Philippines - Northern Luzon Motor Adventure Through Mountains & Rice Terraces 14 Days

Day 1 Departure

Today you depart for the Philippines to embark on an extraordinary motorcycle adventure trip on a Honda Enduro, through and over the many mountains of Northern Luzon.

Day 2 Arrival Manila/Angeles

Your adventure starts in Manila.
After arriving at the airport, our driver will already be waiting for you. No hassle, just get in and roll into Manila - a city guaranteed to stay with you. This is a metropolis of extremes: chaotic, lively, contrasting and full of surprises.

You'll stay in Makati, the modern and vibrant heart of the city. Think: skyscrapers, rooftop bars, street food, jazz cafes and nightlife. Perfect for starting your first night in the Philippines in style.

Day 3 Manila - Angeles

After breakfast, we leave the hustle and bustle of Manila behind and take a cab to Angeles. - a drive of over two hours on highway.

We check in early at the hotel so you have the afternoon to explore Angeles. This city is known for its vibrant energy, a mix of street food, neon lights and Filipino hospitality.

In the evening, we dive into the nightlife. Walking Street is the beating heart of the city with endless bars, live music and restaurants. And if you want to give your body some relaxation after the first few miles: massage parlors abound.

Day 4 Angeles - Baguio

Today we really leave the city behind and the real work begins.
To leave Angeles, we first make our way through heavy morning traffic - but with a little city riding experience on a motorcycle, you soon feel like a local.

Once out of town, we turn off the main road and opt for the more adventurous secondary roads. The first part of the ride takes us through hilly terrain with surprisingly steep climbs and tight asphalt - great to feel the engine working nicely in the corners.

Then the landscape flattens out for a while. We ride on narrow paths, across endless rice fields and small, friendly villages where children greet us as if we were famous.

Before really diving into the mountains, we take a local lunch - simple but tasty. Then the best part of the day begins: The climb to Baguio.
A winding mountain road with curves, views and biker bliss galore.

Our hotel is located on the outskirts of Baguio, where you can safely park your bike and take a short drive or cab to the lively nightlife of downtown.

Day 5 Baguio - Sagada

We leave Baguio behind and dive straight into adventure.
The road winds uphill, deeper into the mountains, and soon we get to see the first impressive views of the Pulog Mountains - a mighty backdrop of steep peaks, deep valleys and mist hanging between the trees.

The mountain road is quiet, with the occasional local jeepney or water buffalo on the path. Along the side, a river flows along with our route - alternately wild and calm, just like the road itself.
The asphalt regularly gives way to rough sections, and that only makes it more fun.

The scenery becomes more rugged and beautiful by the mile.
We drive through pine forests, past steep precipices and through small hamlets where time seems to stand still.

In the late afternoon, we arrive in Sagada, a mountain village with a mystical atmosphere. Known for hanging coffins, caves and tranquility. Our guesthouse is simple, but clean and cozy - just what you need after such an adventurous day.

Day 6 Sagada - Vigan

Today we continue through the rugged interior and drive into the mountains of Ilocos.
A day full of curves, steep sections and impressive views awaits us. The route winds through remote villages and along deep gorges - a true delight for any motorcyclist. The air is fresh, the road challenging and the scenery constantly changing.

After several hours, we descend to the coast, where the mountain air gives way to a salty sea breeze. The coastal road is a breath of fresh air: palm trees, small fishing villages and the open sea as a backdrop.

Our destination is Vigan, a unique place that feels like you just drove right into another century.
With its cobblestone streets, wooden balconies and colonial facades, this is the best-preserved Spanish town in Asia. It is almost unimaginable that this town was spared during the war. Thank goodness - history is tangible here.

At night, you can settle down on a terrace in the central square, surrounded by attractively lit buildings and the gentle murmur of street life.

We sleep in style: a beautiful colonial 4**** hotel in the middle of the historic center, within walking distance of restaurants, cafes and small stores.

Day 7 Vigan - tabuk

Today we leave the coast behind and head back into the mountains, across the impressive Cordillera Mountains.
The route winds uphill past steep mountain sides, deep gorges and remote villages. For a few years now, this road has been mostly paved, but make no mistake - there are still sections where the asphalt is missing or where mud and stones cover the path, especially after the rainy season.

It is a day for the real enthusiast:
Over 100 kilometers of pure riding pleasure, with challenging curves, tough climbs and vistas that force you to stop time and again. Don't forget your camera, because this is one of the most beautiful routes of the trip.

At the end of the day we arrive at our overnight spot: a comfortable and modern hotel (built in 2023), with swimming pool and a good restaurant - a nice place to recover from an exhilarating day in the saddle.

Day 8 Tabuk - Pagudpud

We continue northward, deep into the mountainous interior, along the winding course of the Chico and later Abulog Rivers.
The route is every motorcyclist's dream: tight asphalt, endless curves and hardly any traffic. We ride through dense, remote forests where the silence is broken only by the sound of birds that make themselves heard as soon as the motorcycles fall silent.

After hours of cornering, we slowly leave the mountains behind us. Before we reach the northern coastal road, we go a little off-road - right through small villages and vast rice fields. The transition from mountains to flat land is gradual, but spectacular.

And then, as icing on the cake:
the coastal road with its impressive viaduct over 1,300 meters long. With the wind from the sea in your face and the sun slowly lowering on the horizon, this is one of those motorcycle roads you never forget.

