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Peregrine Travel Centre

Northern Philippines Highlights

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Northern Philippines Highlights

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Description

Get to the heart of the Philippines on this 10-day adventure exploring the north. Move around multicultural Manila on a bamboo bike and then trek to Mt Pinatubo’s crater lake. Hike the UNESCO-listed rice terraces of the Cordilleras while listening to stories from a Kalinga local guide along the way. Visit local villages to meet the Ifuago rice terrace builders, learn about Faery village’s unique burial traditions and connect with locals over a community feast. Go beyond the guidebook and fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of this beautiful archipelago.

Trip Name
Northern Philippines Highlights
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Hike the UNESCO-listed rice terraces in the Cordilleras, crafted over 2000 years, and trek to the crater lake of Mt Pinatubo for breathtaking views.
  • Savour Manila’s food scene – enjoy a community feast in Tarukan village, learn culinary secrets from a Baguio chef, and start one day with a sunrise picnic breakfast.
  • Hop on a bamboo bike in Intramuros, ride a traditional Jeepney, and traverse rugged valleys in a 4WD – the journey is just as important as the destination!
  • Visit local villages to meet the Ifugao who shaped the rice terraces, learn about Favery village’s unique burial traditions, and discover Kalinga culture and 1930s Ifugao life through a famous Spanish photographer’s lens.
  • Connect with the inspiring women at the Harvest Hub Studio – a social enterprise empowering women artists from the mountains to expand their market and achieve financial independence.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Manila
Kumusta! Welcome to the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon – the largest of the county’s 7641 islands – Manila is the Philippines' lively capital. Your adventure officially starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive before then, take some time to explore the city and get your bearings. A walk around Rizal Park, conveniently located in the city's centre, is a great place to start. In the evening, maybe get your group together for dinner and sample some regional specialities, like abodo (pork marinated in vegetables and spices) and buko pie (coconut pie).
Day 2 - Manila
After breakfast, dive into a guided tour of multicultural Manila. Taste the different flavours that have been cooking up in the country over the past few hundred years with food tastings in the Muslim Quarter and the world’s oldest Chinatown. While you’re in Chinatown, sit down with your group for lunch in a restaurant that was once a fire station. When you’re full, hop on an eco-friendly bamboo bike and ride around Intramuros – a historic walled area that was constructed by the Spaniards in the 16th century. Enjoy a free evening, where you can relax and unwind before your early start tomorrow.
Day 3 - Mt Pinatubo
You’ll set off for Crow Valley at 4 am this morning so you can get an early morning view of the crater of Mt Pinatubo. You’ll arrive at the foot of the trailhead by a 4WD jeep. The hike isn’t easy – but the views of the crater lake at the top are definitely worth it. Formed after Mt Pinatubo erupted in 1991, the rainwater lake is framed by dramatic cliffs. Reward your body with a traditional lunch in Tarukan Village with the Aetas, the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines. The chieftain and a local interpreter will join you, making it a unique cultural experience. Do as the Aetas do and eat the meal – which will be laid out on banana leaves – with your hands. When you’re finished, head to Abe’s Farm – a countryside guesthouse with a pool.
Day 4 - Banaue
Wake up early and head for Banaue, travelling through rice fields and mango plantations. Break up the drive with a stop in Bacolor – this town was devastatingly destroyed by the Mt Pinatubo eruption. Visit the local church that has been half buried by lahar – yet locals still use it to worship by climbing through the upper windows. Hit the road again before stopping off for lunch at a local restaurant. You’ll arrive in Banaue in the late afternoon, where you can enjoy a free evening before exploring the rice terraces tomorrow. For dinner, maybe ask your leader for recommendations on where to try pinikipan (a local chicken dish).
