Philippines Active Adventure: Manila, Banaue, Sagada & Palawan - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Manila, Self-Guided Exploration

Welcome to the capital of the Philippines, Manila! When you arrive at the airport, a private driver will transfer you to your hotel in the city. After settling in, venture out to explore on your own. If you want to immerse yourself in Filipino culture, head to the National Museum Complex to discover the three museums within. Start at the National Museum of Natural History to learn about the country's biodiversity, geology, and ecosystems.

Continue your visit with a trip to the National Museum of Anthropology, where you can delve into the Philippines' ethnographic and archaeological history. Your last stop is the National Museum of Fine Arts, which showcases a collection of Filipino visual arts from different periods. Those who want a more relaxing day after their flight can take a stroll along the Manila Baywalk instead. Walk along the waterfront area, pop into one of the many restaurants or cafes, and watch the sunset to end your first day in the Philippines. 

Day 2: Market Tour & Cooking Class, Bamboo Bike Tour of Intramuros

Skip breakfast this morning, as today, you get to learn from a local chef how to cook traditional Filipino dishes. Your lesson starts at a bustling market, where your guide will teach you about the produce and ingredients commonly used in Filipino cooking. Once you gather the supplies you need, follow your guide to their house to start cooking. Choose between a hands-on lesson or a cooking demonstration to prepare delicious recipes that have been passed down through generations. When the meal is ready, sit down with your group to enjoy it before ending with a sweet treat of calamansi pie.

In the afternoon, you can discover more of Manila on a handmade bamboo bike, making it easier to maneuver the winding alleyways of Intramuros, the historic walled city. Hop on your bicycle and follow your guide down the cobbled streets, passing architectural wonders and iconic landmarks, such as Fort Santiago and San Agustín Church. Your guide will stop at notable sites to teach you about their history and give you time to explore. After the four-hour sightseeing tour, you've probably worked up an appetite, so you can visit the Makati district, a neighborhood full of trendy bars, cafés, and restaurants.

Day 3: Transfer to Banaue, Stop in Baguio for a Guided Tour

Leave the bustling city behind for the quaint countryside as you make the private transfer 8.5 hours north to Banaue, a municipality tucked in the Cordillera mountains and home to UNESCO World Heritage rice terraces. Break up the long drive with a stop in Baguio, also known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines," because its cool climate makes it the perfect destination during the sweltering summer. Enjoy a guided tour of the town, starting at Mines View Park, named for its panoramic view of an old mining town called Itogon. Enjoy the view of rolling hills and towering trees before continuing to Baguio Cathedral.

One of the best things about this religious site is the view it offers, as it sits high atop Mount Mary. Admire the cathedral's twin spires and stained-glass windows, then continue to Tam Awan Village, where you can see reconstructed Ifugao huts, indigenous art, and live cultural performances. End your visit to Baguio at the Woodcarver's Village to watch local artisans create handmade goods that are available for purchase. After refueling with lunch, jump back in the car to finish the drive to Banaue. When you arrive, check into your hotel, and settle in for the night. 

Day 4: Visit the Batad & Bangaan Rice Terraces, Trek to Tappiya Falls

After breakfast, jump in a minibus called a jeepney, and head to the Batad Rice Terraces, one of five rice terraces in the Cordillera mountain range inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. When you arrive, you'll be greeted by layers of emerald-green rice terraces carved into the mountains over 2,000 years ago by the Ifugao people. Trek across the narrow trails winding through the terraces to truly appreciate the display of ingenuity and sustainable farming practices. You can then choose whether to visit Tappiyah Falls, nestled deep in the rice terraces, on a challenging two-hour trek.

The hike will be worth it once you see the cascading waterfall surrounded by lush greenery. Jump into the natural pool at the bottom for a refreshing swim before returning on the same path. Enjoy lunch at a local eatery, then head to the Bangaan Rice Terraces for another optional hike; this one is an easy stroll through the rice terraces to the village of Bangaan. If you decide to visit, you can meander around the village, admiring the traditional houses, browsing the markets, and meeting the Indigenous Ifugao people. When you're done exploring the village, return to your hotel in Banaue to rest your feet. 

