Trip to the Philippines for 15 days

Arrival Day: Airport Pickup and Transfer to the Hotel in Manila for Accommodation.

On this day, we will travel towards the town of Pagasanjan, where the Pagasanjan Falls are located. This site is considered one of the most popular in the Philippines, and despite being highly commercialized, it still captivates every tourist with its beauty and unique character. On the way, you'll pass through vast coconut groves and various villages before reaching the place where you'll board the traditional Filipino canoes known as 'banca'. As the boat ride begins along the long river, you will feel the changing currents of the river in different parts. At times, the boatmen, known as 'bangkeros,' will lift you into the air to navigate the rocky obstacles along the way. These towering cliffs are adorned with lush greenery, and you may even spot monkeys jumping from branch to branch as part of the enchanting scenery. At the end of the river, you will reach the grand waterfall. There, you'll have the opportunity to take a raft and go right underneath and behind the waterfall. After a few minutes of enjoying the waterfall, we will head back to the resort for lunch. Following lunch, we will return to Manila. The return to Manila is expected around 4:00 PM, although it may vary due to traffic conditions.

We will depart for Mount Pinatubo, setting out quite early (around 5:00-5:30 AM) with a packed breakfast. The journey to Mount Pinatubo involves trekking to the volcano's crater. Mount Pinatubo is part of a volcanic chain that stretches along the western edge of Luzon Island. Before its catastrophic eruption in 1991, Mount Pinatubo was relatively unknown, especially as an active volcano to the local residents. Today, it is considered one of the country's top tourist destinations, attracting thousands of tourists every year. After the trek and meeting the Aetas along the way back, we will return to the hotel for the night.

After an early breakfast, we will begin our journey going to Banaue, the home of the famous rice terraces. En route to Banaue, you will pass through several provinces until you reach Banaue. Banaue's rice terraces, also known as 'Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banaue,' have been in existence for over 2,000 years and were carved into the Ifugao mountains by the indigenous people. They are often referred to as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World.' After approximately 7-8 hours of travel, we will arrive at the hotel in Banaue, check-in, and have some rest. A brief meeting with the guide will take place after the arrival to provide explanations about the upcoming activities in the following days.

After breakfast, a private jeep ride will take you to the rice terraces of Banaue. The jeepney is a public transportation vehicle commonly used in Filipino cities and resembles the jeeps once used by the American military. Today, you'll have two options for your tour: A. Visit the Bapao rice terraces, which is an easier and less strenuous trip. Along the way, you can admire the rice terraces scattered throughout Banaue and its surroundings, see the villages on the way, and enjoy a viewpoint overlooking the terraces. B. Explore the Batad rice terraces, which require a bit more physical fitness. It's not a very challenging trek, but you should be reasonably fit because the descent to the village is steep and graded. The trek to Batad offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, allowing you to witness how the indigenous people built the terraces in the breathtaking mountainous landscape of Batad. The journey to Batad takes about an hour and a half by jeepney, followed by an hour's+ walk to the village. The return journey takes the same amount of time. At the end of the day, you'll return to the town of Banaue for accommodation. There is also an option to stay an additional night in Batad, offering a chance for nature enthusiasts to enjoy the stunning views of the Batad terraces and interact with the locals. Extending your stay in Batad will add an extra day to your itinerary, where you can wake up to breathtaking vistas in the heart of the Batad terraces, featuring thousands of terraces resembling green steps or, in different seasons, mirrors reflecting the sun's rays from above.

Sagada is located about a three-hour drive from the town of Banaue, although the travel time may vary depending on traffic and driving speed. Upon arrival, you will be accompanied by a local guide to explore the following sites: the burial caves, where indigenous people traditionally buried their deceased loved ones, and for an unforgettable experience, you can take a tour of Sumaguing Cave. At the end of the day and the tours, you will travel back to the hotel where you'll be staying, usually in a hotel in Banaue. The tour in Sagada includes a visit to the underground cave system. Please note that this tour involves some level of risk, so caution is advised. The caves are considered Sagada's "highlight.   You may spend this day in Banaue and do the trek you didn't do on the previous day.

A trip to the Philippines would not be complete without a tour of the capital city, Manila. It's a unique city that blends so many historical sites with modern attractions, poverty with wealth, intricate architecture with centuries-old building restorations. Your day tour of Manila will begin at 8:30 AM, the pickup time from your hotel. From there, you will embark on a journey through both the old and modern Manila. A day tour exploring the historical sites and hidden corners of Manila. Manila is a city rich in history, from the time of Spanish rule to the brief Japanese occupation before the Americans arrived.  

Flight to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Island, will begin at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. There, you will board a flight (depending on the scheduled time) to Puerto Princesa, the place where the underground river is located, earning the title "One of the New Seven Wonders of Nature." Upon your arrival in Puerto Princesa, you will gather from the airport and travel to Sabang, an area located east of Puerto Princesa. Sabang is about a two-hour drive from Puerto Princesa, and from there, the tours to the underground river depart. Sometimes accommodation will be in the town of Puerto Princesa itself and not in Sabang.

The Underground River located in Puerto Princesa is considered the most important natural reserve in Palawan and the Philippines as a whole. The reserve consists of limestone rocks that contain an 8.2 km underground river. The entire river is located beneath a mountain, rich in marvelous geological formations. On the same day, after the Underground River tour, you'll travel to El Nido, which is about a 5-6-hour journey to the northern part of Palawan. There, you'll enjoy the stunning lagoons, white sandy beaches, and underwater life—a true paradise! The trip to El Nido is not easy, but everyone makes it, and it's the only way to get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. In one of the hotels in El Nido, you can relax or engage in the best activities El Nido has to offer.

The Hidden Valley is a natural wonder concealed amidst the stunning mountains of Banahaw and Makiling. It is home to natural hot and cold springs sourced from the two towering volcanoes, magnificent waterfalls, and a lush rainforest. Here, you can take a dip in various pools scattered throughout the area, stroll among dense trees and vegetation, and savor a hearty local lunch. It's a delightful day, perfect for relaxation after the 15-day journey you've experienced. In addition to the excellent facilities and the wonderful hotel staff, there is also a restaurant located under a large pavilion that serves delicious Filipino cuisine in the evening. It's an ideal place for a romantic dinner accompanied by a live serenade by local singers. Get ready to fall in love with the natural beauty and charm of Hidden Valley Springs. At the end of this day, you will fly directly from outside Manila if your flight is late in the evening. If your flight is in the early morning, the flight will be scheduled for the following day. You will be picked up from your hotel for your international flight to your next destination or back to your country.