Valenzuela, Philippines
Valenzuela is a highly-urbanized city situated in the Metro Manila region of the Philippines, offering a mix of modern cityscapes and rural landscapes for travelers to explore.
Trip to Valenzuela, Philippines
Day 1: Exploring Old Town
Today, you will start your exploration of Valenzuela’s rich history and culture, by spending the first day in Old Town. The town is famous for its numerous museums, art galleries, and historical structures. You can tour the Museo Valenzuela, where you can learn more about the town’s history, its people, and notable figures over the years. From there, you can check out the National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, a beautiful shrine surrounded by nature where you can enjoy the aviary and go for a walk around its garden. Take a break in the town square with a cup of locally brewed coffee or try out the street food delicacies. Overall, this day will be a perfect introduction to the town’s history and heritage.
Day 2: Unwind in the Angat Watershed Reservation
Today, take a break from the city and enter the peaceful ambiance of the Angat Watershed Reservation. The watershed offers an ideal location for tourists seeking nature and unique wildlife in the Philippines. You can indulge in hiking, trekking and various species watching opportunities while taking in the beauty of the environment. One of the most visited attractions is the Angat Dam, an impressive engineering marvel that supplies water to around 11 million people in Manila. The lake formed by the reservoir generated by the Angat Dam is an ideal spot for swimming, kite flying, and picnicking. Today’s expedition will be perfect for some much-needed R&R away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Day 3: Discover the Beauty of Smokey Mountain
Today, we will start the day on an emotional note by visiting the famous Smokey Mountain. Once home to Southeast Asia’s largest landfill, this man-made mountain of waste now provides livelihood for hundreds of locals who depend on scavenging the trash. People who aspire to learn and understand the culture can do so with the Smokey Mountain tour, which includes viewing participatory shows, and a visit to the Gawad Kalinga Community Center. After the tour, it provides an opportunity to see the development of the town houses and the change the locals have gone through over the years.
Day 4: Appreciate the Art of Crocodile Rearing and Other Eco Adventures
Today, we will explore the district of Novaliches, known for its exceptional attractions, such as the the Manila Crocodile EcoPark. In the park, you can witness how crocodile eggs are hatched, raised and bred while the hatchlings develop into adult reptiles. For an adrenaline rush, you should plan to visit the High Town Rappel Adventure, which allows you to climb down from the 260-feet high facing cliffs. After all that excitement, you can enjoy a unique waterfall experience at Madlum River – you can trek through the forest to see the waterfall cascade from above or go for a swim to cool off.
Day 5: Visit The Greenery for a Relaxing Change of Pace
Today we will head over to the most beautiful location in Valenzuela, The Greenery! The Greenery is the perfect location to relax and unwind amidst the tropical greenery and breathe in the fresh air. The Greenery overlooks a sprawling landscape of hills and vast rice fields. Take a walk, relax while bathing in the Jacuzzi, or get a rejuvenating massage at the spa. There’s an outdoor, low ropes course if you’re up to it, while the kids would be interested in the various indoor and outdoor games such as billiards, badminton and field sports. Later on, you can enjoy some local delicacies at the restaurant while sitting on the veranda, enjoying the scenic view.
Day 6: Discovering San Miguel
Today, you will experience the district of San Miguel, which is steeped in history, culture, and nature. Visit the heritage homes of the Garcia and Cruz families, which have been turned into a museum that features antiques and furniture inherited from the families. A trip to San Miguel is incomplete without visiting the San Jose Manggahan Festival, which celebrates the district’s most precious fruit - mango; there’s loads of mango related to food and drink stalls to try. We also recommend filling up on the delicious street food while enjoying the parade and cultural performances.
Day 7: Indulge Yourself Shopping
For the final day, we will go to SM City Baliwag, one of the biggest shopping centers in Valenzuela, Philippines. The mall is home to several international and local brands and offers the best shopping experience in town. Here, you can find a range of merchandise such as jewelry, electronics, fashion, and local souvenirs. We recommend you should prepare your shopping list and be ready to shop until you drop. After shopping, it’s best to relax and have a bite of mouth-watering food at the various cafes and restaurants on offer.
We hope you find this itinerary helpful and have an enjoyable time exploring Valenzuela, Philippines.