Day 5: Transfer to Sagada, Hike to the Hanging Coffins in Echo Valley

Say goodbye to Banaue as you continue your journey north, via private transfer, to Sagada, renowned for its mountainous landscape and ancient caves. Check into your new hotel after the 3.5-hour drive, then venture back out for a three-hour trek into Echo Valley to see the famed hanging coffins. Start your journey at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, built by American Anglican missionaries in 1904, and follow the trail through the forest of towering pine trees.

After descending into the valley, you'll reach the suspended wooden coffins hanging from the limestone cliffs. Listen as your guide teaches you about the Igorot people's unique burial rituals, as they believe placing their deceased in elevated resting places brings them closer to heaven. After admiring the hanging coffins and gaining insight into their cultural significance, return along the same path, then head back to the hotel to rest before dinner.

Day 6: Half-Day Hike to the Bomod-ok Waterfall

Today, you get to escape into nature with a trek to Bomod-ok Waterfall, nestled deep within the Fidelisan Rice Terraces. Start your journey at Fidelisan Village, where you can catch a glimpse into the traditional way of life preserved by the Ifugao people. Watch as locals tend to the rice terraces, craft handwoven textiles, and cook traditional dishes. Continue through the picturesque rice terraces, venturing into dense forests, across bamboo bridges, and along scenic riverbanks.

After one hour, you should reach the 200-foot (60 m) tall waterfall surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery. The cool mist emanating from the falls will refresh you after that challenging hike, and if you bring a bathing suit, you can jump into the natural pool at its base. After a refreshing swim, sit on the giant rocks surrounding the falls to relax and soak up the serene atmosphere. When you're ready, return to the village along the same path, then transfer back to the hotel.

Day 7: Transfer to Manila, Free Time

Bid farewell to Sagada this morning as you start the 8.5-hour private transfer back to Manila. You'll stop along the way to stretch your legs, enjoy some fresh air, and have a delicious lunch.

When you arrive in Manila in the late afternoon, check into your hotel, and stay in to rest after the long drive or venture out to Adriatico Street in the district of Malate for a gastronomic adventure. Peruse the array of restaurants, cafés, and streetside eateries that cater to every palate until you find a dish that catches your eye. End the night with halo-halo, a sweet Filipino dessert made of crushed ice, milk, and add-ons like ube jam or flan.

Day 8: Fly to Puerto Princesa & Palawan Island, Full-Day City Tour

Leave Manila behind again to fly to Puerto Princesa, a colorful city on the tropical island of Palawan. After the 1.5-hour flight, meet your driver outside the airport to transfer to your hotel. Leave your bags behind and venture out on a full-day tour of the city, starting at the Palawan Museum. Browse the exhibits showcasing archaeological artifacts and ethnographic displays to learn more about the island's diverse culture. Continue your tour at Plaza Cuartel to see the preserved ruins of a Japanese military fortification, and pay your respects to those who lost their lives here during World War II.

Day 9: Mangrove Boat Tour, Cruise the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River 

Start your day with a three-hour paddle boat tour through one of Puerto Princesa's many mangrove forests. Navigate the tranquil waterways surrounded by towering mangrove trees to get up close and personal with the intricate network of roots and lush green foliage. Listen as your guide teaches you about the vital role these ecosystems play on the island while you paddle down the winding channels. Keep an eye out for colorful birds flying overhead or crabs scuttering up the trees before ending your mangrove tour at the port. 

From here, you join another boat tour, this one down the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a 5-mile (8.2 km) underground river said to be the longest in the world. Hop in the boat and cruise through the first cave's darkened chambers, where you'll be treated to a spectacular display of limestone formations, stalagmites, and stalactites. Glide through the UNESCO World Heritage Site, looking out for otherworldly rock formations and hanging bats, until you spill out into the South China Sea. Return to the port and transfer back to your hotel after a full day of boating.

Day 10: Transfer to El Nido, Optional Activities

After breakfast, head five hours north via private transfer to the municipality of El Nido, known for its pristine beaches and colorful coral reefs. When you arrive, check in at your hotel, then venture out to explore the area on your own. If you want a relaxing day, drive an hour outside of town to Nacpan Beach, a 2.4-mile (4 km) stretch of white sand with swaying palm trees and turquoise waters. Rent sunbeds to lounge on, swim in the refreshing water, or take part in water sports like kayaking or standup paddleboarding. If you stay until the evening, beach parties may start popping up around you.

