North Philippines Explorer
North Philippines Explorer
North Philippines Explorer
13 Days Starting and ending in Manila
Visiting: Manila, San Pablo City, Tagaytay, Taal Volcano, Laoag City, Vigan City, Sagada, Banaue, Mabalacat, Mount Pinatubo
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PIP
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 16
Age range:
16-
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$3500NB: Prices correct on 01-Jun-2024 but subject to change.
Tour Overview
This Philippines adventure focusses on Luzon, the largest island of the archipelago. We explore the whole island discovering contrasting landscapes including incredible 2000 year-old rice terraces, cobbled Spanish colonial towns, white-sand beaches, volcano lakes and the teaming mega-city that is Manila.
Banaue rice terraces - Discover UNESCO-listed 2000-year old rice terraces built the Ifugao people
Sagada - Discover mysterious burial caves and ancient hanging coffins
Vigan - Explore a little slice of Spain when taking a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) through its narrow streets
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Tour In Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in the heart of Spanish activity in the Far East during the 16th century. Once known as the 'Pearl of the Orient', the city went on to witness Chinese insurrections, a British occupation, a war against the Spanish and the Americans, and some of the bitterest fighting of World War II. Today it is the capital of the Philippines and one of the most populous cities in the world.
For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to have dinner on the roof deck restaurant of the hotel. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Manila at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Ninoy Auino International Airport (MNL), which is one hours\ drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up in the lobby at 9am on day two.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to visit the National Museum of the Philippines Complex, which houses the Fine Arts Museum, Natural History Museum and Anthropology Museum. It is less than a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and admission is free.
Day 2: In Manila: Explore The Old Town; Free Afternoon
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning we take a tour of the city by bus visiting Rizal Park and the historic walled city of Intramuros, where we find San Agustin, the oldest church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage site. In nearby Binondo, one of the first Chinatowns in the world, we explore the network of alleys and side streets that lead us to Binondo Church, Santa Cruz Church and the old commercial district of Escolta where we'll see art deco structures, such as the Perez-Semanilio building, that survived World War II. The afternoon is free. The bus will return to the hotel, however you may wish to stay in Chinatown for lunch and further exploration of this colourful area, visiting one of the Taoist temples or mingling with the locals in the street markets, returning independently by taxi.
Day 3: Drive To San Pablo City For Rafting On Pandin Lake; Drive To Tagaytay
Location: San Pablo City, Tagaytay
Accommodation: Hotel
We depart Manila this morning and head south to San Pablo City in Laguna Province, where we find ourselves amongst tropical foliage and coconut trees, scenery typical to this rural part of the Philippines. We board a large bamboo raft on Pandin Lake where we gently float across the lake. Those wishing to swim are welcome to take a dip. We enjoy an included lunch in traditional Filipino style - using our hands to eat food served on a banana leaf. Afterward we drive on to Tagaytay for an overnight stay.
Day 4: From Tagaytay Visit Taal Volcano; Drive To Manila And Fly To Laoag
Location: Tagaytay, Taal Volcano, Manila, Laoag City
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning we drive to nearby Taal Volcano, one of the smallest in the world. The volcano itself is located on Taal Crater Island within a lake, a caldera formed by prehistoric eruptions, and is still active. We enjoy a boat trip across the lake to the island, where we trek up to the crater to be rewarded with beautiful panoramic views of the caldera lake. You may wish to treat yourself to a fresh coconut drink as you enjoy the scenery. We make our way back to the mainland where we will stop for a lunch break before driving back to Manila for our late afternoon flight north to Laoag. Total walking time is around three hours with a climb of 300 m.
Day 5: In Laoag; Free Time With Optional Excursion To The Beach For The Day
Location: Laoag City
Accommodation: Hotel
We have a full free day to enjoy the many activities available nearby. Optional activities include an excursion to Paoay Lake and the Baroque 18th century UNESCO Paoay Church, otherwise known as the Church of Saint Augustine - famous for its unusual architecture and bell tower built with coral stones; a Walk across the coastal La Paz sand dunes or an excursion to the tropical palm fringed sandy beaches of Pagudpud on the northern coast of Luzon, around an hour and half from Laoag.
Day 6: Drive To The Colonial City Of Vigan; Free Afternoon
Location: Vigan City
Accommodation: Hotel
We spend the morning driving south to the charming town of Vigan. One of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines. Vigan's historic heart was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999. The best-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia, it is home to cobbled streets, colonial villas and the imposing grandeur of a 16th century cathedral. This afternoon is free for you to relax or head out and get a feel of the city ahead of our full day's sightseeing tomorrow.
