Tour around the Visayas, in the center of the Philippines

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 : The Manila Hotel located next to Intramuros and described by Ernest Hemingway as "one of the most important landmarks in Manila; It presents a great story for the Philippines. It is the perfect representation of the city, if not the country's resilience, vitality, versatility and hospitality".

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.

In the morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and bring you back to NAIA to take yor flight bound to the Visayas. You're heading to Negros Island and the city of pleasant people: Dumaguete. 

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 the port of Sibulan where you will take the fast craft bound to Liloan-Santander, at the tip of Cebu Island. It takes only 25 minutes to reach your destination. From there, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to Fantasy Lodge where you will spend the next 2 nights.

Today, you're leaving early to go to Oslob, 30 minutes away from Samboan.

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 Samboan and your resort where you will enjoy a Kawa bath followed by a massage.

In the morning, around 10am, a driver will take you to the port of Santander-Liloan where you will will take the ferry bound to Siquijor. (3 hours)

Upon arrival in Siquijor, a vehicle from the resort will wait for you to take you to the Coco Grove Beach 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 the Coco Grove resort and its 700 meter long beach along the coral reef

After the check-in, you will have the whole afternoon to enjoy the beach and its marine sanctuary, the 4 nice and quiet swimming pools, the spa, the bars and restaurants...

You will stay in this nice resort with its private beach where the Tubod marine sanctuary is located, directly accessible from the shore. So you can enjoy the marine life with your snorkelling gear. All the rooms are less than 50 meters away from the 700 meter long beach. Beside the swimming pools, The amenities include three restaurants, a bar, a spa and a dive shop.

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. This is a must try in Coco Grove.

At night, you might want to have dinner by the beach in either Salamandas restaurant or Sunset restaurant, the two restaurants of the Coco Grove Beach resort, unless you prefer to visit the surroundings of San Juan.

Around 9am, you will leave the guesthouse and go around the island through the coastal road with either a tricycle or a multicab (the modern and smaller version of the 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 guesthouse, we will make a last stop by a shell museum.

You will be back in the guesthouse in the afternoon where you will still have plenty of time to enjoy the pool.

Before dinner, it is highly recommended to take a cocktail while enjoying the sunset.

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

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. (Price: 1950 pesos, to be paid directly on site, with the hotel)

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.

Whatever option you may choose, don't forget to set an appointment at the reception for your complimentary massage at the temple spa.

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 to the 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 will embark on a short cruise to see the fireflies in the Talisay trees.

Today, 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 in Panglao in late afternoon and check in to your accomodation: South Palms Resort where you will spend the next two nights.

Today, you're free to relax and enjoy a complimentary massage (please book it at the reception at your most convenient time) or go around as you wish and visit Panglao (Hinagdanan cave, Bohol Bee Farm, etc...), 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.

Depending on your flight schedule, a driver will pick you up at your hotel to send you to the airport so that you can take your flight bound to Manila and then your international flight.