Duration
7 days / 6 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Often overlooked as a global travel hotspot, yet adored by those who are curious and adventurous enough to take the plunge, the Philippines really does stand out among other Asian countries, both in terms of its quantity and quality of unique selling points. Take, for example, the stunning picture-postcard rice fields of Banaue, or the gorgeous stone cobbled streets of the colonial city of Vigan - both important stops included in this seven-day itinerary. This trip also provides an insightful glimpse of the capital, Manila, as well as excursions to the cliffs of Sagada and tropical forests of Baguio.

Along the way, it’s easy to become absorbed by the country’s rich 350-year history, with diverse art, architecture, cuisine, and languages all on display to provide constant reminders of the region’s European, American and Asian influences. The famous warm and friendly attitude of the proud Filipinos will inevitably rub off on you, as you're sure to end this trip with a big smile. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Hanging Coffins of Sagada: Travelers will journey to Echo Valley to see coffins hanging from the side of a cliff, a practice in Sagada that dates back millennia and some of the current coffins are more than a century old.
  • Ifugao Villages: The Ifugao people of the Banaue region are rumored to have once been headhunters, but today the colorfully dressed "people of the hill" are a regular feature of the treks from village to village - the living heritage of Banaue.
  • Trekking the Rice Terraces: The jungles and rice terraces of Banaue and the surrounding region are best seen while hiking through the bucolic countryside, filled with scenes of rural life.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Manila

After checking into your hotel, you might want want to take a rest a prepare yourself for your full schedule of travel over the coming week. However, if your energy levels are quickly replenished, you’ll be itching to see exactly what this vibrant colonial city has to offer. To make the most of the evening, head to Manila Bay, where you’ll be able to catch the stunning sunset and sample some of the local Philippine cuisine. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel
  • Outstanding Service: Guests rave about the staff at Fairmont Makati, from the front desk, concierge, and housekeeping professionals to the expert bartenders and chefs.
  • Fitness Forward: The hotel’s fitness and spa facilities are especially well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and creatively planned classes. The spacious fitness center alone occupies some 928 square feet.
  • Indulgent Cuisine: Fairmont Makati’s culinary offerings include “live culinary theater,” handcrafted pastries, and artisan cocktails.
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Fairmont Makati Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Peninsula Manila is the most centrally located five-star hotel in Manila.

Dining: Four world-class dining and drinking options including a modern French restaurant, a restaurant serving exotic Asian fare, a 1930s Shanghai mansion style bar and an ostentatious lobby lounge.

Health and Fitness: The Peninsula Manila boasts a host of luxury well-being facilities including a spa, swimming pool, gym, steam and sauna rooms.

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The Peninsula Manila Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Banaue

A drive from Manila to Banaue awaits you in the early morning. Although the journey is long, the developing landscape along the way is truly spectacular, and once you reach Banaue, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll realize it was all worth the effort. This mountain capital of northern Luzon is famed for its amazing, emerald-green, mud-walled rice terraces – some 49,000 acres of them - and you’ll have ample opportunity to explore (with your own personal tour guide) once you’ve arrived. 

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About

Opened in early 2024, Banaue Grandview Hotel is the most upscale property in the Banaue area. Spacious rooms are fitted with modern comforts and amenities, hardwood floors and furnishings, and large panoramic windows that offer sweeping views of the famed rice terraces.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Banaue
Banaue

Day 3

Sagada

This morning, you’re off to visit a local family of Ifugao villagers - a great opportunity to learn about the local agricultural practises and traditional way of life. After this stop-off, your guide will take you back up above the terraces to reveal some breathtaking views. A short afternoon drive takes you to Sagada, where you’ll have the chance to explore the majestic Bomod-ok and Bokong Waterfalls, with the highest point at over 200 feet!

