North Philippines Explorer + Bohol Beach Extension

North Philippines Explorer + Bohol Beach Extension

1,358 Views
16 Days From

$3920

$3802

North Philippines Explorer + Bohol Beach Extension

16 Days Starting and ending in Manila

Visiting: Manila, Tagaytay, San Pablo City, Taal Volcano, Laoag City, Vigan City, Sagada, Bontoc, Banaue, Mabalacat, Mount Pinatubo, Bohol, Alona Beach

Tour operator:

Explore!

Tour code:

PIPB

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

16-

Special diets catered:

Vegans, Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $3920 $3802 Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$118

NB: Prices correct on 04-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

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Tour Overview

This Philippines adventure focusses on Luzon, the largest island of the archipelago. We explore the whole island discovering contrasting landscapes including incredible 2000 year-old rice terraces, cobbled Spanish colonial towns, white-sand beaches, climb an active stratovolcano and the teaming mega-city that is Manila.

Banaue rice terraces - Discover UNESCO-listed 2000-year old rice terraces built the Ifugao people

Sagada - Discover mysterious burial caves and ancient hanging coffins

Vigan - Explore a little slice of Spain when taking a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) through its narrow streets

Highlights

  • Discover ancient rice terraces, meet indigenous people and relax by the beach in Bohol

  • Climb Mount Pinatubo and trek to the volcano's crater

  • Explore the modern city of Manila and the Colonial old quarter of Vigan

Itinerary

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Day 1: Join Tour In Manila

Location: Manila

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Rizal Park Hotel

Once known as the 'Pearl of the Orient', Manila was occupied by the Spanish in the 16th century as part of their growing empire. The city went on to witness Chinese insurrections, a British occupation, a war against the Spanish and the Americans, and some of the bitterest fighting of World War II. Today it is the capital of the Philippines and one of the most populous cities in the world.



For those arriving on time, our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 5 pm for the welcome meeting and for those who wish, there is the chance to have dinner on the roof deck restaurant of a hotel in Intramuros. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Manila at any time. If you would like to receive an airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), which is a one-hour drive from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up in the lobby at 9 am on day two.



If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to visit the National Museum of the Philippines Complex, which houses the Fine Arts Museum, Natural History Museum and Anthropology Museum. It is less than a 20-minute walk from the hotel, and admission is free.

Day 2: In Manila: Explore The Old Town; Free Afternoon

Location: Manila

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Rizal Park Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we take a tour of the city by walking to Rizal Park and the historic walled city of Intramuros, where we find San Agustin, the oldest church in the Philippines and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We sample a public jeepney ride to Binondo, one of the first Chinatowns in the world, we explore the network of alleys and side streets that lead us to Binondo Church, Santa Cruz Church and the old commercial district of Escolta where we'll see art deco structures, such as the Perez-Semanillo building, that survived World War II.



The afternoon is free. We meet our bus and return to the hotel. However, you may wish to stay in Chinatown for lunch and further exploration of this colourful area, visiting one of the Taoist temples or mingling with the locals in the street markets, returning independently by taxi. An optional bamboo bike tour of Intramuros is available too.

Day 3: Drive To San Pablo City For Rafting On Pandin Lake; Drive To Tagaytay

Location: Tagaytay, San Pablo City

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Java Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

After a substantial breakfast, later in the morning, we take a short flight to Laoag. On arrival, we will have a late lunch in a local restaurant serving authentic llocano dishes.



In the afternoon we will go on an excursion to the Malacañang of the North, the erstwhile residence of the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, now turned into a museum overlooking Paoay Lake. We also visit the Baroque 18th century UNESCO Paoay Church, otherwise known as the Church of Saint Augustine - famous for its unusual architecture and bell tower built with coral stones. Its style is the perfect mix between an Asian temple and a Western church!



Time permitting, we will go on a walk across the coastal La Paz dunes of Luzon which cover an area of approximately 85 square kilometres. Optional sandboarding is available.

Day 4: Morning Exploration Of The Kabigan Falls, Afternoon By The Coast

Location: Taal Volcano, Tagaytay

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Java Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

After an early breakfast, we drive northeast along the coast to a small village from where we'll start our short and gentle walk to reach Kabigan Falls. A local villager will lead us through the flora and fauna of the forest following trails passing through rice paddies. The falls are spectacular and can be as tall as 80ft. There will be an opportunity to swim in the waters after the walk.



