Month: July 2018

Going to the northern part of the country is basically a long drive that takes 7-8 hours to get there. There’s much more to explore and lot more notable features to catch your attention aside from the scenic routes in between stops. To those who are willing to explore the fun and exciting adventure, nothing can give you more pleasure and surprises than a great tour to Ilocos. Gaining more popularity, it offers everything one would expect of a beautiful destination.

For those seeking to just refresh for a few days to cool down from the noise of the city or for those adventure seekers looking for all points of interests with a full swing of thrilling escapades to experience sandboarding and the amazing 4×4 ride then, Ilocos is the best place to go! They are bound to thrill adventurers. Another important feature, there are other tourists spots where people visit to take picturesque photos of Vigan, Laoag, and Pagudpud.

This would be your reliable guide if you are interested to join a group tour, this blog will help you plan for your next destination. I joined this tour, Ilocos Tour package for only 3,300 PHP (except meals, sport/personal activity fees) 3 days and 2 nights where trips leave at 10:00 pm, it’s a group tour with other 8 participants. I’ve been to Ilocos many times but it’s over 3 years since my last visit, I didn’t have that many expectations until this scheduled group tour with complete itineraries. Ilocos today, they have completed so much more of it.

Ilocos Tour Package Itinerary

Day 00

We all meet at Centris station parking lot at around 9 pm, that’s the scheduled assembly place and pick-up time. We were a group of nine and my group was the last to arrive so we occupied the back seat. Traveled by van, we left Manila at around 9:30 pm. It was a worry-free tour, we just sit back and relax listening to music, it was a very peaceful moment inside the van. Everyone else was sleeping, others were snoring, I can hear different tunes but it’s still music to my ears,  it’s ok as they are now my family. When you are on a tour away from home, people and friends become your family members, a home!

We had several stops at least 5 x  for necessity and hot coffee. I can just recall the last stop-over we had at Marsha’s Delicacies, I bought a box of Sweet Royal Bibingka. I can’t wait but to take a few morning bites, it’s so sweet and delicious!  Our driver was rushing to catch up Calle Crisologo before the sun shines, the best time to take photos there when it’s still dark. We arrived in Vigan at exactly 4:30 in the morning.

Join me as I travel around Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, my adventure starts here

Day 1

The first stop on our tour is the Casual landmark of Vigan where visitors can roam around the fountain area to take a few photos around Plaza Salcedo. A few walks away from here is Calle Crisologo, a street filled with Spanish inspired structures, they have maintained and fully restored the historical point of interest. Around Vigan, you can see here the earliest example of Spanish Architecture, the impressive remains carefully preserved antique culture up to the present. After Calle Crisologo we head to St Augustine church widely known as Paoay church and commonly known as ‘’earthquake Baroque’’ a roman catholic church in the Philippines. Beside the Paoay church is a bell tower dating from 1793, you can go upstairs to see the aerial view of the whole ground but first, look for the caretaker to assist you. Just beside St Augustine church and behind the Belltower is a beautiful San Augustine garden. I’m enjoying the views of the surrounding appreciating everything.

It’s almost 6:00 am, I need hot coffee! All restaurants and outlets are still closed at this time, no other options but a nearby nipa hut carinderia ‘’Park and Shop Resto’’ that serves Ilocano foods, we had our first meal of the day here. We ordered a few varieties of our chosen favorites; Pancit Canton, Vigan Longganisa with egg and fried rice, Beef tapa among others.. We did enjoy our first breakfast, it’s simple but tasty.

Following breakfast as it was already planned earlier, proceed directly to Culili Point- the extreme 4×4 ride and Sandboarding at Culili Point Sand Dunes, two of the most popular activities here in Ilocos.  After the desert adventure, we stopped for a quick lunch along the way at Ilocano restaurant and again, it was simple and delicious. After lunch, we head to Malacanang of the North named after the presidential palace in Manila and the last place visited is the Cape Bojeador Lighthouse.

We arrived at the hotel before five in the afternoon. We were all exhausted after a long day, ending the day with a relaxing warm bath. We spent our first night at 3’s Place Resort. The first day was full of energy and excitement, lots of surprises throughout the day, the first day was truly remarkable.

Day 2

After our breakfast, we head to the spectacular Kapurpurawan Rock Formation followed by Pagudpud Windmills. Chasing more excitement to the forest above mountains of Kabigan Falls. Around 4.6 km and 6 mins drive to reach Paraiso ni Anton. Nearby, 6 mins to reach the beautiful Patapat Viaduct and the enchanting Bantay-Abot Cave. We spent the whole afternoon swimming at Blue Lagoon beach. We had dinner at Fine Dining Resto around Saud, given the opportunity to drop by Saud beach to chase the sunset.

