Ilocos Tour - 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary from Paoay Ilocos, Norte to Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Ever been on a long distance trip? If you haven't, you might want to try road tripping Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur. Last May, me, my colleagues and our families got the chance to bond and explore the region and embarked on a trip of a lifetime. Yes it was such a long trip, it took us 9-10 hours from Manila to reach our fist and second destinations, Paoay Church and Herencia Cafe in Ilocos Norte. Grateful to our boss at Eloc Global for this all-expense paid trip/company summer outing. (Also check out, South Cebu Itinerary 3 Days 2 Nights, Cebu to Bacolod, Cebu to Bohol in One Day)
Ilocos Tour 2 Days 1 Night Itinerary from Paoay to Laoag to Pagudpud to Vigan
4x4 Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte
KING AND JOY TRAVEL AND TOURS
If you are to go to Ilocos and tour around the provinces, it is advisable to book a tour to arrange everything for you. There are a lot of tour operators out there and for us, we booked King and Joy Travel and Tours for our Ilocos Tour Package of 2 Days and 1 Night for Php1800 each. As an unsolicited advice, I suggest, you book an Ilocos All In Tour Package for 3 Days 2 Nights so you can give yourself, your team and the driver a chance to rest well. To book a tour, you can contact Sir King at King and Joy Travel and Tours Facebook Page or call him at 09228060900. (Prices may change without prior notice)
ILOCOS NORTE THINGS TO DO AND SITES TO SEE
Day 1:Technically this is Day 1 Night 1 but you will be spending the whole night traveling. Our Day 1 included some of the things to do and tourist spots in Ilocos Norte such as Paoay Church, Herencia Cafe, 4x4 Paoay Sand Dunes, Malacanang of the North, Sinking Bell Tower, Ilocos Norte Capitol, Patapat Viaduct, Bangui Windmills and Blue Lagoon. The original package included a visit to: Cape Bojeador Lighthouse, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation and Bantay Abot Cave but we opted for the Blue Lagoon in Pagudpud. We did pass by the lighthouse and the cave but should we opted for the rock formation or the lighthouse or the cave, we could have gotten ourselves wet as it was raining at the time we reached the locations, so luck was on our side because even if it was raining when we reached Blue Lagoon, it's a beach, we have to get ourselves wet anyway. We stayed overnight at 3M's Place Resort.
PAOAY CHURCH - PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE
The Saint Augustine Church which is commonly known as Paoay Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the four Baroque Churches of the Philippines. There are souvenir items sold there. (When in Iloilo, check out Miag-ao Church).
Paoay Church Ilocos Norte
Inside Paoay Church Ilocos Norte
Paoay Church Marker Ilocos Norte
You can find souvenir shops in this building and restrooms can also be found here.
HERENCIA CAFE - PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE
This cafe is situated opposite Paoay Church and Paoay Marker. It was not open when we get there. This cafe prides itself of Pinakbet Pizza. (When in Guimaras, try their Mango Pizza at The Pitstop).
Herencia Cafe Ilocos Norte
PAOAY SAND DUNES 4X4 - PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE
This comes recommended by our driver/tour guide, Sir Jonas and indeed, this is highly recommendable. The 4x4 Sand Dunes ride is for Php500 per person or Php2500 per truck which comes with free sandboarding. Souvenirs are sold there.
Culili Point Sand Dunes 4x4 Paoay Ilocos Norte. (Photo: Culili Point Sand Dunes)
4x4 Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte
Eloc Global Team at Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte
Sandboarding at Paoay Sand Dunes Ilocos Norte
MALACANANG OF THE NORTH - PAOAY, ILOCOS NORTE
The Malacanang of the North is a presidential museum. It was the residence of the family of Ferdinand Marcos when he was President of the Philippines.
Malacanang of the North Ilocos Norte
Malacanang of the North Ilocos Norte
Malacanang of the North Ilocos Norte
SINKING BELL TOWER - LAOAG, ILOCOS NORTE This 45-meter bell tower was built by the Augustinians in 1612 and believed to be the tallest bell tower in the Philippines. It is actually the bell tower of St. Williams Cathedral, but unfortunately, it is 85 meters away from the church. As the name suggests, this sinking bell tower consistently sinks into the ground as it was built on sandy foundation. Read the interesting story here.
