Philippines - Emerald Terraces of the Cordillera
Philippines - Emerald Terraces of the Cordillera
Philippines - Emerald Terraces of the Cordillera
15 Days Starting and ending in Manila
Visiting: Manila, Pampanga, Banaue, Sagada, Vigan City, Vigan, Laoag, Manila, Puerto Princesa, El Nido
Tour operator:
Tour code:
PHL
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating journey through the Philippines with "The Emerald Terraces of the Cordillera" tour. This adventure is designed for those who wish to immerse themselves in the country's rich cultural tapestry and breathtaking natural landscapes. From the vivid hues of the Banaue rice terraces to the cool Alpine vibes of Sagada, complete with its ancient burial caves and hanging coffins, this tour promises a blend of awe and serenity. Marvel at the well-preserved colonial charm of Vigan and indulge in the pristine beauty of Palawan through an unforgettable island-hopping experience. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, enjoy the convenience of arrival and departure transfers, overland transport with a professional driver, domestic flights, and carefully selected accommodations. With meals as listed and entrance fees to sites included, this tour offers a seamless and enriching travel experience, highlighting the best of the Philippines' cultural and natural heritage.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival In Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation Name: The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Manila and transfer from the airport to your hotel. Depending on the time of your arrival, you will meet your tour leader at the hotel and have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar. (D)
Day 2 : Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation Name: The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, take a tour around within Intramuros (the walled city of Old Manila) and discover more about the country's history through a guided. Lunch will be in a local restaurant from where we will begin a tour of Intramuros aboard a kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage. We will ride through the streets built by the Spanish conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, between the city walls, which once protected the most important homes, buildings, churches, and hospitals from attacks by the Chinese, Dutch, and the British. The most notable colonial structure is the baroque church of San Agustin, the oldest in the Philippines, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. We will also drop by Rizal Park where Dr. José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, was executed. Overnight at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar. (BL)
Day 3 : Manila - Gawad Kalinga Enchanted Farm - Pampanga - Abe’S Farm
Location: Pampanga
Accommodation Name: Abe’s Farm
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we take a 1.5-hour drive north of Manila, to Gawad Kalinga (GK) Enchanted Farm. This is a prototype of a sustainable community dedicated to ending poverty by empowering people to develop useful skills. We spend time discovering how the lives of the residents here have benefited from the enterprise and have the opportunity to taste some of the organic farming produce when we take lunch. Continue one hour via the North Luzon Expressway to Bacolor, Pampanga, which is among hundreds of towns and villages devastated by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991. Tour the village and visit the San Guillermo Church, which is now half-buried in lahar (a debris flow composed of a slurry of pyroclastic material, rocky debris and water), and see the remains of houses, which were also covered. Mount Pinatubo's wrath continues to be a constant threat to the lives of the villagers every year as the monsoon rains carry more lahar down from the Pinatubo mountain range adding further layers. Our day ends with the chance of an afternoon dip in a warm pool in a garden setting. Overnight at Abe’s Farm. (BLD)
Day 4 : Pampanga- Banaue
Location: Banaue
Accommodation Name: Banaue Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
We leave the farm behind and drive to Banaue, which will take 7-8 hours through the countryside, backroads, and rice fields of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya. We make a short stop in San José City for lunch (payable locally) before continuing to Banaue. Along the way, we also visit Dalton Pass, a shrine to the Battle of Balete, before passing by Bagabag where picturesque mountains and rivers unfold. Arrive in Banaue late in the afternoon. Overnight at Banaue Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 5 : Banaue – Excursion To Batad
Location: Banaue
Accommodation Name: Banaue Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Board a local jeepney, which will bring you to Sadel, the jump-off point to start your hike to the terraces of Batad. Forming an amphitheatre, these rice terraces are truly stunning. Afterwards, visit an Ifugao village where most people still live a traditional lifestyle. Return to Banaue and overnight at Banaue Hotel or similar. Near the hotel is another village that continues to observe a traditional burial practice of keeping the bones of their dead in their homes. The bones of their ancestors are preserved and wrapped in indigenous weaving. (B)
Day 6 : Banaue – Excursion To Hapao
Location: Banaue
Accommodation Name: Banaue Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we take a local jeepney to the Hapao rice terraces, which offer a breath-taking view over stonewalled rice terraces, bisected by the sparkling water of the Hapao River. We will walk across the terraces to see them close up, and visit one of the villages to admire the traditional houses and interact with the locals. We will stop at some of the viewpoints and call into a local market on the way back to our accommodation in Banaue. Overnight at Banaue Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 7 : Banaue - Sagada (Approx. 3 Hours Driving Time)
Location: Sagada
Accommodation Name: Masferré Country Inn
