Two Weeks Philippines Tours

Today, your private guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and accompany you as you delve into Manila’s hidden gems. First, in the tree-lined Rizal Park, let’s explore the peaceful gardens while listening to the glorious story of the “Father of the Philippines,” Jose Rizal (1861-1896 AD), who revolted against Spanish colonial rule and died a martyr. 

Next, we’ll head to Intramuros Old Town, Manila’s oldest district, a testament to the city’s tumultuous colonial history and now resembling a Spanish-style town. Arriving at the two-storied Casa Manila in a red-brick-paved alley, you can glimpse the luxurious lifestyle of Manila’s upper class in the 19th century through its wooden doors and shutters cleverly embedded in the thick stone walls. Then, follow your guide to visit the 400-year-old San Agustin Church and Manila Cathedral, admiring their ornate Baroque carvings and exquisite chandeliers. If lucky, we might even witness a wedding. Afterward, we’ll stroll around the restored remains of Fort Santiago, feeling the cruelty of war and the weight of history. 

Continue our visit to SM Mall of Asia next to Manila Bay, one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines, with thousands of shops and restaurants, as well as an Olympic-sized ice-skating rink. You might wonder why the Philippines, not even a rich country in Asia, has such prosperous streets and a world-class shopping mall. This actually reflects Philippine society: the enormous gap between the rich and the poor has led the top 1% of Manila’s earners to hold nearly 20% of the country’s wealth. 

Our last stop today is the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, where tens of thousands of white marble tombstones stand on vast, well-trimmed lawns, commemorating American soldiers who died in the Philippines during World War II (1939-1945 AD). As you walk through, your guide will share the city’s tragic history. In contrast to the neat, orderly cemetery, you can also see neighboring dilapidated tin shacks and abandoned fields, giving you a sense of Manila’s complexity. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Seda Bonifacio Global City, Manila (4 stars) or similar

This morning, you can have a good rest at the hotel or explore the surroundings on your own. After lunch at your hotel, your driver will pick you up and escort you to the mountain city of Baguio, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” known for its year-round cool climate, with an average annual temperature of 15-20°C (59-68℉).

After a 5-hour drive, you’ll arrive at your hotel in a Baguio suburb, and your driver will assist with check-in. For the rest of the day, you may explore the nearby park on your own, immersing yourself in the dense pine forests, fresh highland air, and tranquil atmosphere, or take a walk along the nearby winding mountain road to watch the sunset. Your hotel dining room serves dinner until 10:00 pm, and it’s also recommended to try Ube Champorado at the hotel’s bakery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Le Monet Hotel, Baguio (4 stars) or similar

Today, your guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel early in the morning for a quiet visit to Mines View Park, where you can overlook colorful houses scattered across the verdant valley and the rolling mountains in the distance. You may also enjoy unique activities here at your own expense for a cultural experience, such as trying on a traditional Igorot costume. Then, we’ll visit the nearby Good Shepherd Convent, popular for local agricultural products, especially Ube jam. Ube is a purple yam native to the Philippines, so you can find it in various Filipino desserts, cakes, and ice cream. Because of its vibrant color and unique flavor, Starbucks has even launched the distinctive Ube Frappuccino. 

Next, let’s proceed to Wright Park, renowned for its well-cared-for ponies, some with eye-catching rainbow-colored manes and superhero-like adornments, resembling real-life My Little Ponies. Stroll with your guide through the Pool of Pines in the park, then visit The Mansion, the official residence of 17 Philippine presidents and now a popular photo spot for its magnificent architecture. After admiring the Philippines’ abundant plant species at the lush Centennial Park (Baguio Botanical Garden) and embracing traditional indigenous culture in Burnham Park, we’ll explore Baguio’s historical sites. 

As you see locals’ lives along Session Road toward Baguio Cathedral, be ready to be captivated by its neo-Romanesque architecture, with twin towers adorned with exquisite rose windows that overlook the city. Take photos of the facade, admire the splendid altars and murals inside, or soak up the sacred atmosphere as you pray or meditate. We’ll also visit St. Joseph Church, the most-visited place of worship for locals. Later, let’s head to the Baguio Museum to learn about indigenous culture, history, and daily life, and to see its most unique exhibit - a mummy. Unlike the well-known mummies of ancient Egypt, mummification in the Philippines primarily relies on fire. As early as 10,000 years ago, Southeast Asians began making fire mummies to preserve bodies, long before Egypt. 

Then join your guide for a short hike in Camp John Hay before visiting the Philippine Military Academy, which cultivated many outstanding military talents for the Philippines during World War II. Ultimately, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Le Monet Hotel, Baguio (4 stars) or similar

This morning, fill your stomach for a 5-hour private transfer from your Baguio hotel to Sagada. Like Baguio, Sagada is surrounded by mountains, with diverse landscapes including towering peaks, deep caves, and cascading waterfalls. During the ride, we will pass Halsema Highroad Point at an altitude of 2,255 meters (7,400 ft.), the highest point in the Philippine highway system, offering breathtaking mountain views. Upon arrival, your driver will help you check in to your hotel, and the rest of the day is free for you to savor afternoon tea at the hotel’s café while admiring the surrounding picturesque rural scenery.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sagada Blue Mountain Cabins or similar

In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on a Sagada exploration. Our first stop is Sumaguing Cave, one of the largest caves in the Philippines. After descending a series of steep limestone steps, we enter this mysterious space, remaining a pristine, untouched landscape filled with bizarre-looking stalactites and stalagmites. As we navigate through the chambers, please follow your guide closely and watch your step, as it’s slippery inside.
► For Your Information: You need to hike, crawl, climb, and traverse underground ponds, which can be very challenging for first-timers. If your physical condition does not permit, please inform your guide in advance.

Next, let’s head to Lumiang Cave and Echo Valley, where you can see Sagada’s unique hanging coffins on the cliffside. The Igorot people believe that placing the souls of the deceased at a high elevation brings them closer to heaven. Some of the wooden coffins are hundreds of years old and remain firmly affixed to the steep walls, a true testament to the Igorot people’s wisdom. Then, follow your guide to visit the 100-year-old St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, built by American missionaries. The stone church has a simple yet elegant exterior that reflects the history and memories of the small town. After exploring Sagada’s weaving art by appreciating local artisans’ use of traditional wooden looms to weave ethnic patterns from natural materials and dyes, let’s depart for Banaue by a 3-hour drive. Upon arrival, your driver will accompany you to check in at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Banaue Hotel (3 stars) or similar

Put on your hiking shoes and get ready for today’s village exploration! Your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel, and we’ll head to Batad Village, hidden in a valley yet a symbol of Banaue. As you wander through the village to encounter the ancient houses built from Amugawan trees, exquisite carvings and handicrafts, and hospitable villagers, listen to your guide’s explanation of how the Ifugao people’s way of life was passed down through generations. Then, let’s trek along steep stairs to Tappiah Falls, enjoying the lush greenery in the misty air or the clear water in the pool beneath the falls. 

Next, proceed to the stunning World Heritage Site of the Batad and Banaue Rice Terraces. Two thousand years ago, the Ifugao people settled in this remote valley to flee war and carved terraces into the steep slopes by hand, with an ingenious irrigation system. It is said that more stones were used to build the terraces than in the Egyptian pyramids. However, the cultural heritage faces a serious challenge. Because the terraces cannot meet local food needs, villagers are gradually giving up the tedious, arduous manual labor at home and seeking jobs in the cities, resulting in one-third of the terraces being abandoned. Developing a modern local economy while protecting the beautiful terraces remains a challenging task. After all the visits here, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Banaue Hotel (3 stars) or similar

After lunch, we will bid farewell to Banaue today. Your driver will pick you up at the hotel and escort you back to Baguio. Despite a 6-hour drive, you can enjoy the greenery of the Cordillera Mountains along twisting mountain roads, with verdant valleys and highlands in the distance, and breathe in the fresh air. Upon arrival, you can have a hotel buffet dinner on your own and get a good rest to relieve the fatigue of today’s long journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Le Monet Hotel, Baguio (4 stars) or similar

Today, continue your return journey with your private driver to Manila for tomorrow’s flight to Boracay. After a 5-hour drive, check into your hotel in Manila and relax. 

► Recommended Activities in Manila (at your own expense)
For the rest of the day, you can take a dip in your hotel’s outdoor pool or head to nearby shopping malls such as Bonifacio High Street or Ayala Malls to replenish travel supplies or exchange currency as needed. For dinner, the High Street’s open-air green spaces host a wide array of local and international restaurants. If you’re looking for Filipino flavors, Manam High Street is a good option, offering traditional pork sisig and beef sinigang, with an average cost of around USD 20 per person. In the evening, you may take a stroll and enjoy BGC’s vibrant nightlife.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Seda Bonifacio Global City, Manila (4 stars) or similar

Say goodbye to the Philippines’ mountain scenery and embrace its seascape! Today, your private driver will accompany you to Manila Airport for a one-hour flight to Caticlan. Upon arrival, a local driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel on Boracay Island, one of the Philippines’ most renowned islands among its more than 7,000.

