Our Highlands to Islands holiday showcases the Philippines’ diverse landscapes beyond its idyllic coastline, taking you from Luzon’s mountainous Cordillera region, past the ancient rice terraces of Banaue and the otherworldly slopes of Taal volcano, to the rolling hills of Busuanga and limestone islands of El Nido.
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Highlights
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Itinerary idea in detail
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On arrival in the Philippines, you’ll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your Manila hotel.
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Fly to Cauayan, in the heart of northern Luzon, then head to Banaue, keeping your camera close to capture the jaw-dropping views as you travel. On arrival, hop aboard a private jeepney for a tour of the rice terraces and local villages. Look out from a vantage point with panoramic views over the famous ridged terraces, before continuing to Banga-an village. Nestled in a picturesque valley, this typical Ifugao village offers an insight into traditional Luzon life. Stroll around and chat with the locals before returning to Banaue where the remainder of your day will at leisure to take in your spectacular surroundings.
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Set out in a colourful, private jeepney for a day’s trekking through the rice terraces. A strenuous uphill hike follows a winding trail to Batad saddle, where the terrain becomes undulating and rocky. After a further couple of hours hiking, you’ll arrive at Batad, and be rewarded with unforgettable views of the rice terraces spread below, backed by jungle-clad mountains. Batad is a traditional village with a leisurely pace of life, where you can mingle with the villagers and enjoy a simple restaurant lunch. If you’ve got the energy, you can continue your trek downhill to Tappiya Waterfalls, before jumping back in the jeepney back to your hotel where the rest of your day will be at leisure to relax and recuperate.
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Travel to the small town of Sagada, famous for its fascinating burial traditions, passing yet more stunning scenery and dramatic rice terraces along the way. Pause in Bontoc to see the museum’s collection of tribal artefacts from the Cordillera region including nose flutes, elaborate headdresses, and traditional tools, before continuing to Sagada. Ifugao beliefs hold that the spirits of the dead should be close to the gods, and Sagada communities have traditionally interred the deceased in colourfully painted coffins that hang from the surrounding limestone cliffs. Your guide will also be able to show you some of the evocative, and more easily accessible, subterranean cave burial grounds. The remainder of your day will be at leisure to relax in this sleepy town.
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Head west along winding roads through pine-forested mountains, dropping down to the plains and finally following the coast to the historic, UNESCO-listed town of Vigan. Stop en-route at Bessang Pass war memorial; and make a determined visit to the fortress-like Sta. Maria Church, high on a hill surrounded by a defensive wall, and accessed by climbing steep steps. On arrival into Vigan the rest of your afternoon will be at leisure. On the west coast of northern Luzon, overlooking the South China Sea, Vigan is among the oldest, and most beautiful, towns in the Philippines, with its cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and grand colonial-style mansions to explore.
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Start your tour of Vigan in traditional style, travelling by ‘kalesa’ (horse-drawn carriage) to some of the immaculately preserved houses the town is famous for. Built from local stone, wood and capiz shells, many of these properties are still in use now as they were in the 18th century, with shops on the ground floor and spacious living areas upstairs. Stop at the Burgos Museum to see a vast collection of Ilocano artefacts, and visit a ‘burnay’ – earthenware pottery – workshop where the artisan methods used date back to the 16th century. Your tour finishes with lunch at Café Leona, located in a traditional Vigan house, to sample the region’s famous longganisa spicy sausage, and a few empanadas (Spanish-style filled pasties), before enjoying the rest of your afternoon at leisure.
Vigan
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Enjoy a morning at leisure catching a flight to Manila, The rest of your day will be at leisure to explore a few new corners of this enticing capital.
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Tour Manila’s classic landmarks and vibrant modernity, cycling through the cobbled streets of Intramuros – Manilla’s historic, 16th century original walled city – on a traditional, handmade bamboo bike. Follow your guide to the ancient San Agustin church, and the Casa Manila museum house showcasing typical Filipino colonial life. Continue to the impressive, stone Fort Santiago, overlooking Manila Bay, containing a poignant museum dedicated to the country’s famous freedom fighter and national hero, Dr Jose Rizal. Drive on to walk through Rizal Park’s ornamental gardens, visit the unique Chinese Cemetery (with spectacular mausoleums resembling luxury homes equipped with everything from kitchens to running water!), and wander into Makati, the capital’s glittering financial, shopping and entertainment district, to see the Nielson Tower, Fort Bonifacio, and the American WWII Cemetery. The rest of your evening will be at leisure to try some Filipino dishes, including chicken adobo and colourful halo-halo pudding.