We then head to coastal Pagudpud for lunch and more swimming or relaxing by the beach facing the Philippine Sea. On our drive back to the hotel we will stop at Kapurpurawan to admire its rock formation moulded over time by powerful winds and the ocean's tides. There will also be a chance to stop by Cape Bojeador Lighthouse in Burgos, the highest lighthouse in elevation from the Spanish colonial era.

Day 5: Drive To The Colonial City Of Vigan; Free Afternoon

Location: Laoag City

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Felicidad

Meals Included: Breakfast

We spend the morning driving south to the charming town of Vigan. One of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines. Vigan's historic heart was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999. The best-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia, it is home to cobbled streets, colonial villas and the imposing grandeur of a 16th-century cathedral. This afternoon is free for you to relax or head out and get a feel of the city ahead of our full day's sightseeing tomorrow.

Day 6: In Vigan; Full Day Sightseeing By Horse Drawn Carriage And On Foot

Location: Vigan City

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Felicidad

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we discover Vigan by kalesa (horse-drawn carriage). We see well-preserved Vigan houses that are truly reflective of their roots - built from the wood, stone, shells (kapis), and terra cotta derived from its surroundings such as the Syquia Mansion, a former presidential residence. We also visit the National Museum Ilocos Regional Museum Complex particularly the Padre Burgos Museum and the Old Carcel Museum. Later we take a short drive to a pottery shop known locally as Burnayan, where we learn about the ancient tradition of pottery making, dating back to pre-colonial times. Here we can also browse shops that showcase hand-woven fabrics and antiques.



We return to the city and on to the famous Calle Crisologo where we sample famous Ilocano delicacies such as the longaniza (sausage), empanada (Mexican taco/meat pie) and bagnet (deep-fried crispy pork crackling).

Day 7: Drive To Sagada; Discover Burial Caves And Hanging Coffins

Location: Vigan City

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Masferre Country Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast

After an early breakfast, we drive to Sagada, arriving in the early afternoon. We visit nearby Echo Valley to see the mysterious hanging coffins and Lumiang cave, a burial cave. The indigenous population have been burying their dead in coffins perched high on cliff faces for over 2000 years. No one knows exactly why this practice started but it is believed to both keep the preserved bodies safe from wild animals and take them one step closer to heaven.

Day 8: Head To Bontoc And Walk To Favarey Traditional Village

Location: Sagada

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Masferre Country Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave Sagada in the morning and drive to the municipality of Bontoc. From here we will start our two-hour walk along lesser-known Maligcong rice terraces and on mostly flat terrain. We then go on an easy climb on steps to reach Favarey village where the "dead lives with the living". Here, village folk are buried in their backyard, a contrast to the hanging coffins and the burial caves we visited in Sagada. We will have the chance to meet the locals and interestingly most of the elderly have their bodies covered in traditional intricate tattoos.



On the hike back, we stop at a typical rice storage hut and visit the local school which is attended by most of the village children. We head back to Sagada to our accommodation.

Day 9: Drive To Banaue; Visit Bontoc Museum En Route

Location: Bontoc, Banaue

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Tam An Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We make our way this morning to Bontoc, a bustling market town and former capital of the Cordillera region. We will visit its small museum that has several interesting exhibits about the region's indigenous communities. Carved into the mountains of Ifugao province, the centuries-old rice terraces that occupy these high, fertile landscapes are considered by Filipinos to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. Our destination is the town of Banaue, our gateway into the remote villages of the Cordilleras. The Banaue rice terraces are recognised as a national cultural treasure along with the rice terraces that are found in Mayoyao, Batad, Bangaan, Kiangan and Hungduan. It is believed that if these ancient terraces were laid end to end, they would reach halfway around the planet!



This afternoon we take a local jeepney (a converted jeep) and drive out towards Hapao village. As we drive through the mountains, we enjoy some spectacular views of the Cordilleras passing through a series of deep gorges and canyons to the Hapao rice terraces. Here we are rewarded with the spectacular scenery of terraced rice fields cut through by the clear waters of the Hapao River. The total walking time is around two hours.

Day 10: In Banaue; Walk Through Batad And Bangaan Rice Terraces.

Location: Banaue

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Tam An Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we take a local jeepney to Bangaan, a village surrounded by rice terraces. We meet Ifugao, the indigenous people of the province and examine closely the unique characteristics of a bale - a traditional house with an architecture that fits the needs of the family.



