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Makati
Culture & history

Culture & history

Our most recommended Makati Culture & history

Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

1. Manila: Old & New 4-Hour City Tour

Come along for a tour of Manila’s past and present. The tour starts right in the heart of the country’s financial center - the City of Makati. First stop is Nielsen’s Tower along Ayala Boulevard. Drive through Forbes Park, an exclusive residential enclave fittingly dubbed Millionaire’s Row on your way to our first stop – The American Cemetery and Memorial - reputed to be the largest and most beautiful of American memorials outside the Continental United States. Then proceed to the old city of Manila via scenic Roxas Boulevard (also known as Dewey Boulevard in the recent past), passing through Luneta Park (also called Rizal Park in memory of the country’s national hero) on your way to the "Walled City" of Intramuros. Here you will see ancient walls, church ruins and other relics of the Spanish Conquistadores. Travel through the cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. Then we wrap the tour up with a visit to Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress that watched over the entrance to Manila’s Pasig River. It was here that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last days and where he wrote his famous "My Last Farewell."

Full-Day Manila City, Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour

2. Full-Day Manila City, Tagaytay Taal Volcano and Lake Tour

The tour starts with a drive up to the picturesque City of Tagaytay. Located on a ridge 2,250 feet above sea level, the city offers panoramic views of Taal Lake and Volcano, the "lake within a volcano within a lake within a volcano". This view is best savored from atop the Palace in the Sky, rest house of late President Ferdinand Marcos. Enjoy a brief lunch stop at a local restaurant to enjoy some local cuisine and delicacies in an atmosphere designed for panoramic views. Then we start our drive back down to Metro Manila. First stop is the American War Memorial & Cemetery, the largest and most beautiful of American memorials outside the Continental U.S. Have a glimpse of Makati’s hustle and bustle as you drive through on your way to the capital city - Manila via scenic Roxas Boulevard (also known as Dewey Boulevard in the recent past) passing through Rizal Park (named in memory of the country’s national hero) on your way to the "Walled City" of Intramuros. Here you will see ancient walls, church ruins and other relics of the Spanish Conquistadors. Travel through old cobbled streets to San Agustin Church, the oldest stone church in the country. The tours wraps up at Fort Santiago, a Spanish fortress that once watched over the entrance to Pasig River. It was here that our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal spent his last days and where he wrote his famous "My Last Farewell."

From Manila: Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour

3. From Manila: Pagsanjan Falls Day Tour

Join an adventure from Manila to Pagsanjan Falls and travel like a local. Meet a community living between the old train tracks, reminiscent of the colonial era. Have a taste of their famous coconut pie. Go on a thrilling canoe ride with skilled boatmen, that will paddle upstream to Pagsanjan Falls. Witness the beauty of nature as the waterfalls unveil, the reason why multiple filmmakers chose this location. Upon arrival, a bamboo raft can take you "behind the scenes" of the cascading waterfalls. Itinerary: 07:30 - Pick up from Abraham Manila - https://goo.gl/maps/uZtkBrw3DszHgvBU7 09:00 - Trolley ride experience in Los Banos, Laguna 09:45 - Head from Los Banos to Pagsanjan 10:40 - Arrive at Pagsanjan 11:00 - Start of canoe ride to Pagsanjan Falls 13:00 - End of canoe ride, lunch 14:30 - Depart to Abraham Manila 16:00 - Arrive at Abraham Manila

