Horizons Travel & Tours Inc.
Pets
Not permitted.
Frequently asked questions
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Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?
A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.
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Q - How to book?
A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.
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Q - Is a minimum number of participants required?
A - This activity requires a minimum of 2 participants. Should this number not be reached, we'll get in touch with you to offer alternatives.
If you have any other questions please contact us.