This past December was my last day at work. I had resigned from my 6-year job. Now living the bum life and having all the time in the world, I decided to take a 4-day trip up north. I woke up one morning with the sudden urge to go on a solo backpacking trip. Something I am not used to since I’ve always traveled with a bunch of people. Struggling with finances, I checked my savings. I had ₱6,000 which I could use for the trip. With still a lot of questions running through my mind, I packed my stuff. The North of Luzon is a promising destination if want you start your solo backpacking adventure. From the mountainous landscape and cold weather of Mountain Province, the historical and culture-rich tourism of Ilocos, the laid back beaches of La Union and Pagudpud all the way to the northern coast of alluring Batanes, Northern Luzon is a great choice. Covering most areas of Northern Luzon will take you two to three weeks depending on your itinerary. But if you have 4 days, you can make the most out of your time by heading to Baguio, then up to Sagada then down to La Union.

If you have extra hours then you can extend your trip to Vigan before finally going back to Manila. Reminder: before leaving Manila make sure to inform your parents or any of your trusted friends of your itinerary. Carrying a 40-liter backpack, I hopped on a Victory Liner bus bound for Baguio City. While waiting to board the bus, I still felt reluctant to go through with the trip, questioning my purpose for doing it. But as soon I found my seat, these thoughts disappeared. Suddenly, I was excited for the trip to begin! Victory Liner has daily trips from Manila to Baguio City. Take the 11 PM trip to make it to Baguio City before 5 AM. Choose a window seat near the driver for safety purposes. If you’re on a tight schedule, your only opportunity to get decent sleep is when you travel between destinations. So make the most out of it. Sagada is a small town up in the mountains of Mountain Province and has a lot to offer for adventure-seekers. With its enthralling caves and cliffs, refreshing waterfalls, heavenly views of a sea of clouds and warm and friendly locals, Sagada is worth a visit.

From Baguio City, I recommend going straight to Sagada which is the farthest destination on my itinerary. Traveling on land, total travel time to Sagada is 12 hours from Manila. Then from Sagada, head back to Baguio City before enjoying the waves of La Union. Once you reach Baguio City, take a cab going to Dangwa Bus Terminal where buses bound for Besao transports passengers going to Sagada. Passing through the zigzag road of Helsama highway, you’ll be rewarded with a scenic view that will make the long bus ride worth it. Many first-time travelers think going to Sagada is costly, but it’s not. Lodging is inexpensive ranging between ₱250 to ₱300 per person. George Guesthouse (+63 920 948 3133) and Sagada Residential Lodge (+63 919 672 8744) are highly-recommended. Be sure to make reservations as these lodgings are usually fully booked during weekends and the peak season. Getting around Sagada is easy and hiring a local tour guide isn’t necessary. Start walking from the central heading through Ganduyan Museum for a short historical tour then to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Echo Valley, and then the Hanging Coffins.

See how women of Sagada weave native products or try pottery making at Sagada Pottery. If you still have spare time, you can explore Sumaguing Cave or trek to see Bomod-Ok Falls. But these places will require a lot of your time and will drain your energy, so keep this in mind. Remember, you need to sustain your energy until the last day of your solo trip! Schedule your itinerary in such a way that you will be able to see places of Sagada that are worth exploring. With all this walking, you’ll definitely get hungry. dakine 38l backpackAnd with a wide variety of cuisines from French, Western to Filipino, you will have a number of quaint restaurants to choose from. tramping packs for sale nzLemon Pie House and Yoghurt House serve the best curry. efco backpack trimmer

Be sure to also try also its famous lemon pie (Lemon Pie House) and healthy homemade yogurt (Yoghurt House). If you want to feast over hot noodles, try Ysagada Restobar’s chicken mami or lomi or have a taste of Sagada’s local cuisine Pinikpikan at Pinikpikan Haus. If you have the budget, make a reservation at Log Cabin and try their French cuisine buffet (₱400/person). Don’t forget to taste their locally brewed coffee at Sagada Brew or Bana’s Cafe. If you’re visiting Sagada Brew, make sure to try their chocolate lava cake, too!ascend backpack 3300 Finally, end your long day by enjoying a bonfire at Lake Danum.agoda backpack lanka Popularized by the movie That Thing Called Tadhana, Kiltepan Peak is the highest point in Sagada, and where you can witness the sunrise among a sea of clouds.jumpable backpack