Sinking Bell Tower Laoag Ilocos Norte
LAOAG MARKER AND ILOCOS NORTE CAPITOL BUILDING - LAOAG, ILOCOS NORTE
We just passed by these 2 locations, captured some pictures and went straight to our next destinations.
Laoag Marker Laoag City Ilocos Norte
Laog Marker Laoag City Ilocos Norte
On our way to Bangui Windmills and Blue Lagoon, Sir King, owner of King and Joy Travel and Tours took time to meet and greet us.
BANGUI WINDMILLS - BANGUI, ILOCOS NORTE
Bangui Windfarm is a wind farm in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. The wind farm uses 20 units of 70-metre (230 ft) high Vestas V82 1.65 MW wind turbines, arranged on a single row stretching along a nine-kilometer shoreline off Bangui Bay, facing the West Philippine Sea. Learn more here. This is one of the cheapest spots to buy souvenir items in Ilocos Norte such as shirts, keychains, ref magnets, etc.
Bangui Windmills Ilocos Norte
Bangui Windmills Ilocos Norte. Thanks to the ice cream vendor who took this picture. If you like to have one when you get there, the ice cream vendor will most likely approach you to take your pictures. As a courtesy, DO buy a stick of ice cream or two from him.
Bangui Windmills Souvenir Shops - probably one of the cheapest souvenir shops in Ilocos Norte.
PATAPAT VIADUCT - PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE
Excluding the islands, Pagudpud is the northernmost tip of the northwestern side of the Philippine map. Pagudpud offers one of the most scenic views in the Philippines making your long trip to Ilocos Norte worthwhile. The Patapat Viaduct in Pagudpud was built to connect the Maharlika Highway from Ilocos Region to Cagayan Valley. It was opened to traffic in October 2016. Learn more here.
Pagudpud Ilocos Norte is home to one of the most scenic views in the Philippines.
Patapat Viaduct Pagudpud Ilocos Norte
Patapat Viaduct Pagudpud Ilocos Norte
With Sir Jonas, our driver and tour guide of King and Joy Travel and Tours
Pagudpud Ilocos Norte offers one of the most beautiful views in the Philippines.
BLUE LAGOON BEACH - PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE
This beautiful beach in Pagudpud is probably one of the most famous beach destinations in Ilocos Norte and probably one of the best beach destinations in the Philippines. Gather your surfing buddies and enjoy this beautiful Blue Lagoon Beach! If you just go there swimming, just swim along with the waves as it is guaranteed to wash you ashore if you don't lol. Glad we insisted this surfing spot.
Blue Lagoon Beach Pagudpud Ilocos Norte
Blue Lagoon Beach Pagudpud - Photo credit: Jennifher
3MS PLACE RESORT AND RESTAURANT - PAGUDPUD, ILOCOS NORTE
We were supposed to be accommodated on a beachfront property in Pagudpud in Blue Lagoon but the property was fully booked, so we were accommodated at 3M's Place Resort which was far from the beach. The resort is seemingly new.
Four Stars Tinubong and Native Delicacise Santo Domingo Ilocos Sur - this is another popular stopover to buy ethnic delicacies like tinubong, native bibingka, native suman, turones de mani, macaroons, malunggay muffin, cassava cake, carrot cake, pastillas, tart, iloko vinegar, basi, banana chips, muscuvado and polvoron.
ILOCOS SUR THINGS TO DO AND SITES TO SEE
Day 2: Technically this is Day 2 Night 2. We checked out early at 3M's Place and continued with the tour. Our Day 2 included some of the things to do and tourist spots in Ilocos Sur such asBaluarte ni Singson, Bantay Bell Tower, St. Augustine Church, Calle Crisologo, Plaza Salcedo,Burnayan Pottery and our tour package included Crisologo Museum but most of us did not enter in maybe because Calle Crisologo is so much of a site to behold which is more than enough. After this tour, we departed Vigan at 6:00pm and arrived in Manila around 2:00am. So if you have to include the first night you are traveling to Ilocos and the last night you are traveling back to Manila, this tour will cost you 2 nights and 3 days all in all.
Airplane Cafe in front of San Ildefonso Municipal Hall. On our way to Vigan, we passed by this attention-grabber attraction in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur. Per the driver (Sir Jonas), this used to be a cafe but looks like it is no longer operational.
BALUARTE NI SINGSON - VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
Baluarte ni Singson is a zoological park in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. The best way to tour around this huge property is to book a ticket for a golf cart for a minimal fee of Php50. Souvenir items are sold there. Some of the delegates of 65th Miss Universe toured around this park in 2017.
Baluarte ni Singson Vigan Ilocos Sur
Baluarte ni Singson Vigan Ilocos Sur
Baluarte ni Singson Safari Gallery
Baluarte ni Singson Safari Gallery Vigan Ilocos Sur
BANTAY CHURCH AND BANTAY BELL TOWER - VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
Bantay Bell Tower is situated nearby the church of Saint Augustine Parish commonly known as Bantay Church. The bell tower served as a watchtower for pirates back in the Spanish colonial era.
Saint Augustine Parish Church commonly known as Bantay Church in Vigan Ilocos Sur
Bantay Bell Tower Vigan Ilocos Sur
Bantay Bell Tower in Vigan City Ilocos Sur
BURNAYAN POTTERY - VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
We are supposed to see people making pottery but there were none when we get there. This is one of the cheapest spots to buy souvenir items in Ilocos Sur such as shirts, keychains, ref magnets, etc.
Burnayan Pottery Vigan Ilocos Sur
VIGAN CATHEDRAL AND PLAZA SALCEDO - VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
The Vigan Cathedral or the Metropolitan Cathedral of the Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle is situated nearby Plaza Salcedo and Calle Crisologo is just a walking distance from there. Plaza Salcedo comes to life at night where you get to witness the dancing fountain.
Vigan Cathedral or the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Paul the Apostle - Vigan, Ilocos Sur
Plaza Salcedo Vigan Ilocos Sur
CALLE CRISOLOGO - VIGAN, ILOCOS SUR
A taste of Spain, Calle Crisologo is a site to behold. It is a very famous attraction in Vigan, Ilocos Sur which will bring you back to the Spanish colonial era. When you get there, remember to ride the calesa for a minimal fee of Php150 to have a truly awesome experience. Souvenir items are sold there. You can have the same experience in Cebu as some tour operators offer a tour around the city and there are still some who use calesa as their regular mode of transportation, yes until today, calesa is still available in Cebu City, head out to Magallanes Street nearby University of San Jose-Recoletos, hop in and enjoy the ride.
Calle Crisologo Vigan Ilocos Sur
Calle Crisologo Calesa Ride Vigan Ilocos Sur
Calle Crisologo Vigan City Ilocos Sur Philippines
LONG JOURNEY PREPARATION
This is such a long trip and you need to prepare yourselves mentally and physically so as to enjoy the amazing sceneries and heritage sites Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur have to offer. No worries, there will be several stopovers to answer your call of nature, have a break and flex your muscles.
2 DAYS 1 NIGHT ITINERARY ILOCOS TOUR PACKAGE BY KING AND JOY TRAVEL AND TOURS
DAY 00 8:00 PM Assembly time(Trinoma QC/MOA Pasay) 09:00 PM Departure Day 01 LAOAG-PAGUDPUD 05:00am ETA in LAOAG City Breakfast (on pax account) 06:30am Start of Tour Paoay Church Herencia Cafe (Home of Pinakbet Pizza) 4×4 Sand Dunes(Optional) Malacanang of the North Sinking Bell Tower Aurora Park Ilocos Norte Capitol Building 12:00pm Lunch (on pax account) 01:00pm Continuation of Tour Cape Bojeador Lighthouse Kapurpurawan Rock Formation Bangui Windmills Patapat Viaduct Bantay Abot Cave 05:00pm Check-in at Transient in Pagudpud (Beachfront) Free time Dinner (on pax account) DAY 02 PAGUDPUD-VIGAN-MANILA 06:00am Wake-up Call/ FREE Breakfast Free time for swimming activity 09:00am Check out Travel going to Vigan Lunch along the way (on pax account) 02:00pm ETA in Vigan Start of Tour Baluarte ni Singson Bantay Bell Tower St. Augustine Church Crisologo Museum Calle Crisologo Plaza Salcedo Burnayan Pottery 06:00pm Travel back to Manila 02:00am ETA in Manila/ End of Tour
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