Immersive Philippines: Filipino Culture Discovery

Welcome to Manila, Philippines. Upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel for a full day of private exploration. Drive to Fort Santiago to begin your journey through Intramuros, the historic core of Manila. Visit the Rizal Museum to learn about José Rizal’s life and legacy, then step inside Casa Manila, a detailed replica of a 19th-century Spanish colonial mansion filled with Filipino, Chinese, and European influences. 

Continue to the San Agustin Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and explore its museum. Head to Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, for a short walk through its lively streets. End the day at the Chinese Cemetery, known for its ornate mausoleums and layered history.

Meet your driver at 06:30 for your transfer to the airport. Upon arrival, meet your local driver and guide, then set out for Banaue on a 4- to 5-hour drive. Stop at the Mayoyao View Deck, the last stronghold of Japanese soldiers during World War II, and take in sweeping views of the Rice Terraces. Arrive in Banaue and check in at your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at your own pace.

Meet your guide at the hotel for a scenic journey to Batad, a remote village renowned for its breathtaking rice terraces and rich cultural heritage. From the drop-off point, trek about 20 minutes down to the village, where the amphitheater-shaped terraces rise around a 2,000-year-old feat of Ifugao engineering and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the ancient irrigation system that still sustains this landscape today.

In the village, engage in daily life by trying traditional rice pounding, an important part of Ifugao culture that connects you to the community’s heritage. Continue with a trek to a nearby waterfall, where you can rest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before hiking back to the village. Return to the jeepney for the ride back to your hotel, carrying a deeper appreciation of Batad’s culture and natural beauty.

In the evening, watch a traditional Ifugao cultural performance featuring music, dance, and rituals that reveal the community’s rich traditions and enduring spirit.

Meet your driver at 09:00 for your private van transfer to Sagada. Along the way, stop at scenic viewpoints and visit the Bontoc Museum, which showcases striking black-and-white photographs and artifacts that trace the history and traditions of the Cordillera’s indigenous peoples. 

Arrive in Sagada by early afternoon, a quiet mountain town sitting about five thousand feet above sea level. Known for preserving its culture despite centuries of outside influence, Sagada offers a glimpse into authentic mountain life.

Meet your guide for a walking tour through Echo Valley, where Sagada’s ancient hanging coffins cling to limestone cliffs. This centuries-old burial tradition, still practiced today, honors community elders who meet specific customs, such as being married and having grandchildren. At the lookout point, call out into the valley and listen as your voice echoes back, giving the place its name.

Continue along a scenic trail through a local coffee plantation to see how Arabica beans thrive in Sagada’s cool, fertile highlands. Learn about the farming methods that make this mountain coffee so distinctive. Head next to Sugong to view more hanging coffins suspended dramatically on cliff faces, then visit Lumiang Burial Cave, where over a hundred wooden coffins rest near the entrance, some dating back nearly 500 years. Notice the carved lizard symbols on the coffins, believed to represent long life and fertility.

This tour showcases Sagada’s unique culture, history, and stunning mountain beauty, providing an in-depth look at the traditions that continue to shape life in this remote highland community.

Depart Sagada in a private van for the drive to Vigan. The 5- to 6-hour journey offers scenic mountain and countryside views along with glimpses of Philippine history. Pass through Bessang Pass National Park, the site of a fierce World War II battle fought against General Tomoyuki Yamashita’s forces. Arrive in Vigan and check in at the hotel for the night.

Meet your guide for a full-day exploration of Vigan, a UNESCO World Heritage City rich in history and culture. Start at the Vigan Cathedral, a landmark of Spanish colonial architecture, then visit the Padre Burgos Museum and Syquia Mansion to learn about the region’s heritage and the life of President Elpidio Quirino.

Continue to the Crisologo Museum to see artifacts from one of Vigan’s notable families, then enjoy a peaceful walk through the Hidden Garden, known for its greenery and relaxed setting. At the Camangaan Loom Weaving Center, watch local artisans practice the traditional craft of hand weaving.

Visit the Bantay Bell Tower for panoramic views of the area before ending your day with a stroll along Calle Crisologo, where cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses capture the charm of Spanish-era Vigan. After the tour, return to your hotel for the evening.

Meet your driver for your transfer from Vigan to Laoag Airport. Along the way, stop at a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its remarkable architecture and cultural value. Visit the ancestral home of renowned Filipino painter Juan Luna, then see the Sinking Bell Tower, a centuries-old landmark that continues to slowly settle into the ground.

Upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Check in and relax at this elegant, historic landmark that has long stood as a symbol of timeless Filipino hospitality.

Enjoy some free time to relax or explore before departure. When ready, meet your driver at the hotel for your transfer to the airport.

Note: For international flights departing from the Philippines, it's generally recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 to 4 hours before your scheduled departure time. This extra time allows for check-in procedures, security checks, immigration processes, and any other delays that may arise.