Discovering Tagaytay with Villa Escudero Side Trip

We uncover the alluring Tagaytay in a 2 day 1 night journey with Villa Escudero side trip. My favorite getaway after a tiring week stayed in the Metro.

People's Park in the Sky, Tagaytay City (c) Sir Omar

We were given the privilege to explore anywhere near the Metro after a tiring week of working a successful event in Makati, and we all agreed to stay an overnight in Tagaytay to check-out the Mount Taal and experience a buffet lunch at the Waterfalls in our day trip at the Villa Escudero Plantations, Tiaong, Quezon. 

HOW TO GET THERE:

People's Park in the Sky.

 To Tagaytay from NAIA Terminal 3 (serving flights from Cebu Pacific, PAL Express and some Philippine Airlines domestic flights), exit the gate cross Andrews Avenue. Look for jeepneys with signboard Pasay Taft Rotonda then alight at Rotonda (landmarks McDonalds and Sogo Hotel). At Rotonda, ride buses with signboard MIA to take you to Uniwide Coastal Mall (MMDA Southwest Integrated Bus Terminal) where you take bus to Tagaytay (Fare is around PhP80.00)

From Ayala Avenue, Makati: Erjohn & Almark, Arbiel Bus Line and Ferdinand Liner serve the Tagaytay - Ayala route. They pass via Buendia from Coastal Road, right to Ayala Avenue right to EDSA then left to Roxas Boulevard, Coastal Road then Aguinaldo Highway up to Tagaytay. On the return route, it's Aguinaldo Highway, Coastal Road, right to Buendia (Gil Puyat) then Ayala. Fare is around PhP100.00

From LRT Gil Puyat Station (Buendia): Buses going to Nasugbu, Balayan and Lemery, Batangas (e.g. DLTB and Jam Transit) will pass Tagaytay (Fare: PhP83.00). Shuttle service (vans, FX, V-Hires) in front of EGI Mall (Jollibee) at the corner of Taft Avenue and Sen. Gil Puyat Ave (Buendia) going to Nasugbu, Balayan and Lemery, Batangas that all pass by Tagaytay but you need to pay a "derecho" fare of PhP180.00.

View at the Back is the Private Museum by the Villa Escudero

To Villa Ecudero Plantation and Resort from LRT Gil Puyat Station (Buendia Bus Terminal): Ride Jac Liner Bus (approx 2hours travel – 200php fare); Tell the conductor to drop you at the Tiaong Boundary (right after the big Arch); Ride tricycle going to the Resort (10mins -20php). Then o la! you’ll reach the beautiful Villa Escudero Plantation and Resort.

Tip: If you are a team, you can opt this and rent a private van that can help you with in exploring these two beautiful places.

DAY ONE (Villa Escudero Daytrip and enjoy the traditional buffet lunch at the Waterfalls)

We started our journey with an early check-out at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati and went directly to the plantation and resort owned by the Escudero's in Quezon. The travel is approximately 2 1/2 hours via private van.

Prior that day, we make sure that we had an early reservations to be accommodated to our desired tour date. You can check here and make a reservation for your next tour.

Ticket, Day Tour Packag, Villa Edcudero.

Itinerary:

5:00 am - Check out at the Hotel
6:00 am - Depart to Tiaong Quezon
8:00 am - Arrival at Villa Escudero and Registration for the Day tour
9:00 am -  Enjoy the Day Tour Package
3:00 pm - Depart to Tagaytay
5:30 pm - Arrival at Tagaytay/ Hotel Check-in
6:00 pm - Skyranch, Tagaytay

Weekday rates is cheaper than weekend rates, dahil nagtitipid we went on a weekday

Day Tour Packages
Mondays to Wednesday
Adults : P1,450
Half rate : P625 (Children below 4 feet)

Thursday to Sundays & Holidays
Adults : P1,600
Half rate : P700 (Children below 4 feet)


Inclusions: Welcome drink, carabao cart rides, use of out door recreational facilities and lunch at the waterfalls.Cultural Show at 2:00 – 3:15pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays. Rates are subject to change without prior notice or you may book your day tour package and check their rates for your own schedule.

We visited their private museum which is considered to be the one of the largest museums in the country. Various artifacts have been collected from all over the world. Then enjoyed their traditional Filipino buffet lunch, kamayan style, while soaking our feet in the shallow running water of the Labasin Waterfalls Restaurant. 

Our Day Trip at the Villa Escudero.

We were not able to enjoy the pool and try-out their bamboo rafting but a day trip in Villa Escudero is worth the time and travel. The group decided to leave early so we can enjoy our Tagaytagay trip through a visit in their Skyranch. Here's the sum up of our Villa Escudero experience. 

Check out my blog/post on our experience in Villa Escudero here.

DAY TWO (Sightseeing Tagaytay's Best, the Mount Taal!)

A favorite go-to place among tourists and weekenders not far from the Metro capital is Tagaytay. Being known for its mild climate, it sits on a ridge above Taal Volcano Island, an active volcano surrounded by Taal Lake. Overlooking the area, People’s Park in the Sky occupies the grounds of a never-finished presidential mansion. Picnic Grove is a recreation area with trails and a zip line.

We arrived in Tagaytay near evening and check-in straightly to Tagaytay Garden Budgetel to leave our belongings and wash up. Then, we make sure that we will be enjoying the night through a fun visit in Skyranch Amusement Park and dined in one of the best resto's in town and tried their special bulalo.

Itinerary:

6:00 am Wake-Up Call

7:00 am Breakfast

8:00 am Visit at the People's Park in the Sky

9:30 am Tagaytay Picnic Grove

12:00 nn Lunch

1:00 pm Depart to Metro Manila

Some of the places we visited have an entrance fee. It would not cost more than 50php, so it's sulit. First on our list is the Tagaytay People's Park in the Sky, located in the summit of Mt. Gozales in Tagaytay City, Cavite. The park was originally an unfinished  mansion, known as the Palace in the Sky built during the Marcos Era. 

Picnic Grove in Tagaytay have long been available for the public before Sky Ranch was even built. And there are numerous activities everyone can do here; no wonder why groups of families and friends flock this place during weekends and holidays. 

Tagaytay Trip with my workmates. (c) Sir Omar

My favorite area in the place is an elevated viewing deck overlooking Taal Lake and Taal volcano. There are also numerous other sections where you can see the same scenic spots. Although it's not allowed, there are barkers who are sometimes waiting at the deck, offering a trip to the Taal Volcano crater.

We just managed to enjoy ourselves in hiking and some sighting with the Taal lake and volcano. We wanted to stay longer but unfortunately, we do not have enough time to explore the place. I am actually looking forward to explore the place with my family and friends.

Check out my separate blog on this trip, click here. 

Thank you for reading my blog. I hope this helps you.

Love, 

Cotabateña Wanderer