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we will visit the Bontoc Museum where exhibits from all around the Cordillera region are curated and an outdoor museum, which is a reconstructed Bontoc village showing original structures in the grounds that allow guests to experience their old way of life before modern times. Inside the museum, there are a number of black and white photographs, which offer a fascinating glimpse into the differences and similarities among the people of the Cordilleras also collectively known as Igorot (people of the mountains). We will continue our drive to the Alpine village of Sagada and in the afternoon we will visit the ancient burial caves and also view the unusual hanging coffins from Echo Valley. Overnight at Masferré Country Inn. (B)
Day 8 : Sagada - Vigan (Approx. 5 Hours Driving Time)
Location: Vigan City
Accommodation Name: Hotel Felicidad or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we begin our drive to Vigan City in Ilocos Sur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Vigan, earlier known as "Ciudad Fernandina" from 1758 to the late 19th century, is the oldest surviving Spanish colonial city in the country with some of its finest architecture. After a typical Ilocano lunch at Café Leona located on the ground floor of a traditional Vigan house, we board a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) for a tour of Vigan with its well-preserved old brick houses (bahay na tisa). We visit the Burgos Museum and the historic Syquia Mansion. In the evening, join the townsfolk in the main plaza for a light and sound performance. Overnight at Hotel Felicidad or similar. (BL)
Day 9 : Vigan - Laoag (Approx. 1.5 Hours Driving Time) – Manila (Domestic Flight)
Location: Vigan, Laoag, Manila
Accommodation Name: The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast, we will continue our tour of Vigan before we depart for Laoag, stopping by to visit Sitio Remedios. This is a recreated village of traditional Ilocano houses that were sourced from different towns in the province of Ilocos Norte and are well maintained to their original glory in beautiful grounds by the coast of Currimao. Upon arrival in Laoag, we take lunch at Café Herencia to sample local cuisine before beginning our exploration of the city. We stop at the fortress-like Church of St. Augustine in Paoay and move on to Museo Ilocos Norte, housed in the old Tabacalera (tobacco factory) where government-controlled tobacco was stored in the Spanish colonial period. Drive past the Abolition of Tobacco Monopoly Monument at the town plaza and pause briefly at St. William's Cathedral and its Sinking Bell Tower. We will then drive to visit the Malacañang of the North, the former lakeside residence of ex-dictator Ferdinand Marcos and his family when they visited Ilocos Norte, his home province. Later, transfer to the airport for our flight back to Manila (PR 2199 2100/2200) where we will transfer to our hotel on arrival. Overnight at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar. (BL)
Day 10 : Manila - Puerto Princesa
Location: Puerto Princesa
Accommodation Name: Hibiscus Garden Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a scheduled flight to Puerto Princesa (PR 2785 1315/1430), which has been acclaimed as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines. We will take a late lunch on arrival and then check in to our hotel. Later, we head out to the Baywalk boulevard where we'll take a boat to watch fireflies with a local guide (subject to resumption of operations – currently unavailable due to the Covid-19 pandemic and travel bans in the city). We will see hundreds of fireflies clustering on their favoured fragrant mangrove trees and performing their electric dances to attract mates. We then have dinner at a local seafood restaurant before returning to our hotel. Overnight at Hibiscus Garden Inn or similar. (BLD)
Day 11 : Puerto Princesa – Excursion To Underground River And Ugong Rock
Location: Puerto Princesa
Accommodation Name: Hibiscus Inn or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive about 2 hours to Sabang, where we proceed to the wharf, to take a motorized outrigger boat to the mouth of the Underground River. We will take a tour with a boatman who will take us inside. An audio-visual device is provided to all guests to avoid disturbing the river's delicate ecosystem. Later, we continue to the town of Barangay Tagabinet and the 110-meter high Ugong Rock, which has taken its name from the echoing sound the rocks produce when tapped. We climb up inside the rock with its caves, stalagmites and stalactites. Wooden stairs lead to the top from where we can choose to descend by zip line or reverse climb. This is a community-based tourism project spearheaded by the private sector. We return to our hotel in Puerto Princesa in the evening. Overnight at Hibiscus Inn or similar. (BL)
Day 12 : Puerto Princesa - El Nido
Location: El Nido
Accommodation Name: Casa Kalaw or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive about 6 hours further north, amidst rice plantations and along the coast to the town of El Nido, considered a showcase of Palawan’s geology and diverse wildlife. Its majestic limestone cliffs stand guard over clear waters, with hundreds of species of tropical fish and coral and three species of endangered sea turtles. El Nido’s forests are host to more than 100 species of birds, a large number of which are endemic to Palawan. Later, you will have some free time to explore the town on your own. Overnight at Casa Kalaw or similar. (B)
Day 13 : El Nido
Location: El Nido
Accommodation Name: Casa Kalaw or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, we will take an island-hopping tour of the beautiful islands and beaches around El Nido. Our boat takes us through the crystal-clear waters to the enchanting lagoons of Miniloc Island, Shimizu Island and the Seven Commandos Beach with opportunities for swimming and snorkelling. We will take a picnic lunch on a picturesque beach before continuing our journey. We then return to El Nido. Overnight at Casa Kalaw or similar. (BL)
Day 14 : El Nido – Manila (Domestic Flight)
Location: El Nido
Accommodation Name: The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
The morning will be at leisure to enjoy El Nido before we transfer to the local airport for the flight back to Manila (1600/1715). On arrival in Manila, transfer to your hotel and the rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight at The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar. (B)
Day 15 : Departure From Manila
Location: Manila
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport at a time convenient for your onward flight. (B)
What's Included
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Arrival and departure transfers
Transfers from and to the airport are provided.
