Holiday In The Philippines

Located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay, Manila lay at the heart of Spanish activity in the Far East during the 16th century. Once known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, the city went on to witness several Chinese insurrections, a British occupation and a Sepoy mutiny, a war against the colonial Spanish and some of the most bitter fighting of World War II. Today it is the capital of the Philippines and one of the most populous cities in the world.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we take a tour of the city by bus and calesa (horse drawn cart). This includes a visit to Rizal Park and the historic walled city of Intramuros, where we find the Church of San Agustin, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is the oldest church in the Philippines. Continuing by calesa, we head next into Chinatown, exploring the network of alleys and side streets that lead down towards the Binondo Church, the Church of Santa Cruz and the art deco architecture of the Perez-Samanilio building.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After an early breakfast we depart Manila and head north-west, towards Pampanga and the volcanic slopes of Mount Pinatubo. Located in the mountains that separate the central plains from the west coast of Luzon Island, the volcano was the scene of the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century when, on June 15, 1991, it erupted with an intensity that was ten times that of the Mount St Helens volcano a decade earlier. On arrival in Pampanga we board 4x4 vehicles to drive to the foot of the mountain, from where we hike to the volcano’s crater, an easy walk of around an hour each way. Later we continue by bus to Clark (Angeles City).

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

We have a long drive today, as we head along the Cagayan Valley Road towards the Banaue Rice Terraces. Driving north we head first to the town of Bagabag, in the Nueva Vizcaya Province, before beginning the climb towards Banaue (1300 metres). Carved into the mountains of Ifugao, the 2000 year old rice terraces that occupy these high, fertile landscapes are considered by the Filipinos to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. Our destination is the town of Banaue, our gateway into the remote villages of the Cordilleras.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The Banaue Rice Terraces form part of the ‘Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras’, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is believed that if these ancient terraces were laid end to end they would reach halfway around the planet. Taking a local ‘jeepney’ this morning (converted jeep/bus) we drive out towards Banga-an village, from where we hike up to a viewpoint overlooking the terraces. Returning to the town’s public market, we then have a chance to mingle and barter with the locals before returning to the hotel later this afternoon.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Continuing north along the winding mountain roads, we head next for the town of Bontoc, a bustling market town and capital of the Cordillera region. We will visit its small museum that was founded by Belgian sisters and which has a number of interesting exhibits about the region's indigenous tribes. The town lies close to the hanging coffins and burial caves of Sagada which, weather permitting, we hope to visit. The indigenous population have been burying their dead in coffins perched high on the cliff faces for over 2000 years. No one knows exactly why this practice started but it is believed to both keep the preserved bodies safe from natural disasters such as earthquake and flood and take them one step closer to heaven. We then continue along the snaking mountain roads towards our overnight stop at the Mount Data Lodge. This region is renowned for its biodiversity and its pine and oak forests are a haven for a number of unique mammal and bird species.

Overnight Standard Lodge Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we continue our drive through the mountains, enjoying some spectacular views of the Cordilleras as we pass through a series of deep gorges and canyons. Reaching the town of Cervantes, in Ilocos Sur Province, we then head over Bessang Pass, scene of one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War. As the mountain landscapes transform into fertile lowlands, we drive past tobacco curing barns and fields of rice and corn towards the coastal settlements along the Luzon Sea. Passing beaches lined with coconuts and mangroves we finally reach the Abra River and the charming town of Vigan.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

One of the few Hispanic towns left in the Philippines, Vigan’s historic heart was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1999. The best-preserved example of a Spanish colonial town in Asia, it is home to cobbled streets, colonial villas and the imposing grandeur of a 16th century cathedral. We also take in the Syquia Mansion today, the former residence of Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines, before paying a visit to a traditional ‘pagburnayan’ (jar) factory. The afternoon is then free to enjoy at your own pace.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving the colonial charms of Vigan behind this morning we head back to Manila, to spend another night in the capital. The drive takes us through the coastal towns of La Union and Pangasinan Provinces, before rejoining the national highway for the final leg back into the capital. We should arrive early evening, in time to check in and freshen up before dinner.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Following an early breakfast we drive south, towards Batangas Pier. Once we clear the chaos of the port we board an outrigger boat and head for the island of Mindoro and one of the ‘most beautiful bays in the world’. On arrival we head for Coco Beach Resort and, after checking in, the rest of the day is free to enjoy as you wish.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We have two whole days to enjoy this idyllic spot and there are options available to visit the outlying islands and the nearby Mangyan village. The resort’s facilities also include a spa and a dive school and these waters contain a number of excellent dive and snorkelling sites. Indeed, nearby Puerto Galera is rated as one of the country’s top dive destinations, with a number of wrecks littering the ocean floor and a stunningly diverse mix of marine life on offer.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we catch the boat back to Luzon island and drive back towards Manila. The tour ends mid afternoon at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport from where passengers travelling on the group flight back to London will take an early evening flight.

Included meals: Breakfast