Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Luzon, Philippines
Discover the best top things to do in Luzon, Philippines including Yolo Travel Philippines, Batad Rice Terraces, Manila For A Day, Smokey Tours, High 5 Paragliding, Banaue Rice Terraces, Mount Pinatubo, Sumaguing Cave, BenCab Museum, Bomod-Ok (Big) Falls.
Restaurants in Luzon
1. Yolo Travel Philippines
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 419 reviews
YOLO Travel Philippines is an exotic travel and tour company based in Manila. it offers different day trips in and around Manila plus packages around Philippines. So what are you waiting for? visit our website now and see the Philippines!
2. Batad Rice Terraces
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 689 reviews
Reviewed By 865cr - Washington DC, United States
We did a 3 day trek Day 1- Pula Cambulo, Day 2- Batad Day 3 short hike and back to Banaue. Day 1 was a long hike, but very nice and few people. Day 2 you arrive at Batad, definitely the most picturesque terraces, but also the most crowded with many tourists. You also visit the waterfall. You are done by 2:30pm and do nothing the rest of the day. Day 3- you do a 2 hour hike (very nice hike), then go back to Banaue, so if you are taking the night bus, you have 8+ hours to kill. Unless you are looking for downtime, I would just combine this into 2 days.
3. Manila For A Day
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 194 reviews
Manila For A Day connects the world to the Filipino soul. From guided tours to workshops and consulting services, we deliver cultural intelligence solutions by creating learning programs that take you on modern day voyages of discovery. Take a unique Manila For A Day experience today and find out why everyone is raving about us!
4. Smokey Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 513 reviews
Smokey Tours are not just bricks and mortar tours. We offer a special experience, believing that deep experience equals deep insight. We train and develop talents of people from underprivileged communities to run eye-opening tours around Metro Manila. Our mission is to show "the other side of Manila" with safe, sustainable, genuine & eye-opening tours while aiding the local community. Visit one of the biggest slums in Manila, haggle and eat in Quiapo & see how people live among the dead. Experience Manila with us while supporting our local community work! Our Tours: 1) Slum Tour - our most popular tour that goes through the slums of Manila, wherein profits are donated to our current community projects. 2) Cemetery Tour showing you the lives of the people living in Cemetery North and introduces you to their beliefs and superstitions. 3). Family Tour, especially for families with kids, exploring Quiapo. 4) Market Tour, a food tasting experience through Quiapo & Binondo.
5. High 5 Paragliding
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 143 reviews
Tandem Paragliding is where you fly together with a certified Tandem Pilot and get the thrill of a lifetime. BOOK a FLIGHT online, get more INFO and find out about the RATES at the website of HIGH 5 PARAGLIDING. There are 3 flysites around Manila; all within 1 hour of reach. Binangonan and Carmona are flyable from end of October until end of May. San Mateo is flyable from June until October but only on sunny days without rain. Paragliding is definitely one of the best 1/2 day trips for outdoor and adventure lovers, who want to escape the traffic and pollution of Metro Manila. There is no age limit but a weight range. Passengers should have a minimum weight of 20kg and not more than 100kg. During the peak flying season from November till end of May, paragliding is daily available, if weather permits. Groups up to 10 passengers can easily be accommodated.
6. Banaue Rice Terraces
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
Spectacular terraces were carved out from mountain ranges some 2000 years ago with primitive handtools.
Reviewed By AjKamath - Hong Kong, China
This is one of the most spectacular views and landscapes in my opinion. The rice terraces are over 1000 years old and it is impressive to see how it was built back in those days where they did not have electricity and modern heavy machinery. The villages are still quite disconnected from the world - not many spots where you have good WiFi coverage- especially around Batad. That’s not necessarily a bad thing as you’re assured of time away from the usual city life and enjoy nature in the best way possible. The villagers are very friendly and welcoming. Getting there - take a bus from Manila, about 8 hours by road. Tickets can be booked online quite easily. Please beware of the extreme AC in the Coda (purple) bus!! Carry jackets n cover yourself to survive. They DO NOT adjust the temperature even if you’re freezing! Once there I think 2 days is more than enough to cover the region and visit all the important spots - Banaue view point, Batad village and view point, Ducligan Snake river, San Fernando, etc. I stayed at Bogah home stay and had an absolutely AMAZING experience. I recommend getting in touch with Denwil ([email protected]) who can organize everything at pretty good deals. I even got to stay with his family in Batad and help them harvest the rice :) one of the highlights of my trip and something that you can do in June-July if the rice is ready for harvest. The hikes are definitely not easy so recommend good hiking shoes and appropriate hiking clothes/gear. Do go with a guide to ensure you’re headed on the right path. It’s quite slippery - especially after rains. Food is good - not great. Carry your own supply of snacks etc. to be safe. Not too many shops sound so good to stock up on the necessities. Rice wine is also something worth trying - I got lucky to get some of the fresh distilled wine from the freshly harvested rice and it was GOOD! :) Overall - I definitely think it’s a MUST DO while in Philippines. Really amazing and experience that you will remember over time.
7. Mount Pinatubo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 381 reviews
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains on the island of Luzon, near the tri-point of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. Before the volcanic activities of 1991, its eruptive history was unknown to most people. It was heavily eroded, inconspicuous and obscured from view. It was covered with dense forest which supported a population of several thousand indigenous people, the Aetas, who fled to the mountains during the Spanish conquest of the Philippines.
Reviewed By KhanKluay
Hiking Mt Pinatubo was long ago on my bucket list - so glad it finally happened. After a thrilling Jeep ride to the starting point of the trail, a guide led us on our 1.5-2 hrs each way. The trail wasn't difficult nor ardous to hike. The views on top and lakeside of the crater, as well as the hike itself, are more than rewarding for everything. Not-so-fun fact the other morning: Our friendly host and owner of Casa Hermogina informed us, that last night the Taal Volcano erupted - the very day 1 year after we hiked there.
8. Sumaguing Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 788 reviews
Reviewed By nicosamneil - Cebu Island, Philippines
Amazed by the stone formations. Adventure is somehow slippery so dont wear slippers that are hard, much better if slip resistant. Dont wear fancy clothes, an outdoor outfit would do since u'll get wet by the cold water that is flowing inside. Lucky we have an accomodating guide named artuto which is clearly a veteran in giving tours.
9. BenCab Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 989 reviews
Reviewed By TravellingBearCebu - Panglao Island, Philippines
For art lovers a must visit, some interesting works by Filipino artists covering many different styles
10. Bomod-Ok (Big) Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 265 reviews
Reviewed By PrinceIori - Bulacan Province, Philippines
Really enjoy the view even though it’s tiring to reach the waterfalls. It was really impressive place to see and soak in the cold water after a tiring trek.
