Go all around the Philippines and discover the three main regions of interest

Upon arrival in Manila airport (NAIA), your driver will be waiting for you outside the corresponding terminal to take you to your hotel near the Manila Bay : Manila Lotus Hotel located in Ermita (or White Knight depending on availabilities)

Manila is the bustling capital of the Philippines, making it the center of commerce, culture, and government in the entire country. It also serves as the gateway for local and international travelers, with its major airport terminals and busy seaports serving many trips from within and outside of the country.

Before anything, it is essential to know that Manila can mean two ways. First, it can mean the City of Manila, which is made up of 16 administrative districts. It is also referred to as “Old Manila” by many locals. Second, Manila may mean the National Capital Region (NCR) or Metro Manila, made up of several cities such as Manila City, Makati, Quezon City, Pasay, and Taguig, among others. This article tackles not just the City of Manila, but Metro Manila as a whole.

Depending on your time of arrival, we will take you to Intramuros for a unique visit of the walled city, you will either ride a bamboo bicycle called bambike to discover the ancient city built by the spaniards or, if you don't mind a late night, we will take you to a tour of Intramuros after dark. Either way, you will have an unforgettable experience.

Today, you're free to wander in the streets of Manila and visit different areas.

Go Museum-Hopping 

One of the best ways to learn about Philippine history and culture is by checking out the museum in Manila. The National Museum of the Philippines houses a vast collection representing various aspects of Filipino art, culture, and history.

It is divided into several sections, namely Fine Arts, Anthropology, Natural History, and a Planetarium, located within the same complex in Rizal Park or Luneta Park. In the same area is where you can also find the Rizal Monument, a memorial to commemorate the Philippines's National Hero, Jose Rizal.

You can also check out The Metropolitan Museum of Manila. It is located within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Complex along Roxas Boulevard in Malate. The Metropolitan Museum boasts an impressive collection of modern and contemporary visual arts by local and international artists.

Besides historical museums and art galleries, Manila also offers unique exhibits such as The Dessert Museum, Lakbay Museo, and the Upside Down Museum in Pasay.

Go on a Food Trip in Binondo

Binondo is a vibrant and historic place to visit in Manila. Established in 1594, Binondo is the oldest Chinatown in the world. Like other Chinatowns, you will find bustling alleys filled with hole-in-the-wall joints, traditional bakeries, and budget-friendly streetside eateries, alongside family-style buffet Chinese restaurants in Binondo.

Join a food tour in Binondo and get ready to chow down on Chinese and Filipino delicacies like dumplings, pork chop noodles, xiao long bao, lumpia, oyster cake, kampong, stir-fried tofu, and Wintermelon tea. 

Shop in the Malls             

If you’re looking for a place where you shop, dine and find entertainment in air-conditioned comfort, malls are the best places to go to in Manila. The SM Mall of Asia (MOA), in particular, a shopping mall in the Bay City, Pasay, is the most popular spot for foreign and domestic travelers who like to go on a retail spree.

MOA is the fourth largest shopping mall in the country, and it is home to numerous restaurants, bars, boutiques, cinemas, and an IMAX theater.

There's also a seaside esplanade and baywalk that offers a stunning view of Manila Bay during sunset right behind the mall. For first-timers, the Mall of Asia Eye, a 55-meter (180 ft) tall Ferris wheel by the bay, offers a spectacular view.

Another must-visit mall in Manila is the Venice Grand Canal Mall, also known as the Venice Piazza in McKinley Hill. Aside from being in an upscale neighborhood and having an impressive array of retail shops, the Venice Piazza is famous for its life-size replica of the Venice Grand Canal.

The mall even has the signature turquoise water and gondolas of the iconic Venetian waterway. If you're looking for beautiful scenery to pose for an Instagram photo, the Venice Piazza is the perfect spot!

The Chinese cemetery is also worth a visit. Walk into the Manila Chinese Cemetery in the Filipino capital and you might think you are visiting a residential suburb. Walk into the Manila Chinese Cemetery in the Filipino capital and you might think you are visiting a residential suburb.

