Northern Philippines Highlights
10 Days Starting and ending in Manila, Philippines
Visiting: Manila, Mt Pinatubo, Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada, Baguio
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TOSN
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Northern Philippines, where adventure and culture intertwine. This tour invites you to explore the stunning UNESCO-listed rice terraces of the Cordilleras and trek to the breathtaking crater lake of Mt Pinatubo. Immerse yourself in Manila's vibrant food scene, with a community feast in Tarukan village and a culinary class in Baguio. Experience the thrill of riding a bamboo bike in historic Intramuros and traversing rugged landscapes in a 4WD. Connect with the Ifugao people and learn about their ancient traditions, while also supporting local women artists at the Harvest Hub Studio. From the bustling streets of Manila to the serene landscapes of Banaue and Sagada, this tour offers a rich tapestry of experiences, blending nature, culture, and adventure in the heart of the Philippines.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
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
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 3: Mt Pinatubo
Location: Mt Pinatubo
Accommodation: Guest House
Accommodation Name: Guest House
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 4: Banaue
Location: Banaue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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
Location: Banaue
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
-
Day 6: Bontoc/ Sagada
Location: Bontoc
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 7: Sagada
Location: Sagada
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 8: Baguio
Location: Baguio
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Take a stroll through local market with your leader and learn about key ingredients for 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!
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 9: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 10: Manila
Location: Manila
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night) -
Manila - City Tour
Experience a guided city tour of Manila, exploring its multicultural heritage.
-
Manila - Intramuros bamboo bike cycling tour
Enjoy a cycling tour on bamboo bikes around the historic walled area of Intramuros.
-
Mt Pinatubo - Crater hike
Hike to the crater of Mt Pinatubo for stunning views of the crater lake.
-
Tarukan Village - Community lunch
Participate in a community lunch with the Aetas in Tarukan Village.
-
Banaue - Bangaan rice terrace hike
Hike through the UNESCO-listed Banaue rice terraces.
-
Bontoc - Maligcong rice terrace hike
Trek along the Maligcong Rice Terrace in Bontoc.
-
Bontoc - Favarey Village visit
Visit Favarey Village and learn about its unique traditions.
-
Sagada - City tour
Explore Sagada on a guided city tour, including visits to the Hanging Coffins and Lumiang Cave.
-
Sagada - Eduardo Masferre’s home visit
Visit the home of Eduardo Masferre and view his rare photographs.
-
Kiltepan - Sunrise viewpoint & picnic breakfast
Enjoy a sunrise picnic breakfast at the Kiltepan viewpoint.
What's Not Included
-
Personal Expenses
Any personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
-
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
-
Optional Activities
Any optional activities not listed in the inclusions are not included.
-
International Flights
International flights to and from Manila are not included.
Transport
Private Vehicle , 4x4 , Jeepney , Bicycle
Accommodation
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATIONThe style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.TWIN SHAREAccommodation on this trip is on a twin basis.CHECK-IN TIMEThroughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATIONIf you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
Important Information
1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip and is subject to availability. Please consult your booking agent if you are interested.2. A scanned copy of the personal details page of your passport needs to be sent to your booking agent no later than 40 days before departure in order for us to purchase a permit for Mt Pinatubo. Occasionally, the government doesn't approve these permits, and your group will follow an alternative itinerary. Please refer to Day 3 of the Itinerary for more details.
Mode of Transport
Travel through the Philippines using a variety of transport modes including private vehicles, 4x4s, traditional Jeepneys, and bicycles, ensuring a diverse and immersive journey.
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is primarily twin-share, with occasional alternative arrangements due to availability. Pre/post-trip accommodation may require room changes. Early check-in is requested but not guaranteed, allowing luggage storage and exploration upon arrival.
Check out our Q&As
-
What unique cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a community lunch with the Aetas in Tarukan Village, where you can enjoy a traditional meal laid out on banana leaves and learn about their culture. You will also visit Favarey Village to learn about their unique burial traditions and meet the Ifugao people who shaped the rice terraces.
-
What kind of transportation will be used during the tour?
The tour will use a variety of transportation methods including private vehicles, 4x4s, traditional Jeepneys, and bicycles, particularly for the bamboo bike tour in Intramuros.
-
Are there any special activities related to local cuisine on this tour?
Yes, the tour includes a cooking class and dinner in Baguio with a famous local chef, where you will learn about traditional Cordillera meals and participate in a live cooking demonstration.
-
What opportunities are there to interact with local communities?
You will have the opportunity to interact with local communities during the community lunch in Tarukan Village, visits to the Ifugao people in Banaue, and at the Harvest Hub Studio in Baguio, where you can meet women artists and learn about their crafts.
-
What are some of the highlights of the hiking activities on this tour?
The hiking activities include trekking to the crater lake of Mt Pinatubo for breathtaking views and hiking through the UNESCO-listed Banaue rice terraces, which were crafted over 2000 years ago by the Ifugao people.
-
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 28, 2025 - Feb 06, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 18, 2025 - Feb 27, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 11, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 25, 2025 - Apr 03, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 08, 2025 - Apr 17, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 22, 2025 - May 01, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 18, 2025 - Nov 27, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 02, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 09, 2025 - Dec 18, 2025Friday - Sunday
Dec 19, 2025 - Dec 28, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 13, 2026 - Jan 22, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 27, 2026 - Feb 05, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 03, 2026 - Feb 12, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 17, 2026 - Feb 26, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 10, 2026 - Mar 19, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 24, 2026 - Apr 02, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 07, 2026 - Apr 16, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 21, 2026 - Apr 30, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 17, 2026 - Nov 26, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 01, 2026 - Dec 10, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 08, 2026 - Dec 17, 2026Friday - Sunday
Dec 18, 2026 - Dec 27, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
-
Terms and Conditions