Details

• Uncover the beauty of Palawan Island and Bohol Island on an 11-day small group tour
• Explore the famed Intramuros, ‘the walled city,’ in Manila on a guided tour
• Experience an underground river tour through jaw-dropping cave formations in Puerto Princesa
• Marvel at the pristine waters and white sand beaches in tropical Palawan
• Travel by outrigger on a full-day island hopping tour through El Nido
• Visit Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon and Seven Commandos Beach
• Be amazed by crystalline waters teeming with marine life and coloured corals
• Journey through the countryside to visit the Chocolate Hills
• Cruise aboard a river raft down the Loboc River, with traditional lunch and performances
Today you’ll depart from Australia (or New Zealand) for Manila, Philippines. Upon arrival in Manila, you’ll meet your tour representative and be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Please note: Due to flight scheduling and availability, some departures may occur on day 0. Affected customers must be at the airport the night before. Flight times will be indicated on your final documentation, which you will receive prior to departure.

The Bayleaf Intramuros Hotel or similar, Manila

Meals included: In-Flight

This morning, after breakfast, you will be collected from the hotel and taken on an Intramuros tour. Intramuros means "within the walls" in Spanish and is also a historic district located in the heart of Manila. It was the centre of political, religious and economic life during the Spanish colonial period. The tour begins at Fort Santiago, a citadel within Intramuros that served as a military defence fortress during the Spanish colonial era and later as a prison during World War II. Visitors can walk through the fort's historic walls, explore its dungeons and learn about its significance in Philippine history. Intramuros is surrounded by massive stone walls and fortified bastions known as "baluartes." These walls were constructed to protect the city from invasions and pirate attacks.

Afterwards, at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Puerto Princesa. Once you arrive, you'll be met by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel. This evening you will enjoy a welcome dinner.

Hue Hotel or similar, Puerto Princesa

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Today you will head on an Underground River Tour within the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park on Palawan Island. This tour will take you through an underground river system recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

The day starts with a scenic drive from Puerto Princesa City to Sabang Wharf, where you’ll board a boat that will take you to the entrance of the underground river. The boat ride is an experience, as you’ll navigate through pristine waters surrounded by lush forests and towering limestone cliffs. Once inside the cave, you’ll enter a world of wonder as the river winds through a labyrinthine network adorned with stunning rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites that have been naturally shaped over millions of years.

After the tour, you will return to the hotel, where you will enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Hue Hotel or similar, Puerto Princesa

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The trip takes approximately 5 to 6 hours, and on the way, you’ll be rewarded with views of karst mountains, bays, forests and a glimpse at the local life.

Once you arrive in El Nido, you’ll be taken to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at your own leisure.

Sea Cocoon or similar, El Nido

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

After breakfast, you will head on an El Nido Island Hopping Tour aboard an outrigger boat.

On this trip, you will visit:

• Secret Lagoon – A cove surrounded by towering limestone karst cliffs. As you enter the cove, you will see a massive caldera that was once a cave that collapsed and is now surrounded by karst cliffs and pristine waters.
• Shimizu Island – An island with stunning limestone cliffs where swiftlet nests can be found. Here the ingredients for bird's nest soup are harvested. The soup is believed in some Asian cultures to have healing effects. Here you'll have an opportunity to snorkel the stunning coral reef.
• Small Lagoon – Located on the cove of Miniloc Island. As you enter a small swim-through hole on board a kayak or swim through, you'll be rewarded with the tranquil turquoise-green waters of Small Lagoon and its surrounding orchid-lined limestone walls.
• Big Lagoon – Approaching the lagoon in the middle of karst limestone formations, you are welcomed by crystalline water teeming with marine life.
• Seven Commandos Beach – Today's final destination is named after the seven remaining Japanese commandos who lived on the island as stragglers after World War II. This scenic island has a long white sandy beach lined with palm trees.

After the tour, you will return to the hotel, where you have the rest of the day at leisure.

Sea Cocoon or similar, El Nido

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

Today you can enjoy a day at leisure exploring the local area or relaxing by the pool or on the beach. Alternatively, you can choose to participate in an optional activity.

Optional Activity: El Nido Island Hopping – $135 per person

You can continue the island hopping adventure with a full-day tour to Dilumacad, Matinloc, Helicopter Island, Tapiutan Island and Star Beach. On this day trip, you will be able to discover the fantastic rock formations and hidden beaches, which inspired Alex Garland when writing his novel ‘The Beach’ as he was living in the Palawan Islands. The film ‘Bourne Legacy’ was shot and filmed on the islands of Dilumacad and Matinloc.

From the towering marble cliffs and enchanting lagoons to its white sandy beaches and lush jungle, El Nido is one of the top destinations in Palawan. On this day trip, you will travel by outrigger boat to visit each of these islands that offer stunning vistas and ample snorkelling opportunities. Lunch will be provided as part of the tour.

Sea Cocoon or similar, El Nido

Meals included: Breakfast

Today at the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Bohol. Once you arrive in Bohol you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to the hotel. You’ll have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Bohol Beach Club or similar, Bohol

Meals included: Breakfast

Today you will head on a tour of the Bohol countryside, starting with a leisurely drive from Panglao to the town of Carmen, passing the scenic countryside filled with nipa palms, coconut plantations and mahogany forests. Arriving at Chocolate Hills, we head to the highest viewpoint and are rewarded with striking visuals of hills, consisting of 1,268 Haycock hills with heights ranging from 40–120 metres. During the summer, the grass that covers the dome-shaped limestone hills dries up and turns brown, transforming the area into rows and rows of 'Hershey's chocolate kisses'.

We then have an opportunity to visit the Tarsiers, the unusual but cute species that is one of the world's oldest and smallest primates. Afterwards, we will stop by the Baclayon Church & Museum and then to Blood Compact Site in Tagbilaran City. This site is the memorial to a historical event known as Sandugo, where Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, Bohol's chieftain, performed the ritual to seal their friendship. This was considered the first treaty of friendship between the Spaniards and Filipinos. Heading on to the Loboc River, we board a river raft, and a typical Boholana lunch will be served, accompanied by live acoustic entertainers and cultural performances by local school children.

After the tour, you will be returned to the hotel accommodation for an evening of leisure.

Bohol Beach Club or similar, Bohol

Meals included: Breakfast; Lunch

Today you can enjoy a day at leisure exploring the local area or relaxing by the pool or alternatively, you can choose to participate in an optional activity.

Optional Activity: Balicasag Island Hopping Tour - $220 per person

The Balicasag Island Hopping Tour is an exciting and popular excursion to explore the natural wonders of the region’s marine biodiversity. Balicasag Island is a small, idyllic islet located about 15 kms southwest of Panglao Island of Bohol.

The boat journey to Balicasag Island takes around 30–45 minutes, offering picturesque views of the surrounding turquoise waters and nearby islands. Once you arrive at Balicasag Island, you’ll be greeted by stunning white sand beaches and clear waters teeming with vibrant marine life. The island is famous for its rich coral reefs, making it a prime snorkelling and diving spot. Snorkelers can witness an incredible array of marine species, including colourful coral formations, schools of tropical fish, and even a chance to swim alongside sea turtles and other fascinating sea creatures. Lunch is provided as part of this tour. Afterwards, you’ll be returned to the hotel.

Bohol Beach Club or similar, Bohol

Meals included: Breakfast

Today at the appropriate time you will be transferred to the airport in preparation for your return flight to Australia (or New Zealand).

Meals included: Breakfast; In-Flight

Upon arrival in Australia (or New Zealand), please make your own onward travel arrangements.