From the mountains of Luzon to the beaches of Palawan
In summary
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Sports
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Duration15 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationAsia / Philippines
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions6517.71 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Head to the Philippines for a journey of contrasts between ancestral traditions and paradisiacal scenery.
Your adventure begins in northern Luzon , amidst spectacular mountain scenery. From Sagada to Banaue , explore authentic villages on foot and traverse legendary rice terraces sculpted by human hands. This cultural immersion offers a poignant encounter with Philippine history and heritage.
A complete change of scenery awaits with a flight to Palawan Island . After exploring Sagan and the fascinating St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park , set sail for El Nido . You'll embark on a traditional banca for an unforgettable cruise along crystal-clear waters. To conclude this tour in style, enjoy free time on the archipelago's most beautiful beaches , a perfect blend of invigorating hikes and exceptional seaside relaxation .
The highlights
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A complete trip, with walks between mountains and idyllic beaches
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Exploring the stunning Banaue rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on foot
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The end of the trip on one of the most beautiful beaches in the country
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
This trip includes short hikes of a few hours on well-maintained mountain trails. There are no particular difficulties; however, the tropical climate (sun, heat, and humidity) may make progress a little more challenging.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 3h
- Average daily elevation gain: 50 m
- Average daily descent: 65 m
Snorkeling
- Average duration/day: 3h
Management
Based in the Philippines for many years, our local agency guarantees a successful active travel experience, thanks to our guides and logistical infrastructure. During your trip, you'll be accompanied by our adventure guides, fully committed to helping you discover unique places in the heart of nature.
- A French-speaking tour guide specializing in the Philippines will be present throughout the trip.
- English-speaking local assistance throughout the stay (assistant guide, driver, etc.).
Program
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Paris - Manila
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 10755km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
International flight to Manila, the capital of the Philippine archipelago.Day 1 -
Manila
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Upon arrival in Manila, we are met and taken to the hotel. Depending on the arrival time, the rest of the day is free in the capital.Day 2 -
Manila - Baguio
- Transportation Bus - 05h - 1km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 2h30
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We depart for northern Luzon, heading to the city of Baguio. The road crosses the central plains before climbing into the mountains that dominate the Baguio region. Lunch will be either en route or in Baguio. Upon arrival, we'll check into our hotel before exploring the city center. We'll visit the large regional market, where you can find all kinds of mountain produce, the cathedral, and Burnham Park.Day 3 -
Baguio - Sagada
- Transportation Minibus - 06h - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This morning we're driving along the famous "mountain trail," the highest road in the country. Our destination is Sagada, a small mountain village nestled amidst stunning rice paddies. It's renowned for its scenery, but also for its rather unusual funeral rites... We'll have lunch along the way. Once in Sagada, we'll visit the sacred caves where hundreds of coffins have been stacked for over 2,000 years. We'll hike in Echo Valley, aiming to discover one of the most unique sites in the Philippines: the famous hanging coffins of Sagada. We'll end the day with a visit to a weaving workshop, a well-known local specialty. Check-in at our hostel for the night.Day 4 -
Sagada - Bontoc
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h30
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're heading to Bontoc, an hour's drive from Sagada. Once in the village, a jeepney, the most common form of local transport in the country, will take us to the starting point of our hike. We'll walk around the area, exploring three Bontoc villages: Mainit with its hot springs, then Guinaang and Malicgong, passing through the region's rice paddies and over a mountain pass, where we'll have a picnic lunch. We'll return to Bontoc for the evening.Day 5 -
Bontoc - Banaue - Batad
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30 - 200km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We begin the day with a visit to the Bontoc Ethnological Museum to learn more about the tribes that inhabit the mountains of northern Luzon. We then travel to Banaue via the Pulis Pass, which offers splendid panoramic views of the region's verdant mountains. Just before arriving in Banaue, we stop at the famous viewpoint, which offers one of the most beautiful views of the region's renowned terraced rice paddies. We have lunch in town before continuing our journey towards Batad. The jeepneys drop us off at the start of the hiking trail that leads to the village. We walk through the forest before catching sight of one of Asia's most remarkable sites around a bend: the Batad Amphitheatre. Here, an entire mountainside has been carved to accommodate hundreds of terraced rice paddies, the entire site of which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site! A site of breathtaking beauty, and we are so glad it is preserved. Weather permitting, we will cross the rice paddies to reach the valley that borders the site on its northern slope. A path leads to a beautiful waterfall, a perfect spot for swimming. Return to Batad for the night.Day 6 -
