Northern Philippines Highlights

Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

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.

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, and learn culinary secrets from a Baguio chef.
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.

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,4x4,Jeepney,Bicycle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Manila, Philippines

Finishes

Manila, Philippines

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

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).

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Manila - Mt. Pinatubo

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. Then 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 lunch together and then leave Manila behind and drive to the foot of Mt. Pinatubo for tonight. Arrive in the early evening and you'll stay in a lovely local guesthouse in the countryside with a swimming pool.

Included Activities:

Manila - City Tour
Manila - Intramuros bamboo bike cycling tour

Accommodation:

Guest House (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Mt Pinatubo

You’ll set off for Crow Valley this morning so you can get a 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. Head back to your lovely guesthouse afterwards for another peaceful night in the countryside.

Included Activities:

Mt Pinatubo - Crater hike
Tarukan Village - Community lunch

Accommodation:

Guest House (Number of Nights: 1)

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).

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Included Activities:

Banaue - Bangaan rice terrace hike

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Sagada

Travel to Sagada and embark 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), explore local farms, or simply relax and get ready for your next day's trekking.

Included Activities:

Sagada - City tour
Sagada - Eduardo Masferre’s home visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Maligcong Rice Terrace - Sagada

Get ready for 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 going back to Sagada

Included Activities:

Bontoc - Maligcong rice terrace hike
Bontoc - Favarey Village visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Baguio

This morning, 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:

Baguio - Cooking class & dinner

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Included Activities:

Baguio - Art gallery visit
Baguio - Women's weaving studio co-op visit

Accommodation:

Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)

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.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $3,780

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

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.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 25 Nov 2025

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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