Day 1

Arrive in Manila and settle into your hotel.

Day 2

Take a trip to the heart of Manila and check out some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, such as Intramuros and Fort Santiago. Travel through cobbled streets and check out San Agustin Church, the Philippines’ oldest church, and Casa Manila, for a feel of the 19th century Oriental and European decor. A trip to the Philippine Commission on Women is also included to know how women’s rights are protected.

Day 3

Journey to Banaue and make your way through beautiful flat and fertile landscapes of the Central Plains of Luzon. Depending on the time of the year, one may see either farmers harvesting their crops, planting in the rice fields, arrive in Banaue just in time for dinner, and witness a classic Ifugao folklore show.

Day 4

Explore Banaue’s stunning rice terraces– the UNESCO World Heritage destination that was skillfully made by ancient tribesmen in the province. Begin the day by boarding a jeepney to explore the scenery and take quick stops for picture taking. Hike in Bangaan’s rice terraces and mingle with the locals. End the day by visiting the Local Women’s Place and interact with the local women.

Day 5

Head inland further and traverse on the mountain trail of Mt. Polis until Bontoc. There, visit Bontoc Museum and gain insight on the lifestyle of the Igorots, the native settlers of the province. Continue towards Sagada, a town known for its unique burial sites and practices, known as the “hanging coffins.” Drop by the Sagada Weaving House and experience hand-loom weaving.

Day 6

Keep going through the mountain, passing through beautiful scenery, and make a pit stop at Santa Maria village and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception–a baroque church sitting on top of a hill before going to Vigan.

Day 7

Take a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Vigan. See some of the most iconic places in the city. Explore Mena Crisologo Street for the old colonial houses and the horse-drawn carriages called ‘calesa’. Close on the said street is St Paul’s Cathedral where one can see the beaten-silver panels of its altar. Plus, explore some more of the other local heritage sites in Vigan, like Syquia Mansion for its antique furniture and memorabilias, and the Padre Burgos House. Take a short calesa ride and and explore some of the traditional crafts of the city like the “Pagburnayan” or the burnay jar making and Abel weaving, which is the traditional woven product of the region.

Day 8

Head to Paoay and check out the San Augustin Church which is noted for its variety of architectural styles. Drop by the 5-hectare property called the Malacañang of the North which is the former residence of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. Head to Laoag afterwards and visit Museo Iloko– a former Tabacalera which was restored to a museum. Pass by the Abolition of Tabacco Monopoly monument, and see St. William’s Cathedral and its Sinking Bell Tower before heading back to Manila.

Day 9

Visit the Gabriela Office in Manila and know about the organization’s programs that addres issues on human rights, poverty, sex trafficking, and others that affect women. Afterwards, spend the remaining day in Manila at leisure.

Day 10

Head to Dumaguete and check out some of the city’s top attractions through a city tour. Get to visit the Women Abaca Development Association in the Bacong area which is a livelihood community project spearheaded by women. Proceed to St. Augustine church and be amazed with its pipe organ, and head after to Silliman University Campus which is the largest Protestant university in the country. After driving through some of the city’s busiest streets, stop briefly at the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria which is the city’s most popular landmark made in 1776. Afterwards, continue on to the public market for stalls laden with local produce and food.

Day 11

Spend the day at leisure by snorkeling or explore further the waters of Apo Island through scuba diving. Apo Island is a marine sanctuary famous for its turtle feeding ground, and huge coral mounds, walls and big fishes.

Day 12

Head to Bohol by ferry and first explore the Philippine Tarsier Foundation. Proceed to the the Blood Compact site at Baclayon where Spain’s Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, native chieftain, sealed their friendship with a symbolic drink. Continue on to Baclayon Church, an old stone church which houses a collection of religious art; pass by the Bilar man-made forest before proceeding to the Chocolate Hills. Aftwewards, cruise on the Loboc River on a floating restaurant.

Day 13

Depart Bohol via Ferry and go towards Cebu to explore the city. Visit the Taoist temple, trhe Basilica Minore de Santo Niño, Magellan’s Cross, and Fort San Pedro. In the afternoon, visit the Cebu Zonta Club which is a global organizaton who work together to advance the status of women worldwide.

Day 14

Transfer to the airport for your outbound flight from Cebu.