Island Hop Palawan and Luzon Tour
One of the most beautiful destinations in the world with the friendliest people makes for a wonderful adventure vacations. The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,107 islands. The main islands consist of Luzon in the north, Palawan in the southwest which has been voted one of the best trips in 2014 from Lonely Planet. Mindanao and the Visayas make up the remaining islands. The Philippines is the 12th most populated country in the world with close to 100 million people. Many different cultures and ethnicities can be seen on all the different islands throughout the archipelago. With its geographic location in the Pacific Rim of Fire it is prone to many natural disasters which include earthquakes and typhoons. The official languages are Filipino and English which makes it very easy to get around.
Odyssey Treks will be concentrating their tour in Luzon the north and Coron which is the northern tip of Palawan. Manila is the Philippines’ vibrant,bustling, capital city where our holidays start and finish here. The people of Manila are known for their warmth and hospitality. Why not experience the rich history of Manila with a tour, including old Intramuros and Fort Santiago.
The Summer capital of the Philippines or also known as “City of Pines” Baguio City is simply breathtaking. With it’s high elevation above sea it provides that relief from the scorching heat during the hot summers providing the perfect cool place to relax. With the pine covered hills providing a beautifully perfumed scented aroma as well with the flowers that flourish almost everywhere nature and fresh air never felt and smelled so good.
Another town surrounded and sheltered among pine forests is Sagada. Even though it showcases incredible mountain landscapes incredible rice terraces it is notorious for the hanging coffins on the limestone cliffs. These coffins can also be found in the caves of Sumaging and Lumiang which are both less than an hour away. This region has also become the new hub for adventure travel within the country.
See “the eighth wonder of the world” which Banaue is often called. The Rice Terraces stand as the most mind blowing and astonishing man-made landscapes! Over 2,000 years ago, the lfugaos, with bare hands and only simple tools,
carved the rice fields out of the mountainsides.
Palawan can be described as paradise! With its limestone cliffs, jungle rivers, pristine beaches and turquoise waters you’ll never want to leave. We will island hop in the north part of the island called Coron.
It’s More Fun in the Philippines!
Itinerary
Day 1 – Manila
Arrival Manila. Transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure to explore the capital.
Day 2 – Mount Pinatubo
Early pick-up from hotel for 4-5 hour road trip by All Wheel Drive to Baguio, stopping off to view the seas of lahar, viscous volcanic material that cascaded from Mount Pinatubo following its eruption in June 1991. Thirteen cubic kilometers of material was shot in to the air in the explosion, one of the largest in the world since Krakatoa, altering the world’s climate and changing the face of the landscape between Manila and Baguio for miles and miles. Lunch is en route. Check in to Baguio Manor around 2.30 pm followed
by a sightseeing tour. Dinner is natural and healthy fare at Café By The Ruins.
Day 3 – Whirlwind tour of Baguio
Check out after breakfast to undertake whirlwind tour of Baguio – Camp John Hay, Mines Lookout, and the central market, before having late morning coffee. We then drive out of Baguio on the Halsema Highway, billed as the highest major road in the Philippines. The views – of rice and vegetables terraces and pine-clad mountains are panoramic. At one viewpoint a packed lunch from Café By the Ruins will be taken. Afternoon tea will be had at a government-run hotel at Mount Data; it has a quaint chapel, our reason (apart from thirst) for stopping. Another two hours of further breath-taking scenery and it is Sagada, checking in Latang for a three-night stay in an emerging cultural and adventure hub.
Dinner at local restaurant.
Days 4 & 5 – Activity Central Sagada: The Adventure Hub of the Philippines
Breakfast Picnic at Echo Valley
Guided Hike around the township of Sagada
Visit hanging coffins
Visit series of limestone caves
Visit Pottery Workshop (great quality and workmanship)
Visit to Sagada Weavers
Hike to see the wild horses of Sagada
Mountain bike the trails in the pine forests above Sagada
Dare devil descent of the mountain from Sagada to the Chico River
Bike to Besau (about 10 km away)
Join a traditional hunt with hunters from Besau
Hike to the many smaller waterfalls and swimming holes
Join local guide who will take you through a village and reveal the inner workings of the dapay (traditional village administration)
Raft the Chico River from Dantay (Sagada turn-off) to Bontoc, capital of Mountain Province
Visit the Bontoc Museum
Take a day trip to the hot springs
Day 6 – White-Water Rafting Program
Depart Sagada around 8 am for the Put-in at Dantay on the Chico River with raft and gear. Everyone helps with inflation of the raft. A briefing follows on safety and paddling technique. The trip to Bontoc may take up
to three hours, but might take substantially less time if the river is fast and the rafting group is experienced. Lunch in Bontoc or Sagada.
Day 7 – Banaue Rice Terraces
Depart after breakfast by AWD for Banaue, viewing the famous Banaue Rice Terraces en route to the jump-off point for Batad, a village nestling on the edge of rice terraces carved out of a curved hillside, giving
the appearance of an amphitheatre. Lunch in the village, with side trip to a waterfall. Return to the AWD. Proceed to Banga-an Family Inn for overnight stay in traditional Ifugao rice huts. Dinner at Inn.
Day 8 – Banaue to Manila
Pre-breakfast hike down to Banga-an Village. Check-out after breakfast, driving back to Banaue for more sightseeing and a stint of handicraft shopping. Depart after morning coffee for Manila, taking lunch at a restaurant en route and stopping periodically. Depending upon traffic arrival in Manila will be between 7 and 9 pm. Dinner on the way to Manila or upon arrival at Hotel.
Day 9 –Palawan
Pick up from Hotel. Transfer to Airport. Flight to Busuanga, Coron. Arrive Busuanga. Transfer to Resort. Rest of the day is at your leisure.
Day 10 – Island Hop
Pick up from Resort. Malcapuya Island Hopping and snorkelling inclusive of lunch, boat and guide.
Day 11 – Hiking/Trekking
Pick up Resort. Hiking/Trekking to Mt. Tundalara the highest point of Busuanga inclusive of lunch, bottled water and light snack
Day 12 – Volunteering
Pick up from Resort for Full Day Free Arranged with the Local Community in Partnership with Barangay Youth Leader – Community Volunteering helping destribute Educational Materials to Community
Children, Includes private vehicle transfer from and to hotel and lunch. Flight back to Manila early evening. Transfer to Hotel. Cultural Buffet Dinner Show at Filipino Restaurant
Day 13 – END OF SERVICE
Pick up from Hotel. Transfer to Airport. Flight Home.