From Manila: 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour

4. From Manila: 4-Day Sagada and Banaue Rice Terraces Tour

Time to go on an adventure and explore the aesthetic creations in Sagada & Banaue Rice Terraces! Sagada, a fifth-class municipality in the Mountain Province, as of 2015 had only 11,000 inhabitants. The life of this small community is pretty calm and simple but it features an all-year-round cool climate that is far colder than Baguio, which draws domestic travelers. Aside from that, it has a lot to offer travelers, history fans, and adventurers alike. Travel using public transportation from Manila to Cordillera Region located approximately 400km North of Manila. The journey begins in Sagada, a town in the Mountain Province known for its stunning scenery, delicious cuisine, imposing caves, and intriguing hanging coffins. Feel the ambiance of Sagada at night with its simplicity and peace, fantastic selection of restaurants, local craft brews, and you shouldn’t miss the renowned Sagada Coffee. Sagada claims itself to be a walking town as a result of the residents’ desire to stay away from many vehicles. Visit Sumaguing Cave, also referred to as the “Big Cave” due to its huge cave chambers, and get a taste of the renowned Igorot tribes’ culture and traditions. From the Mountain Province, we’ll take a private vehicle to Ifugao Province, home to the famous rice terraces – part of five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, that are still being preserved and used by the locals for farming. Today, the province draws thousands of tourists because of its rich culture and traditions. You will get to experience the best of the Ifugao rice terraces over the course of the following two days, as well as the chance to witness a sunset and awaken to a vista of the Batad Rice Terraces. Our first day in Ifugao included a four-hour journey to the Tappiya Falls and the Batad Rice Terraces, as well as a few stops to visit both traditional and modern Ifugao homes in Batad Village. On our second day, we make a three-hour climb to Bangaan Terraces, where there was an adorable tiny community with preserved Ifugao homes. According to legend, if the terraces were put end to end, they would encompass half of the world. The Ifugaos’ dedication to working hard to make a living is evident in the rice terraces. After lunch at Bangaan Village, we will drive 45 minutes on a privately hired jeepney to the town of Banaue, where we will have the option to shower and rest, before we get on the public bus back to Manila and voilà, it’s the tour of your life that you don’t want to miss out!

Hands on Cooking Class: Filipino Snacks

5. Hands on Cooking Class: Filipino Snacks

From the mountains to the sea, our cuisines reflect delicious, wholesome traditions that evolved throughout history across our more than 7,000 islands. The Explore Manila Tours interactive cooking class is offered conveniently in the heart of Makati. Our family friendly, informative and tasty introduction to Philippine cooking will have you preparing an entire 'Meryenda' or snack - from a filling favorite noodle dish, to savory and crunchy spring rolls to sweet and unforgettable treats - while learning why Filipino people are so passionate about their awesome food.

From Manila: Pangasinan Hundred Islands Guided Tour

6. From Manila: Pangasinan Hundred Islands Guided Tour

Experience the beauty and fun that a hundred islands of Alaminos, Pangasinan holds! Unmatched as one of the top destinations in the Philippines, this protected area has 124 islets during low tide, and 123 islets during high tide. It is the first-ever Philippine National Park that has a variety of developed islands such as Pilgrimage Island, Quezon Island, Marcos Island, Children’s Island, and Governor’s Island. The trip from Makati City to Alaminos, Pangasinan will take approximately 4-5 hours. While on the way, make sure to fuel up your energy in our comfortable vehicle and enjoy an amusing day exploring the Hundred islands of Pangasinan. Catch a glimpse of the abundant ecosystem and marine life that includes coral reefs, fishes, giant clams, and other sea creatures. Your Alaminos island hopping escapade will not be complete without trying thrilling activities such as snorkeling, banana boat ride, kayaking, zip-line, wall climbing, rappelling, helmet diving, and picnic on any developed or naked islands– so don't miss out on the fun! Itinerary: 3:50 AM - Meet up at Abraham Manila 4:00 AM - Depart from Abraham Manila 10:00 AM - Arrival at Alaminos - Buy & Eat Brunch (pax account) 11:00 AM - Start the Island Hopping 3:00 PM - Going back to the Port 3:30 PM - Shower & Freshen up 4:00 PM - Start the Drive back to Abraham Manila 10:00 PM - Estimated arrival in Abraham Manila NB: All times are approximate

Manila: Taste and See Authenticity

7. Manila: Taste and See Authenticity

Our hometown Santa Ana, Manila is close to major cities like Makati, Mandaluyong and San Juan. For the first hour, I'll introduce you to the heritage houses of Sta. Ana as it is known as Sta. Ana Heritage District. You'll see the locals as we tour the different Barangays. I’ll also provide refreshment/s as we go along. I’ll take you to places not known to many, and you’ll get to see what it’s like to live in Manila in a local perspective. First, we'll meet at Plaza Hugo, Sta. Ana then we'll explore the Our Lady of the Abandoned Church then explore our community, Sta. Ana cultural heritage, learn the common Filipino life, see and experience the common Filipino families living in Barangays, alleyway, you will experience riding on different public transportations without the fancies. Lastly, I will drop you off at Circuit Makati, it is an indoor/outdoor mall that has lots of stores, restaurants and many other activities.