In the evening, at 10pm, you will take the bus bound to Banaue. You're in for a long ride because it takes 9 to 10 hours to reach the destination.

After a night in the bus, you will arrive early morning in Banaue where your guide will be waiting for you.

Upon arrival, your guide will take you to the drop off location. From there, you will have a 4 hour trek to reach Pula Village. The walk is a mixture of trails and rice paddies.This village is a small village with very nice sceneries and not very touristic and you can swim in the river.
After lunch, you will have another 2 hours trek to reach Cambulo Village where you will spend the night.

In the morning, after breakfast, you will leave Cambulo and head to Batad rice terraces.

The rice terraces of Batad are undoubtedly the most beautiful and the most spectacular of all the Cordillera and Asia, they are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

For 2,000 years, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.

You will reach the village after about 2 hours hike, and walk another hour to reach Tappiyah Falls where you can rest and even bathe if the water is not too cold for you.

You'll need to walk around an hour and a half to go to Batad Village. On the way back, you will enjoy the panorama of the amphitheater. Batad gives the appearance of a place out of time, with its traditional Ifugao houses and the rites kept alive by the locals. 

The local guides are extremely courteous and helpful. You are in Batad, very far from the hectic life of the big cities. Here, life goes on slowly and desires are subject to a beautiful but harsh nature.

Tonight, you will sleep in Hillside Inn, surrounded by the terraces and the view of the amphitheater. Don't miss the sunrise in the morning!

Batad is home to the remarkable amphitheater rice terraces which is one of the UNESCO Heritage Sites in the World. Unlike the town proper of Banaue, Batad is a paradise tucked away from modern civilization and only those with wondering and brave hearts take the path to discover it.

It’s admirable how the culture and heritage of Batad have remained untouched despite more and more people discovering its magnificence. The locals still speak their mother tongue, practice their ancient rituals and remained unmoved amidst the current flow of tourists visiting the place.

You are surrounded by nothing but nature’s beauty in Batad. Everything is a sight and memory to hold on to. Savor these moments and make them count.

After breakfast, you will go on with the last part of your trek. This morning, you will first go to Bangaan, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

After the visit of Bangaan, your guide will drive you to Hapao Rice terraces with hotsprings and rivers so you can relax.
you will be walking 2 more hours in total for Hapao rice terraces and the hotsprings until around 5pm, which is the end of the trek.

After this, you will go back to Banaue where you will spend the night.

The adventure begins! After breakfast, you will head to Sagada. On your way, you will make a stop by Bontoc and its museum to see more and understand about the Igorot tribes. Bontoc Museum is a small establishment, but its collection of artifacts and photographs and its small reconstructed Ifugao village in the garden make it a perfect introduction to the traditions of the tribes from the Mountain Province and the Ifugao country. The tour lasts 30 to 45 minutes. 

Then, you go to Sagada. Upon arrival, it will be lunch time: we recommend the Yogurt House, an excellent restaurant, renowned, for its homemade yogurts, obviously, and Masferré restaurant. 

After lunch, you will visit Lumiang Cave and Echo Valley where you can admire the hanging coffins, an ancient funeral tradition found in different places in Asia. We will also guide you to the underground river. A memorable experience in the Philippines.

After, we will leave Sagada and head back to Banaue.

And from Banaue, you will hop on the night bus to go back to Manila.

Upon arrival, you may drop off your bags in your guesthouse: the White Knight, located inside Intramuros, next to Casa Gorordo and accross the San Agustin Church.

You will be free to wander in the streets of Manila or to rest from your trek in the rice terraces before going to your next destination.

If you're a party goer, you might want to experience the nightlife in Poblacion

Poblacion, the old downtown area of Makati, has been revitalized into one of the hippest districts in the city. This trendy neighborhood is one of the top places to visit in Makati and is the cultural and entertainment heart of the city, catering to international travelers, ex-pats, and locals.

Poblacion is also is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It is home to many hostels and artsy boutique establishments like Z Hostel, Lokal Hostel, Junction Hostel, and MNL Boutique Hostel.

