Highlights of the Philippines

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival - Manila

  Upon arrival in Manila, be welcomed by your local guide and then transfer to your hotel in a private car. The rest of the day is yours to relax in the hotel or venture out on your own.

  • Manila

• Day 2: Manila

  Manila, the historical and industrial center of the Philippines with a delightful mix of the old and the new, is worth a visit. Begin in Casa Manila, a museum showing the colonial lifestyle during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Just across the street, you will find the UNESCO-listed Saint Agustin Church. Then, take a short horse-drawn carriage ride to the Manila Cathedral. From here, walk a few minutes to Fort Santiago, nowadays part of a historical park including the Rizal Shrine, Plaza Moriones, and several ruins. You will also get a glimpse of the bizarre Chinese Cemetery, the noisy marketplace of the Quiapo, and vibrant Chinatown.

  After refreshments at the hotel, spend the rest of the day at Makati, a major entertainment hub in Manila known for top-notch shopping malls and restaurants.

  • B L
  • Manila

• Day 3: Manila - Puerto Princesa

  Head to the airport by private transfer to catch your flight to Puerto Princesa.

  Meet your tour guide and be escorted to your hotel for check-in. After a short break, go out for a city tour. Learn indigenous culture and history at the Palawan Museum inside Mendoza Park. View the historical Plaza Cuartel and the beautiful Immaculate Conception Cathedral nearby. Later, proceed to Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center by a 30-minute drive. The mini-zoo within the center provides shelter for some local animals, such as the colorful Nicobar Pigeon, the raucous talking mynah, and the elusive bearcat. Visit the open-air Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, where prisoners can live with their families and earn a plot of land to plant.

  If weather permits, you might enjoy a firefly-watching tour along the Iwahig River before returning to the hotel.

  • B L
  • Puerto Princesa

• Day 4: Puerto Princesa, Trekking to the Batak Tribe

  Travel inland to San Rafael, from where to start trekking to the Batak, one of the oldest indigenous tribes in the country. You can bring gifts, like rice, sugar, coffee, and other basic needs, to the tribe. Reaching the village through jungles and rivers, say hello to the aborigines and observe how they go about their daily lives. Then, enjoy lunch with the Bataks.

  After that, get back to the hotel for some rest.

  • B L
  • Puerto Princesa

• Day 5: Puerto Princesa, Excursion to the Subterranean River

  Set out to Sabang for the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park today. It encompasses a spectacular karst landscape, pristine natural beauty, intact old-growth forests, and distinctive wildlife. The underground river invites you to navigate and enjoy the large chambers, wide hallways, and interesting geological formations. You can also enjoy bird watching, mountain trekking, a mangrove paddle boat tour, and exploring the deeper part of the forest.

  Return to the hotel for lunch and have free time for the rest of the day.

  • B L
  • Puerto Princesa

• Day 6: Puerto Princesa - El Nido

  After breakfast, hit the road for 5 hours to El Nido Town on the northern end of Palawan island. Transfer into a boat to reach your resort on the nearby island filled with a native coastal village vibe. Hotel check-in and have the rest of the day at leisure.

  • B
  • El Nido

• Day 7: El Nido, Day at Leisure

  Today is free for you to do whatever you like. Joining some of the resort's scheduled activities or just lounging by the beach, it's all up to you.

  • B
  • El Nido

• Day 8: El Nido - Manila

  Enjoy some time at leisure until heading to the airport for your flight back to Manila.

  Upon arrival, you will take a private transfer to your hotel. Check in and rest.

  • B
  • Manila

• Day 9: Manila, Departure

  At the appointed time, you will be escorted to the airport. Bid farewell to the Philippines and board your flight home.

  • B