Tour of North Luzon, Philippines, including the Rice Terraces and Ilocos...

The lovely town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, North Luzon

We've introduced a new Private Tour that takes in many of the splendours of North Luzon, Philippines, including the Rice Terraces, Baguio, Vigan, Laoag, & Ilocos. The journey is over 8 Days, but can be extended.

The trip takes us from Manila to Banaue, and the Rice Terraces. Over the next 4 days we'll take a nature trek through the forests of Batad, marvel at the rice terraces here, and then head off to the Tappiyah Waterfalls.

Visiting Sagada, we'll discover Mt. Polis, the Bayyo Rice Terraces, and Bontoc. We'll see caves and hanging coffins, explore villages and small townships, and maybe even pick oranges, if in season.

On day 5 we head off to Baguio - "City of Pines", where we do a tour of the local area. The following day we head north again, to Ilocos, stopping first in the amazing Spanish-style town of Vigan. 

A tour of Vigan takes in the Antay Bell Tower, Loom Weavers, Burgos Museum, St. Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Pagburnayan Pottery, Syquia Mamsion, Hotel Luna, Crisologo Museum, Baluarte, Hidden Garden, and Calle Crisologo.

Moving on to Laoag, Paoay and Batac, on day 7, we see the Laoag Sinking Bell Tower, St William’s Cathedral, Aurora Park, Sta. Monica Church, Museo Diocesano de Laoag, Marcos's Birth Place, Malacanan of the North, Paoay Church, Marcos Mausoleum and Museum, and the coastal Sand Dunes.

On our final day, after Breakfast, we start a Pagudpud day tour. On this tour we visit the Burgos Light House, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Bangui Windmills, stopping at Saud Emohrou for Lunch by the Sea. We then carry on to the Kabigan Falls, with an opportunity for swimming, Patapat Viaduct, Paraiso Ni Anton, and finally, Blue Lagoon, which also presents an opportunity for a bathe.

In the evening on this final day, to save time, we take a short flight back to Manila, where our journey ends. (Or you can opt for an extention to visit some other parts of the Philippines.)

See the Full Tour Outline HERE >>

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Wildlife in the Philippines...

The Philippine Tarsier

The Philippines has one of the world's highest biodiversities. Almost half of its bird life, and two-thirds of its mammals and plants are found nowhere else. In all, 1,137 species are found only in the Philippines.

Many of these species are considered "threatened or endangered", including the Tamaraw, a type of wild cattle, the Philippine Tarsier, the Cloud Rat, Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (commonly known as the Fruit Bat), several species of Wild Pig, and the Philippine Spotted Deer.

Other protected creatures include marine life such as Sea Turtles, Dugong, and Whale Sharks.

Underwater, no country has a greater diversity of marine life, and divers are lured from all over the world to this great diving destination.

Whale Sharks are primarily found off Donsol, in Bicol; and Oslob, in the south of Cebu, as well as a few other parts of the country. These gentle giants feed off plankton and krill.

Five types of sea turtle are now found in the Philippines. The leatherback turtle being one of the biggest. Two species of turtle, the Green and Hawksbill, nest on the islands' beaches.

The Philippine Tarsier, shown above, is endemic to the Philippines, and can be found mainly on the islands of Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Mindanao.

The Tarsier is one of the smallest primates, and is nocturnal, living on a diet of insects. Although now protected, the tarsier is still threatened by the destruction of its natural forest habitat, which has caused a big reduction in the Tarsier population.

In the Calamian islands, (Coron), Calauit Island has become a Nature Park, Game Reserve, and Wildlife Sanctuary, and is home to a huge collection of animals that were originally from Kenya, including giraffes, zebras, and gazelles. These animals are now thriving as they share their new home with creatures endemic to the Philippines.

Read more about Philippines Wildlife on our website HERE >>

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Our Latest Tour - visiting the Philippines Rice Terraces and Sagada

We  now have a new Rice Terraces and Sagada Private Tour over 5 days.

