13 DAYS
Banaue • Sagada • Coron
Rice Terraces and Islands
The mountains of the north first: the rice terraces of Batad and the caves and pine forests of Sagada. Then Coron's lakes, reefs and limestone islands.
Most people never see this side of the Philippines. In the Cordillera mountains north of Manila, the Ifugao people carved rice terraces into the slopes two thousand years ago, and they are still farmed today. You hike into Batad's amphitheatre of terraces with a local guide, then continue to Sagada, a cool mountain town of pine forests, caves and the famous hanging coffins.
After the mountains, the sea. Coron in northern Palawan has some of the clearest lakes and best reefs in the country, and three days there are a perfect contrast to the week in the hills. The mountain roads are long, so we plan the driving carefully and use private cars from Boutique up.
What's included
- 12 nights' accommodation in your chosen tier, breakfast daily
- Domestic flights: Manila–Busuanga (Coron), Busuanga–Manila
- Airport, port and road transfers (shared in Essential, private from Boutique up)
- Road transport Manila–Banaue–Sagada–Manila (bus in Essential, private car from Boutique up)
- Guided Batad hike, Sagada cave and village walks, two Coron boat days
- Pre-departure planning call and digital travel guide
- Tours with a Spanish- or English-speaking local guide, private or shared depending on the trip
- Lunch on boat and tour days
- Entrance fees for the visits in the itinerary
- Premium and Signature: dinner at a top-rated restaurant in every destination, plus a local food experience with a guide (market visit and tasting)
- Free rebooking by our team if weather or other events cancel a boat or flight
- International travel insurance, with cancellation cover up to €2,000
- 24/7 local support by WhatsApp throughout your trip
Not included
- International flights
- Other meals not listed as included
- Environmental and terminal fees
- Drinks
- Tips for guides, drivers and boat crews
- Extra costs caused by weather or other events outside our control (new tickets, extra hotel nights). We handle the rebooking for you
The route
Flights, ferries and transfers
- RoadManila → Banaue · 8–9h by road
- RoadBanaue → Sagada · around 3h by road
- RoadSagada → Manila · 10–12h by roadWe can break this with a night in Baguio if you prefer.
- FlightManila → Busuanga (Coron) · 1h flight
- FlightBusuanga (Coron) → Manila · 1h flight
Day by day
Choose your trip length
Route: Banaue • Sagada • Coron
The day-by-day plan and prices update for the length you choose. Every plan can still be adjusted with our team.
Day 1
Arrive in Manila
Airport pick-up and a night in Manila.
OvernightManila
Day 2
Drive to Banaue
A long but scenic drive north into the Cordillera, with stops for lunch and viewpoints.
OvernightBanaue
Day 3–4
Batad and the terraces
A guided hike into Batad's terraces and down to Tappiya waterfall, and a second, gentler day around Banaue's viewpoints and villages.
OvernightBanaue or Batad
Day 5
To Sagada
Around three hours by mountain road to Sagada. Afternoon walk through the town.
OvernightSagada
Day 6–7
Sagada
Sumaguing cave with a guide, the hanging coffins of Echo Valley and an early sunrise at Kiltepan, above the clouds.
OvernightSagada
Day 8
Back to Manila
A full day on the road back to Manila, or via Baguio with a stop. Evening in the city.
OvernightManila
Day 9
Fly to Coron
Short flight to Busuanga and a transfer to Coron town.
OvernightCoron
Day 10–12
Coron: lakes, reefs and a free day
Kayangan and Barracuda lakes, coral gardens and beaches on two boat days, and one free day for the hot springs or Mount Tapyas at sunset.
OvernightCoron
Day 13
Fly out via Manila
Flight back to Manila for your international connection.
Where you'll stay
We choose hotels for you from our shortlist in each destination, matched to your travel style. Examples will appear here as our hotel collection is published.
Experiences
- Batad terraces hike
- Sumaguing cave
- Kiltepan sunrise
- Coron lakes and reefs
Possible upgrades
- Private car and driver for the whole of the north
- A night in Baguio to break the drive
- Private boat in Coron
Travel styles
Four ways to travel. All of them done properly.
I
Essential
The right places, smartly connected.
Well-located, characterful hotels, the experiences that matter and efficient routing. Never a compromise on where you are.
- Well-located 3★ hotels with character, double room with breakfast
- Shared airport and port transfers
- Group tours and shared boat days with a local guide
- Domestic flights and ferries with checked baggage
- Lunch on tour days, entrance fees and travel insurance
- 24/7 support by WhatsApp
II
Boutique
Small hotels with a point of view.
Design-led boutique hotels, upgraded rooms, private transfers where they make a difference and experiences curated for you.
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Boutique 4★ hotels, superior rooms or better
- Private transfers by car throughout
- Private guided tours, and a private boat on one day per island
- Best available flight times
- Personal welcome at the airport on arrival
III
Premium
The best resorts, a slower pace.
High-end resorts and villas, private transfers throughout, exceptional experiences and service that anticipates.
- Everything in Boutique, plus:
- 5★ resorts and villas, sea-view rooms or better
- Private boats and private guides on every tour day
- Dinner at a top-rated restaurant in every destination
- A local food experience with a guide
- Meet-and-assist service at Manila airport
IV
Signature
The Philippines, privately.
Private-island resorts, villas and boats, charter flights where they save a day, and concierge-level care from arrival to departure.
- Everything in Premium, plus:
- Private-island resorts and villas with private pools
- Your own boat and crew on every island
- Charter flights or seaplanes where they save time
- Private dinners on the beach or a sandbar
- A dedicated concierge on WhatsApp before and during your trip
Price indication
Per person, based on two people sharing, excluding international flights. Final price depends on dates, hotels and room availability.
Best months
December to May; the terraces are greenest from April to July
Choose your trip length
Route: Banaue • Sagada • Coron
The day-by-day plan and prices update for the length you choose. Every plan can still be adjusted with our team.
- Essential
- From €2,000
- per person
- Boutique
- From €3,000
- per person
- Premium
- From €5,000
- per person
Questions travellers ask
1. How hard is the Batad hike?
It is steep in places, with many stone steps, but you go at your own pace with a guide. Reasonably fit travellers of any age can do it. There is a shorter option if you prefer.
2. Why so much driving?
There are no flights to the rice terraces. The roads are slow but beautiful, and we time the drives so you arrive in daylight.
Ready to see the Philippines from the inside?
Tell us when you're coming. We'll help design the rest.