As the second most populated city in the Philippines, its capital, Manila, is home to a whopping 1.8 million people. The city captivates visitors from around the world with its blend of Spanish Colonial architecture and flashes of modernity in towering skyscrapers.
Manila is a hotspot for tempting food markets selling freshly prepared local cuisine; bike tours covering more of the city; a museum complex showcasing fine art, natural history, and more; bargain shopping; and many historical churches to explore. Don’t forget, Manila rests on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, where stunning white sand beaches are within touching distance.
If you’re looking to maximize your time in Manila, Abraham has a variety of nearby tours to enhance your itinerary. Here are four suggested day trips from Manila.
Mount Pinatubo
Located around 90km northwest of Manila on Luzon Island, this active stratovolcano is home to the largest volcanic eruption to occur in the last 100 years—on June 15, 1991. This powerful eruption caused volcanic ash, rock fragments, and gases of over one cubic mile—an unfortunate event that only took a heavy toll on the locals but caused a large impact on the tourism industry.
Mount Pinatubo Day Trip
Carefully monitored, the area is safe to visit alongside local guides. On Abraham’s Mount Pinatubo day trip you’ll trek to its heart to see its majestic beauty up close. This unique landscape showcases nature’s resilience to destructive power.
Early risers will appreciate the start time—by 6am you’ll be fully immersed in the thrill of a 4×4 ride to the hike’s beginning mark. This challenging four-hour trek will take you across small rivers flowing in the heat of the sun. The obstacles on the way are worth it once you reach the volcano’s almighty crater.
This particular day trip from Manila departs every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. From pick-up to return, the total time is approximately 18 hours.
Hundred Isalnds: Pangasinan
The Hundred Islands in Pangasinan is a magnificent wonder showcasing the dynamic beauty of the Philippines. Composed of 124 small islands (123 of which are visible at high tide), the islets are scattered across the turquoise waters of Lingayen Gulf. Rumored to be two million years old, these ancient islands were declared as the Hundred Islands National Park in 1940, covering just shy of 17km.
Pangasinan Island Hopping Tour
Abraham’s island hopping tour and day trip from Manila is your chance to see this corner of earth up close, to witness its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. This tour departs at 4am from Abraham Manila—you’ll have plenty of time to sleep en route as we make our way to Alaminos to enjoy brunch. Fueled up and ready to go, your island-hopping adventure begins! Snap pictures of the stunning ecosystem, colorful coral reefs, giant clams and abundance of sea life and wildlife too.
Most exciting of all is the choice of activities for you to enjoy throughout the day—snorkeling, zip-lining, wall climbing, rappelling and helmet driving included. This captivating region is a must-visit for travelers seeking an unforgettable experience.
Your jam-packed day ends at 4pm as we depart back to Abraham Manila to share your stories and highlights with other travelers.
This trip departs every Saturday and Sunday.
Pagsanjan Falls
Nature enthusiasts will ‘fall in love’ with the Paganjan Falls (also called the Cavinti Falls), a distinctive and renowned waterfall in the Laguna region of the Philippines. Its history dates back to the Spanish colonial period during its discovery and naming by the friars. The falls were declared a national park in 1939 and have become one of the most popular tourist spots in the region—where bamboo rafts can be ridden through a series of rapids to reach the magnificent waterfall. Today, the national park preserves its rich historical significance.
Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour
The 3-hour road trip to the falls departs at 7.30 am, stopping at Los Banos to meet with people from the local community, see local transportation and old train tracks, and sample the delicious delicacy of coconut pie.
From there, we’ll continue our journey along the river that leads to Pagsanjan Falls. You’ll hop on a “bangka” (canoe) and navigate through the crystal-clear waters, passing natural wonders—lush flora and mesmerizing rock formations. As we approach the rapids on the downstream course, dozens of miniature falls spill from the mountains. Experienced boatmen will guide the group through choppy waters and canyons towering over 100 feet. If you dare, dive into the refreshing waters at the main falls. You can also hop on a raft to explore under the waterfalls and into the immense, echoing Devil’s Cave.
This trip departs every Saturday and Sunday.
Sagada & Banaue
If your schedule permits and you’d like to explore more than just a day trip from Manilla, you should take advantage of the Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces trip—a four-day tour exploring the Mountain Province. Sagada, with a population of around 11,500 people, is distinctive for its year-round, outdoor trekking, rappelling, nature hikes and plenty more activities for avid explorers. A 90-minute drive away is the Banaue Rice Terraces, carved into the mountains of Banaue in Ifugao by the ancestral Igorot people.
How to get there and what to expect
Your four-day tour begins with an overnight bus ride to Sagada, where you’ll meet your guide for breakfast and check into your guestroom. The day is filled with diverse activities, including a short hike to the Hanging Coffins, the traditional way of burying people in the region, as well as Echo Valley, a scenic attraction just a short walk from the town’s main road. You’ll also have a meeting with traditional women weavers and explore the Samuguing Cave, the largest cave in Sagada. The evening is full of optional activities including visiting a local brewery & distillery and a ceramic workshop.
Refreshed after a good night’s sleep, we’ll head to the viewpoint of the rice terraces before visiting the Ifugao House Museum, which is especially interesting for culture and anthropology enthusiasts. From there, we will arrive at the trailhead to embark on to Batad, an ancient village home to two-thousand-year-old rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll breathe in the breathtaking scenery and witness the stunning Tappiya Waterfalls and the Old Batad Village. Then it’s back to the guesthouse to relax for the evening.
On your final morning, enjoy a delicious breakfast to fuel up for a three-hour hike to the village of Bangaan, one of the five clusters of rice terraces, where you’ll also enjoy lunch. You’ll be enthralled by the Jeepney ride (a minibus popular in the Philippines) to Banaue, where you’ll head to a hotel restaurant for refreshments and a shower. From there, you’ll wave goodbye to the region and make the journey back to Manila.
Whether you choose a day trip or opt for all of the adventures during your time in the Philippines, these once-in-a-lifetime experiences are guaranteed to leave you with memories of a lifetime.
Source: Abrahamtours
Image Source: Abrahamtours