Hi Folks,
We arrive in Manila at 4am on Dec 23rd and fly out on Dec 31st at 8pm. So, we only have a really short visit to the Philippines. We are coming from Shanghai, so can always come back again in March.
I really want to try and get a combination of culture, beach and greenery and so far have come up with two ideas:
1) Manila - Banaue - Vigan - Pagudpud - Manila (all overland)
2) Manila - Iloilo - -Guimaras - Sipilay - Damaguete - Manila (flying the first and last part)
Here are the questions:
Are these itineraries too tight?
Is Banaue worth it? I've seen rice terraces all over Asia. Are these so special? Is Sagada or Bontoc more interesting?
Can I travel from Banaue to Vigan by bus? Is Vigan any good? Vigan to the northern beaches?
Is it simple to travel around the destinations in the second itinerary?
WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY?WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY?
Ta very much.
If you want to see terraces go to Batad not Banaue although you pass by Banaue on the way to Batad.
Personally I much enjoyed Sagada than Banaue as there are more thing to do and explore there. So if you choose Sagada then this is how it goes. From Manila get a bus to Baguio (6-7 hours), then from Baguio another bus to Sagada (4-5 hours); From Sagada go back to Baguio (4-5 hours) where you get a bus for Vigan ( 3-4 hours) then to Pagudpud (2 hours). From Pagudpud go to Laoag for the bus back to Manila.
Its quite cool in Baguio and Sagada in December especially during evenings so bring a jacket.
Never tried #2.
Manila - Banaue/Batad - Sagada - Baguio - Vigan - Pagudpud would work. There's nothing even close to a direct Banaue-Vigan trip.
I don't much care for Vigan, but some people like it. An afternoon/evening stroll around the old part of town is worth it, but once you've seen it, you've seen it, and there's not all that much to see or do.
If you're in Pagudpud, a side trip to Adams is well worth it. Very nice rain forest and beautiful river.
All the places you mentioned are beautiful. If you decide to take the visayas island trip. From Sipalay if u want to stay a few nights in Dumaguete. Check out Harolds Mansion-its a hip and friendly hostel in town. They organize dive/snorkel to Apo Island-Philippines toop 5 dive spot, Dauin hotsprings, twin lakes, casaroro falls, dolphin and whale watching and a lot more. Check out there website www.haroldsmansion.com<BR>Safe travels and mabuhay
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