01 Nov 2026
Twin share
£2,520pp
Single from £3,245
Escorted tour
North Philippines Explorer: Vigan, Banaue & Pinatubo – 13 Days
Manila, Vigan, Sagada, the Banaue rice terraces and Mount Pinatubo, in a group of up to 16.
13 days
From £2,385
Tour overview
This 13-day small-group journey explores the north of Luzon, the Philippines' largest island, from Spanish colonial towns and baroque churches to mountain villages and some of the most spectacular rice terraces in Asia. Groups have up to 16 travellers aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout and local drivers. You stay twelve nights in comfortable hotels, generally three or four star with en-suite rooms, and there is one internal flight. Breakfast is included every day, with a lunch of Ilocano dishes.
In Manila you explore the walled city of Intramuros and San Agustín, the oldest church in the country, then ride a colourful jeepney to Binondo, one of the world's first Chinatowns. A short flight takes you north to Laoag to visit the Malacañang of the North, overlooking Paoay Lake, and the UNESCO-listed Paoay Church, built from coral stone. You walk across the La Paz sand dunes and spend a day on the coast, walking through rice fields to Kabigan Falls for a swim, then relaxing at Pagudpud beach and visiting Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.
Read more
Vigan is the best-preserved Spanish colonial town in Asia, and you explore its cobbled streets by kalesa, a horse-drawn carriage, visiting museums and a traditional pottery and tasting Ilocano specialities on Calle Crisologo. Heading into the Cordillera mountains, you reach Sagada, where the Igorot people have placed coffins high on cliff faces for over 2,000 years. A walk through the Maligcong rice terraces brings you to Favarey village, where many elders carry traditional tattoos.
In Banaue you discover the 2,000-year-old rice terraces of the Ifugao people, often called the Eighth Wonder of the World, travelling by jeepney to Hapao and trekking to Batad, where terraces rise like an amphitheatre. The final adventure is a 4×4 jeepney ride and a trek to the turquoise crater lake of Mount Pinatubo, whose 1991 eruption was one of the largest of the 20th century, before a farewell dinner in Manila.
The physical rating is medium, with easy walks on uneven paths, some steps, stream crossings and long drives. This trip suits curious travellers looking for a less-visited corner of Asia.
Trip highlights
-
Intramuros and a jeepney to Binondo (Day 2)
-
UNESCO Paoay Church (Day 3)
-
Vigan by horse-drawn carriage (Day 6)
-
The hanging coffins of Sagada (Day 7)
-
The Batad rice terraces (Day 10)
-
Trek to Mount Pinatubo's crater (Day 12)
Your route
12 stops from Manila to Manila
- Manila Days 1–2
- Laoag Days 3–4
- Paoay Church Day 3
- Pagudpud Day 4
- Vigan Days 5–6
- Sagada Days 7–8
- Bontoc Day 8
- Banaue Days 9–10
- Batad Day 10
- Mabalacat Day 11
- Mount Pinatubo Day 12
- Manila Days 12–13
Why choose this tour
Colonial towns, mountain cultures and rice terraces off the usual trail. A domestic flight and a Pinatubo trek included.
Best suited to
- Culture and history lovers
- Travellers who want something different
- Solo travellers looking for a group
- Keen walkers
Day-by-day itinerary
13 days from Manila, Philippines to Manila, Philippines
-
Day 1 · Manila Arrive in Manila
A welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Rizal Park Hotel or similar
-
Day 2 · Intramuros, Binondo Manila
The old town and Chinatown.
- Hotel
- Rizal Park Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Laoag, Paoay Church, La Paz dunes Laoag
Fly north to a coral-stone church.
- Hotel
- Java Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 4 · Kabigan Falls, Pagudpud Kabigan Falls
A waterfall and the coast.
- Hotel
- Java Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Vigan Vigan
A Spanish colonial town.
- Hotel
- Hotel Felicidad or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Calle Crisologo Vigan
Explore by horse-drawn carriage.
- Hotel
- Hotel Felicidad or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Echo Valley, Lumiang Cave Sagada
Hanging coffins and burial caves.
- Hotel
- Masferre Country Inn or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Bontoc, Favarey Maligcong
A rice terrace walk to a traditional village.
- Hotel
- Masferre Country Inn or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Bontoc Museum, Hapao Banaue
To the rice terraces.
- Hotel
- Banaue Grandview Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Bangaan, Batad Batad
A trek through amphitheatre terraces.
- Hotel
- Banaue Grandview Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Mabalacat Mabalacat
A long drive to a rural farm stay.
- Hotel
- Abes Farm or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Mount Pinatubo, Manila Mount Pinatubo
Trek to the crater lake.
- Hotel
- City Garden Grand Hotel or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Manila Tour ends
The tour ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Manila (2 nights) Rizal Park Hotel or similar
- Laoag (2 nights) Java Hotel or similar
- Vigan (2 nights) Hotel Felicidad or similar
- Sagada (2 nights) Masferre Country Inn or similar
- Banaue (2 nights) Banaue Grandview Hotel or similar
- Mabalacat (1 night) Abes Farm or similar
- Manila (1 night) City Garden Grand Hotel or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 12 nights in hotels
- Meals 12 breakfasts and 1 lunch
- Flight from Manila to Laoag
- Private transport, jeepneys and 4x4s
- Manila old town walking tour
- Vigan kalesa ride and museums
- Rice terrace walks and Mount Pinatubo trek
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Meals not included 10 lunches and 12 dinners
- International flights
- Optional activities such as sandboarding
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a beach holiday
- You dislike long drives
- You want luxury
- You want flights to the Philippines included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–13 · Lunch: Day 3 · Dinner: none included
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Philippines
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £2,385 per person, twin share, tour only. 15 upcoming departures.
15 Nov 2026
Twin share
£2,520pp
Single from £3,245
29 Nov 2026
Twin share
£2,440pp
Single from £3,065
14 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,630pp
Single from £3,355
21 Dec 2026
Twin share
£2,780pp
Single from £3,505
24 Jan 2027
Twin share
£2,675pp
Single from £3,430
07 Feb 2027
Twin share
£2,545pp
Single from £3,200
07 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,745pp
Single from £3,400
28 Mar 2027
Twin share
£2,675pp
Single from £3,430
11 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,485pp
Single from £3,140
16 May 2027
Twin share
£2,385pp
Single from £3,040
30 May 2027
Twin share
£2,485pp
Single from £3,140
28 Nov 2027
Twin share
£2,485pp
Single from £3,140
14 Dec 2027
Twin share
£2,675pp
Single from £3,430
21 Dec 2027
Twin share
£2,675pp
Single from £3,430
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard is the Pinatubo trek?
A relatively easy walk of about two hours each way, with several ankle-deep stream crossings.
Is there an internal flight?
Yes, a flight from Manila to Laoag is included.
Which meals are included?
Breakfast every day and one lunch. Other meals are at your own expense.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors can usually enter the Philippines visa-free for a short stay. Check the latest advice before travel.
Are single rooms available?
At most hotels, for a supplement, but not at the farm stay in Mabalacat.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers, with a tour leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary