Byaheng Norte. Vigan – Laoag Trip

We’ve only just VIGAN. This includes my 3D 2N Ilocos Escapade. Full of adventure, and so many sites to see!

Many of us may have gotten our trippin’ at the North. But it’ll blew you away to make a visit once again while everything is developing.

I personally do not travel with a travel agencies to handle the trip, coz. I’d rather do my research and be lost with it. *It makes traveling more fun and exciting :p haha.

But for this trip I decided to look for a cheap travel agency for this, since you’ll see them coming over Facebook Page anyways :p and there we tried  Ilocos Heritage Tours and Travel (you can easily search it thru FB)

For only P2,999.00 you get to book for 3 days 2 night Ilocos Tour, this includes the van transportation from Manila to Laoag – Vigan – Pagudpud, a travel guide to take you at all the sites of Ilocos and the hotel accommodation for 2 nights with free breakfast. So it was a pretty good deal considering were 4 in a the group, it won’t hurt to join other travellers too.

Vans usually leave on a Thursday night around 9PM – 10PM either you’re coming from MOA or Trinoma *your choice.

And so me and my friends get to meet at Trinoma and started our trip going to VIGAN. We had 3 stopovers should you wish to take some midnight snacks and CR breaks in between.

Note : make sure you buy your water and / or snacks before heading at the van, prices of these beverages cost much expensive.

Travelling to Vigan usually takes around 5 – 7 hours, we left Trinoma by 10PM and arrived at Vigan by 4AM!

Note : Get enough sleep going to VIGAN!!!  but since we never stopped chatting while on the road, we have not gotten much time to sleep lol! and the day would really be freaking tiring!

Here’s the 3 Day itinerary guide that we had :

First stop, CALLE CRISOLOGO

It’s vintage houses were maintained, there were a lot of establishment. But everything was still close when we arrived. Our van driver was super quick as well before other group tours headed at the area we made sure we take good photos of It too.

Note : If you’re with a group tour, you do not manage your time. Per site there is a specific time for photo op. Usually around 30 minutes.

We had our breakfast at the Hidden Garden around 5:30PM – 7:00AM *schedule was base from our itinerary list as well.

Tried the delicacy of Vigan right away, the Longganisa 😀 I was so hungry that we failed to take photo of it. Haha!

Per meal cost P150 with coffee or milo. Breakfast is for own account.

After breakfast the journey continues.

Visited  BALUARTE, popularly known owned by Chavit Singson. There was no entrance fee, but should you wish to do extra activity in the area you may do so. Photo op with the Tiger? The snake? You are totally free to try it all.

I felt like a kiddo once again being in the ZOO.

PAGBURNAYAN, pottery making  🙂  You may wanna try it for yourself?

The locals were generous enough to teach you how to do it. And it is basically made of mud and water. #Interesting

 

CRISOLOGO MUSEUM

Trip wouldn’t be complete without learning some history  🙂 Entrance is free but they requires a donation.

BANTAY BELL TOWER

One of my favorite. View is pretty amazing at the Bell Tower, you may also make your way up the tower.

Next stop was supposedly for the Marcos Mausoleum but sadly it was closed when we get there since it is under renovation 😦

Guess I definitely had to be back at Ilocos then.

Next stop is at PAOAY CHURCH #PaoayKumakaway if you’re a traveler which includes church visitation as part of the Itinerary, this should be part of it too.

 

After our lunch time, we headed at the SAND DUNES, in Paoay. And this was my favorite part of the trip.

You get to have a Sand Dunes Experience riding at a 4×4 truck. The view was pretty amazing and I was at awe for a certain time thinking “where could those sands came from?” for me it feels like Dubai 😀

No one would tell you what to do but it is definitely, one hell of a ride! Haha!! It was so scary but super fun and so challenging. The ride never stops going around the sand dunes for about 30 minutes. And we end up screaming at the top of our lungs. Per person cost P500 for 1 ride. A minimum of 5 person per ride. *We were only 4 at that time so we offered it to another group to join us too.

We get to experience a Sand Boarding as well, your option should you sit nor stand, it depends on your own will :p

And I so love this place!! make sure you’re well protected with sunscreen coz. its super hot! hahaha!! I was wearing my turban and it was worth using it, hats oftentimes fell off the ground during the trip.

After the ride, we felt freaking tired already. With no sleep and more of walking and exploring, still there were more sites to see 🙂

MALACANANG OF THE NORTH

The place where the Marcoses stayed during their presidency regime. The place is so nice and relaxing and you’d surely want to live there too!

 

After touring around, we make our way to Ilocos Norte already, and checked-in at around 5PM. Hotel was nice and comforting after the entire day of trip.

The continuation of my Day 2 & 3 Trip link : Byaheng Norte. PAGUDPUD – VIGAN (Day 2 & 3)

Here’s my detailed budget for day 1 :