Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Northern Luzon
North of Manila, Northern Luzon harbours some of the archipelago's
least-visited wildernesses, and offers thrilling outdoor adventures
including whitewater rafting, trekking, surfing, spelunking and mountain
biking. With wonderful mountainous areas and volcanic landscapes the
region is home to some of the country's best surf breaks, along with wild
stretches of coast peppered with virgin beaches and emerald green waters.
It is also rich in culture, with a handful of beautifully preserved Spanish
colonial towns lining the west coast. Inland are the tribal heartlands of the
central Cordilleras mountain range, where spectacular rice terraces lie
enveloped in clouds of mist. Further east is the Northern Sierra National
Park, the largest protected area in the country, offering exceptional
trekking opportunities. More than 100km off the northern coast of Luzon,
and closer to Taiwan than the Philippine mainland, lie the remote,
scattered islands of Batanes province with their unforgettable hills and
wild rugged cliffs.
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Along the west coast north of Subic, the Zambales coast is dotted with laidback resorts,
while the Lingayen Gulf is the location of the Hundred Islands National Park - a
favourite weekend trip from Manila. The neighbouring stretch of coast at Bolinao offers
wonderful virgin beaches at times flanked by dramatic rock formations. Further along
the coast, the province of La Union draws visitors particularly for its surfing. North of
here is Ilocos Sur, known primarily for the old colonial city of Vigan , where horse-
drawn carriages bounce down narrow cobblestone streets. The area around the capital
of Ilocos Norte province, Laoag , features a number of sites related to former dictator
Ferdinand Marcos, who was born in the nearby village of Sarrat. On the northwestern
edge of Luzon there are excellent beaches around Pagudpud . Northern Luzon's east
coast offers excellent surfing at Baler , while further north Palanan is the jump-off point
for the barely explored Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park .
Despite the obvious appeal of the coast, for many visitors the prime attraction in
Northern Luzon is the mountainous inland Cordillera region, where highlights include
the mountain village of Sagada with its caves and hanging co ns, and the stunning
rice terraces - designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage site - around Banaue . In
the village of Kabayan in Benguet province, it's possible to hike up to a couple of
mountaintop caves to see ancient mummies. Kabayan also provides access to Mount
Pulag , the highest mountain in Luzon.
Island-hopping in the Hundred Islands
National Park p.138
Vigan's festivals p.144
Vigan's crispy empanada p.146
The Dumagats p.157
Riding Baler's waves p.158
Trekking in the Cordillera p.160
Making a mummy p.167
The Igorots p.169
Hikes around Bontoc p.171
Killing me softly p.172
Activities in Sagada p.175
Hiking in Kalinga: guides p.177
Rafting through the rice terraces p.178
Banaue's stairways to heaven p.179
 
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