We compared the cost of booking trips through package tours and doing it by ourselves. Then, we realize that we can save more if we will do the #DIY. After the plan was laid out as well as the budget, we invited some friends to join us to lessen the cost. But no one wants to go on an adventure with less than P10,000 estimated budget.
Now, everyone wants to know how we do it. How did we enjoy our 9-day backpacking trip with that budget? Here is our story with some tips.
To lessen the cost of our transportation, we’ve chosen an accommodation that is near to the town proper. In that way, we just have to walk/hike going to this and to that. We also brought some biscuits, coffee, and candies when we’re in Cebu so we didn’t spend much for these goods during the actual trip. Most of the restaurants (except for the fast food) offer big serving. So, we ordered those large serving meals and divide the cost. We are lucky that our drivers were friendly and they gave us some tips. Lastly, we keep track of our expenses.
Flight
Our round trip ticket to Cebu – Clark was booked in September when Cebu Pacific was having a seat sale. It only cost us P2,1131.76 each that includes 30 kilo baggage allowance.
Accommodation
http://instagram.com/p/y9P0RYBwU3/?modal=true
| Destination | Cost per night | Cost per person |
| Ilocos Sur (Vigan) at Green R Hotel | P750/night Aircon room with two single beds; T&B | P375 (1 night) |
| Ilocos Norte (Laoag City) at UKL Ever Lodge | P900/night Aircon room with one double bed with T&B; hot and cold shower
*P1800 for two nights |
P900 (2 nights) |
| Baguio City
Bob’s Homestay Hotel 45 |
P500/night One double bed with kitchen utensils, but no hot and cold shower
P900/night two single beds with free breakfast |
P250 (1 night)
450 (1 night) |
| Banaue at People’s Lodge | P800/night Two single beds with T&B; hot and cold shower | P400 (1 night) |
| Banaue at Stairway Lodge and Restaurant | P750/night Two single beds with T&B; hot and cold shower | P375 (1 night) |
| Hapao homestay | P700/night Three single beds with T&B, hot and cold shower | P375 (1 night) |
| Hungduan at Happy Homes | P500/night Two single beds; Common/shared T&B | P250 |
Note: We canceled our reservation at Happy Homes as we prefer to stay in Hapao homestay, but we didn’t request a refund for the one night deposit we’ve paid.
Foods
http://instagram.com/p/yqeoYvhwWU/?modal=true
| Total cost | Cost per person | |
| Vigan dinner at Café Leona – Bagnet platter (sinigang, pinakbet, Daing na Bangus, 1 cup of rice, and bagnet); Sizzling Thai food; 1 extra rice Breakfast at Abuelita’s Ilocano Cuisine (Longganisa with rice and coffee) 4 pcs of Empanada | P1,020 | 510 + P15 bottled water purchased by Kareen |
| Laoag City – Lunch and dinner in McDonalds
Breakfast at Jollibee Lunch at Johnny Moon Café in Pagudpud Dinner at Chowking |
P810 | P405 |
| Baguio City
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner at McDonalds, Jollibee, Greenwich Dinner at Café by the Ruins (Bagnet Meal, Earnie’s BLT for Kate, and Fresh strawberries with whip cream) |
P1470 | P735 Kareen’s total food cost |
| Banaue, IfugaoBreakfast and Lunch at People’s Lodge and Restaurant
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner at Stairway Lodge and Restaurant 2 pcs of 1.5 liter Bottled water |
P1790 | P895 |
| Dinner at Hapao Homestay | P100 | P50 |
Transportation
http://instagram.com/p/yodi52hwSB/?modal=true
In getting around Ifugao, your mode of transportation is either PUJ (top load is a must try!), tricycle or motorcycle. By the way, they don’t know what “habal-habal” means. So, we’ve suggested it to the local tourism officer in Hungduan to call their motorcycle drivers as “habal-habal drivers.” 🙂
| Clark airport to the bus terminal | P250 |
| Clark to Vigan via Partas | P500 |
| Vigan terminal to hotel | P15/person |
| Calle Crisologo to hotel | P20/person |
| Vigan to Laoag | P137 |
| Laoag to Pagudpud | P70 |
| Pagudpud to Paoay | P50 |
| Paoay to Laoag | P30 |
| Hotel to Laoag terminal | P15/person |
| Laoag to Baguio City | P450 |
| Baguio City terminal to homestay via taxi | P25/person |
| Homestay to Burham Park via PUJ (RT | P20 |
| Homestay to KMS Bus Line terminal via Taxi | P30/person |
| Baguio City to Banaue via KMS Van | P406 |
| Taxi going to Mine’s View | 30/person |
| PUJ going back to Baguio City proper | P10 |
| PUJ back to Bob’s Homestay | 10 |
| Banaue to Hungduan via PUJ | P40 |
| Hapao to Banaue via Van | P35 |
| Banaue to Baguio City via KMS Van | P406 |
| Baguio City terminal to Hotel 45 via taxi | P25/person |
| Burham Park to Bob’s Homestay (pick up our things) | P10 |
| Bob’s Homestay to Hotel 45 via Taxi | P30/person |
| Hotel 45 to Mine’s View via PUJ & Taxi (RT) | P60 |
| PUJ going to Good Shepherd (RT) | 20 |
| Hotel 45 to Victory Liner Terminal | P30/person |
| Baguio City to Dau Bus Terminal | P306 |
| Dau Bus Terminal to SM Clark | P35/person |
| SM City Clark to airport via taxi | P175 |
| PUJ going to Good Shepherd (RT) | 20 |
Tour Fees
| Ilocos Sur Tour (Vigan)Bantay Bell Tower, Cathedral, Calle Crisologo, Arce Mansion, Abel’s pot making | P300 | P150 |
| Ilocos NorteBurgos Windmill, Kapurpuran Rock Formation with horseback riding (two-way) and Cape Bejeador Lighthouse | P600 | P300 |
| Paoay TourMalacanang of the North and Paoay Lake | P200 | P100 |
| Banaue Tour
Viewing decks and Hiwang Village costume rental Hiwang Village entrance fee Viewing deck donations for Igorot |
P600 | P300 |
Other expenses
- Scarf and bonnet bought at the souvenir shop: P380
- 5pcs mini windmill from Burgos: P100
- 1pc Ube jam from Good shepherd: P200
- 3pcs Strawberry jam: P100
- 5pcs Peanut brittle: P100
- Ifugao skirt: P130
If we are going to sum everything, the whole trip cost me P10,880.
You may check out my travel diary and itinerary HERE.
Laagan na Cebuana 
2 Comments Add yours