Day 5 - Banaue
Jump on the local jeepney this morning to Sadel, where you’ll start the trek through the UNESCO listed Banaue rice terraces. These rice terraces were created by the Ifugao people and can be traced back 2000 years. A feat of engineering, the terraces were crucial to the survival of the people and are now known for their combination of functionality and beauty. Stop for lunch in Batad, where you’ll have the opportunity to talk to local Ifuago people in the village and try some rice activities. Return to Banaue in the late afternoon and spend the rest of the day as you wish.
Day 6 - Bontoc/ Sagada
Another day, another trek through rice terraces – this time you’ll start in Bontoc and hike along the Maligcong Rice Terrace to Faverey village. Listen to stories from a Kalinga local guide along the way and find out about their traditions. When you arrive in Faverey, you’ll learn about one pretty unique tradition in the village – the practice of living with deceased family members. Hike back to Bontoc and refuel with lunch before continuing to Sagada in a comfy private vehicle.
Day 7 - Sagada
Get to know Sagada on a half day tour around the town. Your local guide will bring you to some of the key spots, like the Hanging Coffins – an ancient burial tradition where coffins are suspended on a cliff – and the Lumiang Cave – home to coffins over 500 years old. Next, head to the home of famous Spanish photographer Eduardo Masferre, where family members will show you his rare photos chronicling the Ifuago way of life in the 1930s. The afternoon is then yours to explore Sagada in your own way – maybe you’ll check out the coffee plantations (and sample the delicious Sagada coffee) or explore local farms.
Day 8 - Baguio
Wake up bright and early this morning at around 5 am for breakfast at the Kiltepan viewpoint, where you’ll catch the Sagada sunrise. Then, drive to Baguio, affectionately called the City of Pines due to the greenery that thrives here. When you arrive, you’ll have a free afternoon. Maybe walk around Mirador Hill and Eco Park – a Japanese-inspired garden – or the Igorot Stone Kingdom – a modern-day castle. Later, come back together as a group for an interactive dinner with a famous local chef. Get hands-on by selecting the ingredients for your traditional Cordillera meal at the market, then join the chef and his wife for a live cooking demonstration. When you’ve picked up some tips, tuck into the grilled goods you helped prepare!
Day 9 - Manila
Get to know Baguio culture today by visiting the local art studios and galleries, which showcase a mix of traditional and contemporary pieces. Stop by the Harvest Hub Studio and learn about a foundation set up to support women weavers in the Cordilleras through entrepreneurship training. These mountain-based women are working to scale their businesses and need this vital support. You’ll be guided through the studio, where you can meet local artists and learn about their craft, and maybe even try some traditional techniques yourself! Head back to Manila in the afternoon and perhaps rally your group together for a farewell dinner.
Day 10 - Manila
Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast today. If you would like to extend your stay in Manila, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
14-01-202523-01-2025AUD $ 3,256-
28-01-202506-02-2025AUD $ 3,281-
18-02-202527-02-2025AUD $ 3,132-
11-03-202520-03-2025AUD $ 3,132-
25-03-202503-04-2025AUD $ 3,013-
08-04-202517-04-2025AUD $ 3,013-
22-04-202501-05-2025AUD $ 3,013-
18-11-202527-11-2025AUD $ 3,013-
02-12-202511-12-2025AUD $ 3,132-
09-12-202518-12-2025AUD $ 3,256-
19-12-202528-12-2025AUD $ 3,860-
13-01-202622-01-2026AUD $ 3,720-
27-01-202605-02-2026AUD $ 3,720-
03-02-202612-02-2026AUD $ 3,720-
17-02-202626-02-2026AUD $ 4,215-
10-03-202619-03-2026AUD $ 3,870-
24-03-202602-04-2026AUD $ 4,020-
07-04-202616-04-2026AUD $ 4,020-
21-04-202630-04-2026AUD $ 3,870-
17-11-202626-11-2026AUD $ 3,720-
01-12-202610-12-2026AUD $ 3,870-
08-12-202617-12-2026AUD $ 4,020-
18-12-202627-12-2026AUD $ 4,380-

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights),Guesthouse (1 night)

Transport

Private Vehicle,4x4,Jeepney,Bicycle

Map

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