Itinerary

1. Day 1: Manila - Baguio City

   • Group meeting strictly at 3:00 am.
   • Meet tour participants at Pasay Victory Liner Bus Terminal, Manila. The reason for the time constraint is that the bus departs at 6:00 am. If you cannot arrive on time, you must arrive in Manila the day before. I will organize assistance in booking a hotel (the accommodation cost is to be paid separately).
   • Transfer to Baguio (travel time about 6 hours).
   • Accommodation at a hotel in Baguio.
   • You will have Free time.

2. Day 2: Baguio City

   • Departure at 8:00 a.m.
   • Baguio Botanical Garden.
     • The Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful parks in Baguio, Philippines! This green oasis in the city's heart is famous for its beautiful flowers, exotic plants and fantastic scenery. It is a great place to spend a day with family or friends, enjoying nature and learning about the flora and fauna of the Philippines.
   • Mains View Park.
     • Mines View Park is one of the most popular tourist spots in the area. This park offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountains and many activities for tourists of all ages. One of the main attractions is the observation deck, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city and surrounding nature.
   • John Hay Camp Historical Center.
     • Camp John Hay is a haven in the City of Pines and offers a taste of fun and adventure. Surrounded by numerous recreational facilities, entertainment centres, shopping and dining options, every corner is fun.
   • Baguio Museum.
     • The Baguio Museum is located at the corner of Governor's Park and Harrison Road. The building features Ifugao-inspired architecture, such as the pyramidal roof and two large pillars at the entrance that resemble a traditional Ifugao hut, often raised by wooden poles. The museum displays various artifacts representing the culture of the six provinces of the Cordillera region. The oldest artifacts here date back to the 1950s. In addition to the artifacts, there are also scale maps, miniature models, and clippings about the region's history.
   • Kennon Road Overlook.
   • Philippine Military Academy.
   • The weaving mill (EASTER WEAVING INC.).
     • Today, EASTER WEAVING INC., a thriving manufacturer, marketer and exporter of local fabrics, has been in operation since 1908. EWRI continues to preserve the Cordillera culture, particularly the weaving heritage, serve as a tool to promote local handicrafts and provide a place to improve local Igorot skills.
     • EASTER WEAVING INC. offers various other handicrafts such as wood carvings, rattan and paper baskets and bags, shell and coconut jewellery, local oil paintings, Ilocano and Yakan weaving, and local delicacies.
   • Tam Awang Village.
     • Tam-Awan Village is a unique place to experience the life and culture of the local Igorot tribe. It will amaze you with its beautiful art, unique toilet and harmonious combination of houses built in the national style. Here, you can learn about the traditional techniques and use of each Ifugao hut. At the art gallery and cafe, you can enjoy paintings by local artists. Tam-Awan Village is a place to visit and experience the unique culture and nature of the Philippines.
   • La Trinidad Strawberry Farm.
     • Upon entering the strawberry farms, you will be surrounded by lush fields. Local farmers, often the heart and soul of the community, welcome you and guide you as you pick and harvest the ripest berries. This exciting and educational activity is perfect for the whole family, as both children and adults can enjoy picking strawberries independently.
   • Return to the hotel.

   Free time.

3. Day 3: Baguio - Banaue - Sagada

   • Departure at 6:00 a.m.
   • Transfer to Banaue Municipality, Ifugao Province (travel time about 3 hours).
   • Ifugao Rice Terraces - UNESCO World Heritage Site.
     • The rice terraces on the slopes of the Philippine Cordilleras are man-made gardens built over two thousand years ago by the ancestors of the indigenous Ifugao people. The large-scale agricultural project is a monument to pre-colonial agriculture: the Ifugao are among the few tribes that have long resisted foreign domination and maintained an authentic way of life. The fields ploughed along the mountain range's steep slopes have created amazing cultural landscapes. The distinctive topography, with ledges on which vegetables and rice are still grown, served as a distinctive defensive structure.
     • It is believed that the terraces were built by hand without any special equipment. The irrigation system created was so perfect that it is still used for irrigation with rainwater and rainforest moisture. Most fields are up to one and a half thousand meters above sea level and cover ten thousand square kilometres.
     • The rice terraces are an iconic landmark and national treasure of the Philippine archipelago. They are featured in the country's national currency and were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
   • Transfer to Sagada town (travel time about 2 hours).

