Northern Philippines Highlights
Northern Philippines Highlights
Northern Philippines Highlights
10 Days Starting and ending in Manila
Visiting: Manila, Mt Pinatubo, Banaue, Bontoc/ Sagada, Sagada, Baguio
Tour Overview
Get to the heart of the Philippines on this 10-day adventure exploring the north. Move around multicultural Manila on a bamboo bike and then trek to Mt Pinatubo’s crater lake. Hike the UNESCO-listed rice terraces of the Cordilleras while listening to stories from a Kalinga local guide along the way. Visit local villages to meet the Ifuago rice terrace builders, learn about Faery village’s unique burial traditions and connect with locals over a community feast. Go beyond the guidebook and fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of this beautiful archipelago.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Kumusta! Welcome to the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon – the largest of the county’s 7641 islands – Manila is the Philippines' lively capital. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive before then, take some time to explore the city and get your bearings. A walk around Rizal Park, conveniently located in the city's centre, is a great place to start. In the evening, maybe get your group together for dinner and sample some regional specialities, like abodo (pork marinated in vegetables and spices) and buko pie (coconut pie).
Day 2: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
After breakfast, dive into a guided tour of multicultural Manila. Taste the different flavours that have been cooking up in the country over the past few hundred years with food tastings in the Muslim Quarter and the world’s oldest Chinatown. While you’re in Chinatown, sit down with your group for lunch in a restaurant that was once a fire station. When you’re full, hop on an eco-friendly bamboo bike and ride around Intramuros – a historic walled area that was constructed by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Enjoy a free evening, where you can relax and unwind before your early start tomorrow.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Mt Pinatubo
Location: Mt Pinatubo
Accommodation: Guest House
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
You’ll set off for Crow Valley at 4 am this morning so you can get an early morning view of the crater of Mt Pinatubo. You’ll arrive at the foot of the trailhead by a 4WD jeep. The hike isn’t easy – but the views of the crater lake at the top are definitely worth it. Formed after Mt Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the rainwater lake is framed by dramatic cliffs. Reward your body with a traditional lunch in Tarukan Village with the Aetas, the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines. The chieftain and a local interpreter will join you, making it a unique cultural experience. Do as the Aetas do and eat the meal – which will be laid out on banana leaves – with your hands. When you’re finished, head to Abe’s Farm – a countryside guesthouse with a pool.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Banaue
Location: Banaue
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Wake up early and head for Banaue, travelling through rice fields and mango plantations. Break up the drive with a stop in Bacolor – this town was devastatingly destroyed by the Mt Pinatubo eruption. Visit the local church that has been half buried by lahar – yet locals still use it to worship by climbing through the upper windows. Hit the road again before stopping off for lunch at a local restaurant. You’ll arrive in Banaue in the late afternoon, where you can enjoy a free evening before exploring the rice terraces tomorrow. For dinner, maybe ask your leader for recommendations on where to try pinikipan (a local chicken dish).
Day 5: Banaue
Location: Banaue
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Jump on the local jeepney this morning to Sadel, where you’ll start the trek through the UNESCO listed Banaue rice terraces. These rice terraces were created by the Ifugao people and can be traced back 2000 years. A feat of engineering, the terraces were crucial to the survival of the people and are now known for their combination of functionality and beauty. Stop for lunch in Batad, where you’ll have the opportunity to talk to local Ifuago people in the village and try some rice activities. Return to Banaue in the late afternoon and spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Bontoc/ Sagada
Location: Bontoc/ Sagada
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Another day, another trek through rice terraces – this time you’ll start in Bontoc and hike along the Maligcong Rice Terrace to Faverey village. Listen to stories from a Kalinga local guide along the way and find out about their traditions. When you arrive in Faverey, you’ll learn about one pretty unique tradition in the village – the practice of living with deceased family members. Hike back to Bontoc and refuel with lunch before continuing to Sagada in a comfy private vehicle.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Sagada
Location: Sagada
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Get to know Sagada on a half day tour around the town. Your local guide will bring you to some of the key spots, like the Hanging Coffins – an ancient burial tradition where coffins are suspended on a cliff – and the Lumiang Cave – home to coffins over 500 years old. Next, head to the home of famous Spanish photographer Eduardo Masferre, where family members will show you his rare photos chronicling the Ifuago way of life in the 1930s. The afternoon is then yours to explore Sagada in your own way – maybe you’ll check out the coffee plantations (and sample the delicious Sagada coffee) or explore local farms.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Baguio
Location: Baguio
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Wake up bright and early this morning at around 5 am for breakfast at the Kiltepan viewpoint, where you’ll catch the Sagada sunrise. Then, drive to Baguio, affectionately called the City of Pines due to the greenery that thrives here. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon. Maybe walk around Mirador Hill and Eco Park – a Japanese-inspired garden – or the Igorot Stone Kingdom – a modern-day castle. Later, come back together as a group for an interactive dinner with a famous local chef. Get hands-on by selecting the ingredients for your traditional Cordillera meal at the market, then join the chef and his wife for a live cooking demonstration. When you’ve picked up some tips, tuck into the grilled goods you helped prepare!
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast
Get to know Baguio culture today by visiting the local art studios and galleries, which showcase a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces. Stop by the Harvest Hub Studio and learn about a foundation set up to support women weavers in the Cordilleras through entrepreneurship training. These mountain-based women are working to scale their businesses and need this vital support. You’ll be guided through the studio, where you can meet local artists and learn about their craft, and maybe even try some traditional techniques yourself! Head back to Manila in the afternoon and perhaps rally your group together for a farewell dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Manila
Location: Manila
Meals Included: breaksfast
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you would like to extend your stay in Manila, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night) -
Manila - City Tour
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Manila - Intramuros bamboo bike cycling tour
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Mt Pinatubo - Crater hike
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Tarukan Village - Community lunch
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Banaue - Bangaan rice terrace hike
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Bontoc - Maligcong rice terrace hike
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Bontoc - Favarey Village visit
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Sagada - City tour
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Sagada - Eduardo Masferre’s home visit
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Kiltepan - Sunrise viewpoint & picnic breakfast
Transport
- Private Vehicle , 4x4 , Jeepney , Bicycle
Accommodation
- OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
- TWIN SHARE
- Accommodation on this trip is on a twin basis.
- CHECK-IN TIME
- Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
- PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
- If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip and is subject to availability. Please consult your booking agent if you are interested.
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
There are a few days of long drives and early starts on this trip. The journey will be rewarding but just be prepared for extended travel times and early mornings – make sure you read the itinerary below before booking.
There are several hikes, mostly on established trails. You’ll need to have a good level of fitness to fully enjoy them.
This trip doesn’t involve a lot of time in Manila, but we would recommend you spend extra time exploring this dynamic city. Contact your booking agent to arrange additional accommodation if you wish to extend your stay. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions