Magical landscapes, exotic beaches, wild nature, waterfalls, evergreen jungles, remote villages, and volcanoes make up this amazing island country.
Unique journey in Northern Philippines
Among villages, rice terraces, and remote dirt roads in the land of Kalinga and Ifugao 9 days
The Philippine islands are scattered along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Magical landscapes, exotic beaches, wild nature, waterfalls, evergreen jungles, remote villages, and volcanoes make up this friendly island nation.
The route will take us to the peaks of the Cordillera mountains, in Kalinga province, following fascinating tribes known mainly for their many body tattoos.
The route is in areas accessible only as guests of the Kalinga tribe, traveling on dirt roads between remote villages, pure nature, accompanied by the impressive Chico River.
We will see, experience, and explore the amazing rice terraces, waterfalls, and of course the traditions, customs, and unique way of life of the locals. The trip will also include hiking, rafting, and swimming in waterfalls.
Recommended seasons: January May
Possible seasons: October May
The journey can be done without traveling on Saturday
Trip itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Manila
Meet the guide, driver, and accompanying vehicle at the airport.
Transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Manila
Day 2: Manila Pagsanjan Manila
Manila, the capital of the Philippines, offers a glimpse into rich history and culture, a contrast between the new and old city, tradition versus modernization.
After breakfast, travel to Pagsanjan, an exciting canoe trip with local paddlers to the waterfalls, followed by a slightly “wetter” boat ride downstream.
Many scenes from the film “Apocalypse Now” were filmed on this river.
In the afternoon, return to Manila.
Accommodation: Manila
Day 3: Mount Pinatubo Volcano
Early morning departure to Mount Pinatubo.
Board jeeps and enjoy a two-hour drive to the starting point of the trek to the crater.
The walk to the volcano takes about an hour each way, during which we will see the large amounts of ash and lava ejected in the volcano’s last eruptions.
A small lake surrounded by volcanic rock has formed in the crater, allowing a short boat ride.
Return on foot to the jeeps and continue for about an hour until reaching a village of indigenous people visit and meet the locals, then return to Manila in the evening.
Accommodation: Manila
Day 4: Manila Flight to Tuguegarao Tabuk
In the morning, leave Manila and travel to the airport for a flight to Tuguegarao in the north.
After lunch, visit the Callao Cave and then travel about an hour and a half to Tabuk.
Tabuk is in the heart of Kalinga, a mountainous and stunning province that endured centuries of bloody tribal wars and only recently opened gradually to the modern world and tourists.
The Central Cordillera range in the heart of the province is the highest in the Philippines, with landscapes decorated with amazing rice terraces, winding roads, green mountains over 2,500 meters high, crossing villages and exotic tribes, and tiny bridges.
Accommodation: Tabuk (full board)
Day 5: Tabuk: Chico River rafting to Awichen Village
Delve into Kalinga province, about a three-hour drive from Tabuk, for rafting on the Chico River and lunch by the waterfalls.
Continue traveling alongside local villages and learn about the unique culture, history, and local arts.
The trip is accompanied by picturesque mountain landscapes, the Chico River, and breathtaking rice terraces called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”
These rice terraces have been built over thousands of years, from riverbeds to mountain peaks, and are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Accommodation: Basic but organized village guesthouse in Awichen (full board)
Day 6: Awichen Lubuagan Tattoo Village Buscalan Bontoc Sagada
Visit tattooed tribal villages, see special rice terraces, then travel south toward Bontoc, the center of Kalinga tribes, about five hours.
Visit the town center that serves all the region’s tribes, then continue to Sagada in the late afternoon.
Accommodation: Sagada (full board)
Day 7: Sagada Banaue
Day trip around Sagada: hike among spectacular stalactite caves, including a walk in a stream inside the caves.
After about two hours, travel to the starting point for a trek to Bomod-ok Falls and swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall. In the afternoon, return to Sagada and continue to Banaue.
Accommodation: Banaue (full board)
Day 8: Hike to Batad Village The largest “Rice Terrace Theater” in the world
Hike in the mountains, between remote villages and endless rice terraces. After an exciting half-hour jeep ride, hike about an hour down to Batad village.
The village is set in a spectacular rice terrace landscape, a “Rice Terrace Theater” built over thousands of years from riverbeds to mountain peaks. Explore the village, where residents live traditionally for thousands of years, then return to Banaue.
Those fit can continue to Tapia Falls, located beyond the mountain near Batad village (about an hour and a half each way).
After lunch at a guesthouse overlooking the scenery, return to the vehicles (about one hour walk) and back to Banaue.
Accommodation: Banaue (full board)
Day 9: Banaue Cauayan Airport Flight to Manila Return home or continue to a resort island
In the morning, drive to Cauayan Airport and fly to Manila.