After sunset, Poblacion transforms into a vibrant club scene where you can do a pub crawl tour. The streetside restaurants, bars, and clubs in the area come to life.  Within the vicinity, you can also find high-end shopping retail centers and venues for concerts and special events. 

The island of Negros is located in the western Visayas and divided into two provinces: Negros occidental in the south west part with Dumaguete as the capital city, and Negros Oriental in the North East part with Bacolod as the capital city. The widest sugar cane plantations are found in Negros which is one of the main producer in the world. And that’s why it is also called the Sugar island.

In the south of the island, the Tablas Plateau offers a stunning view thanks to the famous Twin Lakes and the Casaroro Falls. You will enjoy the coastal areas that lead you to beautiful treasures. The delicate white sand beaches along the west coast are opposed to the small creeks with dark sand beaches along the east coast.

Upon arrival in Dumaguete airport, we will start our adventure around for a day tour in the countryside of Dumaguete, a mountainous and volcanic area with numerous lakes and amazing waterfalls.

We will hit the road to Sibulan and then we will go up to the Twin Lakes at 900 meters above sea level. In the past, they were craters. On the way, you can admire typical sceneries such as rice fields, coconut trees, volcanos, beaches…

Balinsasayao Park is a naturel reserve that offers a wide variety of animal and floral species. You can cross the first lake with a small paddling boat or walk all around it and then take a short walk to admire the second lake lost in the middle of the jungle. There is even a tower which offers a great overview of the two lakes.

We will take our lunch in a traditional restaurant along the way down, that overviews the Tañon Straight and the valley below it.

After lunch, we will take the van again and head to Valencia to discover the Pulang Bato falls and their iron waters coming from Mont Talinis, the highest peak of the province. You can swim under the falls and in the pool filled with source water. Before heading back to the resort, we will stop by a place so you can also enjoy the hot springs. Negros is one of the four places in the Philippines with a geothermal power plant that provides more than enough electricity for the city.

Then, it will be time to head to your resort and check in in La Tortue Diving Center.

Today, you're free to rest by the beach and relax, unless you might want to go diving or to go on a special adventure. If you opt for this day tour, you're leaving early to go to Oslob, in Cebu island.

Oslob is now very famous all over the world for its whale-sharks. It’s one of the rare spots where you can watch and swim with the biggest fish of the world. Some specimen reach 14 meters long and can weigh up to 10 tons. However, the ones in Oslob are young males and are a bit smaller. Very peaceful and harmless for the humans, it only eats plankton or small fishes (sardines, anchovies) as well as krill. Due to its peaceful nature, its nickname is the Embassador of the sharks, it is a protected specie.

In Oslob, you will have the opportunity to get a close encounter with this amazing animal. This is an unforgettable and once in a life time experience. You will board small boats (bancas) that will bring you closer to these animals. Those who wish to swim with them will be allowed to do so with a snorkelling gear.

But Cebu is more than just a dive spot to see the majestic whale sharks, after, this unique encounter, you will be heading to Sumilon Island famous for its surreal sandbar: this tiny island has a lot of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered!

Lunch will be served in Bluewater Sumilon, the only resort of the island. And in the afternoon, you will go back to Dumaguete and your resort.

In the morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the port of Dumaguete where you will take the fast craft bound to Siquijor. (45 to 50 minutes)

Upon arrival in Siquijor, a vehicle will wait for you to take you to Nakabalo resort.

If you dreamt of a peaceful place with white sand beach, blue sky and pristine water rich in corals with an amazing marine life, Siquijor is the place to go.

The island of fire is one of the many nicknames of this little island of the Philippines. The place is respected and admired as a famous spot for witchcraft. Every year, many visitors, locals and foreigners gather together to purchase medicinal herbs and ointments.

Welcome to Nakabalo Guesthouse, located in San Juan, on the south-western coast of Siquijor. After the check-in, you will have the whole afternoon to enjoy the guesthouse, it's amenities and the surroundings.