   Check-in at Hotel Sagada and Free time.

4. Day 4: Sagada

   • Departure at 6:00 a.m.
   • Echo Valley. Sagada Hanging Coffins.
     • Hanging coffins is a centuries-old traditional funeral rite of the Kankanay people of Sagada, a mountainous province of Luzon, Philippines. The coffins are placed on natural ledges or in crevices. The dead are believed to be safer and closer to the spirit world.
     • The hanging coffins in Echo Valley, Sagada, are "reserved" mainly for Igorot elders and their families because it is believed that the younger generations will be able to attain spiritual enlightenment after a successful "burial".
   • Sumaging Cave.
     • Sumaging Cave will astound you with its beauty and vastness. Its vast halls are home to otherworldly rock formations with fanciful names such as "Royal Curtain" and the more literal "Cauliflower". This journey is not easy. In some places you'll have to pull yourself up on a rope to enter the passageway, in others you'll have to step over an abyss, but you've never seen a dungeon as beautiful as this one.
   • Bomod-Ok Falls.
     • A breathtaking place to relax.

   Transfer to Sagada Hotel and Free time.

5. Day 5: Sagada - Buscalan

   • Departure at 8 am.
     • Transfer to Buscalan village (travel time about 4 hours).

   Accommodation in a private house and free time.

   Note: Do not expect 5-star luxury when visiting Buscalan. There are no hotels here, and your only option is to stay with a family, i.e., a local family's home. Most families also provide free rice and coffee. There are no hotels in the village—accommodation in a private home. You will sleep in a small room on a mattress on the floor. As far as food is concerned, you can bring your food and cook it in the kitchen of your accommodation. Since the road to Buscalan is long, it is recommended that you bring your canned food if you plan to cook. There are also places in the village where you can buy homemade food, but the cost will surprise you.

6. Day 6: Buscalan

   Day 1 in Buscalan village.

   • 5:00 a.m. - Watch the sunrise (this is one of the most beautiful sunrises you will ever see!).
   • Walk around and enjoy the clean mountain air.
   • Tinglayan is a small, remote village located on the mountainside of Buskalan in Kalinga. It was widely known as the home of living legend and indigenous tattoo artist Maria Oggay, also known as Apo Wang Od. Apo Wang-Od, the oldest traditional tattoo artist in the Philippines, was born in 1917. In recent years, Buscalan has become a popular tourist destination for adventurers and tattoo enthusiasts. The language widely spoken in the village is Butbut. However, you can still interact with the Butbutbutts, especially if you speak Filipino/Tagalog, as some of them are fluent in the language.
   • Get a hand-painted tattoo. One thing you can't miss when you visit Buskalan Village is getting a tattoo the traditional way.
   • Apo Wang-Od, Maria Oggay, is a 107-year-old mambabatok (traditional tattoo artist) from Buscalan Village. She turned 107 on February 17, 2024. Apo Wang-Od is not only the oldest living mambabatok, but also the only woman of her generation who learned to apply traditional tattoos on her skin by hand under the guidance of her father at the age of 16. Since then, she has tattooed countless men and women from her community, including warriors. She now tattoos guests from other communities, including foreigners. Unlike tattoos, which you can get in urban tattoo parlours, a traditional Kalinga tattoo uses a mixture of charcoal and water for the ink. It is then applied to the skin by hand using a pambatok made from a bamboo stick and a pomelo thorn. And yes, if you were wondering, a pambatok tattoo hurts more than a needle. Traditionally, Kalinga tattoos were given to community members to mark an important milestone in their lives. After a successful bounty hunt, men received tattoos to signify that they were warriors and a badge of honour, while women received them as a sign of beauty. The art of batok can only be passed down through the Mambabatok lineage. Although Apo Wang-Od has no children, she has taught her granddaughters, Grace Palikas and Eliang Wigan, how to apply traditional tattoos by hand.
   • Cost of some services (payable separately):
     • Photo shoot with Apo Wang Odom - 100.00 Philippine Pesos (US$2.00);
     • Apo Wang Odom's signature (three dots) - 300.00 Philippine Pesos (US$6.00);
     • Bamboo Spike Stand - 100.00 Philippine Pesos (US$2.00);
     • Prices for traditional tattoos start at 500 Philippine Pesos for a 5×5 cm size.

