Escape the buzz of the city and explore the cool highlands of Tagaytay before diving into Manila's vibrant culture and rich history in this full-day tour.
Start your journey with a scenic drive from Manila to Tagaytay, where you'll visit the Tagaytay Picnic Grove, offering panoramic views of the iconic Taal Volcano. Next, hop aboard a traditional jeepney ride to the People's Park in the Sky, the highest point in Tagaytay, for breathtaking mountain and lake vistas.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (at guest's own expense), then head back to Manila to uncover its historical and cultural gems. Visit the peaceful Paco Park and Cemetery, a Spanish-era burial ground turned garden park, and the iconic Quiapo Church, home of the Black Nazarene and a center of Filipino Catholic devotion.
End the day with a flavorful adventure in Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown, where you can explore local markets and sample authentic Chinese-Filipino cuisine.
Itinerary:
* Hotel Pick-up at 06:00AM
* Manila to Tagaytay
Begin your day with a scenic drive from Manila to the highland city of Tagaytay, a popular getaway known for its cool climate and panoramic views. Enjoy the relaxing ride as the landscape transitions from urban bustle to lush countryside.
* Tagaytay Picnic Grove
Located along the Tagaytay ridge, Picnic Grove is one of the city's most iconic spots. It offers stunning views of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, as well as open spaces perfect for walking, relaxing, and taking photos. Optional activities include horseback riding, ziplining, and souvenir shopping.
* People's Park in the Sky with Jeepney Ride
Ride a traditional Filipino jeepney up to People's Park in the Sky, the highest point in Tagaytay. Originally built as a mansion for a visiting U.S. president, this park now offers a 360-degree view of Tagaytay, Laguna, and Batangas provinces. Enjoy the fresh air, cool breeze, and sweeping views from the top.
* Lunch (on guest's expense)
Take a break to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant of your choice. Tagaytay is known for its bulalo (beef marrow stew), grilled specialties, and other hearty Filipino dishes. Your guide can offer recommendations based on your preferences.
* Paco Park and Cemetery, Manila
This former Spanish-era cemetery is now a serene garden park in the heart of Manila. Known for its circular layout, elegant pathways, and historical significance, Paco Park is where national hero Jose Rizal was secretly buried after his execution. It's a quiet and reflective place rich in colonial history.
* Quiapo Church
Formally known as the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, Quiapo Church is a major religious landmark in Manila. It draws thousands of devotees daily who come to venerate the miraculous image of the Black Nazarene. The area around the church is also known for its traditional medicine stalls, religious items, and local vendors.
* Binondo Food and Market
End your day with a flavorful stop in Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown. Explore its lively streets, traditional markets, and historic food establishments. Taste a mix of Chinese-Filipino delicacies, from dumplings and hopia to lumpia and noodle soups. A great way to experience the culinary fusion of two rich cultures.
A day trip to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is like travelling back in time. Set on a 400-hectare land in Bagac, Bataan, Las Casas is a heritage resort that showcases the Filipino cultural heritage and traditions through the restoration of old, historic houses. There are about 34 houses dating from 18th and 19th centuries that have been transported from their original sites in provinces and cities in Luzon, to this heritage resort.
The restoration work on each house was done by craftsmen who painstakingly reconstructed houses by keeping true to its original designs and woodwork. The heritage resort exudes an old village ambiance that comes complete with a plaza that features sculptures depicting rustic scenes of the olden days.
It also has, apart from accommodation facilities, a swimming pool, restaurants, souvenir shops, a watersports rental shop, and an entertainment and game room featuring local Filipino games. In essence, the tour offers a glimpse of how the older generations of Filipinos lived during the Spanish era through its architecture and lifestyle.
Pick-up time
Makati Hotels - Between 7:45am and 8am
Manila Bay Hotels - Between 7:45 and 8am
A festive night of feasting on local cuisine and traditional songs and dances. The show is a production of Filipino creativity and artistic expression of tradition and culture.
From the hotel, transfer to a typical Filipino restaurant for dinner and viewing of Filipino folk dances that are performed by young university students in their colorful native costumes.
At the end of the show, participate in some of the dances and the sing-along that follows.
The tour provides one with the opportunity to be as close as he can be with Mt. Pinatubo, whose eruption in 1991 was deemed as the most powerful volcanic explosion of the century so far. Its eruption marked the end of its 600 years of lying dormant; it spewed tons of ash and rock, emitting gaseous discharges up to 40 kilometers high, and altered weather patterns worldwide.
Early pick up and drive about an hour and a half to Pampanga where your local guide will meet you. Upon arrival, transfer to a 4x4 vehicle for a 2-hour ride to the jump off point where you will begin your trek to the summit of the volcano (trekking will take approximately two hours). At the summit, enjoy the magnificent view of this once dormant volcano. Mt. PInatubo's eruption in 1991 altered the global climate and caused mudflows to cascade down its slopes, destroying everything along its path and leaving behind a labyrinth of towering lahar cliffs. The crater lake within the mouth of the volcano has a halcyon shade of blue that contrasts with the black, strombolic fury it exhibited years ago. After lunch, end the tour with a brief visit at San Guillermo Church in Bacolor, Pampanga, and see how the lahar flow half-buried this church during the eruption.