The traditional massage in the Philippines is best known as Hilot which means massage or healer in tagalog. Hilot is not only a technic, it has a lot in common with acupuncture and aromatherapy. It aims to improve the bloodstream and all body fluids circulation, it helps “digesting” emotional problems and trauma. Hilot is more than an art for Filipinos, it is a culture and a philosophy. Such a massage is often associated with herbs, but what really makes it different from other massages is the use of warm leaves with virgin coconut oil applied on the body before and after the massage.

At night, you might want to have dinner in the guesthouse which offers a wide range of local and international dishes, unless you prefer to visit the surroundings of San Juan.

Around 9am, if you chosse this option, you will leave the guesthouse on a tricycle and go around the island through the coastal road by jeepney.

You will be charmed by the calmness and the beauty of Siquijor that was once called Isla del fuego by the Spaniards when they discovered it. They were indeed surprised by the fireflies in the talisay trees that light up the island at night. You will take the coastal road to take you around the island and visit an ancient convent and the Church of San Isidor de Labrador in Lazi. Then, you will head to a virgin coconut oil factory where you can of course get some supplies. After this, it will be time to take a dip in the Cambugahay Falls where you will be able to swim and refresh yourself in a 26°C water. You will feel like you just found your Eden.

After that, it will be time for a little relaxation time in a fish spa at the foot of a century old balete tree. We will then go to Paliton beach for our lunch. After eating, you will be free to enjoy the beach and rest. On our way back to the resort, we will make a last stop by a shell museum, just next to the Coco Grove.

You will be back in the resort in the afternoon where you will still have plenty of time to enjoy the pools, the spa and the beach.

You may go around the island all by yourself if you prefer, it's easy to rent a motorbike, just keep in mind the safety precautions.

You can take advantage of this free day to go diving or simply relax at the guesthouse.

But you can also take this opportunity to take a boat trip and go to Apo Island. This rocky island is surrounded by extremely well-preserved coral reefs that you will have the chance to admire with a snorkeling gear, if you can take your eyes off the turtles.

Departure is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. from Coco Grove beach. It takes over an hour to reach Apo Island. Upon arrival, you will access the marine sanctuary, accompanied by a local guide, and swim with the turtles. Aside from turtles, Apo's coral reef is known for its underwater wildlife: Siliman University biologists have spotted over 600 species of fish and 400 species of coral, making Apo one of the 5 best snorkeling spots in the Philippines. Divers obviously also see this as a great opportunity.

Lunch will be served on the beach at Apo Island Beach Resort. After eating, you will still have time to relax and swim in these crystal clear waters.

You will be back at the resort in the late afternoon, around 4:30 p.m.

It is also possible to rent scooters to explore what the island still has to offer: Mount Bandilaan (the highest point of the island at 600m above water level), the Cantabon cave, etc... The resort offers scooters for hire and you will also find them in the nearby shops.

In the morning, you will go to Larena's port to take the fast craft (Ocean Jet) bound to Bohol. It takes only 1h30 to reach Tagbilaran, the capital city of Bohol Island.

Upon arrival at the port of Tagbilaran, a vehicle will be waiting for you to take you around Bohol and discover what the island has to offer, you will have a real taste of Bohol experience and a whole day of visits as follows : 

• Loboc Eco-tourism Adventure Park (optional) : a 520m long zip-line, 120m above the Loboc river,
• Tarsier Sanctuary : watch the smallest primate in the world.  
• Chocolate Hills, 
• Bilar man-made forest
• River-Cruise on a floating restaurant, 
• Baclayon or Alburquerque church
• Blood compact.

You will arrive late in the afternoon in Loboc River resort where you will spend the night.

Loboc River Resort is a charming resort along the Loboc river made of elevated cottages. You will have your diner facing the river in a calm and romantic atmosphere. After dinner, you may embark on a short cruise to see the fireflies in the Talisay trees.

After breakfast, you will have time to enjoy the hotel swimming pool and take a canoe or a SUP to cruise on the river.
Late in the morning, around 11 a.m., you will leave the Loboc RIver resort to reach Panglao. You will stop by Hinagdanan Cave where you can refresh yourself before going to Bohol Bee Farm for lunch (optional).