Rooftop Barhopping in Makati with Mari

8. Rooftop Barhopping in Makati with Mari

— Rooftop crawl in Makati — We will visit the best rooftops in Makati and amaze you with the city's skyline. We will sit, chat over drinks, have a few laughs, and share our experiences, history, and culture. During this fantastic experience, you will visit 3-4 amazing scenic rooftop lounges, spending approximately 30 minutes at each location. Take in the sights and lights of Makati at night while your host describes your view and the geographical areas of the city, providing great insight and suggestions for your Manila city experience. Additionally, I can assist you in taking photos of you and your rooftop experience. Please note that the cost of drinks is not included in this tour, but if you challenge me to join you for a drink, I probably will! This tour is a must-do if you're in Manila; don't miss it! Please remember that I am a tour guide, not a personal date for the evening. Please respect my role, and we will have a wonderful time. I'm not like other tour operators. Thanks for understanding. Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions or need further details.

Manila and Luzon: 3-Day Package

9. Manila and Luzon: 3-Day Package

After checking in and enjoying an overnight at Abraham Manila, you’ll rise early the following day to Pasig River Ferry Station where we’ll make our way to Quiapo Market, the largest market in the Philippines buzzing with a variety of vendors selling all types of goods, fruits, vegetables and knick-knacks. Later that morning we’ll continue on a walking tour of Binondo Chinatown—one of, if not the first, Chinatowns in the world. This colorful, lively, and bustling market is an iconic stop on this three-day tour. You’ll also have the chance to hop on board a Jeepney (a popular mini-bus mode of transport in the Philippines) to Intramuros, a 16th-century ‘walled city’ via an eco-friendly bamboo bike. We’ll drive back to Manila to enjoy some downtime and then an early night to prepare for day three. Leaving bright and early at 3.30am, we’ll reach Pinatubo Capas by 5.30am and embark on an exhilarating 4x4 drive, reaching the base of the volcanic crater to start your scenic hike of around two hours. This renowned volcano lay dormant for 500 years until an eruption occurred in 1991 after a massive earthquake. After a recovery period, this site was rejuvenated into a stunning destination to visit. It now has lush green surroundings and a glistening lake along the route. You’ll enjoy a delicious lunch at the crater before hiking back down and traveling on to Aeta Village, an area that is home to some of the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines. From there, we will make our way back to Manila.

Filipino Street Food Experience (Dinner)

10. Filipino Street Food Experience (Dinner)

Do you have a layover in Manila and don't know what to do while you're here? I'm Mari, a food lover, and I'd like to share with you a delightful and tasty food experience during your stay in Manila. These food stalls offer a wide variety of traditional Filipino dishes and local favorites to choose from, all at reasonable prices and accompanied by live music to ensure your satisfaction. There are plenty of great places to enjoy authentic and delicious street food. Don't miss out on this unique experience with me, your local expert. Come join me for a Filipino street food dinner in Manila where you can savor the delicious and tasty flavors of the Philippines. You won't regret a single bite, and you'll leave satisfied and happy. Please note: Children above 5 years old are allowed to join with their parents and guardians. Book your reservations now; I can't wait to share this tour experience with all of you.

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What people are saying about Makati

We had a wonderful time! Our guide, Fernando, was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour was a great way to see a good portion of the city without being too long or exhausting. I’m glad we decided to join the tour and would recommend it to others.

Our tour guide, Rolando (RJ) was awesome. The other folks on the tour were also awesome. Learned a lot about my birthplace and also have a good list of places I want to try for food.

Richard our tourist guide was very knowledgeable, professional and attentive. While our driver was kind, a gentleman and professional. We had a great time!

Our Tour Guide -Richard was very passionate about the history of the Philippines, specifically WW II. He was a wealth of information!

It was awesome!!! They pick us up from our hotel, great driver n tour guide.