Day 1 Manila - Banaue The tour starts with a 9-hour drive from the capital city of Manila to the country's highlands, Banaue. There will be several stops before the first day concludes at the Banaue Hotel. La Loma, which is known as one of the culinary capital of the country famous for its stretch of Lechon (roasted suckling pig) shops and for its historic cemetery, the Campo Santo de La Loma or more colloquially known as La Loma Catholic Cemetery, the oldest of its kind in Manila developed during the Spanish colonial period. Heading north, passing the province of Pampanga is the baroqueinfluenced church of San Guillermo Parish or the Bacolor Church. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1987, and was half buried in lahar during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, its seems that this architecture was made to become a phoenix, which can withstand any forces of nature. Halfway to our destination is where a two mountain ranges meet, Dalton Pass, which is located along the zigzag road of Nueva Ecija and Nueva Vizcaya provinces. Its summit lies 3,000 feet in elevation is where Caraballo Sur and the Sierra Madre mountain ranges connect is our gateway to the grand Banaue Highlands. Historically, Dalton Pass was a holding point of the Japanese army during the World War II and was a site of one of the bloodiest war in Luzon's record. Banaue Hotel, a standard class hotel, would be the best place to stay during your stay in the Highlands, as it is 4,000 feet above sea level and in the heart of the magnificent wonder of the world, the Banaue Rice Terraces.
The Great Luzon Getaway Day 2 Banaue Tour One of the best ways to wake-up in the morning is to be in the heart of the Banaue Rice Terraces. With its cool breeze and the beautiful view of the Philippine Highlands, there is no other reason why it is known as the "Stairways to the Heavens". Built by the Ifugaos, the terraces was designed as an irrigation for local crops plantation. It is elevated 5,000 feet above sea level and is also the cradle of the Ifugao civilization, their culture, and traditions. The tour continues as we explore the vastness of Batad and the wonders of its mountains.
Day 3 Banaue - Sagada Sagada has become a new scene for younger people and busy professionals to escape the buzzing city life or an aching heart. Being a location of several local movies, Sagada receives a relatively fast flock of tourists. Home of the "Hanging Coffin", it would take approximately A couple of hours north, the municipality of Sagada will greet its guests with the warmness of its people with the region's cool zephyr. local tourist spots include Kiltepan Peak (best for its view of the sea of cloud and of the sunrise), Sumaguing Cave, and Bomod- Ok Falls to name a few. A tour of the Bontoc Museum will be one of the stints of this day. Founded by a Belgian nun, the museum preserves the history and heritage of the indigenous peoples of the Cordillera region. The museum holds a collection of traditional costumes, hunting and farming tools, and photographs of the Ifugao, and headhunter warriors and their prizes. Also on display are centuries-old Chinese ceramics and archeological objects found in Cordillera caves. Sagada's mountain peaks are the best place to view the sea of clouds enveloping the lower areas, the sunrise and the sunset above sea levels, and the mystical sky from wee hours till dawn breaks where celestial bodies such as the galactic center of the Milky Way is visible. Sagada is also famous for its Hanging Coffin, a traditional way of the Igurot s in burying their loved ones. St. Joseph Inn and Masferre are our guests' sanctuary during this day.
The Great Luzon Getaway Day 4 Sagada - Vigan The journey back in time is just 5 hours away from the mountains. Vigan City, the capital of Ilocos Sur is a UNESCO Heritage Site where the Hispanic traditions are kept intact through its architectural sites. Calle Crisologo, a stretch of old Spanish-era houses is a tourism magnet. Experience the old ways of the Ilocano people as guest may ride a Kalesa, a horse-drawn calash. As one of the Spanish held provinces of the north, Vigan houses some baroque and neo-gothic churches such as the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle and Saint Augustine Parish Church to name a few. The Fountain Light show, a new attraction in Vigan which showcases the fusion of light, sound and the fountains as theses dances together which brings a grand show-stopper of the night. Plazas and museums are also widely visible in Vigan, which homes some artifacts of the region's historical past. Vigan Hotel Luna will be our guests sanctuary.
Day 5 Vigan Laoag - Manila Barely two hours north is the city counterpart of the Northern Ilocandia, Laoag City. It is the home of the infamous white beach of Pagudpud; and its new adventure seeking activity the La Paz, and Paoay sand dunes. Marco-era mansions can also be seen in this region, while the 5-star hotel and casino resort of the Fort Ilocandia home some entertainment. Clean renewable energy also gives the province its much needed electricity through the Bangui Wind Farms that stretches 9km of the Bangui coastline. Guests will fly back to Manila after all activities we concluded.