North Luzon Explorer
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
Tour overview
Itinerary
Day 1 Manila to Bacolor & Banaue
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.
Day 2 Bontoc & Sagada
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.
Day 3 Sagada to Baguio
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.
Day 4 Manila
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.
Tour Highlights
Included
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Prices & Dates
Hotels
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.
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.
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.
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