The rest of the day is yours to explore this beautiful island at your own pace, with crystal-clear water and breathtaking sunset views. You could visit D’mall, the island’s largest shopping mall, or enjoy a Filipino massage at a spa to rejuvenate.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: The District Boracay (4 stars) or similar

Today’s Boracay Island exploration is definitely worth expecting! Lonely Planet has hailed Boracay’s white beach as having the “finest sand in the world” and as one of the “world’s top ten beaches.” Walking barefoot on its “flour-like” sand feels like walking on soft clouds. In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel for a visit to the secluded Tambisaan Beach, where you can discover exquisite sandcastle artworks and snorkel. The next stop, Puka Beach, is famous for its seashells. It is said that the famous actress Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011) was once a big fan of chokers made of Puka shells from here, which brought the beach into the public’s view.

Then, lose yourself in the dreamy beauty of Diniwid Beach and relax in a deck chair under the coconut trees at Ilig-iligan Beach. When we arrive at Crocodile Island, home to schools of clownfish and lionfish, we’ll swim and snorkel in waters with excellent visibility, spotting beautiful corals as gentle waves roll in. After a seafood barbecue lunch on the beach, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The District Boracay (4 stars) or similar

Today, let’s head to Cebu, the oldest city in the Philippines. Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to Caticlan Airport. After a one-hour flight to Cebu Airport, your local driver will meet you and escort you to your hotel in downtown Cebu. The rest of the day is free for you.

► Free Time Recommendations in Cebu (at your own expense)
After a good rest at your hotel, you can explore the nearby Ayala Center Cebu, which features a large, tree-lined outdoor area and a variety of shops and restaurants, including Hukad, which serves authentic Filipino cuisine such as crispy pata, baked scallop, and sisig, with an average cost of about USD 10-15 per person.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Seda Ayala Center Cebu (4 stars) or similar

After your guide and driver pick you up from your hotel, we’ll head to Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island, named after the legendary Filipino hero Lapu-Lapu (1491-1542 AD), who is considered the first Filipino to defeat Western conquerors. At the Lapu-Lapu Monument and Mactan Shrine, you can learn about the Battle of Mactan in 1521 AD, in which Lapu-Lapu led his tribe to kill Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521 AD) and repel the Spanish colonists. Then, eyes turn to the decades-old Alegre Guitars Factory, where you can witness how guitars and ukuleles are handcrafted from wood and even enjoy a wonderful mini-concert.

Next, we’ll drive away from the bustling city in an hour to the TOPS Cebu Observation Deck for sightseeing and lunch, with two decent restaurants to choose from: Tops of Cebu, offering panoramic views of Cebu City, or Balay sa Busay, serving traditional Filipino cuisine. After that, return to downtown with your guide to visit Magellan’s Cross and Basilica Minore Del Sto. Nino, both sacred sites marking the beginning of Christianity in the Philippines and photographers’ paradises, and the Heritage of Cebu Monument, a sculpture group at a busy intersection that recreates historical scenes from Cebu’s past, including the introduction of Christianity and the Battle of Mactan. 

Across the street is the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, where you will delve into the story of Cebu’s Chinese community. It is one of the few well-preserved traditional wooden structures in the Philippines, blending Chinese and Spanish architectural styles and housing exquisite Chinese wooden furniture and carvings. Afterward, we’ll visit the Cebu Taoist Temple, admiring its traditional Chinese architecture adorned with dragon statues and learning about the beliefs of the local Chinese community. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Seda Ayala Center Cebu (4 stars) or similar

Today, your Philippines 2 weeks guided tour is coming to an end. Your driver will accompany you to Cebu Airport according to your flight schedule. Bon voyage!

If you want to extend your tour to other Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, or Cambodia, please contact us to customize your itinerary.

► Recommendations for Late Departure (at your own expense)
If you’d like to experience authentic Cebu life before leaving, consider a 20-minute taxi ride to Carbon Market. Here, you can observe how locals trade and how traditional Filipino dishes, such as dried mango and roast suckling pig, are made, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a more in-depth travel experience. However, the market may not be suitable for those sensitive to hygiene or who prefer a quiet, spacious environment.

Meals: Breakfast