Tour Itinerary

Up north in the island of Luzon is the Mountainous Region, land of the Ancient Tribal Headhunters:  fierce warriors who long resisted Spanish colonization as they preserved up to this day their unique culture and tradition.  It is by treading difficult, steep routes and winding paths that you shall discover the rice terraces considered to be one of the most magnificent human-made wonders sculpted by the Ifugaos with their bare hands. Trek through these fabulous rice terraces stretching hundreds of meters towards the sky then explore the heart of remote villages of the Bontocs and the Ifugaos.

EXPRESS ITINERARY (5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS MANILA/MANILA) :

D1 : MANILA- BAGUIO.
Depart for Baguio (8-hour drive).  Check-in at the hotel in Baguio. Visit to the Baguio market and downtown (Cathedral, Burnham Park…). Overnight in the hotel.

D2 : BAGUIO – SAGADA.
Breakfast in the hotel.  Depart for Sagada via the “Mountain Trail,” the spectacular highest road point of the country (7-hour drive).  Check-in at the local inn.  Lunch.  Visit Sagada: weaving center, House of Masferré, etc…   Dinner and overnight at the local inn.  (St Joseph Resthouse or similar).

D3 : SAGADA – BONTOC – BANAUE.
Breakfast at the inn.  Visit Sagada and its famous burial caves and hanging coffins.  Walk through Echo Valley…  Depart for Bontoc (1-hour ride).  Lunch at the restaurant.  Visit Bontoc ethnological museum.  Continue to Banaue passing by the valley of Mt. Pulis (3-hour drive).  Stop at famous Banaue Viewpoint for a overview of the rice terraces listed on Unesco’s World Heritage sites.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Banaue.

D4 : BANAUE and environs.
Breakfast at the hotel.  Depart by jeepney to the Ifugao village of Banga-an, also listed by Unesco’s.  Walking tour of the village and lunch at the restaurant. Return to Banaue and its market.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Banaue.

D5 : BANAUE – MANILA
Breakfast at the hotel.  Return to Manila (10-hour drive)

OPTIONAL:   EXTENSION DISCOVERY (7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS MANILA/MANILA)

D1 :
Same as above.

D2 : BAGUIO-BONTOC.
Breakfast in the hotel.  Depart for Bontoc via the “Mountain Trail,” the spectacular highest road point of the country (7-hour drive).  Check-in at the inn.  Lunch.  Visit Bontoc ethnological museum and tour Samoke village (if time permits). Dinner and overnight at the inn.  (Ridgebrooke Inn or similar).

D3 :  BONTOC : Bontocs Villages …
Breakfast at the inn.  Whole day excursion to discover 3 Bontoc villages:  Mainit and its hot springs, Guinaang, and Maligcong trekking via the rice terraces.  Picnic lunch.  Dinner and overnight at the inn.

D4 : BONTOC – SAGADA and its sacred caves – BANAUE.
Breakfast at the inn.  Morning tour to Sagada:  burial caves, hanging coffins, weaving center, House of Masferré, etc… Lunch.  Return to Bontoc and continue to Banaue passing by the valley of Mt. Pulis (3-hour drive).  Stop at famous Banaue Viewpoint for a overview of the rice terraces listed on Unesco’s World Heritage sites.   Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Banaue.

D5 : BANAUE – BATAD (3 hours trek).
Breakfast at the hotel.  Depart by jeepney to the jump-off point for the trail to Batad, an Ifugao village renowned for its superb ampitheatre-style rice terraces, among the most beautiful in the area.  Picnic lunch by the waterfalls.  Dinner and overnight in a local guesthouse in Batad (simple comfort).

D6 : BATAD – BANGAAN – BANAUE.
Breakfast in Batad.  Trekking to Bangaan by the mountain crest trail (4-hours trek). Lunch at the restaurant in Bangaan.  Return by jeepney to Banaue and its market.  Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Banaue.

D7 : BANAUE – MANILA.
Same as D5 above Express Itinerary.

The price includes – see also below:

Private Transportation (airconditioned car or minivan) with an Asiaventure English-speaking driver-coordinator. Local transportation in Bontoc, Sagada and Banaue are made by private local jeepneys.

-Hotel in Baguio with American breakfast: Pinesview hotel or similar for tourist class; Camp John Hay Manor for superior category.

Fullboard accommodation in Sagada, Bontoc and Banaue:

• ST JOSEPH RESTHOUSE à SAGADA = simple and friendly (former convent converted into a pensionhouse).
• RIDGEBROOKE INN à BONTOC = simple and family atmosphere.
• FAIRVIEW INN à BANAUE = simple (local family pensionhouse, tourist class)
• BANAUE HOTEL à BANAUE = the only hotel of the region (superior category)
(For BATAD, very simple accommodation in local guesthouse in the heart of the village; very basic).
Excursions and tours as mentioned.
Handling by an Asiaventure driver-coordinator from Manila to Manila, together with English-speaking local guides and local team.

-NOTES:
GUIDES :  This itinerary is based on English speaking driver coordinator + local English speaking guides.  Supplement for those who wish to have a guide from Manila and back.
Air transporation :  There are daily flights Manila/Baguio (1h) that can replace the 8-hours road trip. Please add + 90 USD/pax. Flights schedules and prices subject to change!

The price does not include:
Other meals in Baguio and during transportation Manila/Baguio and Banaue/Manila; drinks.

TOUR COST

All Tours are subject to an Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £200.

Cost per person on twin share basis as per itinerary

On application for the current Tour Cost

Notes:
These prices are applicable during regular season and should be confirmed for Coco beach after October … supplement during peak dates are applicable (usually Christmas/New Year, Chinese New Year and Easter).

Price is always subject to availability and should always be reconfirmed upon reservation.
Cheaper alternative may also be available at other beaches in Puerto Galera for those with tight budget…

Payment.
1.On acceptance – £200 per person Acceptance Payment (non refundable) by bank transfer or cheque payable to “S W & M Miller”

Your Contract for all tour arrangements is directly with Asiaventure, Philippinesto whom payment for the tour is made.

2. Eight weeks prior to arrival in Philippines or on Acceptance  – 50% payable in US $, by International Bank Transfer, direct to Asiaventure, Philippines.
3. On arrival in Philippines – 50% payable, in US $, by Credit Card or Cash. Credit Card charge applicable.
 

Cancellation Charges
35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable.
30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable.
25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 50% of the total amount will be applicable
Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount.
Acceptance Payment non refundable

NOTES
Season: The best season is from November to June.  The period from July to October is rainy and the roads are soaked and difficult.
Physical condition:A good physical condition is requested to join all the excursions.
Minimum equipment: Hat, sunglasses, suntan lotion, walking shoes, small backpack that could contain things for the day (and overnight for the case of the trek in Batad), raincoat, sweater (fresh nights are possible), flashlight.

Included in the Cost

• Accommodation on a twin sharing, room, with meals as stated in the program for the mountain province tour
• Accommodation on a twin sharing room and breakfast basis in Manila andand as per the tour itinerary
• Any single room subject to supplement shown.
• All transportation in the Philippines by land and sea, including private car for the mountain province tour
• Any sightseeing as shown in the itinerary.
• Services of an English speaking driver and coordinator + the English speaking local guides and assistance
• Entrance fees where applicable
• All currently applicable taxes.

Excluded from the Cost

• Expenses of a personal nature such as table drinks, laundry, telephone calls, Internet charges, mineral water, tips, shopping etc.
• Any other meals or services not mentioned in the programme.
• Any international airfare or any airport taxes.
• Travel Insurance