Philippines7 days

Northern Philippines: Rice Terraces, Rivers & Mountain Villages — 7 Days

Trekking from Banaue's Ifugao terraces through Kalinga villages to whitewater rafting and cave exploration in Cagayan Valley

This seven-day journey moves through the mountainous north of Luzon, beginning in Banaue with treks to the Ifugao villages of Banga-an and Batad. The route continues eastward into Kalinga province, stopping at the Mountain Culture Museum in Bontoc and visiting Apo Macling's Bugnay Village before reaching Tinglayan. From there, a whitewater rafting section descends the Chico River to Pasil, followed by road travel to Penablanca in Cagayan Valley, where the nightly emergence of fruit bats from Callao Cave is observed. The final leg includes exploration of the Sierra and Callao cave systems before transfer to Tuguegarao. Private vehicle transfers and an English-speaking local guide are included throughout; accommodations range from native huts in mountain villages to local inns and hotels.

Highlights

Trek from Banaue to Banga-an and Batad villages through terraced rice paddies planted by the Ifugao people over two thousand years ago
Visit the Museum of Mountain Culture in Bontoc for ethnographic context on Cordillera indigenous practices and material culture
Whitewater rafting on the Chico River from Tinglayan to Pasil, combining a nature trek and river-running clinic
Witness the circadian flight of fruit bats emerging at dusk from Callao Cave near Penablanca
Visit the Sierra and Callao cave systems in Penablanca, including the Pinacanauan River passages

Day by day

1Manila to Banaue via Nueva VizcayaManila to Banaue via Nueva Vizcaya · Banaue

Departure from Manila in the morning for Banaue, traveling northward through Nueva Vizcaya province. Check-in at a local hotel in Banaue. The journey covers the approach to the Cordillera mountain region.

2Banaue to Banga-an and Batad VillagesBatad Village · Banga-an junction · Banga-an Village

Drive to the Banga-an junction, then trek downward to Banga-an Village for a visit. From there, continue trekking to Batad Village, also inhabited by Ifugao rice farmers. Overnight accommodation in native huts in Batad.

3Batad to Bontoc and TinglayanBatad · Tinglayan · Batad Saddle Junction · Banaue Rice Terraces · Museum of Mountain Culture · Apo Macling's Bugnay Village

Morning trek to Batad Saddle Junction, then drive back to Banaue. Continue onward to Bontoc, with a stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Banaue Rice Terraces from above. Visit the Museum of Mountain Culture in Bontoc for an overview of Cordillera indigenous heritage. After touring the museum, drive into Kalinga province, stopping at Apo Macling's Bugnay Village before continuing to Tinglayan. Check-in at a local inn.

4Tinglayan: Nature Trek and Whitewater ClinicTinglayan · surrounding villages

Nature trek to surrounding villages. Introduction to whitewater rafting techniques and safety protocols.

5Tinglayan to Penablanca via Chico River RaftingChico River · local inn · Callao Cave · Pasil to Tabuk to Penablanca

Whitewater rafting descent of the Chico River begins, continuing downriver to Pasil. Resume road travel from Pasil to Tabuk, then proceed to Penablanca in Cagayan Valley. Check-in at a local inn. In the evening, observe the circadian emergence of fruit bats from Callao Cave at dusk.

6Penablanca: Caves and River StreamsSierra and Callao cave systems · Pinacanauan River · Tuguegarao

Visit the Sierra and Callao cave systems. Walk through the cool streams of the Pinacanauan River within the caves. Travel onward to Tuguegarao and check-in at a local hotel.

7Tuguegarao: Leisure and DepartureTuguegarao · Tuguegarao airport

Day at leisure until transfer to the airport for domestic flight back to Manila.

Included

Accommodations for 7 Days / 6 Nights
Meal as indicated
private transfer on arrival and departure in Manila-Nueva Vizcaya-Banaue-
Tingalayan-Tuguegarao
use of Jeepney during village tour
activities as
indicated
Local technical guides services of English-speaking local guide

Not included

Domestic air ticket Tuguegarao/Manila
A separate multilingual guide from Manila can be provided at extra cost.