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The string of Pearls
Philippines is the second-largest archipelago in the world
with 7,107 islands and over 36,000 miles of coastline. Filipinos justifiably
refer to the country as their ‘string of pearls’. Manila, the
pulsating hub of the country, is situated on the east coast of Luzon, the most
northerly island, which is also the largest and the most well developed. The
city was founded in 1571 with its major tourist attraction being the old Spanish
walled city, known as Intramuros, which contains some historic buildings and
ruins. The modern city, centered around hi-tech Makati District, is also a
shoppers paradise with bargains galore. It is also a city of theatres, libraries
and museums. The true beauty of the Philippines, aside from her friendly people,
is in dramatic hill country and rice paddies, like Banaue and Bagiou, the
countryside, the beaches and the pristine marine environment. No finer example
of beachside bliss is Boracay Island. It is famous for its
White Beach, a four miles long stretch of powder white sand. There are scores of
little sandy bays scattered around the island if you want a more peaceful place
to go. All you need to do on Boracay is relax, decide whether to go sailing,
windsurfing or perhaps snorkeling and then enjoy yourself. The island-province
of Cebu sits in the centre of the Philippine archipelago and,
along with the adjacent Makati Island, has become a bustling tourist
destination.
Manila
Boracay
Mactan Island
Philippines Escorted Tours
Beautiful Banaue & Baguio
Palawan Experience
Twin Island Adventure
Flexible Example Itineraries Including Philippines
Beautiful Banaue & Baguio
Starts and
ends in Manila
Day 1 Tue Manila – Banaue
Depart for the journey to the rice terraces and
hill country of Banaue. Head north on by expressway and the Cagayan Valley
until reaching the town of Bagabag in Nueva Vizcaya, where the road climbs
to Banaue, 1300 meters above sea level. Arrive in Banaue late in the afternoon.
Overnight, 2 nights, at the Banaue Hotel (or similar).
Day 2 Wed Banaue
After breakfast at the hotel board a local jeepney for a ride to the Banga-an
native village, accessible after a short hike from the main road. After spending
some time in the village, continue to a vantage point to view and admire the
dramatic scenery of 2,000 year old rice terraces. If placed end to end, the
Banaue rice terraces would reach halfway around the globe. Proceed to the town’s
public market to mingle with the local people, and view the vast array of native
handicraft. If time permits visit another village before returning to the hotel
in the afternoon. (B, D)
Day 3 Thu Banaue – Mount Data
Drive inland along the winding mountain trail to the hinterland town of Bontoc, where there
is a visit to a museum founded by Belgian Sisters. Weather conditions permitting
visit the Ifugao burial caves in Sagada, meet the the natives. Continue the
drive through the winding narrow roads through incredible scenic beauty until
you reach the lodge at Mount
Data.A drink around the hearth precedes dinner. Overnight at the lodge. (B, D)
Day 4 Fri Mount Data – Baguio City
Leave Mount Data and
continue the drive through majestic scenery to Baguio City, the country’s summer
capital. Take a brief tour of the city which includes Session Road, Burnham Park
and the Mansion House, the President’s summer residence. The highlight of the
tour is the public market where villagers come to sell their goods. Overnight
and dinner at the El Cielito Inn (or similar).
(B, D)
Day 5 Sat Baguio City –
Manila
After an early morning breakfast return to Manila through
Luzon’s Central Plain arriving back in Manila
in the early evening. (B).
Palawan Experience
Starts and ends in Manila
Day 1
Manila – Palawan
Transfer to Manila
Airport airport and fly to Puerto Princesa on Palawan. On arrival, transfer for your hotel to freshen
up. In the afternoon, tour the sights of the city, including the State College
museum, the crocodile farm, the pineapple fiber weavers, the market and the
Iwahig Penal Colony that is known as the ‘prison without walls’ as this is a
village where prisoners on good behavior live with their families and work in
the farms. Overnight, 3 nights, at the Legend Palawan Hotel (or similar).
Day 2
Palawan
After an early breakfast in the hotel depart for the Saint Paul Subterranean
Park. A five mile paddle boat ride along an underground river takes you to a
bat-filled cavern of dramatic fluted columns and piped walls. The river is long,
but the boat ride is limited only to that part which has already been explored!
