Pure Philippines
The Philippines' finest: beaches, bars, and secret island hopping!
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Group Size: Avg 10 -20
Trip code: INPH
Duration: 17 days
Starts and finishes in Manila!
100% carbon neutral tour
Stay in comfortable and unique accommodation
Make your island-hopping fantasy a reality with this phenomenal trip around the Philippines. Your journey starts and finishes in Manila, but in 17 days you’ll go beyond the bucket list and bond with your new travel mates while exploring secret islands. From canyoneering Kawasan Falls to snorkelling with sardines, no day looks the same when exploring tropical bliss. Nor do your nights, as you’ll be drinking cocktails one evening and sleeping under the stars on a secluded beach the next. If you’re after a trip to the Philippines that’s both action-packed and laidback, this trip has all the time and activities you could ever need.
Trip Highlights
- Climb your way through Kawasan Falls on an included canyoneering tour
- Swim with a million sardines in Moalboal’s most famous nature attraction
- Snorkel with turtles in the thriving Coral Triangle
- Go island-hopping on a traditional banca boat
- Experience all the nature and nightlife El Nido has to offer
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What's included
- 16 nights’ accommodation
- 16 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 2 dinners
- Airport transfer on arrival
- All on-trip transport (inc. 3 internal flights)
- Experienced group leader
- Kawasan Falls canyoneering tour
- Sardine Run snorkelling trip in Moalboal
- Simala Church visit
- Mount Tapyas hike
- Maquinit Hot Springs visit
- 3-day island hopping tour with snorkelling
- Filipino massage
- Jungle canopy walk
- Organic farm visit
- Lunch on the beach with traditional performance
- El Nido Jeepney tour
- Port Barton boat trip
- Palawan Underground River cruise
- 24 hour emergency support
What's not included
- International flights
- Visas
- Insurance
- Return airport transfer
- Optional activities
- Some meals, snacks and drinks
Further trip information
Day 1: Arrive in Manila. Mabuhay! Once your flight has landed, you’ll be transferred over to the centrally located accommodation. You’ll be meeting your trip leader and travel companions at 7pm tonight for a welcome dinner, so use this time to get settled or go out and explore the Philippines’ cool capital.
Day 2: Move to Moalboal. After a brief internal flight and ferry combo to Cebu, we’ll be moving through the island with cameras in hand. There’s over 1000 waterfalls on this island alone and we’ll be visiting a few of these today, so make sure you bring a swimsuit and a waterproof phone case.
Day 3: Kawasan Falls. Ever tried canyoneering? Today we’ll be climbing over rocks, wading through unusually bright turquoise water and exploring all three levels of the awe-inspiring Kawasan Falls. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, take a leap of faith and jump in!
Day 4: Moalboal Sardine Run. This morning you’ll be taking part in one of the biggest events nature has to offer. We’ll have a million sardines to keep us company, so put on some snorkelling gear and start swimming! After that adventure, take the afternoon to explore Moalboal at your own leisure, whether that means checking out the beach bars at Panagsama Beach or going back into the water for a second time today.
Day 5: Cebu sightseeing and Busuanga Island. If there’s one thing to know about the Philippines, it’s anything but ordinary. Today we’ll visit the extravagant Simala church castle which looks like a fairy-tale brought to life. Then it’s time to take a short internal flight to Busuanga Island, famous for its astonishing landscapes and world-class recreational diving.
Day 6: Sulu Sea and a night out in Coron. Heard of the Coral Triangle before? When we say that the Philippines has some of the best snorkelling and deep-sea diving in the world, we’re not joking. This part of the world has marine biodiversity unlike any other, especially when it comes to green sea turtles. Speaking of exploration, this evening we’ll be discovering Coron’s electrifying nightlife!
Day 7: Hiking and hot springs. It’s a later start today, but we’ll leave in plenty of time to hike Mount Tapyas. The Coron sign at the top feels like Hollywood, but the emerald view is pure Philippines. Unwind this evening in the Maquinit Hot Springs, where we’ll admire the sunset while sinking into a steamy saltwater pool.
Day 8: Sailing to seclusion. The next few days we’ll be seeing a different side to the Philippines, where there’s nothing in sight except for the endless cerulean-blue ocean and stretches of milky sand. There’s hardly any tourists on these islands, but a wealth of opportunities to experience the Philippines in a fresh light.
Day 9: Island paradise. If you’ve ever imagined what it’d be like to have your own private island, today is about as close as it gets. We’ll have entire beaches to ourselves, not to mention all the space you could ever need while swimming in the sea. The huts we stay in are simple, but this stripped-back style means we get to fully appreciate the untouched scenery. Between a clear night sky made for stargazing and the soothing sound of the ocean, expect some of the best sleep in your life.
