Explore the Beauty of Ilocos in 3D2N

The splendid time in Ilocos opened my heart and mind to explore more and travel different destinations in the country.

VIGAN: Pot/Clay Making in the Pagburnayan, Liberation Blvd, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur

I have been eyeing to be in Ilocos Sur and Norte since last year. So, me and my friend decided to take a flight and explore the beauty of Ilocos Sur and Norte into a 3 Days and 2 Nights pre-arranged tour by the third party agency. We managed to take the tour since it was our first ever tour by ourselves.

As much as we wanted to start traveling and enjoy life. We started our very first own expenses tour right in the North. Honestly, with the booming of the industry of travel and tours especially in the Ilocos, Laoag, Vigan and Pagudpud. We managed to have a cheap and reasonable tour package suited with the time of our arrival in the Metro.

Captured Plane Ticket. Sorry for not displaying our names.
Our first travel together.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Originally, we are from Cotabato City but our flight departed from Davao City. There are quite some flights that will get us to the Metro via Cotabato City (with Cebu Pac and PAL), however, most of the destinations promos would depart from Davao City, we manage to get our ticket worth 1332.00 back and forth via Ceb Pac to Metro Manila. Promo flights would usually depart on the midnight and early morning. Cotabato to Davao fare would cost 300-350 php, ask the driver to dropped you in Matina to take a cab/taxi direct to the airport (300php).

via Davao: take the flight directly to Manila with transfer flights to Ilocos via PAL.

via Manila: take the 10 PM bus bound for Laoag at Partas Cubao and arrived around 8 AM. Deluxe ticket is Php 965 and First Class is Php 797, and you can opt this and try the 45 minute flight or private vehicle to Laoag via PAL.

Tip: In Manila there are a lot of tour agency that would offer best packages at a cheapest cost, you can choose to go in to a private tour or joiners tour, for us we settled in a joiner tour.

Since we arrived at most 12 midnight in Manila, we opted the other tour agency packages that will be leaving 10pm to 11 pm, we take the offer of the iTravel Philippines and departed at 2am. Late travel departure means lesser destinations. Yes, there are destinations that we were not able to visit however, we manage to explore most of the Ilocos vibes wonderfully.

DAY ONE (Let's Explore Ilocos Sur!)

The wanderer behind the lens.

Meet up place: Shell Ortigas at the back of Robinson's Galleria in front of Meralco Building, beside McDonalds and Ministop (Near Metrowalk)

Itinerary:
2:00 am Assembly time

10:00 am Bantay Bridge
11:00 am Hidden Garden/lunch
2:00 pm Baluarte
4:00 pm Pottery/ Calle Crisologo
5:00 pm check-in/free time
7:00 pm Vigan heritage water fountain show
8:00 pm free time/enjoy calle crisologo

With the whole travel, me and my friend just feel the comfort and sleep to gain enough strength with the long journey to Ilocos. We started our tour with the oldest bridge of Ilocos, it is one of famous tourist spot in the province because of it is located between two big mountains.

The whole day trip was really tiring. Some destinations in Ilocos Sur where not included in our trip. However, our eyes were satisfied because of the beautiful places in Ilocos.

* Check the DAY ONE: Let's Enjoy in Ilocos Sur trip in my other post.

DAY TWO (Tara sa Laoag, Paoay and enjoy the SAND DUNES!)

Enjoying Sand Dunes!

Itinerary:

6:00 am call time
7:00 am depart for Laoag
8:00 am Paoay Church
9:00 am Marcos Museum
11:00 am Malacanang of the North
12:00 pm lunch
1:00 pm Sand Dunes/4x4 ride/Sand Boarding
3:00 pm Light House
4:00 pm Kapurpurawan Rock Formation
5:00 pm Banqui Windmills

To be honest, Day two is the best so far! The highlight of the tour is the Sand Dunes 4x4 Ride experience. It was really WOW!! It was the best. As such, the second day was also filled with exciting and interesting scenery.

We also managed to take great shots with our DSLR. Believe me! Witnessing the sunset at the Bangui Windmills is so wonderful. And also, do not forget to wear proper attire and shoes when doing Sand Dunes and hiking the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation.

Tip: It is best to wear closed shoes (rubber shoes) since you will be doing adventure in the sand under the heat of the sun. hehehe. Too bad, I wear sandals. Do not follow what I did, be in your hiking shoes. Okay? 

Check out our DAY TWO experience here.

DAY THREE (Ilocos Norte, Here We Come!)

Having my first Henna Tatoo!

                                                                             

Itinerary:
7:00 am Bantay abot cave
8:00 am blue lagoon beach swimming
10:00 am back to vigan
1:00 pm 30 minute side trip to Vigan for pasalubong
2:00 pm back to manila
11:30 pm eta manila

Yes! We already conquered the North on the second day and will be continuing the third day exploring the Bantay-Abot Cave and the Blue lagoon. We opted to swim but rather enjoy the heat and the beach through sight seeing and eating ice candy.

Here's the wrap up of our last day in Ilocos. Btw, I don't like how my first Henna Tattoo turned out. lol.

OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE TOUR

We Thank the iTravel Philippines for accommodating us. It was our first travel package deal in an agency and we really love how approachable the tour guides are. Do not worry on the hotels and accommodations, the agency actually provided it in the tour. We came with a family from Antipolo and both enjoyed each others company. 

For the food, breakfast is actually included in the tour. Lunch and Dinner will be in the travelers account, you can request for the hotel to cook food for you or ask for the assistance of the tour guides. Two thumbs-up for the great service!!! We look forward for more adventure with you.

Getting a tour agency means less hassle, when you are traveling for two. It would be good if you could look for credited tour agencies that will take you to the most visited places in Ilocos. However, if you opt to be controlled with your time, you can check some DIY tours in other blogs that would help you enjoy Ilocos in your most convenient time.

Tip: Before dealing with the travel agency, make sure that you check some reviews and ask for documents to check if they are credited agencies. Iwas scam bes. Do not be tamad when reading all their post. hehehe.

OUR EXPENSES

Cotabato - Davao = Fare                      700 (Back and Forth)
Taxi Fare (Airport) =                            300/person (Back and Forth)
Davao Airport Terminal Fee=              200/person
Dvo-Manila-Dvo Promo Fare=            1332/person (Vice Versa)
Naia to Meet up Place=                        200/person (Vice Versa)
3D2N tour package=                            2800/person
Sand Dunes 4x4 Ride=                         600/person

Total=                                                   6,132 php per person

*I do not include the food, since I forget what we eat and there are a lot of food chains there that would cost you around a 100 per meal.

So that's it! Our first ever tour! I hope I have shared some tips and experiences. Thank you for reading. See you on my next adventure.

Do not forget to comment and suggest!!

Love,

Cotabateña Wanderer