A tour of Manila provides one with an introduction to the country's history which dates back from the Spanish colonization till the American and Japanese occupation. It takes in the historical, cultural and religious sites of the country, all of which help make it the political, social, cultural, religious, educational, industrial and commercial center of the country.
Manila's city tour starts with a visit to Rizal Park, named in honour of the country's national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. After a brief picture stop, proceed to the historic Walled City of Intramuros. Travel through the cobbled streets of San Agustin Church, the country's oldest stone church and view its wide collection of ecclesiastical icons, vestments and other religious articles. Across it is Casa Manila, a reproduction of 19th century house equipped with Oriental and European decor, as well as Philippine antique furniture. Continue on to Fort Santiago, Manila's main line of defense against invaders from the sea.
The stone fort guards the entrance to the city from Manila Bay and the site of many tragic moments in Philippine History. From the Fort, drive to Quiapo, Manila's central district, often referred to as the heart of Manila with its market, pilgrimage church of the Black Nazarene, jeepney terminals and bazaars. Then proceed to the Chinese Cemetery, where the mausoleums are as big and as elaborate as houses and where fusions of Buddhist and Christian religions are very much in evidence. End the tour with a drive by Ayala Avenue or via Roxas Boulevard, the city's seaside drive.
Start the tour with the country's oldest church, San Agustin Church which was built between 1587 and 1607, and is located in the historic Spanish walled city. It was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWI and was rebuilt three times due to natural disasters. It is now recognized by the government and is a UNESCO historical landmark.
Continue on to Manila Cathedral, which has been a venue for papal masses in the country. Binondo Church, also known as Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, has an architectural style that is European Baroque and it is notable for its octagonal five-tier Chinese-style tower that reflects the culture and art of Chinatown.
Next stop is at Santa Cruz Church, whose architecture employs a California Spanish Mission facade whose adorned with the usual Filipino baroque ornamentation. On top of the facade is a statue of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of the church.
After lunch continue to Quiapo Church. Millions of people visit this church every year to see the famous Black Nazarene statue. Stop at San Sebastian Church and proceed to the UP Chapel, located at the University of the Philippines. The church was designed by four Philippine National Artists.
Proceed to Santuario de San Antonio and Malate Church before ending the tour to Baclaran Church.
Explore on foot and eat your way through Chinatown on your own two feet!
Binondo is primarily populated by ethnic Chinese living in the Philippines, and is referred to as the local Chinatown, and the oldest in the world outside mainland China. Binondo's Chinatown is also listed as one of the top National Geographic's food journey of a lifetime.
Your first stop for culinary taste of Binondo starts at Cafe Mezzanine also known as the Volunteer Fireman's Coffeeshop wherein parts of their proceeds are donated to the volunteer fire fighters of Binondo. Here you will get to taste the Chinese alltime favourites like machang and kiampong - a salted fried rice mixed with pieces of pork, chicken, dried shrimp and mushroom served in a small bowl topped with peanuts.
Afterwards head to Dong Bei Dumplings, a small restaurant located in Yuchengco Street that serves the best fresh dumpling in Binondo and get to witness how they are prepared. Next stop is a small stall selling fried 'Siopao' or hot bun, a popular food in the Philippines that have different varieties depending on the stuffing and may be consumed on the go. Along the way you will pass different local food stores, Chinese pharmacies, fruit stalls...
The walking tour ends at New Po Heng Lumpia House where they serve fresh Chinese lumpia, a mixture of carrots, cabbage, tofu, shrimp and grounded pork, topped with crushed peanuts, garlic, seaweed, hot sauce and rolled in leaves of lettuce wrapped in paper-thin rice crepes. Return to the hotel at the end of the tour.
Experience true Filipinos native life on this private day tour to Villa Escudero Plantations. The tour will be led by a professional English speaking guide, lunch and round-trip hotel transfers are included. You will visit the private museum, explore the village and enjoy fun activities like water buffalo-powered cart rides.
Highlights:
In Tiaong, Quezon, less than three hours drive from Manila, is an 800 hectare Spanish era coconut plantation that represents "hacienda" style living with a rural backdrop. There is a private museum with an absorbing collection of historic, religious and cultural artifacts spanning pre-Spanish times to World War II years. A sightseeing tour abroad a cart driven by a carabao (water buffalo) revelas the growing, harvesting and processing stages of coconut cultivation and takes riders to man-made waterfalls. On selected days, there are cultural shows to market at. VIlla Escudero is truly a native experience.
INCLUSIONS
- Round-trip transfer from Metro Manila/Makati hotels
- Entrance Fees and Lunch
- Services of a Professional Guide
Make your way up to the highlands city of Tagaytay for some sightseeing view of the very famous Taal Volcano, which is located in Batangas, but can only be seen in full view here. The city of Tagaytay is located on a ridge, 2250 feet above sea level.
ITINERARY:
It is about 2 hours leisurely drive south of Manila, passing small towns, orchards, fruit stalls and coconut plantations. Admire the magnificent views offered of Taal Volcano, a small volcano whose crater houses another volcano, and the quiet surroundings of Taal Lake. The majestic view can be enjoyed from a vantage point along the ridge. After enjoying a native refreshment, visit the world's famouse bamboo organ of Las Pinas church and the jeepney factory.
INCLUSIONS
- Round-trip hotel transfer from Metro Manila/Makati hotels.
- Entrance Fees.
- Services of a Professional Guide
- Guide language: English
