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North Luzon Explorer

New Tour

4 days

This 4-day express group tour from Manila takes in the best of north Luzon. Join an optional tour of Banuae by traditional Jeepney, visiting the iconic UNESCO-listed rice terraces. See the ancient burial caves of Sagada and spend a night in Baguio, the Filipino summer capital. Take in highlights of the city including Session Road and the President's summer house, then return to Manila.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Accommodation Standard

Prices

Tour Overview

Duration

4 days

Starts

Manila

Ends

Manila

Range

Handpicked

Tour Guide

Yes - escorted by a tour guide

Group Size

Min 4 / Max 12

Minimum age

12 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Tuesdays

Hotel Rating

3 star hotels

Countries

Philippines

Arrival Transfer

No

Departure Transfer

No

Meals included

Breakfast: 3
Per person from
NZD$1,495.00
Total From
NZD$2,990.00
Deposit From
Final payment
NZD$897.00
$2,541.50

Accommodation Standard

Prices

Tour Highlights

Manila - Start and end your express Luzon adventure in the Filipino capital
Bacolor - Visit St. Guillermo Church, partially buried by lahar flows from the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption
Banaue - Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Banaue Rice Terraces and consider taking the optional Banga-An Village Tour for a glimpse into local culture
Sagada - Visit the famous hanging coffins in burial caves and experience traditional hand-loom weaving at a local weaving house
Baguio - Join a guided tour of the Philippines summer capital, visiting Session Road, Burnham Park, Mansion House, and the vibrant public market

Included

3 breakfasts
3 nights 2-3star accommodation (basic)
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles
Escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
Guided sightseeing in Bacolor, Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada and Baguio
Entry to burial caves in Sagada to view hanging coffins
Experience local weaving culture with a visit to a weaving house in Sagada
Admission to Bontoc Museum
Stops along Halsema Highway for breathtaking views of the Cordillera Mountains
Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - An entirely personal gesture
Airport transfers
Optional tours

Accommodation Standard

Prices

Itinerary

Day 1 - Manila to Bacolor & Banaue

Manila - Bacolor - Banaue. You will be collected 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.

Overnight: Banaue

Day 2 - Bontoc & Sagada

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.

Overnight: Sagada
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Sagada to Baguio

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.

Overnight: Baguio
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Manila

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.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation Standard

Prices

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Banaue Grand View Hotel
Banaue

Located in Banaue, 19 km from the Banaue Rice Terraces, Banaue Grandview Hotel offers accommodation with a garden, a terrace, and an on-site restaurant. This four-star hotel provides room service, concierge assistance, and free Wi-Fi, along with a bar for guests to enjoy. The rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs and come with private bathrooms. The nearest airport is Cauayan Airport, 127 km from the hotel.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel
Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant
Sagada

Situated in the heart of Sagada, Masferre Country Inn provides convenient accommodation with hotel-style amenities, including a full-service restaurant. The inn also showcases the world-renowned photographs of Eduardo Masferre, the father of Philippine photography. Additional facilities include Wi-Fi, a coffee shop, meeting rooms, and laundry services.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
Guesthouse
Sotogrande Hotel Baguio
Baguio

Located in Baguio, just 1.2 km from SM City Baguio, Sotogrande Hotel Baguio offers accommodation with a garden, complimentary private parking, a terrace, and an on-site restaurant. This three-star hotel features air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and has a bar, an indoor pool, and room service. Each room is equipped with a desk and a flat-screen TV, while the units also provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. Popular attractions near the hotel include Mines View Park, Baguio Botanical Garden, and Baguio Cathedral. The nearest airport is Clark International Airport, located 159 km from Sotogrande Hotel Baguio.

Our Rating
Superior
Local Rating
4 Star Hotel

Accommodation Standard

Prices

Prices & Dates

All departure dates are guaranteed to operate when there are 2 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
26 Nov - 29 Nov
$1,495
$1,925
3 Dec - 6 Dec
$1,495
$1,925
10 Dec - 13 Dec
$1,495
$1,925
17 Dec - 20 Dec
$1,495
$1,925
24 Dec - 27 Dec
$1,495
$1,925
31 Dec - 3 Jan
$1,495
$1,925
2025
Twin/Double
Single
7 Jan - 10 Jan
$1,495
$1,925
14 Jan - 17 Jan
$1,495
$1,925
21 Jan - 24 Jan
$1,495
$1,925
28 Jan - 31 Jan
$1,495
$1,925
4 Feb - 7 Feb
$1,495
$1,925
11 Feb - 14 Feb
$1,495
$1,925
18 Feb - 21 Feb
$1,495
$1,925
25 Feb - 28 Feb
$1,495
$1,925

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