Just make sure to be back at the central before 7 AM so you can catch the bus back to Baguio. Baguio City is the heart of the North. Tagged as the Summer Capital of the country, the city is a favorite destination to escape Metro Manila’s summer heat. Coming from Sagada you can request the driver to drop you off directly at Baguio Village Inn since it’s just along Magsaysay Road. They offer cheap decent rooms at ₱300 per person. Baguio offers countless adventures for families, group of friends and solo travellers. 88l backpackStroll down Session Road for cheap finds, or hang out at Mines View Park, Camp John Hay and Burnham Park. If you prefer the off-beaten path, visit Tam-awan Village. Tam-awan Village in Pinsao Proper is a venue for art and culture activities. The village showcases works from the local artists. There is also a ceremonial communal table where you can hang out with their resident artists over a cup of coffee or a bottle of beer.

Entrance fee is only ₱50 and you’ll get to appreciate different types of local art. Don’t forget to also visit BenCab Museum and Mt. Cloud Bookshop. BenCab Museum is another art-inspired tourist destination in Baguio City. The museum exhibits works of national artist Benedicto Reyes Cabrera as well as works from other rising contemporary artists. The entrance fee is ₱100 per adult. If you love books and you just want to chill in a small book shop or shop for cheap books then head to Mt. Cloud Book Shop near SM Baguio. Aside from being a place where you can read books, Mt. Cloud also organizes events like poetry reading sessions and book launches. Bordered west of South China Sea, the province of La Union has become the surfing capital of the North. With clean, rideable waves from October to March, it offers a thrilling experience for surfing enthusiasts. With just a 3-4 hour drive, La Union is also the nearest surfing spot from Manila. There are a number of surf spots in La Union including Carille, Sunset, Bacnotan and Darigayos but the most popular stretch is at San Juan.

The coastline of San Juan has a refreshing, chill and homey vibe which makes you just want to rest on a hammock on a windy afternoon or drink a beverage along the beach while waiting for the sunset. Locals are very accommodating. From Baguio City, La Union is just 2-3 hours away via Naguilian Road. Partas Bus has daily trips to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur which passes by La Union. Ask the bus driver or conductor to drop you off at your resort in San Juan. Resorts are lined up just along the highway with the coastline just on the other side. One of the cheapest accommodations in San Juan, La Union is the Circle Hostel. You can choose to sleep on a hammock for ₱350 per night or on a bunk bed for ₱550. If you are willing to stretch your budget higher for more comfortable accommodations, you can try the bohemian vibe of Flotsam and Jetsam at ₱800 per person. Both Circle Hostel and Flotsam are popular options for backpackers as these hostels also organize events such as gigs, exhibits and film showings by the beach to entertain their guests.

Upon arriving La Union, waste no time. Check-in at your hostel, drop your stuff and go surfing! If you don’t know how to surf, hire a surf instructor. Surf lessons are affordable at ₱350 or you can just rent a board for ₱250. Usually the best time to surf is at 4:00 PM onwards when the sun is not at its peak. Food places in La Union are easy on the pocket. There are restaurants and carinderias along the beach serving home-cooked meals and grilled seafood for a cheap price. Let Urbiztondo Grill House satisfy your starving stomach after your surfing session or have a cup of tea or coffee at El Union Coffee before finally ending your day. Start your day by enjoying a walk along the beach. With about 5 hours before your check out, visit Tangadan Falls at San Gabriel for a 2-hour trek and refreshing bath in this natural pool. Tricycle drivers in San Juan can bring you to the falls for a half-day tour and guide you along the trek. The rate is usually ₱1,000 but you can usually haggle it down to ₱700.

After checking out of your hotel at noon, be sure to have lunch before your long bus ride back to Manila. Traveling solo taught me to do things on my own, to enjoy the opportunity of being alone and not to worry too much about life. It helped me discover the tiniest details about myself – that I love long bus rides, that I feel awkward sleeping alone, that I am great with directions, that I love art. Solo backpacking is not really solo. Because on the road, you will never be alone. You will share a bus seat, a dining table or even a room with someone who has the same passion as you. You will be exposed to the simple living of locals. You will enjoy the beauty of God’s gift to mankind – nature. People ask me how it felt being away from home by myself for a couple of days. I told them I was never away from home because the concept of home is beyond the structure. It is a feeling. Whenever and wherever I am most happy, then that is a home. The road is a happy a place, therefore, it’s something every traveler can call home.