The paddle boats are hosted by English-speaking guides who describe this natural
wonder. Electric torches are provided so that you can see the magnificence of
the rock formations in the cave. At the end of the boat ride a picnic lunch will
be served in the seaside park, just outside the cave, under the shade of tall
mahogany trees. Large, but harmless and friendly, monitor lizards as well as
some monkeys roam about. (B, L)
Day 3 Palawan
Today transfer to the pier for a motor boat cruise island-hopping at Honda Bay,
which has several islands and islets to explore. Bat Island, home to thousands
of the winged mammals that live on trees and fly out at night in search of food;
Snake Island however is so named because of its shape. Other islands include
Pandan, Starfish, and Luli. There will be ample opportunity for snorkeling,
swimming and sunbathing. Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the islands before
returning back to the mainland. (B, L)
Day 4
Palawan – Manila
Free time, at leisure, until your transfer to the airport for your flight back
to Manila, and your chosen hotel. (B)
Twin Island Adventure
Starts and
ends in Manila
Day 1 Mon Manila – Damaguete
Transfer to the Manila
Domestic Airport for your flight to Dumaguete City, from where you transfer to
the Forest Camp, a highland resort located in Valencia, at the foothills of
Mount Talinis. In the afternoon proceed to Silliman
University. The campus houses an exhibit of locally excavated artifacts, Sung
and Ming porcelain, and an ethnographic collection from various minority tribes
in the country. In its Marine Laboratory, there is an assortment of underwater
specimen, an aquaculture for giant clams and groupers, including a breeding
program for the Philippine crocodile. Drive through the city, passing by the
public market, the Provincial Capitol Building
and Rizal Boulevard. Visit the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of
Alexandria, erected 1776. Carry on to a handicraft store and factory, and close
by a small abaca-weaving centre run by a local cooperative, and the coral
encrusted Bacong Church. Overnight, 3 nights, at the Atmosphere Resort (or
similar).
Day 2 Tue Damaguete
After breakfast drive up north to Capinahan Pier in Bais City and board
an outrigger boat for a short sailing trip to Tanon Strait. Stop briefly at
Talubong Mangrove Island, a 400-hectare protected mangrove forest that serves as
a natural habitat for wild birds and crustaceans. From Talubong, head straight
for Campuyo White Sandbar scouring the sea for dolphins. In calm seas the deep
waters here become the playground of bottlenose, melon-head and spotted dolphins
(Mar - Oct). If lucky they swim alongside the boat, until we come to rest on the
shallow waters of the kilometer long Campuyo White Sandbar. Ffind your spot,
stretch out on the sand or take a dip in the shallow waters. Sail back to Bais
for a sumptuous lunch in a local restaurant. Finally (Nov to Apr) take a short
visit at the Central Azucarera de Bais, a sugar mill company where, during the
milling season, a tour of its facilities introduces one to the manufacture of
raw sugar. (B, L)
Day 3 Wed Damaguete
Breakfast at the resort before setting off to the village of
Malatapay and witness the Wednesday livestock auction, where locals buy and sell
produce and handicrafts and enjoy fresh fish and tuna. Experience the vividness
and ebullient ambience of a typical village market. Then board an outrigger boat
for the 40 minute ride to Apo
Island for snorkeling amongst its wide reef flats and coral mounds teeming with
an extensive variety of fish.A sumptuous lunch at Apo Island Beach Resort is
included before more snorkeling before returning to the mainland. (B, L)
Day 4 Thu Damaguete – Siquijor
The morning is free at leisure until your transfer to the pier to board the
1.30pm ferry bound for the mystical island of Siquijor.At the pier in Siquijor
you will be met and transferred to Coco Grove Resort (for a 3 night stay), a
cozy resort tucked in a thicket of coconut trees fronting a private white sandy
beach. The rest of the day is free at leisure. (B)
Day 5 Fri Siquijor
Spend the whole day exploring this hilly, limestone island, which became known
as ‘Isla del Fuego’ by the Spaniards in the 16th century because after they
mistook masses of glowing fireflies as volcanic lava. Visit Lazi, where the
oldest and biggest convent in the Far East
is located. Built in 1884 this huge building is made of limestone blocks with
floors hewn out of molave wood. Near the convent is St Isidore Parish Church
built in 1894. Move on then to Cambugahay
Falls, sheltered beneath a canopy of trees and girdled by thick foliage of
flowering shrubs, this is a picture-perfect setting for nature lovers. Spend
time at the falls before proceeding to Salagdo-ong
Beach for lunch and swimming. After lunch, take a short tour of Siquijor town
with brief stops at St. Francis of Assisi Church
and San Juan de Capilay Spring Park. Finally trek up Mount Bandilaan, the
islands highest peak, for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. (B, L)
Day 6 Sat Siquijor
This is a free day to enjoy the facilities of the resort. (B)
Day 7 Sun Siquijor – Damaguete – Manila
After an early breakfast transfer to the pier for the ferry boat ride back to
Dumaguete and then the return flight to Manila.
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