Day 10: El Nido. Our next destination couldn’t be more different, yet El Nido leaves a life-long impression. From secret lagoons to beaches that stretch for miles, today’s all about kicking back and relaxing while taking in the one-of-a-kind landscape. Cocktails by the sea quickly turns into a full night out in the beachtown that never sleeps!
Day 11: Into the jungle. Recover from the night before with an included Filipino massage. Today’s itinerary is a little more laidback with a free evening, though you won’t want to miss out on our jungle canopy walk. It’s a short but adventurous route that takes you to Taraw Cliff, where you can catch panoramic views of El Nido. If you need a new profile picture, you’ll have the perfect backdrop right here!
Day 12: Nacpan beach. This morning we’ll explore every corner of El Nido from the comfort of a Jeepney. For lunch, we’ll be visiting an organic farm and dining on the beach. To make this meal extra memorable, we’ll be watching a traditional Filipino performance where the local children will take part. Then we’re travelling a little outside of El Nido to Nacpan beach, the embodiment of paradise. Despite its reputation as one of the most beautiful locations in the Philippines, Nacpan beach is surprisingly secluded.
Day 13: El Nido to Port Barton. Our island adventure continues in Port Barton. Take the time this afternoon to soak up this fishing village’s raw beauty and down-to-earth vibe. Other than its beaches, Port Barton is most famous for its sunsets. Why not combine the two with a drink at one of the beach bars?
Day 14: Port Barton. Before we leave the Philippines’ awe-inspiring beaches behind, we have one last beach day scheduled in. The day is yours to enjoy, whether you want to cat-nap all day or go snorkelling in the Coral Triangle one last time. The only activity we have planned for today is a boat trip, where you’ll get to experience even more of that island paradise feeling.
Day 15: Underground river cruise. Today we’ll be boarding a boat cruise through the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, an UNESCO Heritage Site declared as one of the seven natural wonders of the world. This “mountain-to-sea” attraction features ancient limestone caves and a river that flows directly into the sea. As amazing as this sounds, nothing compares to the feeling of seeing the formations up-close.
Day 16: Puerto Princesa & evening in Manila. We’ll start our penultimate day exploring Palawan’s vibrant capital, Puerto Princesa. Then we’ll travel on to the airport for a short internal flight back to Manila. Tonight we’ll enjoy one final evening as a group and celebrate our island getaway of a lifetime.
Day 17: End trip. Say goodbye to your trip buddies and make your way back to the airport, or stay a little longer in Manila and carry on travelling.
Looking for a shorter trip?
If you are limited with time in this amazing country check out the shorter version of this trip - The 13 day Philippines Intro.
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Cheapest: £356 May, 2024
Most expensive: £938 July, 2024
Most expensive: £938 July, 2024
Arrival information
Arrive at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) on day 1. You’ll be met at the airport and taken to your hotel. There’s no daytime activities planned for the first day, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to get settled before meeting up with your group at 7pm for a welcome dinner.
Your trip finishes on day 17 in Manila, where you can leave at any time. Your guide can assist you in booking a taxi back to the airport.
Accommodation & meals
Accommodation
16 nights of accommodation are included in this trip. Stay in a cosy selection of chic hotels, seaside resorts and island huts on this gorgeous island hopping tour. With Air Con, Wi Fi, laundry and ensuite bathrooms included almost everywhere you stay, this isn’t your typical backpacking holiday!
- Manila - A spacious and stylish hotel with ideal central location and recreational spaces
- Moalboal - A beachfront resort that has an outdoor pool and sun terrace overlooking the ocean
- Coron - A tropical modern hotel with a pool, restaurant and mountain meets sea view
- Secret islands - Filipino twin huts - glamping by the sea with clear night skies and unspoilt beaches
- El Nido - South Anchorage Inn - clean and central hotel with enormous rooms and only five minutes away from the beach and bars
- Port Barton - A quiet and welcoming guest house with a pool, lounge, restaurant and quick walk to the beach
- Puerto Princesa - A peaceful hotel away from the city’s beaten path equipped with vibrant rooms, a swimming pool and restaurant
Meals
16 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 2 dinners are included in this trip. You’ll need to buy the rest of the meals yourself. Filipino cuisine is famously flavourful with sour, sweet, salty and sometimes spicy notes. It’s a feast with dishes like adobo, roasted pork and barbecue dishes, as well as aubergine stews and tofu dishes. The best part about eating out here is how cheap everything is!
Minimum age & eligibility
This trip is designed for those aged 18-39.
British citizens can enter the Philippines for up to 30 days without a visa. Visa rules and regulations are subject to change. Please check the relevant embassy websites for up to date visa information.
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