Bohol Bee Farm is a hotel-restaurant with its own organic garden: freshly harvest straight to your your plate. You will surely enjoy their flower salads seasoned with a homemade dressing, moringa butter, honey freshly harvested from their beehives and ginger ice cream.

After lunch, your driver will drop you off at your hotel: the Scent of Green Papaya.

Today, you're free to relax or go around as you wish and visit Panglao, but if you're up for more adventures, we have something special for you.

If you opt for this adventure, you will discover Pamilacan, a small and traditionnal fishermen’s island. At sunrise, you will take a banca and on your way, you might see some dolphins ! You can do some snorkeling in their marine sanctuary or enjoy a hilot massage by the beach. Don’t hesitate to take a walk to visit the island.

You will be back in Panglao around 3pm where you can either relax or go to Alona Beach, the famous tourist spot where most hotels, restaurants, bars, dive shops are located.

Today, you're free to wander around Alona or to rest at the hotel, chill by the pool. You might want to take this chance to go diving.

After breakfast, your driver will bring you to the port of tagbilaran to take the fastcraft (Ocean Jet) going to Cebu City. It takes 2 hours to reach your destination. Upon arrival, another driver will take you to the airport of Mactan-Cebu for your flight bound to Puerto Princesa, the capital and main city of Palawan. He will drop you off at the terminal 1 at least two hours before the scheduled time of departure.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Puerto Pension, a quiet and nicely decorated hotel in bamboo. The restaurant on the 3rd floor offers a nice view on the bay of Puerto Princesa.

In the afternoon, you may enjoy the baywalk, the Palawan Heritage Center and the Palawan Environment Enforcement Museum.

For dinner, don’t miss the chance to try one of the best restaurants of the country: Kalui, unless you prefer to experience the magic of fireflies watching.

Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park encompasses one of the world’s most impressive cave systems, featuring spectacular limestone karst landscapes, pristine natural beauty, and intact old-growth forests and distinctive wildlife. It is located in the south-western part of the Philippine Archipelago on the mid western coast of Palawan, approximately 76 km northwest of Puerto Princesa and 360 km southwest of Manila.

The property, comprising an area of approximately 22,202 ha, contains an 8.2km long underground river. The highlight of this subterranean river system is that it flows directly into the sea, with its brackish lower half subjected to tidal influence, distinguishing it as a significant natural global phenomenon. The river’s cavern presents remarkable, eye catching rock formations. The property contains a full mountain-to-sea ecosystem which provides significant habitat for biodiversity conservation and protects the most intact and noteworthy forests within the Palawan biogeographic province. Holding the distinction of being the first national park devolved and successfully managed by a local government unit, the park’s effective management system is a symbol of commitment by the Filipino people to the protection and conservation of their natural heritage.

You will leave in the morning, around 9am from your hotel to discover this marvel of the world as well as Elephant Cave. Lunch will be served in Sabang.

You will leave Puerto Princesa late in the morning and head to Port Barton, a small bay still off the beaten tracks where you will spend a couple of days. You will have ample time to do some island hopping to discover the nearby islands.

Unlike Palawan's most popular destinations, Port Barton has only a few resorts and restaurants. But its laid-back vibe, islands and waters make Port Barton an increasingly popular destination for beach lovers.

Port Barton 's quiet and stunning. The combination makes you feel what island paradise should look like. A day trip to Port Barton with its nearby islands certainly completes your provincial journey. If you're looking for a fun outdoor activity, there are a lot of things to do and spots to discover like mangrover river tour, waterfalls chasing, and kayaking. From Port Barton, kayaking to other neighboring islands, such as the Sandbar or Starfish Island, is possible as it's nearby. Make sure to wear a safety jacket!

Today, you're free to wander around Port Barton and go island hopping. If you choose this option, you will get on a bangka, the traditional fishermen’s boat with bamboo floaters on each side. During that day, you will hop from an island to another one and enjoy those surprising sceneries of the area and its relaxing environment.

Today, you're free to chill by the hotel and the beach or to go on another island hopping. You might want to discover Long Beach, the longest beach of the Philippines.

