Pampanga

Tailor-made Pampanga Holidays

Pampanga is a region of culinary delights, smouldering volcanoes and peaceful patchwork countryside. Coined by Spanish conquerors, the province’s name translates to riverbank, a nod to the gushing waterways and sparkling lakes that criss-cross and bring life to this lush landscape. Pampanga is also known as the culinary capital of the Philippines for its famous dishes tinged with Spanish, Malay and Mexican influences. Come to devour sizzling plates of pork sisag flavoured with lime and chili, stuffed frogs and the teeth-tingly-sweet tibok-tibok dessert made from carabao milk and coconut cream.

In Pampanga, tranquil farm stays await in the foothills of Arayat, a dormant volcano surrounded by waterfalls and trails that lead to breath-catching viewpoints. Arayat is overshadowed only by the terrifying might of Mount Pinatubo, which straddles Pampanga and its neighbouring provinces of Tarlac and Zambales. Hikes beneath this smoking beast lead across ash fields and moon-rock landscapes to crater lakes that change colour with the light. In villages belonging to the native Aeta people, you’ll hear about Pinatubo’s last deadly awakening in 1991, the second-biggest eruption of the 20^th century.

Let our Philippines experts arrange rural farm stays and guided treks to Mount Pinatubo for an off-the-beaten-trail addition to your itinerary.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Suzanne, who's travelled extensively in The Philippines. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember – the free diver who can take you swimming with turtles, the guides who can take you to secret lagoons and hidden beaches, and the locals who can school you in the art of nipa weaving.

Suzanne McLaughlin

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Living in Beijing for four years gave Suzanne the opportunity to travel extensively throughout China, always fuelled by her favourite Jian Bing pancakes! Rock climbing and abseiling in Yangshou was (quite literally) a high point. Her expertise also extends into Southeast Asia, where a fascination with the colourful history has inspired adventures around Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
Hiroko "Nikki" Takano

Tour guide for Intas, Alfred&'s partners in the Philippines

Nikki Takano hails from Manila and has been working as a tour guide in the Philippines for almost 10 years. She loves showing guests how beautiful and diverse the country is, particularly the Cordillera area. Nikki specialises in guiding tours of this region, which she believes has everything: ancient culture, mountainous scenery and welcoming people.
Lourdes Sultan

Manager of Travel Village Tours, Alfred&’s partner in the Philippines

Lourdes Sultan is from Bohol and has spent most of her life working in the island’s tourism industry. She started her career arranging excursions and guest activities at the Pioneer Resorts in Panglao and in 1992, launched Travel Village Tours with her husband. The company is now one of the top tour operators in Bohol.
Bryan Ocampo

Chief of Operations for Intas, Alfred&'s partner in the Philippines

Bryan Ocampo is a Filipino tourism professional and an advocate of adventure travel in the Philippines. His knowledge and experience in leading trips and exploring the country's cuisine, history, and heritage have strengthened his desire to showcase its best qualities and quirks to people all over the world. Bryan believes that he has the best job in the world and also loves karaoke, a good laugh, wine and his wife, in no particular order.
April Labanon

Bohol tour guide for Travel Village Tours, Alfred&’s partner in the Philippines

April Labanon has been working as a tour consultant and guide on Bohol for over six years but originally hails from Davao City, Mindanao. She specialises in tours of the Balicasag and Pamilacan islands and as freediver, she’s an expert on the area’s marine life. April loves to travel in the holidays to learn more about different cultures.
Rupert Andres

Philippines tour guide

Rupert Andres is from Manila and has been adventure guiding for six years. He leads tours all over the Philippines, from its tropical islands to the rice terraces in the north. Rupert is a natural storyteller and entertainer with a real passion for guiding; he's keen to share his love for Filipino culture with visitors.