Tonight would be our last, hopefully, we can get on the road earlier tomorrow, we would be leaving in the afternoon. We’ve seen 10 beautiful attractions today, we were never in one place for a day. For 2 days, we found ways to genuinely bond with my tour mates and trying the best we could for the last day. Going on tour can be grueling, there’s not much time except for sightseeing, walking, sleeping, and eating. This is what tour is all about…

Day 3

It was an early wake-up call, 5:30 am. We head directly to the first and oldest Bangui Windmill followed by the impressive Sinking Bell tower of Laoag. After the close encounter with the animals at Baluarte ni Chavit and Safari Gallery. We had timely breakfast at Hidden Garden Lilong and Lilang restaurant in Vigan. From there, a chance to witness a part of history to visit the Bantay Belltower, Pagburnayan Jar Factory, and National Museum. We had a quick lunch at a food chain around Plaza Salcedo. Departing Vigan at 3:00 pm and we arrived Manila 9:30 pm. I had a great time as the tour was well-planned and organized. Everything’s fine to surpass all my expectations. We have visited more than 25 beautiful sites, more places to go, so little time…

It’s more exciting to join Ilocos tour, Ilocos is generally safe and package tour relatively affordable. When my Ilocos tour was about to end, I was reluctant to bid goodbye but I cannot go beyond as some responsibilities waiting for me back home. I’ve seen over 25 beautiful attractions, I’ve experienced a bit of Ilocano life and a chance to bond with the locals and tour mates with no language barrier.

Just after my Ilocos tour, I’ve been singing praises after my adventure. Ilocos allows you to explore a variety of historical and architectural attractions, it is only among many destinations options here in Northern Luzon. It was easy for me to communicate with the locals here, I can speak Ilocano. I’m from the Northern part of the country, ”Cagayan Valley” which is only a few hours drive to Ilocos but I’m now based here in Manila and that makes a journey of 7 hours going there. It’s not a hassle considering the new development of wide expressways that cut across. It’s now easier than before, the good navigation system to guide motorist to all routes, it helps spur economic development, tourists is greatly increased in the north.

The hotel ”3’s Place Hotel” where we stayed in during our Ilocos Tour.

Top 25 Attractions we visited in Ilocos Region

Vigan Ilocos Sur Landmark

Calle Crisologo Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Calle Crisologo Vigan, Ilocos Sur

St. Augustine Church  Paoay, Ilocos Norte

St. Augustine Garden, Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Sandboarding Culili Point Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte

4×4 Ride Culili Point Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte

Cape Bojeador Lighthouse  Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Saud Sunset Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

  Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Burgos, Ilocos Norte

Bangui Windmills Ilocos Norte

Kabigan Falls Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Bantay Abot Cave Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Paraiso Ni Anton Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Blue Lagoon Beach Resort Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

Malacañang of the North Paoay, Ilocos Norte

Sinking Bell Tower Laoag City, Ilocos Norte

Bantay Abot Cave Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

 Bantay Watchtower Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Vigan Cathedral Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Hidden Garden Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Baluarte Zoo Vigan, Ilocos Sur

Saint Augustine Parish Church or Bantay Church Bantay, Ilocos Sur

Elpidio Quirino National Museum  Burgos St, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

Pagburnayan Jar Factory Vigan, Ilocos Sur

In addition, Food Offerings, Pasalubong counter and Restaurants

Park and Shop Resto Vigan, Ilocos Sur

The birthplace of Pinakbet Pizza Herencia Restaurant Vigan, Ilocos Sur

My Favorite cold drinks in Ilocos ”Ice Crumble”

Fruits in Ilocos; Mangoes, siniguelas and duhat

Four Stars Native Delicacies counter;  Ilocos native Tinubong, Bagnet, Vigan longganisa, Bagoong and many more…

Ilocos Tour  Package

Interested to Join? Anyone can join as long as you are willing to be together with other groups to fill the desired number of 10 participants in the van. The van will leave earlier if all participants are already complete. For more Ilocos Tour Package details Rates/ Package Inclusions/ Accommodations/ Itinerary/ Terms and Conditions/Transport Unit with Driver /Different rate applies during Holidays and Peak season > Click this Link> Contact> Wayph Tour

Tour package without entrance fees/Not included in the Package are the following; 

Meals, Entrance fee of Bojeador Lighthouse, Blue Lagoon Hut is 1K, Horse riding going Bantay Bell Tower, Shuttle Ride Baluarte, Animal Feeding/Rides, Zip Line, 4 x 4 Ride/Sandboarding 2,500 for 5 persons

• Accommodations
• Van Transfers [Manila-Ilocos-Manila][Tour Around Ilocos]
• Driver’s Meals and Accommodation
• Government Taxes and Surcharges
• Guide and Entrance Fees
• Tour Coordinator

Assembly Time  /Place: Centris Walk Parking Lot Quezon Avenue, MRT Station

Departure Every Thursday Night

Expected Time of Departure Manila to Ilocos 10: 00 pm

Expected Time of Arrival 6:00 am

Reliable and Safe driver

Note: You need to come early to choose the best seats

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