The event is similar to its first three caravans – The North Philippines Expedition, Clark-Pantabangan-Aurora 4x4 Endurance Challenge, and Explore the Wonders of Cagayan Valley and the Cordilleras. But this year, the Office of the President-North Luzon (OPNL) is offering two caravans to accommodate individuals whose busy schedules do not permit them to take long trips.
As in past years, participants will get their "passports" and survival kits, enjoy traffic-free (and hence, hassle-free) driving courtesy of police escorts, enjoy discounts and special privileges from sponsors, and get to see the best that the North has to offer. And because it’s summer, the caravan will also bring participants to the best beaches of the North.
First stop includes the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Abra and Ilocos Norte. Participants will have a quick stop at Hacienda Luisita for breakfast, then motor over to Dagupan City, where they will be treated to a scaled-down version of the province’s famous Bangus Festival.
After lunch, the convoy will proceed to the Our Lady of Manaoag Church before heading for an overnight stop in San Juan, La Union. Campers will be pitching their tents at the beach fronting the Puerto de San Juan Resort while those who opt for rooms can check in either at the Puerto de San Juan Resort or any other resort in the area.
On the second day, the caravan will move on to Bangued in Abra, where participants will get the chance to have lunch by the Calava River. From here, the convoy will make its way to Vigan in Ilocos Sur, where participants are set to tour the UNESCO Heritage site.
From Vigan, the caravan goes farther up north to Fort Ilocandia in Ilocos Norte. The well-known resort will host the second day’s campsite, and offer various activities, from ATV (all-terrain vehicle) driving to banana boating.
The third day will provide participants with three options. They can opt to spend the morning in Pagudpud, Fort Ilocandia, or play golf in Paoay. After lunch, participants will get to see more of Ilocos Norte, with tours of Sarrat, Sta. Monica, Paoay and Batac available to those who want to relive the history of the proud province.
In the evening, participants will meet at Fort Ilocandia for the "graduation" ceremonies, which mark the official end of every expedition. Certificates of conquest will be given to those who complete the itinerary of Camp North!
Those who wish to extend their caravan experience have the option to proceed to Baguio after breaking camp in the morning. After a quick lunch stop in Vigan, participants can spend the afternoon in Baguio touring the city or the strawberry farms in La Trinidad, Benguet, or go horseback riding or shopping.
Campers will set up camp in Camp John Hay, where the cool weather of Baguio promises a brief respite from the summer heat. After spending the night there, the caravan heads back to Clark.
This latest edition of the North Philippines Expedition seeks to popularize camping and backpacking as a practical mode of traveling. The idea is to go places, see the sights and commune as closely as possible with nature. You pitch your tent before dark, do outdoor activities, spend the night in your sleeping bag, and wake up to the chirping of the birds and rising of the sun.
Teaming up with the OPNL for the second straight Expedition is the North Caravan Tour Consortium, which is composed of six of the country’s largest tour operators: Marsman Tours & Travel Corp. (tel. no. 887-0000 local 307), Rajah Tours Phils. Inc. (522-0541), Annset Holidays Inc. (400-6521), Baron Travel Corp. (817-4926), Sampaguita Travel Corp. (817-7620), and T.R.I.P.S. Travel (752-4773). These operators will be providing special packages for participants of Camp North who want to check in at hotels during the caravan.