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Discover the Mountainous Region in North Luzon 2011
Up north on 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 trekking difficult, steep routes and winding paths that you discover the rice terraces considered to be one of the most magnificent human made wonders sculpted by the Ifugaos with their bare hands over 2000 years.
Trek through these fabulous rice terraces stretching hundreds of meters, then explore the heart of remote villages of the Bontocs and the Ifugaos.
EXPRESS ITINERARY (5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS MANILA/MANILA):
Day 1:
MANILA - BAGUIO.
Depart for Baguio (7-hour drive). Check-in at the hotel in Baguio. Visit to the Baguio market and downtown (Cathedral, Burnham Park.). Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2:
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).
Day 3:
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.
Day 4:
BANAUE and environs.
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart by jeepney to the Ifugao village of Banga-an, also listed by Unesco. Walking tour of the village and lunch at the restaurant. Return to Banaue and its market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Banaue.
Day 5:
BANAUE - MANILA.
Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Manila (10-hour drive).
OPTIONAL: EXTENSION DISCOVERY (7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS MANILA/MANILA):
Day 1:
MANILA - BAGUIO.
Depart for Baguio (7-hour drive). Check-in at the hotel in Baguio. Visit to the Baguio market and downtown (Cathedral, Burnham Park.). Overnight in the hotel.
Day 2:
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).
Day 3:
BONTOC: Bontocs Villages...
Breakfast at the inn. Whole day excursion to discover 3 Bontoc villages: Mainit and its hot springs, Guinaang, and Maligcong trekking the rice terraces. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight at the inn.
Day 4:
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.
Day 5:
BANAUE - BATAD (3 hours trek).
Breakfast at the pension house. 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).
Day 6:
BATAD - BANGAAN - BANAUE.
Breakfast in Batad. Trekking to Banga-an by the mountain crest trail (4-hours trek). Lunch at the restaurant in Banga-an. Return by jeepney to Banaue and its market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Banaue.
Day 7:
BANAUE - MANILA.
Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Manila (10-hour drive)
Included:

Private Transportation (air-conditioned car or minivan) with our own English-speaking driver-co-ordinator from Manila to Manila + the English speaking local guides and local team. Local transportation in Bontoc and Banaue are made by private jeepneys.

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

Fullboard accommodation in Sagada, Bontoc and Banaue:

• ST JOSEPH RESTHOUSE (or similar) in SAGADA = simple and friendly (former convent converted into a pension house).

• RIDGEBROOKE INN (or similar) in BONTOC = simple and family atmosphere.

• FAIRVIEW INN (or similar) à BANAUE = simple (local family pension house, tourist class).

• BANAUE HOTEL , BANAUE = the only hotel in Banaue (superior category).

(For BATAD, very simple accommodation in local guesthouse in the heart of the village; very basic).

- Excursions and tours as mentioned.

Not Included:

- Other meals in Baguio and during transportation Manila/Baguio and Banaue/Manila; drinks.

* PINATUBO EXTENSION:

On the way to Baguio, it is possible to discover the famous Pinatubo Volcano, for an adventurous daytour and a real 4WD experience in wilderness. Attention: this extension is not possible during strong rain as Pinatubo Park is then closed to visitors...
Day 1:
Early departure from Manila to Pinatubo Volcano (2h by land): At the park entrance, change vehical for a 4WD into theLahar fields created by the volcano eruption (1h of dirtroad, crossing rivers etc…). 30mns walk to the crater lake. Possible to swim. Lunch. Back to the Lahar fields and stop by the hot springs for a bath. Enjoy a traditional massage at the park. Then transfer to former US air force Clark base. Evening free and overnight at Holiday Inn Clark (or similar 1st class).
Day 2:
Breakfast Holiday Inn. Departure for Baguio (5h by land)…. (continuation of the program)…
It is possible to take a Tourist Class Upgrade:

For those who prefer the comfort of Banaue Hotel to the simplicity of Fairview Inn, but prefer to keep Burnham Suites in Baguio.

Prices are subject to change in case of major US dollar/peso exchange rate fluctuation, or major oil increase.

NOTES

Season: Best season is from November to June. July to Oct is rainy and the roads are soaked and difficult.

Physical condition:A good physical condition is required to join all the excursions.

Necessary equipment: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, trekking or sports shoes, small backpack for daytour (and overnight in case of trekking in Batad), raincoat, sweater (nights can be chilly), flashlight.
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