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Head south through the Manila’s suburbs to Taal Lake and Volcano. Reputed to be the world’s smallest active volcano, last erupting in 1965, it sits, rather uniquely, within a large crater lake, on an island, within another lake! Hop aboard an outrigger boat to cruise across the water to Taal Volcano Island. Trek uphill to the rim of the crater for impressive panoramic views across the green crater lake, to the mountains in the distance and down into the centre of the volcano itself. Visit the heritage town of Taal: one of the best-preserved Spanish colonial settlements in the country, home to some beautifully restored 18th and 19th century ancestral houses, as well as the imposing Basilica de San Martin de Tours, allegedly the largest church in Asia.
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Fly to Busuanga Island, where you’ll meet your guide, and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
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Take an afternoon tour of Coron, a small fishing town with a laid back, ramshackle vibe, and the main centre of Busuanga Island. Stroll around the market, learning about local cashew nut farming directly from the producers, then climb over 700 steps to the top of Mount Tapyas, for panoramic views over the town and Coron Bay. As the sun sets, take a restorative dip in the Maquinit hot springs, the nearby natural, salt water baths, washing away the aches of the trail under the twilight sky.
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Board a boat at Coron Town to begin a full day exploring Busuanga’s natural wonders. A short journey brings you to Siete Pecados Marine Park, a protected coral reef teeming with marine life; don snorkelling gear and explore this colourful underwater world. Hop back on the boat and travel past majestic limestone islets on your way to Kayangan Lake, an inland lagoon on Coron Island. Climb to the island’s summit, from where you can enjoy picture-postcard views over the lagoon, then descend to the shore for a refreshing swim. The geological formations below the water are as impressive as those above, and can be easily viewed through the lake’s crystal-clear waters. Cruise to Calachuchi Beach to relax on the white sands and enjoy a picnic lunch, then continue island hopping throughout the afternoon, interspersed with swimming and snorkelling at Coral Eden and the ethereal Twin Lagoons.
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Catch a flight to El Nido, then continue by shared boat to your chosen resort where the remainder of your day will be at leisure to relax in the beautiful natural surroundings.
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An island hopping tour is the best way to experience the natural beauty of El Nido. Which specific islands you visit, and the route of your boat trip, will depend on the resort you start from, but you’re guaranteed to find the golden sands, clear water lagoons and snorkelling sites that the region is famous for.
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Your day will be at leisure to relax and enjoy your tropical surroundings.
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Your day will be at leisure until it’s time for your onward flight.
Accommodation options
The itinerary price includes suggested accommodation. However, My Way Travel are fully customizable, and a specialist can help you choose the best option for your preferences and budget.
Booking Policy
- English speaking, local guide
- All accommodation listed
- Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
- Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
- All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals listed
Booking Policy
- Entry visas
- International airport departure taxes
- Any meals not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks, other than water on activity days
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip…)
- Travel insurance
- All other services not listed in ‘inclusive’
Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these.
We'll help plan your trip based on you like and want to do. We know a lot about the place you're gomg. so we can give you good advice. WIIether you're into history, food, or culture, ue'll make sure your trip is just right for you. With us. your travel will be easy and fun!
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
We carefully choose our expert guides and travel concierges to make sure you have an authentic experience. They're passionate about their work and will bring your destination to life with care and enthusiasm.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
We design our luxury trips with responsible travel principles in mind. This means we prioritize experiences that benefit both you and the planet.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
What our clients say about us
Alice B
22 March 2024 ★★★★★Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!
Kyle M
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.
Garethbradburn
12 April 2024 ★★★★★This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.
Leslie
16 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Dzintars Naglis
24 April 2024 ★★★★★Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.
Stuart S
18 December 2024 ★★★★★We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.
Scott
5 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Kyle
18 January 2024 ★★★★★Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!