Batad - Bangaan - Banaue
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 150 m
- Negative elevation 150 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off for a day's hike towards the village of Bangaan, along the ridge trail. Throughout our trek, we enjoy magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and pass through isolated villages. At the end of the day, a jeepney awaits to take us back to Banaue. The rest of the day is free to explore the village.Day 7 -
Banaue - Manila
- Transportation Minibus - 09h - 300km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Day's drive to Manila. Arrival in the afternoon and free time to explore the city's historic center.Day 8 -
Manila - Puerto Princesa - Sabang
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 100km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 1h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We are taken to the domestic airport via the fortified Spanish Old Town of Intramuros (time permitting). Flight to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan Island. Lunch and a quick tour of the city before heading to Sabang, on Palawan's west coast. Check-in at a hotel nestled in the heart of the rainforest, built by a Dutchman deeply inspired by the concepts of ecotourism and sustainable development. We take the opportunity to stroll through the park and along the beach.Day 9 -
Sabang - St Paul National Park
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From Sabang Beach, we take a boat to St. Paul's Underground National Park. We'll visit the famous underground river, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, by canoe. Afterwards, we return to Sabang via the scenic coastal path (this path may be closed in case of rain). Lunch will be at a restaurant in Sabang. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or swim in the South China Sea. We'll return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.Day 10 -
Sabang - El Nido
- Transportation Minibus - 06h - 300km
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We head north to Palawan. En route, we stop at Taytay to visit the Spanish fortress. Lunch at a restaurant and check-in at El Nido. You can enjoy the afternoon relaxing by the sea.Day 11 -
Day cruise in El Nido Bay
- Activity Snorkeling
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We spend the day on the water, aboard a private banca (traditional boat), exploring the famous El Nido Bay. It's a mini tropical Halong Bay: we sail from beaches to lagoons, with the opportunity to swim and explore the underwater world while snorkeling. We'll have a picnic lunch, then return to the hotel at the end of the day.Day 12 -
Free day in El Nido
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Free day in El Nido: numerous possibilities for excursions or walks, various water sports (scuba diving, etc.), or simply relaxing on the beach...Day 13 -
El Nido - Manila
- Transportation Plane - 13h - 10755km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
It's time to head back to Manila. Transfer to the local airport and flight to the capital. International flight back to France in the evening.Day 14 -
Paris
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in Paris.Day 15
Note
This itinerary is provided as a guide only: depending on weather and operational conditions, your tour guide may modify this itinerary for your safety and that of the group.
Accommodation
Access
Travel within the country:
- Domestic flights with scheduled airlines // 20kg maximum baggage allowance
- Private air-conditioned minibuses
- Private boats to reach Puerto Galera
Luggage transport: you only carry your belongings for the day.
Go to the starting point
International transport:
For the Philippines, we use scheduled flights departing from Paris, primarily with Eva Air. We prioritize overnight flights whenever possible: departing on Saturday and arriving at our destination on Sunday. Please note that there are no direct flights between Paris and Manila (a layover is required).
We pre-purchase a stock of flights departing from Paris on these different airlines in order to guarantee you the best fares and availability for as long as possible. Departures from certain provincial cities are possible upon request and subject to an additional charge.
Important: This information is for guidance only. Depending on availability at the time of your booking, the airlines may differ from those listed above.
Price details
The price includes
- International and domestic flights
- Guided by a French-speaking guide specializing in the Philippines
- Land transport
- The excursions detailed in the program
- Accommodations as indicated in the itinerary
- Full board except for meals listed as "free" in the itinerary
The price does not include
- Drinks and mineral water during the stay, including during meals (see section "Food/Water").
- Meals listed as "free" in the daily itinerary. (allow approximately €10-20 per meal).
- Tips for local teams (see section "Tips").
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Plastic sandals (for walking in water)
- Mask and snorkel (available for rent on site)
- Telescopic trekking poles (optional)
- Toiletries (preferably biodegradable products)
- Sunglasses
- Beach towel
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- Headlamp, spare batteries
- Camera
- High SPF Sunscreen
Clothing to bring
- Cap or hat
- Scarf or shemagh
- Hiking clothing suitable for a hot and humid climate (lightweight and covering clothing)
- Swimsuit and lycra-type t-shirt for swimming (to protect against the sun)
- Fleece jacket
- Windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket
- Long shorts
- Comfortable walking pants
- Sturdy and comfortable walking shoes