Those looking for a more adventurous day can hike through the lush jungle to get to Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfall. Follow the scenic trail surrounded by vibrant flora until you reach the falls after an hour or two, depending on your pace. You'll be greeted by the cascading water surrounded by jagged cliffs and a freshwater pool at the bottom. Jump into the water to refresh after your hike, then lay out on the shore to relax before returning along the same path. In the evening, stroll along the beachfront and pop into one of the many bars or restaurants for dinner and a drink to end your night.

Day 11: Visit the Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island & Seven Commandos Beach

El Nido is often referred to as the "Gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago" because of its easy access to this pristine island group, which you get to discover today. Hop in a boat and cruise to the Secret Lagoon, aptly named as it's only accessible through a small entrance in the limestone cliffs. Switch to a kayak to navigate this entryway and enter the "hidden realm," where you'll be greeted by tranquil waters surrounded by jagged rocks. Swim in the turquoise waters or bask in the breathtaking views before returning to the original boat and cruising to Shimizu Island.

As you explore the island and snorkel in the nearby coral reefs, your guide will prepare a hearty meal for you to enjoy. After lunch, cruise to the Big Lagoon to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. Keep an eye out for manta rays, sea turtles, and even dugongs. End your boat tour at Seven Commandos Beach, named after the seven Japanese commandos who stayed here after World War II ended. Stroll along the white sand under the shade of the swaying palm trees, then jump back in the boat and return to your hotel in El Nido.

Day 12: Cruise to Islands & Beaches

Spend another day exploring the islands around the Bacuit Archipelago by boat. Start at Dilumacad Island, better known as Helicopter Island, because of its distinct, helicopter-like shape. Take a walk around the island, enjoying the powdery-white sand and turquoise waters, then jump in for a refreshing swim. Cruise to Tapiutan Island next, where you can don your snorkeling gear and look for colorful fish and coral below the water's surface. Hop back in the boat and cruise to Matinloc Island, home to Matinloc Shrine, a religious shrine built in the 1980s and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 

Climb up the hill to visit the shrine and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding waters and neighboring islets. Stroll back down to find Secret Beach, a hidden paradise only accessible by swimming through a small crevice in the cliff. Swim in the pristine waters before cruising to your final stop, Star Beach, another great spot to snorkel. Put your gear back on and explore the underwater world while your guide prepares lunch for you on board. When you're done eating, cruise back to El Nido and transfer to your hotel.

Day 13: Free Time in El Nido, Fly to Manila

Your penultimate day in the Philippines is yours to spend as you wish. You can revisit one of the pristine beaches around the island to relax or zipline across Las Cabanas Beach along a 2,460-foot (750 m) cable to get your adrenaline pumping. If you choose the zipline, complete a quick safety briefing, gather your gear, and climb up the steps to the loading zone. At the top, enjoy panoramic views of the lush greenery and turquoise waters while you wait for your turn. Once you're hooked up, sail over the beach, taking in the island's beauty from an aerial perspective.

After a relaxing or adrenaline-filled morning, return to the hotel to grab your bags and meet your driver for a transfer to El Nido's airport. Enjoy the 1.5-hour flight to Manila, where you have some more free time to explore. If you want to go shopping, head to the Mall of Asia, one of the biggest malls in all of Southeast Asia. You can find any kind of store you can imagine here, from local boutiques to high-end brands. You'll also find an IMAX theater, an Olympic-sized ice rink, and an amusement park, so it should be easy to fill your time. When you get hungry, visit the food hall for a bite to eat to end the day.

Day 14: Depart Manila

Your two-week active adventure across the Philippines comes to a close today. Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, pack your bags, then check out. If you have some time before your flight, you can head out to explore a bit on your own. Pop over to one of the many markets, such as Divisoria Market, for some last-minute souvenirs. You can find a variety of goods here, such as clothing, textiles, or jewelry, to buy for yourself or your loved ones. When it's time, return to the hotel to meet your driver and transfer to the airport. Have a safe journey home! 

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