Hotel Options
About

Located in the north of the Philippines, Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant is a very simple guesthouse in Sagada. Conveniently-located on Sagada’s prime tourist trail, the Masferre Hotel offers WiFi in public areas, laundry service, and dry cleaning, as well as a massage parlour on site, in an atmosphere reminiscent of a mountain lodge.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Sagada

Don’t feel guilty about going for second helpings at your breakfast buffet this morning - today you’re going to need all the energy you can get! Your first stop of the day is the Hanging Coffins of Sagada; famous not only for its beauty, but also its 2,000-year-old ritual of hanging homemade coffins from the limestone cliffs high above the ground (corpses and all). You’ll have the chance to hike up the cliffs for a birds’-eye view. Afternoon activities include an incredible white-water rafting trip on the Upper Chico River. 

Sagada
Sagada

Day 5

Baguio

A morning car journey will take you from Sagada the official summer capital of the Philippines - Baguio. After checking in to your luxury hotel, the Manor at Camp John Hay, it’s time to check out the local scenery and lush tropical landscape of the surrounding Kabadjo Forest, all from atop a horse! There is also the famous Baguio Flower Festival and several interesting museums, which are worth a visit in the afternoon. 

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About

Guests will enjoy this unique alternative forest destination, in a pine tree-covered prime location of Baguio City, Philippines, known for its refreshing, cool climate. The manor itself is four stories high, housing 177 well-appointed rooms, many of which enjoy panoramas of the majestic Cordillera mountain range.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 6

Vigan

On this penultimate day, focus switches to the beautiful, well-preserved trading city of Vigan. After your private tour through the quaint cobbled streets of this 16th century colonial city, you'll soon realize how it earned its place on UNESCO’s prestigious list of World Heritage Sites. The many sites you’ll visit reflect the area’s diverse background, with obvious architectural, culinary and linguistic influences stemming from the Filipino, Spanish and Chinese occupations. 

Hotel Options
About

Step back in time with a stay at Hotel Luna, a unique hybrid of hotel and museum located in the city of Vigan in the Philippines. Nestled in the heart of the incredible architecture and intangible history of Vigan, a classified Heritage Village, Hotel Luna itself is a sight to be seen.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Vigan
Vigan

Day 7

Departure

After you’ve enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and checked-out of the charming Sitio Remedios Hotel in Vigan City, you will - perhaps a little reluctantly - start your journey home. A quick 40-minute drive takes you to Laoag International airport. From there, it’s onto another commercial flight back to Manila, you’ll connect to your international flight home or to your next exciting destination. Bon voyage!

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Fairmont Makati
Preferred Hotel

Fairmont Makati

Manila’s Fairmont Makati is located at the heart of the Philippines’ premier art and business district of Makati, which ranks among the world’s busiest centers of commerce and culture. Although directly connected to Manila, Makati is typically considered a highly modernized, cosmopolitan city of its own thanks to its dense population, as well as its ample concentration of multinational and local businesses. Fairmont Makati has cemented a place among the capital’s finest five-star hotels thanks to its classy amenities and top-flight hospitality team. In terms of dining, the hotel’s unique offerings promise to satisfy the gastronomic desires of even the most discerning guests. And what’s more, the hotel is located within walking distance of some of Manila’s most sought-after attractions, including the Zuellig Building, 6750, Ayala Museum, the Glorietta Shopping Complex, and Greenbelt – one of the country’s most fashionable shopping malls. The sprawling metropolis of Manila beckons with a little bit of something for everyone, from culturally immersive explorations into the city’s music and art scenes to day trips adventuring among the country’s 7,100 islands. Whatever the journey, Fairmont Makati welcomes guests with a safe haven of five-star luxury and relaxation amid the urban landscape of the capital city.
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The Peninsula Manila
Preferred Hotel

