Cultural and adventure experiences in many beautiful forms await you on this fantastic trip to the Philippines. Rice terraces with the ifugao people in Banaue, beach life on the beautiful islands of Busuanga and Coron Island and surfing in Baler with surf waves for both beginners and experienced surfers.
A travel proposal where you start with the dynamic city of Manila, a true melting pot of different peoples. After this, the journey goes north and to a calmer environment in Banaue, where you trek among the fantastic rice terraces that were carved into the mountains more than 2000 years ago. The Philippines itself calls it the eighth wonder of the world and you will be amazed at what the inventive Ifugao people have managed to create – by hand, in addition. Learn more about Philippines on listofusnewspapers.
You then continue to the Calamian Islands which consist of about 100 islands and on many of them you will find impressive rock formations that rise to the sky from the sea surface. These fantastic landscapes around the islands make the area ideal for island lounging in both larger boats and in some places even more perfect in kayaking. Busuanga, Culion and the Coron Islands are the three largest islands in this beautiful island paradise. On Busuanga Island is the capital Coron and the airport that connects the archipelago via Manila with daily air connections. Coron Island is a picturesque island enriched with beautiful scenery and is famous for the Blue Lagoon, Twin Lagoon and Barracuda Lake. The latter is an unusual volcanic lake consisting of fresh water at the top and salt water at the bottom of the lake.
Baler is still for many an unknown surfing destination where you will find a relaxed atmosphere with many fun excursion destinations in the area. You can visit the beautiful Ditumabo Mother Falls. The surfing on Baler is for beginners as well as for advanced surfers.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia
Departure from Scandinavia to the Philippine capital Manila with arrival the next day. Depending on the airline, you will have one or two stopovers along the way.
Day 2: Arrival in Manila
Upon arrival in Manila, you will be picked up at the airport by a driver who will take you to your hostel. The rest of the day is at your own disposal.
Day 3: Manila and departure to Banaue by local night bus (nine hours drive)
You have the day on your own in Manila and you can, for example, visit the art museum Manila Contemporary or why not the crazy shoe museum in Marikina, where former first lady Imelda Marcos has had no less than 749 pairs of shoes exhibited. You can also visit one of Asia’s largest shopping malls, the Mall of Asia, full of shops and cafes. In the evening, the trip goes north, to the province of Ifugao, where the hiking tour among the rice terraces on Banaue is on the program. At 21:00 in the evening you will be picked up at your hostel in Manila and driven to the bus station where a representative will help you get off with the night bus to Banaue. The trip is by air-conditioned bus and the seats can be folded back slightly (there is no sleeping bus). You arrive in Banaue in the morning of the following day. ( F )
Day 4: Arrival in Banaue around 07.00 – trekking to Cambulo
Early in the morning, the bus rolls into Banaue, where you will be picked up by your guide for the next few days. Breakfast is served at a small local restaurant and a tricycle driver arrives to drive you up to Kinakin, where the trek to the Ifugao village of Cambulo begins. You walk up small roads through the rice fields and are fascinated by the beautiful views of the mountains and the impressive terraces. Along the way, you have lunch at a small local eatery. In the afternoon you arrive at the small village of Cambulo. Hiking about 4 hours. ( F , L , M )
Day 5: Trekking from Cambulo to Batad
Today you will trek to the beautiful village of Batad, which is surrounded by an “amphitheater of rice terraces”. The hike takes about 2.5 hours. In Batad, most people live just as their ancestors did and you can see how the Ifugao people save the bones of the deceased family members and then create colorful, handmade rugs from the knots. After lunch, the trip goes to Tappiyah Falls (an hour’s journey), with the opportunity for a refreshing dip. The evening meal is served on return to Batad and the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. Trekking about 4-5 hours. ( F , L , M )
Day 6: Discover the Ifugao village Batad and Bangaan – hiking – Banaue – Manila
After breakfast, walk towards the small village of Bangaan. Lunch is served in a local restaurant in the village with beautiful views of the area’s many rice terraces. After a visit to Bangaan, you will be picked up by a driver on a tricycle and driven back to Banaue, where the rest of the afternoon is on its own. At around 18.00 your guide will come and follow you to the bus station and help you take the night bus to Manila. The journey takes about 9 hours. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. Hiking about 5 hours. ( F , L )
Day 7: Manila on your own
You will arrive at the bus station in Manila early in the morning. A local representative will pick you up and drive you to your hostel. Your room is booked so that you can check in early and get a few hours of sleep in a proper bed. The rest of the day is at your own disposal in Manila. If you did not visit the Mall of Asia, you can take the opportunity to do so now. You can also go down to Chinatown and experience life in the small local markets where you may be able to see some foods you did not think existed. ( F )
Day 8: Departure Manila – Busuanga Island – Half day tour of the island – Coron
This morning you will be picked up at your hostel and driven to Manila’s domestic airport. From here, the flight to Busuanga Island, in about an hour. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the airport and from here a half-day trip to some of the island’s highlights. Experience the local Market Town Plaza, Saint Agustin’s Church and along the way a factory that produces the most delicious cashews. From here the tour goes to the top of Mount Tapyas where you can enjoy the beautiful views. The afternoon ends with a visit to the heat source Maquinit. The rest of the day is at your own disposal in Coro, where your hotel is located. ( F , L , M )
Day 9: Boat trip and exotic experiences on Coron Island
Tomorrow a boat trip awaits on Coron Island and during the day you will visit many beautiful places, among them Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, Siete Pecados, Banol Beach and CYC Beach. After many beautiful and exotic experiences, you will return to your hotel in Coron. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. ( F , L )
Day 10: Kayak experiences on Coron Island
After breakfast, a wonderful day in kayaking awaits, where you will get used to being close to the water surface. On this kayak trip you explore the mangrove forest in Ruyukan. After a few fun hours at the paddle, the journey continues to the volcano Kayangan with the opportunity to snorkel and swim. From here you return to your hotel in Coron and the rest of the day is at your own disposal. ( F , L )
Day 11: Coron – Manila
In the morning you will be picked up at your hotel and driven to the domestic airport on the island. From here you fly back to Manila (about an hour’s flight time). Upon arrival you will be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your own disposal in Manila. ( F )
Day 12: Manila – Baler
Early in the morning, already at 4.00, you are picked up at your accommodation and taken to the bus terminal in Manila. From here you take a local bus to Baler, a journey of about seven hours and arrive at noon. Upon arrival you will be picked up and driven to your surf camp. The rest of the day is at your own disposal.
Day 13-15: Balls on your own
In Baler you will find a relaxed surfing atmosphere and fun excursions. You can visit the beautiful Ditumabo Mother Falls. In Baler you will find good surfing both for beginners and for the experienced. It is also possible to extend your stay if you want to learn the techniques from the beginning. Exciting days await you in Baler. Please note that surfing or surfing lessons are not included in the price. ( F )
Day 16: Baler – Manila
The morning is free and the bus leaves for Manila at noon. You must book a taxi yourself to the bus station in Baler. The journey lasts about 7 hours and you arrive at about 19.30 in the evening in Manila. On arrival you will be picked up and taken to your hostel in the city. The rest of the evening is at your own disposal. ( F )
Day 17: Manila – Scandinavia
After an exciting and varied trip in the Philippines, the trip goes home. You will be picked up at your hostel and driven to the airport in Manila. The time depends on when your international flight departs. ( F )
Day 18: Arrival in Scandinavia
Overnight stays
Three nights in a double room in a hostel in Manila
Two nights in a bus to / from Banue
Three nights in a simple guest house Banaue
Three nights in a budget hotel in Coron
Four nights in a simple surf hotel in Baler
