8 Unique travel experiences in the Philippines that you shouldn’t miss

With over 7,000 islands offering unique travel experiences to visitors, the Philippines is a destination unlike any other. Whether it’s relaxing on the beaches or exploring the mountains, enjoying the vibrant urban life or immersing in indigenous culture, there are one-of-a-kind experiences that await in the Philippines for different travelers.

Here are eight of the uniquely Filipino activities that you can try on your next visit to the Philippines.

1. Cycle around Intramuros on a bamboo bike

Cycling is an eco-friendly option to travel. In the Philippines, it takes on an even more sustainable route with bamboo bikes.

Bambike Ecotours offers a chance to explore the historic walled city of Intramuros in Manila in a different way. The handmade bamboo bikes come in many options for a safe and comfortable ride, with Bambassadors acting as guides in Old Manila’s unique charms. 

2. Zoom through Banaue’s winding roads on a wooden bike

Up in the mountains of Banaue in the Cordillera Region, a must-try experience is riding the Ifugao mode of transport—the hand-carved wooden scooter that can reach a speed of 50 kilometers an hour.

These bikes are a testament to the indigenous tribe’s wood carving skills and ingenuity, as they are made with scraps of wood and pieces from old rubber tires.

This is an adrenaline-fueled way to enjoy a picturesque view of the centuries-old Banaue Rice Terraces, which their ancestors carved by hand on the mountainsides.

3. Test your balance on bamboo stilts in Cebu

The kadang-kadang (karang) or bamboo stilts lets visitors see the Philippines from a slightly higher point of view.

Tourists to Cebu can try out their skills on balance and speed by hopping on a pair of stilts and participating in a team race that runs (or wobbles) for 100 meters.

While it is considered a childhood game through generations, it was recognized as a traditional sport under the Laro ng Lahi in 1969.  

4. Go off-road on a lahar adventure in Pampanga

The Mount Pinatubo eruption caused devastation to many parts of Central Luzon, but locals have found a way to utilize the lahar flow from the volcano and turned it into a destination for extreme sports enthusiasts.

Travelers with a need for speed can book an off-road tour on a 4×4 or motorcycle that rides through the streams and the sandy terrain in what is one of the most unique landscapes in the Philippines.

5. Relax in a kawa bath in Antique

The kawa, or giant cauldron, is usually used for cooking fiesta fare in the Philippines, but in Antique province, it provides a rustic and relaxing experience.

The mountainside resorts welcome visitors after a trek in the woods of Tibiao in Antique with a refreshing hot bath in a kawa, with water heated over a wood fire and scented with aromatic herbs and flowers.

If you want to experience another kind of therapy, visit the Tibiao Fish Spa. Here, you can dip your feet in a pond for fish to nibble on and exfoliate.   

6. Visit the Philippine eagle in Davao

The Philippine eagle, one of the world’s largest and most powerful forest raptors, is the country’s national bird.

Sadly, it is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with only about 400 pairs left in the wild. This is why the Philippine eagle is protected in sanctuaries such as the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao.

Mount Hamiguitan is a UNESCO Protected Highland Nature Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. A rather challenging trek is rewarded by a treasure trove of biodiverse sightings, including a chance to watch for the majestic Philippine eagle in flight.

Those who would rather study the biodiversity of the area indoors can visit the natural science museum inside the premises.

For a quick glimpse of the eagles, you may also visit the Philippine Eagle Center, a private sector-managed rainforest in Davao City that shelters and breeds Philippine eagles in captivity.

7. Learn the indigenous art of weaving in the Cordillera fabric circuit

The upland tribes of the Cordillera Region have a rich culture that is woven into their fabrics.

This circuit tour brings travelers to stunning interactive and informative displays of the fabrics produced in the region using cotton and other natural fibers that are woven and weft into their traditional designs on looms that have been passed down through generations.

Tour stops include weaving villages and museums, with opportunities to go souvenir shopping for these handmade works of art that are sewn into stunning articles of clothing or incorporated into decorative pieces for the home.    

8. Organic Green Tour (OGT) Circuit

This circuit traces the Philippine food roots through a combination of organic farm tours and traditional meals that use freshly harvested produce.

The tour runs through the Baguio-La Trinidad-Itogon-Sablan-Tuba-Tublay (BLISTT) area with two farm tourism destinations, the Benguet Agro-Eco Farm in Sablan and the UM-A Farm in Tuba.

Among the activities are pick-and-pay and the opportunity to partake in a traditional community celebration hosted by the farmers held around a warm bonfire amid fresh mountain air.

Enrich your unique travel experiences in the Philippines by trying these activities. Known as the “Pearl of the Orient Seas,” the country offers endless opportunities for travelers to explore and discover.