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Philippines
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Metro Manila
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Manila
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Tours & Activities
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Tagaytay Ridge Tour from Manila: Palace in the Sky, Taal Volcano and Las Pinas Bamboo Organ
1 day
Instant confirmation
About this activity
After pickup from your Manila or Makati hotel, relax on the picturesque drive to the city of Tagaytay, located on a ridge 2,200 feet (671 meters) above sea level.
On the drive up, visit San Jose Church to see the famous Bamboo Organ of Las Pinas, one of the Philippines' national cultural treasures. Built in the 19th century by Spanish priest Father Diego Cera, the organ is made up of more than 800 bamboo pipes!
When you arrive at Tagaytay Ridge, savor the incredible sweeping vista of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from atop the Palace in the Sky, one of the rest houses of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
You’ll then visit a local jeepney factory to see how these bus-type cars are made. You may have seen this strange-looking vehicles driving around the area, as they're a popular mode of public transport in the Philippines. Your guide will explain how jeepneys were originally made from US military Jeeps left over from World War II, and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.
At midday, stop by a local restaurant to enjoy a lunch of traditional Filipino specialties. Time permitting, on your way back to Manila, you’ll also stop at a pineapple or coffee plantation to sample local produce, or visit one of the local wood-carving shops dotting the roadside.
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On the drive up, visit San Jose Church to see the famous Bamboo Organ of Las Pinas, one of the Philippines' national cultural treasures. Built in the 19th century by Spanish priest Father Diego Cera, the organ is made up of more than 800 bamboo pipes!
When you arrive at Tagaytay Ridge, savor the incredible sweeping vista of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from atop the Palace in the Sky, one of the rest houses of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.
You’ll then visit a local jeepney factory to see how these bus-type cars are made. You may have seen this strange-looking vehicles driving around the area, as they're a popular mode of public transport in the Philippines. Your guide will explain how jeepneys were originally made from US military Jeeps left over from World War II, and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.
At midday, stop by a local restaurant to enjoy a lunch of traditional Filipino specialties. Time permitting, on your way back to Manila, you’ll also stop at a pineapple or coffee plantation to sample local produce, or visit one of the local wood-carving shops dotting the roadside.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Lunch
- Local guide
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Entry/Admission - Taal Volcano
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended
- If your hotel is located outside the Makati City and Manila City area proper, please make your own way to the New World Renaissance Hotel in Makati City at least 15 minutes prior to tour departure
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
55%
Reviews
The other reviews contain the details - the palace in the sky is pretty run-down, the views of Tagaytay are from a distance and on our trip - obscured by rain. Lunch was fine, and the Jeepney factory - was sad... Really though - what sapped the energy from the tour was the guide. He had a very limited narration, consisting of few anecdotes per place and "now we are leaving city X and entering city Y" - once he'd done the bare minimum, he returned to chatting with the driver in tagalog. The tour guests felt like an afterthought
This tour is overpriced. You see the Tall Volcano and Palace in Sky from very far distance. Las Pinas Bamboo Organ is the Church. We also went to Jeepney Factory. As it was on Saturday we were not able to see how they make Jeepney. Tour Guide was good.
The tour by itself I would have probably rate a 4 - very much as described Fun sights, great views - well worth it. The trip was made amazing by our tour guide, Rolando. Rolando's knowledge far exceeded the paces we visited he shared so much about Filipino culture, other tours we should consider, some pitfalls we might run into while working here, some of which I had already run into. He was able to answer any question we threw at him. We were an extremely small group due to the Manny Pacquiao fight that day, but there was never a lull in the conversation. I wish I had done this tour earlier in my visit as I think it would have help with adjusting to living and working here. During my time here, I did do two tours booked on viator.com where Baron Travel was the local travel provider the other was the WWII Corregidor Island Tour, also well worth it and Baron Travel made it as easy as possible. I highly recommend this method, especially if you are not travel savvy, like myself - all you have to do is worry about being at your pick up location on time, the rest is taken care.