7. Day 7: Buscalan

   Day 2 in Buscalan Village.

   • Things to do in Buscalan Village:
     • Sip rice coffee.
       • There are other things to do in Buscalan besides getting tattoos. First, you can talk with the locals about their culture and traditions over coffee. Their rice coffee is something you must try! For only 100.00 Philippine pesos ($2.00), I could take 250 g home.
     • Explore the beauty of Pajao's rice terraces.
       • Best of all, enjoy it while welcoming the sunrise and breathing in the fresh air and cool breeze of the Pajao rice terraces.
     • Waterfalls.
       • You can dip in the waterfalls you will pass on the way down or up.

   Free time.

   • We depart at noon and transfer to the airport of Tuguegarao, the capital of Cagayan Province (travel time is estimated at 5 hours).

8. Day 8: Buscalan - Cebu City

   • Arrive at Tuguegarao Airport around 5 a.m.
   • Flight by domestic airlines to Cebu City Airport (Cebu Island).
   • Transfer and hotel accommodation in Cebu City (Cebu Island).

   Free time.

9. Day 9: Cebu City

   • Departure at 4:00 a.m.
   • Transfer.
   • Canyoning and visit to Kawasan Waterfalls.
     • We offer to plunge into the wild jungle of Cebu Island and the most adventurous and active to visit the canyoning on the Canla Ob River in the municipality of Badian. The exit of the canyoning will be to the most beautiful waterfall on the island - Kawasan.
     • Four hours of fun, movement and enjoying the beautiful views. Cool aquamarine, mountain, river water, and adrenaline. Canyoning is energizing, positive and moody. The route passes through places where the beauty of the waterfalls and trails is indescribable. Passing through the canyon is more like an amusement park. If you wish, you can jump into the pools, for which you will be provided with an instructor, equipment (helmet and vest), and a photo or video recording of the jumps.
     • Your trip will end at Kawasan Falls, the pearl of the Philippines. You will swim at the foot of the falls in large natural pools of turquoise and emerald waters. Our guides will help you take videos and many beautiful photos for you and with you. The beauty of this waterfall will not leave any tourist indifferent.
     • And, of course, you will be served a traditional Filipino lunch, during which you will taste the national cuisine.

   Transfer and accommodation at a hotel in Cebu (Cebu Island). 

   The approximate time of arrival is 18:00.

   Free time.

10. Day 10: Cebu City - Davao City

    • Departure at 4:00 a.m.
    • Transfer to Cebu City Airport (Cebu Island).
    • Flight by domestic airlines to Davao City Airport (Mindanao Island).
    • Transfer and hotel accommodation in Davao (Mindanao Island).
    • Preparation for the ascent of Mount Apo (purchase of food, missing equipment).
      • Mount Apo is the highest point in the Philippines, at 2964 meters above sea level. It is the ancestor of all Philippine mountains and the dream mountain of every Filipino mountaineer. Mount Apo is a must-see and must-experience place for every adventurer or hiker visiting the country, especially the province of Davao, where it is located. Seven different peaks can be seen at the top of Mount Apo, and the best activity is climbing to the top. On one of these peaks, you can feel like you are in an enchanted world as you watch its epic sunset. 
      • In the morning, you can see the mystical sunrise that gives unimaginable pleasure. In very good weather, you can see the following: the side of Davao, Mount Matutum in South Cotabato, Lake Wenado and other nearby provinces.
      • If you are lucky, you may see the Philippine Eagle on the way back.
      • At the foot of Mt. Apo, there are hot springs that will soothe and relax your tired body by reducing muscle aches. These are Mundo Apo Hot Springs, Agco in Kidapawan, Bongolanon Waterfalls in Magpet and Mainit Hot Springs in Kapatagan, which are the perfect place to relax.
      • So try to conquer the highest peak in the Philippines, dare to climb Mount Apo and experience the adventure of a lifetime.