The itinerary is flexible, and we travel to and from the Rice Terraces during daylight hours in a private air-conditioned car.

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THE ITINERARY

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On day 1 we head north of Manila to the Rice Terraces, arriving in Banaue late afternoon. Overnight in Hotel

On day 2, after Breakfast we head off to Batad for a trek through the forests of Batad, also walking the famous amphitheatre-like rice terraces. Next it's off to see the Tappiyah Waterfalls.

Most evenings there is a cultural show performed in the Banaue Hotel, where we stay for the night.

On day 3, after Breakfast, we depart for Sagada with stops at Banaue Viewpoint, Mt. Polis, Bayyo rice terraces, and the Bontoc museum.
Having had lunch, we then walk to Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins, then tour the town. Perhaps pick some Oranges, when in season.
We spend tonight in Sagada.

On day 4, after Breakfast we head off to Sumaguing cave with a quick stop over to view the hanging coffins and the burial cave. We then ead back to Banaue, stopping off at Sagada Weaving, and followed by lunch in Bontoc.

After lunch, we continue back to Banaue, enjoying the amazing views, and the town itself, perhaps stopping to buy souvenirs. We spend our final night in Banaue.

On day 5 we depart from Banaue, and travel back to Manila by Private Air-Conditioned transport. 

See the complete Itinerary HERE >>

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Learn to Sail in the Philippines...

Learn to sail in the Philippine Islands.

If you're looking for a holiday where you can take a course learning to sail in the Philippines, let us know and we'll let you know what options there are available.

Currently the best places to learn are at either Puerto Galera, or Lake Taal, just south of Manila.

Contact us and we can arrange a sailing course as part of your Philippines vacation!

See more about Sailing in the Philippines on our website HERE >>

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Trekking Mt Bulusan Volcano, in Sorsogon, Philippines

Bulusan Volcano is a volcano in the most southerly part of Luzon, in Sorsogon. It is close to one of the Philippines most well known volcanoes, Mt Mayon, famed for it's perfectly symmetrical shape. Both volcanoes are still quite active.

Set in a verdant natural rainforest, where you'll encounter a variety of different plants, birds, and wildlife, Bulusan offers a number of trekking opportunities, over, 5, 4, or 3 days, or you can opt to simply stay overnight.

During a trek of Mt Bulusan, your local guide will forage for edible mushrooms, plants, fruits & berries, which may form ingredients for one of your meals.

You could well be invited to plant a tree, as the local government is re-foresting some areas, which are now protected, being a national park. (In the past there was a lot of illegal logging on Bulusan's slopes). Today, the Bulusan rainforest is fast becoming an attractive and diverse eco-system, well worth exploring.

Read more about the treks we offer on Mt Bulusan Volcano, HERE >>

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Baguio, Philippines - "City of Pines"...

Igorots in native costume by
Baguio Botanical Gardens

North of Manila, the city of Baguio has long been a popular destination for Filipinos looking to escape the heat of the lowland areas. The climate is around 8 degrees lower than Manila, and Baguio has acquired the nickname, "City of Pines".

Visitors travelling with us by road between Manila and Ilocos (Laoag & Vigan), or between Sagada and the Rice Terraces, and Ilocos, are likely to spend a night in Baguio. Other areas easily reached from Baguio include Pangasinan (Hundred islands), and the beaches of La Union.

Baguio has a number of attractions including Baguio Cathedral - a distinctive pink building with twin spires, and one of city's most prominent landmarks; the Botanical Garden - an open parkland with relics and statues depicting Cordillera tribesmen; Session Road - the city's main thoroughfare, lined with markets, hotels, shops and cafés; Camp John Hay - originally a home to the US Army, which also features a world class golf course, (designed by Jack Niclaus); and Mines View Park, which offers spectacular views of the old gold and copper mines of Benguet province.

Read more about Baguio on our website HERE >>

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