Upon arrival at airport in the Philippines, you will be warmly met by a representative, who will provide assistance and transfer to your accommodation to check-in.

Overnight: Manila

Activities:

• After breakfast, enjoy an extraordinary experience that is uniquely Filipino by riding in an air-conditioned jeepney whilst taking in the sights of Manila. Travel through the financial district of Makati, passing down Ayala Avenue where gleaming skyscrapers stand cheek by jowl with less than distinguished-looking structures. As we approach the bustling metropolis of Manila, drive past the Cultural Center of the Philippines and on to Roxas Boulevard.
• Stop at Rizal Park, named after the country’s nationalist hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
• Then proceed to the Walled City of Intramuros which was the nucleus of the old Spanish town.
• Venture into Fort antiago in its strategic location overlooking the Pasig River and Manila Bay and stroll along its ramparts where once stood the bamboo-palisades stockade of its chieftain, Rajah Sulayman.
• Continue on to San Agustin Church, the only church built within Intramuros that has survived the collective onslaught of numerous calamities including fire and war. Beside the church is a museum that houses a collection of manuscripts, rare books, and religious arts and artifacts. Not far from San Agustin Church is Casa Manila, a reproduction of a 19th century house equipped with oriental and European decor, as well as Philippine antique furniture.
• Crossing the Pasig River, we move on to the Chinese Cemetery, a virtual town for the dead complete with streets and houses. Be awed by its ostentatious mausoleums, some of which are two-story high, equipped with air-conditioning units, kitchens, furniture, stained-glass windows, running water and electricity.
• Winding our way through traffic, end up in a small side street in La Loma, Quezon City, where rows of native food stalls selling lechon line up the street. Here pig sucklings of every size and shape can be observed roasting in charcoal pits – a mouth-watering feast for the hearty gourmand and every cardiologist’s worst nightmare.

Overnight: Manila – (B)

Activities:

• Departure for Banaue, 360kms from Manila. Travel north on the express way and Cagayan Valley Road until the town of Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya, then climb 1300m above sea level to Banaue.

Overnight: Banaue – (B, L, D)

Activities:

• From the hotel, board a local jeepney for a ride to Banga-an native village, accessible after a short hike from the main road.
• After spending some time in the village, continue to a vantage point to view and admire the 2,000 year old rice terraces. If placed end to end, the Banaue Rice Terraces will reach halfway around the world.
• Proceed to the town’s public market to mingle with the local people and view the vast array of native handicraft.
• Time permitting, visit another village before returning to the hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight: Banaue – (B, L, D)

Activities:

• Drive north along the winding mountain trail and hinterland town of Bontoc, where the museum founded by the Belgian sisters is visited.
• Weather conditions permitting, visit the Ifugao burial caves in Sagada and inter mingle with the natives.
• Continue the drive through the winding narrow road of unspeakable beauty until you reach Mount Data, atop of which is Mount Data Lodge.
• Overnight at either Mt. Data or Sagada, depending on prevailing weather conditions.

Overnight: Mt. Data or Sagada – (B, L, D)

Activities:

• After breakfast, drive through high mountain passes with spectacular views of the Cordilleras, past deep gorges, and canyons, until we reach the town of Cervantes, which links Ilocos Sur with Mountain Province.
• We breeze through the highway towards Bessang Pass, once the site of one of the bloodiest battles of World War II.
• As we go further onto the flat, low-lying areas, the highland scenery transforms into idyllic agricultural towns ringed by many tobacco-curing barns, rice and corn fields.
• Then there are coastal settlements fronting the Luzon Sea, with craggy, grey sandy beaches that are lined with coconut and mangrove trees.
• The Abra River signals our entry into the quaint town of Vigan, where from afar, the ancient Bantay bell tower is visible.

Overnight: Vigan Salcedo De Vigan – (B, L, D)

Activities:

• Stroll along the cobbled street of Mena Crisologo where old colonial houses line the road, and an occasional horse-drawn carriages called calesa would occasionally go ambling by. Close by is St. Paul’s Cathedral, whose bell tower stands separately in Plaza Burgos. Built in 1574, it has a main altar with beaten-silver panels; the stone-carved Fu dogs standing in attendance at the church entrance reflect Vigan’s strong Chinese heritage.
• Proceed to Syquia Mansion which contains antique furniture and memorabilia of Elpido Quirino, who became president of the Philippines.
• A short calesa ride brings you to a jar factory which Vigan is also noted for. Called pagburnayan, this centuries-old industry produces the dark brown burnay jars that have countless uses among Ilocanos. Here a carabao is used to trample the clay, which is fashioned on a primitive wheel and fired in a long, low kiln heated by wood.
• Cap the tour with a delectable lunch in a quaint garden setting located in the outskirts of the city.
• After lunch, proceed to Ilocos Norte and stop at the fortress-like church of St. Augustine in Paoay. First constructed in 1704, the church is noted for its variety of architectural styles and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Move on to Museo ILoko, housed in the old Tabacalera where government-controlled tobacco was stored in colonial times.
• Drive past the Abolition of Tobacco Monopoly Monument at the town plaza and pause briefly at St. Williams Cathedral and its Sinking Bell Tower, before continuing on to Plaza Del Norte.

Overnight: Laoag – (B, L, D)

Activities:

• Rest of the day free at leisure.
• Check-out and transfer to Laoag Airport for your return flight to Manila.

Overnight: Manila – (B, L)

Activities:

• Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight: Manila – (B)

Departure: Check-out and transfer to Airport for your onward flight. – (B)