The Peninsula Manila

Strategically placed on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, The Peninsula Manila is close to premier shopping facilities and within easy access of Manila's numerous attractions. The hotel is a nine kilometers drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and just six kilometers from Manila's domestic airport. Elegantly furnished in classic style, the hotel's 351 rooms and suites provide modern, technologically advanced conveniences, including complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. The Gallery Club Lounge is available 24 hours a day, providing live musical entertainment and all-day refreshments and nibbles, including a breakfast buffet, The Peninsula Afternoon Tea, gourmet canapés and an open bar with a curated selection of spirits and sommelier-selected wines. The thoughtfully-designed private lounge is enhanced with custom-designed tables and soft furnishings arranged in an intimate lounge setting. Continental and Pan-Asian cuisine is served at The Peninsula's many restaurants, including Old Manila and Spices, which are two of the top restaurants in the city. Salon de Ning, the hotel's quirky lounge, features musical entertainment on most evenings.

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Suggested Hotel For Day 2

Banaue Grandview Hotel

Banaue Grandview Hotel

Opened in early 2024, Banaue Grandview Hotel is the most upscale property in the Banaue area. Spacious rooms are fitted with modern comforts and amenities, hardwood floors and furnishings, and large panoramic windows that offer sweeping views of the famed rice terraces. Select rooms have private terraces. There is an in-house restaurant with local and Continental options, as well as a bar and lounge. Other features include a garden, room service, concierge service, complimentary WiFi throughout the property, and 24/7 front desk.

Suggested Hotel For Days 3–4

Masferre Country Inn

Masferre Country Inn


Located in the north of the Philippines, Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant is a very simple guesthouse in Sagada. Conveniently-located on Sagada’s prime tourist trail, the Masferre Hotel offers WiFi in public areas, laundry service, and dry cleaning, as well as a massage parlour on site, in an atmosphere reminiscent of a mountain lodge. The hotel’s restaurant is also quite renowned for its epicurean delights, with a wide-ranging menu featuring Filipino, Western, and Asian dishes, and it’s often referred to as the best restaurant in town. Another guest favorite is the selection of powerful photographs featured by the hotel, taken by the late Sagada-born photographer Eduardo Masferre. 


Suggested Hotel For Day 5

The Manor at Camp John Hay

The Manor at Camp John Hay


Guests will enjoy this unique alternative forest destination, in a pine tree-covered prime location of Baguio City, Philippines, known for its refreshing, cool climate. The manor itself is four stories high, housing 177 well-appointed rooms, many of which enjoy panoramas of the majestic Cordillera mountain range. The structure was built using local stone on the exterior of the building, as well as panelled walls, wooden shuttered doors, and wooden furniture inside the rooms, evoking memories of traditional Baguio architecture and style. Highly-trained staff provide warm, friendly service, while top-notch facilities are provided for guests’ optimal comfort, from a luxurious spa ideal for a full day of pampering, to the Piano Bar, where the mood is set by live entertainment. An on-site delicatessen serves up fresh-baked goods, while Le Chef at The Manor provides guests with all-day dining. The atmosphere at The Manor is cozy, particularly accented by the large fireplace in the hotel’s lounge. 


Suggested Hotel For Day 6

Hotel Luna

Hotel Luna


Step back in time with a stay at Hotel Luna, a unique hybrid of hotel and museum located in the city of Vigan in the Philippines. Nestled in the heart of the incredible architecture and intangible history of Vigan, a classified Heritage Village, Hotel Luna itself is a sight to be seen. Located in a decorative, four-storey colonial building, the hotel features fine pieces of Philippine art, from Juan Luna masterpieces to new items from contemporary artists. Guests can explore the artwork or spend lazy post-sightseeing afternoons lounging by the outdoor pool - located in the hotel’s courtyard - followed by a cocktail in the ornate Chula Saloon Bar. Afterwards, they may enjoy dinner at the in-house restaurant Comedor, feasting on Spanish dishes and gazing at the incredible art pieces adorning the walls, and take in a nightcap and a spectacular view of the city from Azotea, the rooftop patio. 


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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

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A couple from Guangzhou, China - Aman Jet Expedition 2017

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A couple from Florida - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

A couple from Florida - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

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Jessika and David, Los Angeles

Jessika and David, Los Angeles

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