North Luzon Explorer - 4 days
North Luzon Explorer - 4 days
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Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating 4-day journey through North Luzon, Philippines, starting and ending in the vibrant capital, Manila. This small group tour takes you to the heart of Filipino culture and history, beginning with a visit to Bacolor's St. Guillermo Church, partially buried by the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Marvel at the UNESCO-listed Banaue Rice Terraces and explore the Bontoc Museum's fascinating tribal artifacts. In Sagada, witness the unique hanging coffins and experience traditional hand-loom weaving. Travel along the scenic Halsema Highway to Baguio, the Philippines' summer capital, where you'll enjoy a guided tour of its bustling markets and iconic landmarks. With comfortable 3-star accommodations, professional guides, and private transportation, this tour offers an unforgettable exploration of Luzon's rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation Name: hotel
Manila - Bacolor - Banaue. This morning at approximately 07.00am you will be collected from your independently booked hotel in Manila as we depart for Banaue, located 360 km away. Travelling north along the highway, we will make a stop in Bacolor, a town severely affected by the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. We will then visit the St. Guillermo Church, which is half-buried in volcanic lahar flows.
Afterward, we will continue our journey through the fertile central plains of Luzon until we begin our ascent to Banaue. We will arrive in the evening and check in to our hotel for the night.
(Please notify us of your independently booked hotel in Manila so we can arrange the pickup transfer for you. Alternatively, if you would like us to book a night in Manila for you please ask our team)
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Day 2: Banaue
Location: Banaue
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Banaue - Bontoc - Sagada. This morning there is an optional Banga-An Village tour. Board a traditional Filipino jeepney to discover more of the surrounding scenery and Ifugaos culture. See the iconic UNESCO-listed rice terraces, dating back more than 2,000 years. The skill required to produce this fertile land in such a mountainous area is incredibly impressive.
In the afternoon, we travel to Sagada, making ample stops at vantage points along the highway to admire the breathtaking scenery of the rice terraces. We will visit the Bontoc Museum, founded by Belgian nuns, which houses an intriguing collection of artifacts from the mountain tribes of the region. We will arrive in Sagada in the evening.
Day 3: Sagada
Location: Sagada
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Sagada - Baguio. Today we will visit one of Sagada's burial caves, where we will be able to see the famous hanging coffins. There are multiple reasons that the native Igorot people bury their dead in this way. Practical reasons involve keeping them away from predators, while there are important spiritual reasons too - it makes sense that the higher a coffin is placed, the closer the deceased is to the spirit world and their ancestors. We'll take a short hike along one of the trails to view these famous coffins and visit a weaving house where the local women engage in hand-loom weaving.
We will then travel along the Halsema Highway, crossing the Cordillera Mountains and passing spectacular views of the vegetable terraces until we reach Baguio City, known as the ‘Summer Capital of the Philippines,’ situated at an elevation of 1,540 metres.
Day 4: Manila
Location: Manila
Meals Included: Breakfast
Baguio - Manila. After breakfast, we embark on a guided tour of Baguio, highlighting key attractions such as Session Road, a vibrant thoroughfare lined with shops and cafes, and Burnham Park, a beautiful urban park featuring a boating lake, gardens, and picnic areas. We will also visit the Mansion House, the official summer residence of the President of the Philippines, where we can appreciate the grand architecture and lush gardens.
After exploring these highlights, we will head to the public market, known for its colourful stalls selling fresh produce, local delicacies and handicrafts, making it one of the most vibrant marketplaces in the country. Following our visit, we will travel back to Manila via the national highway, crossing the fertile central plains of Luzon. Our tour ends on arrival back in Manila in the evening.
It is highly recommended to book an additional night in Manilla, please contact us if you would like us to organise this for you.
What's Included
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3 breakfasts
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3 nights 2-3star accommodation (basic)
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
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Escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
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Guided sightseeing in Bacolor, Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada and Baguio
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Entry to burial caves in Sagada to view hanging coffins
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Experience local weaving culture with a visit to a weaving house in Sagada
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Admission to Bontoc Museum
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Stops along Halsema Highway for breathtaking views of the Cordillera Mountains
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Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.
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Airport transfers
Airport transfers are not included in the tour package.
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Optional tours
Optional tours are not included and can be arranged separately.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with all relevant transfers and transportation provided in private air-conditioned vehicles, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout your North Luzon adventure.
Accommodation
Enjoy 3 nights in comfortable 3-star hotels, providing a relaxing retreat after each day's exploration of the stunning landscapes and cultural sites of North Luzon.
Age Policy
Min age 12
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 3 nights in 3-star hotels.
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Is there a tour guide provided during the trip?
Yes, the tour is escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
The tour includes 3 breakfasts.
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
All relevant transfers and transportation are provided in private air-conditioned vehicles.
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Will there be opportunities to learn about local culture during the tour?
Yes, you will have the chance to experience local weaving culture with a visit to a weaving house in Sagada and explore the Bontoc Museum, which houses artifacts from the mountain tribes.
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What is the significance of the hanging coffins in Sagada?
The hanging coffins are a traditional burial practice of the native Igorot people, believed to keep the deceased away from predators and closer to the spirit world and their ancestors.
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Is the tour suitable for solo travelers?
Yes, the tour is operated in conjunction with a trusted partner, and you will join travelers from different operators, not solely On The Go, making it suitable for solo travelers.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
North Luzon Explorer - 4 days
4 Days Starting and ending in Manila, Philippines
Visiting: Manila, Banaue, Sagada
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 6
Age range:
15-