Exploring the secret places of an island, which is naturally secluded from other parts of the land, is certainly fun! Amid the eagerness and the inner conflict of ‘to expect or not to expect’ highly from a lesser-known place; the picturesque beauty of the hidden gems in Luzon comes as a stunning surprise to your unconventional tour!
Home to multiple volcanoes, highest mountains, caves, pristine beaches, tropical rainforests, and sprawling rice terraces, Luzon island in the Philippines is a treasure trove of natural wonders, most of which are yet untouched. If you have been to the most popular attractions of this island on your previous tour, go offbeat this time and visit these hidden gems in Luzon Island. You don’t have to worry about the availability of air tickets; iEagle offers the best deals on your last minute bookings to Luzon Island!
The magic of Vanishing Island:
One usually feels ecstatic standing on the shore and waiting for the on-and-off waves to touch the feet. The wait, in case of Vanishing Island, is for the showing up of the island itself! Yes, the island appears only during low tide and the place is just water with floating cottages rest of the time. A stretch of white sand bar presents itself in front of you when the tide recedes, revealing the base of the stilt cottages and tents.
Locally called ‘Warawara Island,’ it surely is a hidden gem in Luzon Island and to witness its magic, you need to be quick! Reach the island in the early morning around 7:00 am or in the evening around 05:00 pm to catch the beauty of the island before it vanishes! During high tide, all you can see is only one or two elevated cottages in the center of an endless expanse of azure waters against the twinning sky!
Suggested Read: A handy guide to holidaying in the Philippines!
The network of caves in Biak na Bato National Park:
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range in the Philippines, Biak-na-Bato Park served as a hideout for the revolutionary armies during World War II, and it was later declared a National Park in 1937 owing to its historical and ecological significance. If are you into caving and hiking, you’ll adore this must-visit place in Central Luzon. Spreading in an area of 2110 hectares, the park in Bulacan Province features a network of more than 100 caves, hiking trails, unusual rock formations, the oldest trees, beautiful rivers and streams flowing through the thick forest.
The hiking trail is relatively easy! You’ll pass through paved routes, staircases, and hanging bridges across the rivers, but exploring this hidden gem in Luzon Island turns interesting as you go deeper to find the inner caves! You might even have to crawl balancing yourself on hands and knees. Discover the underground river system in the underground caves and enjoy the stunning Tilandong Falls!
Also Read: Untouched places in Philippines
The dangling coffins of Sagada:
Death is certainly a morbid topic. Are you thinking, “How can a place with coffins be an attraction worth visiting?” Well, it is the belief and the eccentric burial ritual followed by the locals of Sagada that draws you to this aerial cemetery!
The aged people of the Igorot tribe carve their own wooden coffins and when they pass away, their family members place their body in the coffin and tie or nail the coffin inside the Lumiang cave or to the side of the cliff. They believe that higher the position of the coffin, greater is the probability of the deceased person reaching heaven! Trekking to the hilltop of Echo Valley in Mountain Province gets you to this place near Northern Luzon. The whole experience is indeed eccentric and one-of-a-kind!
