8 Days 7 Nights El Nido to Sagada Trip Package by HelloTravel In-House Experts

The Clipper Hotel Makati 3

Welcome to Manila! Your tour begins with a 6 pm welcome meeting at your central hostel in the Makati City. When the formalities out of the way, head to a nearby restaurant for an included dinner with your fellow travelers. Let your local leader take the reins when it comes to ordering, then feast on a selection of regional dishes served family style. Once you/’ve lined your stomach, venture out to popular nightlife district Poblacion. Once regarded as a fairly seedy area, Poblacion has undergone a makeover in recent years and emerged as a hub for bars, art and eclectic dining.

San Juan Treasure Resort 3

Rise and shine for a very early check out a private transfer to the bus terminal. Board a local bus to San Juan, a suburb in coastal La Union (approximately 6 /– 7 hours). A book or a few podcasts will help the time pass quicker, as will the promise of sinking your feet into the sand and kicking back on the beach once you get there. Arrive in the afternoon and take some free time to soak up the beach side vibes. Later, you can choose to grab a dinner with the gang at one of your leader/’s favorite local spots or make your own plans.

San Juan Treasure Resort 3

There/’s nothing scheduled until dinner, so you can decide whether you/’d like to embrace the laid-back life on the beach or head out on an optional adventure to nearby Luna. This optional morning excursion includes a visit to the Miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of Namacpacan, a 19th-century icon of the Virgin Mary which several local miracles have been attributed to. You/’ll also visit a centuries-old Spanish watchtower, enjoy a tasting of bibingka and tupig (local rice cakes) and finish with a stroll through an open-air art gallery on the beach. If you decide to partake in this optional excursion, return to San Juan in the afternoon with plenty of time to relax on the beach before sundown. Enjoy a barbecue on the beachfront with your fellow travelers for dinner tonight.

Sagada Guesthouse 3

From the beach to the mountains! Load into a private minivan for the approximate 5-hour drive to Sagada. Time spent on the road isn/’t so bad when the scenery is this beautiful (and the company is so great), but it/’s a good idea to have a book or podcast ready just in case you need them. There will be plenty of stops for photo ops and bathroom breaks along the way. Arrive at your accommodation for the next two nights and settle in. In the afternoon visit a pottery centre to learn some local techniques and get your hands dirty after the demo. It/’s harder than it looks. Let your leader show you a nice local eatery or pick your own place for dinner. Later, why not grab a few beers with the crew. Just keep in mind most places in this sleepy mountain town shut pretty early.

Batad View Inn And Restaurant 3

Rise, shine and watch the sunrise over evergreen hillside. Any residual grumpiness about being up so early is sure to evaporate when you watch the mist give way to the light. Pack your stuff, eat some breakfast and then drive to Bontoc Museum. This sweet little center is part gallery and part recreated village, giving insight into the daily lives of the Igorot people before colonization. Next, check out the Banaue Rice Terraces. From a distance they almost look like grass covered pyramids, and it/’s amazing to know they were made mainly by hand over 2000 years ago. Spend some time considering just how badass the ancient engineering is, then continue to your lodging where you/’ve got free time until dinner. Your meal tonight is based around heirloom rice /– ancient rice varieties that have been preserved throughout the ages. Chow down on history!

La Casita Mercedes 3

Dusk; Birds of Prey; After Lambana /– what are these? All great books (well, one is a graphic novel) by Filipino authors. Why are we mentioning them? Because you/’ve got a 10-hour drive ahead, which is a great opportunity to crack one open. If you get carsick, or just hate reading, you can always sit back and admire the countryside views, listen to a podcast or catch some Zs. You/’ll stop in a local restaurant for lunch en route, arriving in Manila in the late afternoon. Check in to your accommodation, then head out for an optional dinner with your leader and travel mates.

El Nido Royal Palm Inn 3

Check out of your accommodation and catch a direct flight to El Nido (AKA paradise), which should take under 2 hours. Enjoy a day that/’s as clear as the waters in El Nido/’s reefs to do whatever the heck you/’d like. An island-hopping adventure is included tomorrow, so today you might just want to relax. Maybe walk or hire a bike and ride to Las Cabanas beach. Keep in mind it will take over an hour if you want to go on foot, so pack water and shield yourself from the sun! For dinner it/’s hard to go wrong with seafood, so maybe ask your leader for a restaurant recommendation.

Your tour comes to an end this morning, but that doesn/’t mean your adventure has to. El Nido is captivating, and plenty of travelers decide to extend their time here.