At precisely 14.7 KM-long, it is said to be three times longer than Boracay's famous White Beach. San Vicente's Long Beach offers a laid-back vibe, ideal for travelers who are interested in sightseeing, lounging at the beach for hours, and island-hopping.  

You can also have a tour in the Mangrove: Inandeng River Mangrove Cruise

Mangroves serve as breeding grounds for fish, mollusks and crustaceans. For fully understand the functions of mangroves and see their enchanting beauty, you will discover them by kayaking along the Inandeng River. It's a great break from all island-hopping and pool lounging.

You will leave Port Barton in the morning and hit the road again to go to El Nido. It takes about a little over 3 hours to reach El Nido. Upon arrival, you will go directly to your new resort where you will spend the next 3 nights : Royal Palm Inn.

El Nido is a famous seaside resort also located on the island of Palawan. Renowned for its white sand beaches and coral reefs, it is a gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, a group of islands with steep karst cliffs. Its highest point is on the island of Cadlao, 640 meters above sea level. The island of Miniloc, next to it, is known for its crystal clear waters, as for the lagoons (Small lagoon, Big Lagoon, hidden lagoon and secret lagoon), they are on the routes of the boat tours and will surely take your breath away. Nearby, the island of Shimizu offers fish-filled waters. The area offers many dive sites, including the long Dilumacad Island tunnel that leads to an underwater cave. 

In the afternoon, you can rest or discover by yourself the surroundings of El Nido.

After breakfast, around 8:30am, you will embark on a banca that will take you from beach to lagoon. You will spend the entire day at sea and will have the opportunity to swim and refresh yourself at each stop to enjoy both the scenery and the striking underwater fauna. Tour C includes the following stops: Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach and Hidden Beach.

After this great island hopping, in the afternoon, you will return to your hotel where you can rest until dinner time unless you prefer wandering around the streets of El Nido Town.

Today, you can enjoy Corong-Corong beach where your hotel is located. or you can go on another island hopping adventure to discover different beaches and lagoons of Bacuit Bay.

The stops of Tour A include: Small lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and 7 commando beach

In the morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the port of El Nido to take the ship bound to the Calamian Islands. It takes about 4 hours to reach Coron, upon arrival, a shuttle will be waiting for you to take you to your hotel, the Sunz-en Coron where you will spend the next 4 nights.

rq: depending on availabilities, you will take a short flight instead to go to Coron.

Coron is actually the capital city of Busuanga Island which is part of the Calamian archipelago, in the north of Palawan. The town of Coron is often mistaken with the island of the same name that we can visit in day time but where it's prohibited to stay overnight.

In the afternoon, you will go on a tour around the town, you will have the opportunity to swim in a natural hot spring (Maquinit) and you will enjoy the overview of the town and its bay from the top of Mt Tapyas. The sunset is just marvelous.

After this tour, it will be time to take your dinner, either in the hotel or in the town. (a shuttle is available upon request)

You will be able to get a broad overview of the magnificent karst landscapes that characterize Palawan and the reason why it was awarded as the most beautiful island in the world between 2015 and 2018. Many islands surround Coron, so we will take a banca, the traditionnal fishermen's boat with its two bamboo outriggers and go on an island hopping to visit some of them.


Today, you will make several stops, including Lake Kayangan, the twin lagoons, and Siete Pescados.

After this wonderful day at sea, you will go back to the hotel where you can rest, refresh or enjoy the pool until diner time.

Coron was the scene of major battles during World War II between the Americans and the Japanese. These sea battles left a mark as many ships were torpedoed and sunk. They are still visible today, especially since the region is not known for its great depths. It is therefore possible to observe some of these wrecks without special equipment, but with a simple snorkeling gear.


Today, if you opt for this day-tour, you will embark again for a day at sea during which you will have the opportunity to either observe a few of these Japanese wrecks only a few meters deep (Reef and Wrecks tour) or very beautiful beaches such as Malcapuya and Banana island and bulog dos island.

Everything comes to an end, so depending on your flight schedule, a driver will pick you up at your hotel to send you to the airport bound to Manila where you will take your onward flight... until next time.

Upon arrival in Manila, you may take the free shuttle bus linking all 4 terminals of NAIA.