    Free Time.

11. Day 11: Davao City - Mount Apo

    Mount Apo Climbing. Day 1.

    • Trek to the summit of Mt. Apo by climbing to the summit through the west side and descending through the mountain's east side. 
    • This adventure activity's trail includes crossing the Marble River, camping at Lake Wenado, a trail through meadows, an opportunity to watch the sunrise at the summit, a boulder trail, a jungle trail and a farm.
    • At 2,964 meters above sea level, Mount Apo towers over all the mountains in the country with the highest peak - it is an active volcano with no recorded eruptions. Apo, which means Grandfather of All Mountains, nurtures abundant flora and fauna on its monstrous slopes, creating an adventure to explore and hike. To learn more, you'll have to see it for yourself.
    • The itinerary of this trek is designed for both advanced/experienced hikers and beginners (physically and mentally prepared) who can withstand long hours of trekking.
      • 3:30 am: Meeting at the hotel.
      • 3:45 am: Transfer to Agko Lake (minibus/bus and truck/motorcycle).
      • 7:00 am: in Kidapawan town, buy lunch boxes and breakfast.
      • 7:30 am: Departure to Lake Agko.
      • 8:30 am: Lake Agko. Start trekking and river crossing.
      • 10:00 am: Mandarangan.
      • 12:30 pm: Lunch at Koong camp.
      • 5:00 pm: Lake Wenado.
      • 5:45 pm: Overnight stay. Set up tents and dinner. Socializing, talking around the fire. It's time to rest and relax, enjoy the nature that welcomes you with the sounds of birds chirping and trees swaying. If you're lucky, a majestic sighting of a Philippine eagle. Chat with other trekkers before lights out.
      • 8:00 pm: Lights out.

12. Day 12: Mount Apo

    Ascent to Mount Apo. Day 2.

    • 03:00 am: Ascent.
    • 03:15 am: Ascent to the summit via grassland.
      • Estimated time of arrival at the summit.
    • 06:00 am: (Central summit, 2964m above sea level).
    • 7:30 am: Breakfast and rest.
      • Imagine having breakfast at sunrise on the highest peak in the Philippines! The view from the summit is almost 360 degrees. There's more to explore, more peaks to climb. Seize the moment after a long and strenuous hike to the summit!
    • 8:30 am: Continue traverse descent to Tinikaran Camp 1 via Old Crater and Boulders Rock.
    • 2:00 pm: Estimated time to camp and have lunch.
    • 2:45 pm: Set up tent.
    • 6:00 pm: Dinner. Socializing.
    • 8:00 pm: Lights out.

13. Day 13: Mt. Apo - Davao City

    Climb Mt. Apo. Day 3.

    • 04:00 am: Ascent.
    • 05:00 am: Prepare breakfast/lunch box and fetch water.
    • 06:30 am: Break camp and return to Tumpis.
    • 09:00 am: Estimated time of arrival at Tumpis.
    • 10:00 am: Estimated time of arrival in Barbering.
    • 11:00 am: Estimated time of arrival in Kapatagan. Lunch.
    • 2:00 pm: Estimated time of arrival in Davao City.

    Transfer and check-in at the hotel in Davao City.

    Free time.

14. Day 14: Davao City - Manila City

    • Pick up from the hotel at 10:00 a.m.
    • Transfer to Davao City Airport.
    • Escort and board a domestic flight to Manila Airport.
    • End of program.