13-day tour: Pearl of the Philippines

Manila- Welcome!

Day 1: Arrival in Manila, warm welcome to the Philippines

Day 1 : Manila : Welcome to the Philippines (Mabuhay) Upon arrival in Manila airport (NAIA), your driver will take you to your hotel near Manila Bay and inside the walled-city.

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.

Depending on your time of arrival, head to Intramuros for a unique visit of the walled city built by the Spaniards. Choose from a ride on a bamboo bicycle 'bambike' to discover the ancient city or, if you don't mind walking, a traditional on-foot tour of Intramuros.

Manila - Busuanga

Day 2: Spectacular transfer to Busuanga; Tour Coron city

If you didn't manage the Intramuros tour on day 1, head there right after breakfast.  Later in the morning, your driver will collect you ready for your flight to the Calamian Islands. After a short but spectacular flight, arrive at Busuanga where you will be met and driven to Coron Town and your hotel for the next 4 nights. Tour the capital during the afternoon, take the opportunity to swim in a natural hot spring (Maquinit) and enjoy the panoramic views across the town and its bay from the top of Mt Tapyas.

The evening is your own; a shuttle is available for you to explore some of the bistros, bars and restaurants for dinner and lively local entertainment.

coron

Day 3: Ultimate island hopping

Explore the magnificent landscapes that make Palawan so recognisable and so beautiful. Take a banca - the traditional fishermen's boat with two bamboo outriggers -  and go island hopping around the many islands that surround Coron. Stop off at some of the most spectacular spots, including Lake Kayangan, the twin lagoons, and Siete Pescados. After a wonderful day at sea, head back to the hotel for rest and refreshment and to enjoy the pool until dinner.

Coron- Free Day

Day 4: Free day

Today is your own; you are free to chill at the hotel or to explore Coron.  You might want to grab some snorkel gear and head out into the shallow waters to explore the World War II wrecks.  Coron was the scene of major battles between the Americans and the Japanese during the war, resulting in many ships being torpedoed and sunk. They are still visible today and the snorkelling and diving are renowned.

Optional island hopping is available today, choose a boat tour to observe some of the Japanese wrecks just a few meters deep (Reef and Wrecks tour) or visit beautiful beaches such as Malcapuya and Banana island and Bulog Dos island.

coron - El Nido

Day 5: Journey north to stunning El Nido

Depart Coron in the morning to head to El Nido. It takes 4-5 hours to reach El Nido by boat, or a mere 40 mins flight (depending on availability). Upon arrival, transfer to your new resort and settle in for the next 2 nights.

El Nido is a famous seaside resort on Palawan, straight out of the movies. 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. Local boat tours are available to discover the extraordinary landscape, crystal clear waters, and breath-taking lagoons. The area offers many dive sites, including tunnels and caves.

The afternoon is yours; explore El Nido and settle in to paradise.

El Nido

Day 6: Incredible island hopping

After breakfast, embark on a banca to journey from beach to lagoon. Spend the entire day at sea with the opportunity to swim and refresh at each stop. Enjoy incredible scenery and varied and colourful sea life. The tour route includes stops at Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach and Hidden Beach.

Return to El Nido for the afternoon, rest at the hotel or enjoy exploring more of El Nido on foot before dinner.

El Nido - Duli

Day 7: Relaxation & island hopping adventures

Relax until late morning and stroll around El Nido or discover the beaches of Coron-Corong and Las Cabanas, or head off for some more island hopping around the beaches and lagoons of Bacuit Bay, including Small Lagoon, Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and 7 Commando Beach.

Journey north from El Nido to reach Duli beach, Bucana, to spend the next two nights. Hire a moto or trike to visit the beaches of Nacpan and Sibultan, or simply enjoy the glorious palm-shaded Duli beach resort.

Duli- Rest Day

Day 8: Rest day

Today, simply relax at the hotel and enjoy the beach and the surroundings. Perhaps venture to the nearby beaches of Nacpan and Sibaltan where you may even spot some turtles leaving their nest and going to the sea. Max and Elma, the owners of the resort, are happy to help with directions and pointers.

El Nido - Boracay

Day 9: Transfer to beautiful Borocay

Today, you're going to another part of the Philippines, you're taking the plane bound to Caticlan. On arrival, head to the Southwestern desk for your onward transfer to the pier and your accommodation. Once you've arrived, enjoy the amenities in your hotel or head out and explore beautiful Borocay. Venture to the hidden beaches and rock formations to the north, or stroll along to Willy's Rock, or simply pad barefoot along the white sand, and dip your toes in the crystal waters.

Boracay

Day 10: Tropical island hopping around Borocay

Spend the day at sea and get to know Boracay from a different angle. Visit Yapak Beach, an 800-meter shoreline lined with coconut trees; also known as Puka Beach, the unique white sand is mixed with crushed Puka shells. Next head to Crystal Cove Resort, one of the stand-out attractions around Borocay, with 2 coves and a cave with spectacular rock formations. While there, why not explore a little further - trekking, snorkeling, swimming, and cave exploration all available.  Among the hidden gems of Boracay is the Coral Garden, a popular House Reef dive site showcasing vibrant corals and diverse marine life, with shallower waters of 5m, up to 15 m depth, it is an ideal place for underwater photographers and beginners in scuba diving and snorkeling. Rendezvous underwater with vibrant fishes and corals on a helmet dive; head out by speedboat to an open sea raft for this exciting experience.

Boracay- Free Day

Day 11: Free day in blissful Borocay

After Breakfast, enjoy blissful Borocay; visit the different beach 'stations', simply chill and relax on the white beaches, and take a leisurely swim in the pristine turquoise waters.

If you're feeling more active, the island is a great place for paddleboarding and parasailing. For Insta-worthy activities, rent some crystal kayaks or join the sunset cruise for truly tropical sundowners.

Later on, head to D*Mall, in the Station 2 'mid-town' area for some souvenir shopping; and with the highest concentration of restaurants, it is the perfect place to satisfy your craving for different cuisines ... Filipino, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, American ... you name it, they have it. It can get a bit crowded - especially at night - but that's part of the fun.

Boracay- Free Day

Day 12: Just relax; free day in Borocay

This is a great place to simply lie back and relax.  But for a truly unique and unforgettable experience of Borocay, join a Helicopter VIP Tour. the trip offers an incredible birds-eye view of the islands, flying over Carabao and Crocodile Islands and the beautiful waters of the Sibuyan Sea. As the afternoon turns to evening, enjoy a first-class view of Boracay Island's breathtaking sunset while aboard a traditional paraw boat.

It's not a beach trip if you don't feast on seafood. Visit D’Talipapa market to see how the locals do it, then to one of the local restaurants to try the many Filipino dishes and delicacies available,

Tonight is your last night to experience Boracay's night life. Boracay was once dubbed Asia’s Ibiza for the island’s lively nightlife scene and events. Its quieter now, but there are still plenty of pubs and bars to visit for a lively night out.

Boracay - Manila

Day 13: Flight transfer Borocay to Manila

All good things must come to an end, and today is your departure day. In the morning, depending on your flight schedule, a driver will pick you up from your resort and head back to the pier where a banca will take you to Caticlan. From there, join your onward flight to Manila.