Afterwards we drive to Sadel, the starting point of our 2-hour trek to Batad. The trail takes us along rice terraces and viewpoints overlooking the terraces. From here the view is almost completely panoramic and some describe it as looking down onto an ancient amphitheatre.

Day 11: Drive To Mabalacat; Free Late Afternoon In Rural Setting

Location: Mabalacat

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Abes Farm

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today sees an early start for a full-day drive to Mabalacat, our base for climbing Mount Pinatubo tomorrow morning. Located in the mountains that separate the central plains from the west coast of Luzon Island, Mount Pinatubo volcano was the scene of the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century when, on June 15, 1991, it erupted with an intensity that was ten times that of the Mount St Helens volcano, a decade earlier.



On arrival in Mabalacat later on today we have the opportunity to rest in tranquil rural surroundings.

Day 12: Climb Mount Pinatubo; Drive To Manila

Location: Manila, Mount Pinatubo

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: City Garden Grand Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we leave quite early for the drive to Santa Juliana station, where we take 4x4 jeepneys to drive to the foot of the trailhead, from where we trek to the volcano's crater - a relatively easy walk of usually around two hours each way. From March to May there may be some erosion of the path due to rainfall which will make the jeepney drive longer and the trek shorter. Please note that there are several stream crossings in ankle-deep water on this trek, so please be prepared for your footwear to get wet. The total walking time is approximately four hours.



After a lunch break, we return by road to Manila for our final night and farewell dinner.

Day 13: Fly To Bohol Island

Location: Bohol

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Bohol Beach Club

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning you will be transferred to the airport for your flight south to Bohol island.





This beach extension has been designed to complement the trip but will be run without a leader and may not be a group experience, so you may not be travelling with other customers. A rep will be on hand to meet you on arrival and to facilitate your transfer to the resort.

Day 14: Relax On The Beach

Location: Alona Beach

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Bohol Beach Club

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Alona beach.

Day 15: Relax On The Beach

Location: Alona Beach

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Bohol Beach Club

Meals Included: Breakfast

Relax further or perhaps venture out to explore the island.

Day 16: Fly To Manila; Tour Ends At Manila Airport

Location: Manila

Meals Included: Breakfast

Departing Bohol this morning we drive to Bohol-Panglao International Airport (TAG), where we will take a short flight and arrive into Manila International Airport (MNL) at about 1pm and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your international flight can depart is 5pm.

What's Included

  • Meals – Breakfast Only

    15 breakfasts 1 Lunch

  • Fully Guided

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • Accommodation

    15 nights comfortable hotel

What's Not Included

  • 1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day

  • Country Entry Visas

  • Tipping and Gratuities

Why Book this Tour

For adventurous and energetic travellers with a little more time to spare this is the ultimate Philippines trip as you have the chance to rest on stunning white sand tropical beaches of the island of Bohol at the end of an exciting trip which has some early starts, long journeys and a volcano to climb! The Philippines have been listed in the Top Ten destinations to travel to by the Lonely Planet in 2015 and we believe this trip showcases the diversity of the landscape and culture of the Filipino islands of Luzon and Bohol.

Meals

Breakfasts: 15
Lunches: 1

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Check out our Q&As

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Moderate

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    15 nights comfortable hotel

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Yes

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    Yes

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?

    It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.

  • Should I get travel insurance?

    Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.

  • What is the accommodation like?

    We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.

  • Do I need to be very fit to book with you?

    All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o

  • Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel

    It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Lindsey  

North Philippines Explorer and Bohol Beach Extension

I have saidod value for money but I had a free sin

I have saidod value for money but I had a free single room otherwise I might have thought otherwise. Loved the trip, the group and the guide. A great package!

Margaret  

North Philippines Explorer and Bohol Beach Extension

The beach extension provided a welcome two days of

The beach extension provided a welcome two days of relaxation after a tiring and full on itinerary.

Catherine  

North Philippines Explorer and Bohol Beach Extension

The Bohol extension was excellent and the tour Lea

The Bohol extension was excellent and the tour Leader Rey was brilliant

Lindsey  

North Philippines Explorer and Bohol Beach Extension (21-Dec-2019)

I have said good value for money but I had a free

I have said good value for money but I had a free single room otherwise I might have thought otherwise. Loved the trip, the group and the guide. A great package!

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1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Monday

Nov 17, 2024 - Dec 02, 2024
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Tourhub's Big Adventure Sale: -$118

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Dec 15, 2024 - Dec 30, 2024
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Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 70 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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