11 Days / 10 Nights Grand Philippines Tour

Itinerary

Day 1 : MANILA

Collection at 13:00 from your hotel for a tour around Metro Manila, a city of great contrasts. We take in the 200 year old Rizal Park, Casa Manila (a reproduction of a Spanish era “Illustrado” home) and Fort Santiago , the oldest fort in the Philippines built by the Spaniards, within the Walled City of Intramuros , the old colonial part of Manila. We drive through the Makati Commercial Center, Forbes Park and stop at the tranquil Manila American Memorial Cemetery, the largest US military cemetary outside the United States.

We return to Metro Manila for a drive through the reclaimed area and the Cultural Center Complex along Roxas Boulevard before hotel drop off at around 5pm.

Day 2 : PAGSANJAN GORGE & FALLS

8am pick up from your hotel and then drive around 2.5 hours south to the old town of Pagsanjan. Upon arrival you board a dugout canoe for the trip to the falls. As your boatman rows you the 20 minute journey upstream to the first fall the stunning lush greenery and towering cliffs unfold before you. At the second, main fall (another 25 minutes rowing, not reachable at high water), the water comes from 70 ft above. A bamboo raft will take you underneath this waterfall. An awesome experience (however not suitable for young children).

Your trip back downstream is an exciting experience as you “shoot the rapids”!! Your boatman will skilfully manoeuvre the boat between the rocks & boulders until you reach the calm waters of Pagsanjan. Time to change into dry clothes and enjoy your lunch (included). After relaxing we drive to Manila and hotel drop off.

Day 3 : MANILA- BANAUE

An early 06:00 start for the long drive to Banaue. Banaue is part of The Cordilleras, a mountainous area in Northern Luzon, up to 2900 meters encompassing numerous remote provinces. On the way we pass small towns in Nueva Ecija & Nueva Vizcaja before stopping for lunch in a local restaurant (personal account).

Depending on traffic we arrive at your Banaue hotel at approximately 16:00 depending on traffic (included, best available run of the house accommodation) where you will stay for two nights.

Day 4 : BANAUE – BATAD VILLAGE- BANAUE

08:00 – We have an early breakfast and then you depart with your English-speaking local guide. From Banaue Batad is approximately 16 kms away, the first 14 kms of which will be traveled by our privately chartered local jeepney. The rest of the distance is on foot using a mountain trail. The trip to Barangay Batad in Banaue, to witness the amphitheater shaped terraces located at 3600 ft., takes only a 30 minutes hike

After lunch, we stop at the panoramic Banaue viewpoint at 4800 Ft. that provides a perfect experience of the enormity & extent of the terraces followed by a visit to the Banaue Museum. Banaue Museum features decades-old books by anthropologist Otley Beyer and Igorot artefacts collected by his son William. The museum is on two floors featuring weaponry, jewellery, traditional dress and photographs of Banaue 100 years ago.  

If there is still time before hotel drop off you may opt to visit the market and local shops which have colourful weavings and beautiful carved woodwork for sale.

Day 5 : BANAUE-MANILA

We leave at 08:00 after breakfast for the drive to  Manila, stopping for lunch en route and arriving at your hotel by around 16:00 to 17:00 , depending on weather and traffic conditions.

Day 6 : MANILA-BORACAY ISLAND

Depending on the departure time of your flight to Caticlan (the gateway to Boracay island in The Visayas island group), we will advice you what time we pick you up in the morning from your hotel in Manila.

Our experienced local guide will greet you on arrival at Caticlan Airport and escort you to your ourigger boat for the 15 minute boat ride to the famous 7 km long stretch of White Sand Beach. You will then be escorted to your hotel where you will stay for two nights.

Day 7 : BORACAY ISLAND

Relax on the beach with a good book and a cold drink !! Alternatively, Boracay offers many activities such as scuba diving , sailing, surfing, boat rides etc.

Day 8 : BORACAY – CEBU

Depending on the departure time of your flight to Cebu, we will advice you what time after breakfast we pick you up in the morning from your Boracay hotel for the short journey to Caticlan Airport. Boat and land transfers will be already arranged for your convenience. After your short flight from Caticlan to Cebu you will be greeted on arrival at Cebu Airport and brought to your hotel.

Our local English speaking tour guide will meet you at 13:00 for a half day excursion that includes a stop for lunch (personal account).

 We visit centuries old churches and colourful markets, impressive church facades, and religious shrines. The final stop today is Carcar Town, alive in a blend of Spanish architecture seen in ancestral homes and local artistry in crafts such as shoe making, basket weaving and local delicacy cooking. Experience authentic village life in a water buffalo ride and a tricycle ride to the market (a Philippine tricycle is a local motorcycle with sidecar and a roof), and drink some fresh coconut wine before being brought back to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9 : CEBU – BOHOL

After breakfast, exact time depending on the time of the fast ferry departure, we leave to the pier for an 1 hour and 45 mins fast ferry ride to Bohol island. On arrival into Bohol island’s capital Tagbilaran you will be met and escorted to your transfer to Panglao Island. It is here were you spend a relaxing day on the beach.

Day 10 : BOHOL’S CHOCOLATE HILLS, LOBOC RIVER CRUISE AND CHURCH MUSEUM EXPERIENCE.

We leave the hotel at 09:00 after breakfast.

BLOOD COMPACT SITE (Tagbilaran City) – View the spot where the Spaniards and the Filipinos fostered friendly relations through blood. This is considered as the First Seed of the United Nations and the first Treaty between the brown and white races.

BACLAYON CHURCH & MUSEUM – Behold  one of the oldest stone churches in The Philippines, with religious relics dating back to the early 16th century inside the museum.

LOAY BACKYARD INDUSTRY (Loay) – Observe the local craftsmen as they make bolos and other handmade metal crafts. Witness also as the men and women transform Nipa leaves into roofing materials.

CLARIN ANCESTRAL HOUSE (Loay) – Visit a typical Boholano home, declared by the National Historical Institute as a heritage site. View the old collections of the Clarin Family displayed inside the house.

MAN-MADE FOREST (Bilar) – Feel the coolness of the air and view the awesome display of the thousands of painstakingly planted mahogany trees.

CHOCOLATE HILLS (Carmen) – You have to see for yourself – 1,268 haycock hills, which turn brown during dry season, and considered one of the wonders of the world.

LOBOC-LOAY RIVER CRUISE – Leisurely cruise along the Loboc-Loay River and its Nipa Palm plantations alongside, while you enjoy lunch onboard.

DAY 11 : TAGBILARAN-MANILA

After breakfast, exact time depending on your flight departure time,  we transfer back to Tagbilaran airport for your short flight to Manila airport.