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Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All overland transportation throughout the tour is included, accompanied by a professional driver.
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Domestic flight
Domestic flights within the Philippines are included as part of the tour.
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All accommodation
Accommodation throughout the tour is included.
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Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
The services of an English-speaking guide or tour leader are provided for the duration of the tour.
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Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary
Entrance fees to all sites listed in the itinerary are included.
What's Not Included
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International flights
International flights are not included
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Any airport taxes
Airport taxes are not included except when included with domestic airfares.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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Visa
Visa fees are not included and are the responsibility of the traveler when required.
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Drinks
Drinks are not included and will be an additional personal expense.
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Items of personal nature
Any personal expenses, such as laundry, phone calls, and souvenirs, are not included.
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Tips
Tips are discretionary and not included in the tour price.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with all overland transportation provided, including professional drivers and domestic flights within the Philippines, ensuring a seamless journey from the vibrant city of Manila to the serene landscapes of Palawan.
Accommodation
Guests will enjoy a variety of comfortable accommodations, ranging from charming hotels in the heart of Manila to quaint inns in the picturesque settings of Sagada and El Nido, ensuring a restful stay throughout.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the starting location of the tour?
The tour starts in Manila.
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What is included in the tour?
The tour includes arrival and departure transfers, overland transport throughout with a professional driver, domestic flights within the Philippines, all accommodation, services of an English-speaking guide / tour leader, and entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary.
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What is the ending location of the tour?
The tour ends in Manila.
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Is there a guide or tour leader provided?
Yes, the services of an English-speaking guide or tour leader are provided for the duration of the tour.
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What are the highlights of the tour?
Highlights of the tour include soaking up the vivid colours of the stunning rice terraces of Banaue, savouring the cool temperatures of the Alpine village of Sagada with its ancient burial caves and hanging coffins, marveling at the atmospheric and beautifully preserved colonial city of Vigan, and relaxing while island hopping through the crystal-clear waters around Palawan.
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What is not included in the tour?
The tour does not include international flights, any airport taxes, travel insurance, visa fees, drinks, items of personal nature, and tips.
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Are there any meals included?
Yes, meals are included as specified in the itinerary, with some days including breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.
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What type of accommodation is provided?
Accommodation throughout the tour is included, with specific hotels mentioned such as The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel, Abe’s Farm, Banaue Hotel, Masferré Country Inn, Hotel Felicidad, Hibiscus Garden Inn, and Casa Kalaw.
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What countries does the tour visit?
The tour visits the Philippines.
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I’m a single traveller – will I feel out of place?
In a word, no. We get a good mix of single travellers and couples on our group tours.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
We are happy to allocate a twin room to two single same-sex travellers. If there is no one else to travel
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, sorry this is not possible.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We offer fully transferable group tour deposits (excluding any flight payments which are always non-refundable). You can change your group tour booking up to 10 weeks before departure and not lose your deposit – we will put your deposit towards any new group booking as long as you travel within 2 years of the original departure date.
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Can I alter the tour?
On our scheduled departures this isn’t possible, simply due to the fact that you’ll be travelling with other people. However, if you like the look of one of our advertised trips but want to tweak it slightly, then we can offer tailor made itineraries just for you, to accommodate your specific requirements.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
There are no hard and fast rules about what type of people travel on Undiscovered Destinations’ group tours – we attract people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life. What you are likely to find though is that travellers share a similar outlook about travel. We tend to attract people with a curiosity about the lesser visited corners of our planet.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We have been going since 2004.
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Sunday - Sunday
May 04, 2025 - May 18, 2025Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Undiscovered Destinations allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform undiscovered destinations, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Undiscovered Destinations requires a minimum deposit of 350 GBP per person 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 undiscovered destinations charges.
Up to 71 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.
At 34 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 20 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.