My first visit to Baguio was unplanned, and I only had a day to complete my tour. My work schedule ended at 6:00 of Saturday morning. I was on a night shift, so I had to sleep first before going to any trip.
I allocated my entire Sunday to tour around the city and cross out the spots on my list. Before heading for the solo jaunt, I did some research. I looked for places that are approximately close to the downtown.
On my list were: Baguio Cathedral, Baguio Botanical Garden, The Mansion, Wright Park, Mines View Park, Good Shepherds Convent, Port del Pilar or the Philippine Military Academy, Camp John Hay, Tam-Awan Village, Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, and Burnham Park.
Below is the itinerary I followed during the tour. It was different from my original plan, though. I actually made some changes to accommodate other interesting sites, and in order for me to witness the graduation ceremony of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), which was schedule in the morning. I suppose to visit PMA in the afternoon.
One Day Itinerary
- 10:00PM – Victory Liner bus from Pasay City Terminal [previous day]
- 04:50AM – Arrival in Baguio City, and then a short walk to session road.
- 05:15AM – Baguio Cathedral visit.
- 05:30AM – Breakfast. I planed to have it at Café by the Ruins , however, I had no idea about their opening schedule, so I settled at a local cafeteria.
- 06:10AM – Ride a jeepney to botanical Garden. The jeepney that will bring you to Botanical Garden is the same jeepney that will lead you to Good Shepherds Convent, Mines View park, and Wright Park. The route stated below the windshield is BAGUIO-PLAZA-MINES VIEW v/v which terminal is located at Mabini Street.
- 06:25AM – 07:00AM – Stroll around the Botanical Garden.
- 07:00AM – 07:30AM – Photo ops at The Mansion. The Mansion is walking distance (I spent 10 minutes) away from Botanical garden.
- 07:30AM – 8:30AM – Walk around the Wright Park, which is right in front of The Mansion. You can also rent a pony at 300 pesos per hour or 200 pesos for a half hour ride.
- 08:30AM – 9:30AM – Picture taking at Mines View Park.
- 09:30AM – 10:00AM – Buy some bring-home presents at Good Shepherds Convent, which is a walking distance away from the Mines View.
- 10:00AM – 12:00PM – Port del Pilar (Philippine Military Academy). You can journey through the history of PMA just by viewing the galleries at the PMA museum.
- 12:00PM – 01:00PM – Lunch. Try to drop by at Café by the Ruins.
- 01:00PM – 03:30PM – Camp John Hay. You have an option to take your lunch at Camp John Hay. From PMA, you can ride a jeepney that travels back to the city. This will pass Camp John Hay (Ayala Hub side).
- 03:30PM – 04:30PM – Witness the wonder of Tam-Awan Village, the garden in the Sky.
- 04:30PM – 06:30PM – Lourdes Grotto. Have a 252-step hike to the Lourdes Grotto, and then say a prayer.
- 06:30PM – 7:30PM – Burnham Park. Stroll around, go boating, rent a bike, and buy some souvenirs.
- 07:30PM – 08:30PM – Dinner
- 08:30PM – 10:30PM – Wander around the Session Road and SM City Baguio.
- 10:30PM – Bus back to Manila
If you choose to commute in your city tour, I have prepared a guide for you. Please visit the article entitled; “How to commute in Baguio“. During my trip I spent less than a hundred pesos [for transportation] to tour around the city.
Hello!
Can anyone help me, how to book a 1 day tour in Baguio. I’ll be staying in manila. And hoping to visit Baguio city.
Thank you
Sir, sa PMA po ba pagbaba mo ng jeep mahaba pa po ang lalakarin papasok sa loob?
Yes Sir. Nung bumisita ako, may libreng shuttle from the highway papasok. Not sure kung available pa.
Hi. We’re planning to stay overnight in Baguio. Any suggestions for a budget inn for me and my bf that is near Landmarks of Baguio City. Thank you
Hi Sol, You can check Dream Transient Rooms (http://www.agoda.com/dream-transient-rooms/hotel/baguio-ph.html?cid=1642239) and Hotel Henrico Legarda (http://www.agoda.com/hotel-henrico-legarda/hotel/baguio-ph.html?cid=1642239). They have rooms for two for less than 1,000 pesos. The amenities are fairly basic but the rooms are decent enough.
Thank you Ian. 🙂
Hello.. were planning to go to baguio this panagbenga.. do you know some affordable restaurants where we can have our meal? Its out first time going there.. Thanks..
Hi Joeby, you can check this out: https://freedomwall.net/dining/sweet-treat-cafe-ruins/
or, try any from this list: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/340184/newstv/angpinaka/top-10-yummiest-restaurants-in-baguio
very informative..thank you..
Thanks to you too, Melanie.
how did you get to Baguio Cathedral from Victory Liner?
Hi L’a,
I just walked – 30-minute relaxing walk
hey wanna thankyou on this itinerary cause this is very affordable.. i mean you are stating the cost of the jeepneys and I also don’t want to hire a cab when i get there.. so thank you!!
you are very welcome Kamila. And – thank you for stumbling.
Fares were at minimum, tha’t time was 8.50 except the PMA route which cost me 15.00
Thank you for posting this. I really appreciated this post. My friends and I are going on a one-day trip to Baguio in a few days. I’ve been to the area a lot of times but I’m not well-versed on the ways of being a tourist there.