We spend the night in Pagudpud, a relaxed coastal town. Our hotel has a pool and is within walking distance of the beach - perfect for ending the day with a refreshing swim or a cold beer by the sea.

Day 9 Pagudpud - Santa Anna

We return eastward, again crossing the iconic Patapat flyover and the beautiful coastal road along Pasaleng Bay.
The view of the sea, the wind in your face and the curves winding along the cliffs make this a ride to enjoy. But we don't just stick to the main road-regularly we turn off to dive deep into the interior, on small roads and off-road trails through rice paddies and authentic villages. Here Filipino rural life is still pure and unspoiled.

Slowly we leave the Ilocos Region behind and move further east. Through places like Portugal and Pamplona, we drive to the extreme northeast of Luzon: Santa Ana, in the province of Cagayan Valley.
This region is beginning to gain prominence among adventurous kite and windsurfers, thanks to its powerful winds and rugged coastline.

Our final destination today: a resort right on the beach.
Dive into the pool, drink something cold with an ocean view, or relax on the beach as the sun slowly sets-a perfect end to an exhilarating day of driving.

Day 10 Santa Anna - Tuguegarao

We start the day with a short stretch on the main road, but soon dive back into the countryside.
Through a network of secondary and off-road roads, we wind right through a sea of vast rice fields. You drive among the reeds, through small communities where life is still simple and pure. The houses are sometimes no more than wooden huts on stilts, but the smiles of the people make up for everything.

This region is still largely untouched by tourism and you can feel it-you really are off the beaten track.
Over an hour before Tuguegarao, we make a stop at Quibal, where - if you want - you can explore an impressive limestone cave with seven chambers and even a small chapel. A special and spiritual place, in the middle of greenery.

At the end of the day, we roll into Tuguegarao, the largest city in this region. We will stay in a comfortable hotel right in the center, perfectly located to visit the night market visit. Be sure to try some of the local street food-maybe dare to try "kwek-kwek" (fried eggs) or the famous local pansit (noodles)!

Day 11 Tuguegarao - Batad

Today we move further south, deeper into the Mountain Province.
We follow a mountain road that constantly keeps you on the edge of your saddle-sometimes tightly paved, other times full of potholes, rocks and mud where rains and landslides have left their marks. But the reward is great: mountain panoramas unfolding before you, vast rice terraces clinging to the slopes, and hushed mountain villages where time seems to stand still.

On the way we pass Banaue, world famous for its spectacular rice terraces, once built by hand by the Ifugao people. After a brief stop, we continue on a narrow mountain road inland to perhaps the most magical spot of this trip: Batad.

Batad is a village you don't reach easily. We park the bikes at the last accessible point-from there it's about a 20-minute walk up into the mountains. Our luggage will be carried by local porters for those who want, so you can make the climb up with a daypack.

The guesthouse is simple, but the location is nothing short of spectacular. You overlook the amphitheaters of rice terraces, rolling out in layers of green and gold over the mountains. No wifi, no traffic, just the sounds of nature and the smell of freshly cooked food from the kitchen. Our hostess welcomes us with a smile and provides a hot meal and a hearty breakfast the next morning.

Here, in the heart of Ifugao country, you will feel why this trip is unforgettable.

Day 12 Batad - Baler

After breakfast, we leave magical Batad.
We walk back up to the point where our bikes are waiting. Our porters make sure the luggage comes up safely with us-then we are complete again and ready for another ride.

We slowly descend from the mountains, steering wheel firmly in hand, and set course south. Soon the landscape changes. The middle section of this route is flatter, with wide vistas and villages where daily life goes its quiet way. But we know: this is only the prelude.

Ahead of us looms the Quirino Mountains, and with them the next challenge.
A beautifully winding climb over tight asphalt takes us uphill again. Turn after turn we gain altitude and ride straight through a world of green slopes and fresh mountain air. The ride is a delight for any motorcyclist.

After the mountain range comes the reward: the descent toward the coast.
We are treated to spectacular views of the ocean as we follow the winding road downhill. Today's end point is Baler-at first glance a quiet town, but once at the beach you will discover the relaxed atmosphere of a real surf destination. Here you will find surfers in action, laid-back beach bars and cozy restaurants where you can end the day perfectly.

Our luxury hotel with pool is located right on the promenade, right by the sea.
After a long day in the saddle, you can relax here: take a refreshing dip, enjoy the view of the ocean and watch the sun sink into the sea with a cool drink in hand. The perfect end to an adventurous day.

Day 13 Baler - Angeles

The final leg of this impressive tour takes us back to Angeles, right through the Aurora Mountains.
One more time today we are presented with an endless stream of curves, winding through mountain passes and lush hills. As we get closer to civilization, we slowly leave the mountains behind and are gradually swallowed up by the busier traffic heading toward Angeles.

We end the trip at the same hotel where it all began - a familiar place to reminisce and look back on this unforgettable motorcycle adventure.

Day 14 Angeles - Manila ( cab ) - Departure

After a final breakfast in Angeles, you will be transferred by cab to the Manila airport in about two hours. On the way, you can take a moment to enjoy all the beauty the Philippines has had to offer. An adventure full of curves, mountains, rice terraces, colonial cities and tropical beaches comes to an end. With a head full of memories and perhaps a touch of melancholy, you will fly back home - you will not soon forget this motorcycle trip.