Day 7: In Vigan; Full Day Sightseeing By Horse Drawn Carriage And On Foot
Location: Vigan City
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning we discover Vigan by kalesa (horse-drawn carriage). We see well-preserved old stone houses made from hard adobe stones such as the Syquia Mansion, a former presidential residence. We also visit the Burgos museum, a small ethnographic museum. Later we take a short drive to a pottery workshop known locally as Burnayan, where we learn about the ancient tradition of pottery making, dating from the 16th century. Here we can also browse shops that showcase hand woven fabrics and antiques. We head back to the city and on to Calle Don Mena Crisologo where we sample famous Ilocano delicacies such as the longaniza (sausage), empanada (meat pie) and bagnet (deep fried crispy pork crackling).
Day 8: Drive To Sagada; Discover Burial Caves And Hanging Coffins
Location: Sagada
Accommodation: Hotel
After an early breakfast, we drive to Sagada, arriving in the early afternoon. We visit nearby Echo Valley to see the mysterious hanging coffins and Lumiang cave, a burial cave. The indigenous population have been burying their dead in coffins perched high on cliff faces for over 2000 years. No one knows exactly why this practice started but it is believed to both keep the preserved bodies safe from wild animals and take them one step closer to heaven.
Day 9: Drive To Banaue Rice Terraces; Visit Bontoc Museum En Route
Location: Banaue
Accommodation: Hotel
We make our way this morning to Bontoc, a bustling market town and former capital of the Cordillera region. We will visit its small museum that has a number of interesting exhibits about the region's indigenous communities. We continue on to Banaue (1300 m). Carved into the mountains of Ifugao province, the 2000-year old rice terraces that occupy these high, fertile landscapes are considered by Filipinos to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. Our destination is the town of Banaue, our gateway into the remote villages of the Cordilleras. The Banaue Rice Terraces and recognised as a National Culture Treasure along with the rice terraces that are found in Mayoyao, Batad, Bangaan, Kiangan and Hungduan. It is believed that if these ancient terraces were laid end to end they would reach halfway around the planet! This afternoon we take a local jeepney (a converted jeep/bus) and drive out towards drive out towards Hapao village. As we drive through the mountains we enjoy some spectacular views of the Cordilleras as we pass through a series of deep gorges and canyons to the Hapao Rice Terraces where we are rewarded with spectacular scenery of terraced rice fields cut through by the clear waters of the Hapao River. Total walking time is around two hours.
Day 10: In Banaue; Visit Hapao Rice Terraces
Location: Banaue
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning, we ride a jeepney to Sadel, the starting point of our trek to the Batad and Banga-an rice terraces. The trek takes us along the terraces and up to a viewpoint that overlooks the terraces. From here the view is almost completely panoramic and some describe it as like looking down onto an ancient amphitheatre.
Day 11: Drive To Mabalacat; Free Late Afternoon In Rural Surrounds
Location: Mabalacat
Accommodation: Hotel
Today sees an early start for a full day drive to Mabalacat, our base for climbing Mount Pinatubo tomorrow morning. Located in the mountains that separate the central plains from the west coast of Luzon Island, Mount Pinotubo volcano was the scene of the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century when, on June 15, 1991, it erupted with an intensity that was ten times that of the Mount St Helens volcano, a decade earlier. On arrival in Mabalacat later on today we have the opportunity to rest in tranquil rural surroundings.
Day 12: Climb Mount Pinatubo; Drive To Manila
Location: Mount Pinatubo
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning we leave quite early for the drive to the Santa Juliana station, where we take 4x4 jeepneys to drive to the foot of the trail head , from where we trek to the volcano's crater - a relatively easy walk of usually around two hours each way, although in the months of March to May when there may be some erosion of the path due to rainfall, the roads are manually paved to allow access, making the jeepney drive longer and the trek shorter. After a lunch break we return by road to Manila for our final night. Total walking time is around four hours. Please note that there are several stream crossings in ankle-deep water on this trek, so please be prepared for your footwear to get wet.
Day 13: Tour Ends In Manila
Location: Manila
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Manila.
There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Manila at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Ninoy Auino International Airport (MNL), which is 40 minutes from our hotel.
What's Included
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Accommodation
12 nights comfortable hotel
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Fully Guided
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Meals – Breakfast Only
12 Breakfasts 1 Lunch
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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Country Entry Visas
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
Why Book this Tour
The Philippines have been listed in the Top Ten destinations to travel to by the Lonely Planet in 2015 and we believe this trip showcases the diversity of the landscape and culture of the island of Luzon. This trip is ideal for reasonably fit and adventurous travellers as there are a few early starts and some long days on the road as well as plenty of activity - including a volcano climb and walking amongst rice terraces. All in all this holiday is an unforgettable trip to one of the less visited South East Asian destinations.
Check out our Q&As
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Moderate
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
12 nights comfortable hotel
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Dates & Availability
Sunday - Friday
Nov 03, 2024 - Nov 15, 2024Sunday - Friday
Nov 17, 2024 - Nov 29, 2024Sunday - Friday
Dec 15, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024Sunday - Friday
Jan 12, 2025 - Jan 24, 2025Sunday - Friday
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Dec 14, 2025 - Dec 26, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.