7 Days in Northern Luzon: Baguio, Sagada and Banaue Itinerary
Northern Luzon is the Philippines that most international visitors miss. Everyone knows about Palawan and Boracay. Far fewer make it to the Cordillera highlands where Ifugao rice farmers still tend 2,000-year-old terraces, where Kankanaey villages practice hanging coffin burial, and where the air is cool enough for a jacket in the evenings. This 7-day itinerary covers the essential highland circuit: Baguio as entry gateway, Sagada for caves and mountain atmosphere, and Banaue for the world-famous rice terraces.
Day 1: Manila to Baguio
Take the overnight bus from Manila departing 9 to 10pm from Cubao or Pasay terminals. Victory Liner and Genesis operate comfortable coaches with reclining seats. Arrive Baguio around 4 to 5am. Use the morning for Session Road exploration with strong Benguet coffee and breakfast pastries at a local cafe.
In the afternoon check into your accommodation. Burnham Park offers a leisurely stroll and Camp John Hay provides a pine forest atmosphere. Stay at Azalea Residences for mid-range comfort or The Manor at Camp John Hay for a splurge option.
Day 2: Baguio Full Day
In the morning visit Strawberry farms in La Trinidad, 15 minutes from Baguio center. Pick your own strawberries and buy strawberry taho from vendors at the farm gates. In the afternoon visit BenCab Museum, a world-class museum operated by one of the Philippines' greatest living artists. In the evening browse the Night Market on Session Road operating from 10pm to 2am.
Day 3: Baguio to Sagada
Take an early morning bus from Dangwa terminal toward Bontoc then connecting transport to Sagada, totaling 5 to 7 hours through spectacular mountain scenery. Arrive in Sagada by early afternoon, register at the Tourism office, and in the afternoon hike to Echo Valley for the Hanging Coffins in late afternoon light. Stay at Masferree Inn for the most characterful experience.
Day 4: Sagada Adventures
Pre-dawn: Head to Kiltepan Viewpoint before sunrise, leaving the guesthouse at 4:30am. In clear weather the sea of clouds from Kiltepan is the defining Sagada image. Morning: Meet a guide at the Tourism office for the Cave Connection, allowing 3 hours for the full Lumiang to Sumaging connection. In the afternoon rest and dry off, then explore Sagada town craft shops for Cordillera weaving. Evening: Dinner at Sagada Cellar Door.
Day 5: Sagada to Banaue
The Sagada to Banaue connection goes through Bontoc. Allow 4 to 5 hours on the mountain roads. Arrive in Banaue in the early afternoon, check into Sanafe Lodge, and walk to the main viewpoint for your first look at the terraces.
Day 6: Banaue and Batad
Early morning: Sunrise at the Banaue viewpoint at 5:30am when the cloud inversion fills the lower valleys and the upper terraces glow in first light. Morning: Tricycle to Batad junction then the 45-minute trek down into Batad village. The Batad Village Trek includes a guide explaining the agricultural system. Afternoon: Continue to Tappiyah Falls for swimming in a natural pool before returning to Banaue.
Day 7: Banaue to Manila
Morning buses leave Banaue for Manila from around 6am with Ohayami Trans and Coda Lines. The trip takes 9 to 10 hours. Window seat on the right side provides mountain views on the way out of the highlands. Alternatively extend to 8 to 9 days with a detour to Kalinga province for the Whang-Od tattoo experience.
Budget Breakdown for 7 Days
- Transport by buses and jeepneys: P3,000 to P4,000
- Accommodation at P600 to P1,500 per night for budget to mid-range
- Food at P400 to P800 per day
- Activities including caves, viewpoints, and trekking: P1,500 to P2,500 total
- Total estimate: P15,000 to P25,000 or P2,000 to P3,500 per day
Essential Tips
- Pack layers as mountain nights can drop to 8 degrees in December to February
- Download offline maps as signal is intermittent in the highlands
- Carry cash as ATMs are limited in Sagada and Banaue, so withdraw in Baguio
- Allow flexibility as mountain weather and road conditions can delay transport