Tagaytay Ridge Tour from Manila: Palace in the Sky, Taal Volcano and Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

Tagaytay Ridge Tour from Manila: Palace in the Sky, Taal Volcano and Las Pinas Bamboo Organ

Travel from Manila to awe-inspiring Tagaytay Ridge for a panoramic view of Taal Lake and Volcano from the Palace in the Sky. Visit San Jose Church, home to the world-famous Bamboo Organ of Las Pinas, and take a look inside the production of the Philippines’ transportation icon: the jeepney.

After pickup from your Manila or Makati hotel, relax on the picturesque drive to the city of Tagaytay, located on a ridge 2,200 feet (671 meters) above sea level.

On the drive up, visit San Jose Church to see the famous Bamboo Organ of Las Pinas, one of the Philippines' national cultural treasures. Built in the 19th century by Spanish priest Father Diego Cera, the organ is made up of more than 800 bamboo pipes!

When you arrive at Tagaytay Ridge, savor the incredible sweeping vista of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano from atop the Palace in the Sky, one of the rest houses of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

You’ll then visit a local jeepney factory to see how these bus-type cars are made. You may have seen this strange-looking vehicles driving around the area, as they're a popular mode of public transport in the Philippines. Your guide will explain how jeepneys were originally made from US military Jeeps left over from World War II, and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating.

At midday, stop by a local restaurant to enjoy a lunch of traditional Filipino specialties. Time permitting, on your way back to Manila, you’ll also stop at a pineapple or coffee plantation to sample local produce, or visit one of the local wood-carving shops dotting the roadside.