Highlights of the Philippines
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Tour Code : TTA - PH - 001
Total days : 09
ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION
BREAKFAST
TOUR GUIDE
DOMESTIC FLIGHT
SPEED (BOAT)
About This Trip
This 9-day itinerary offers a perfect combination of culture, wildlife, and beach time. Stroll around the capital city of Manila, ride a traditional horse-drawn carriage, and learn about its colonial history. At Puerto Princesa, visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center and take a trek to the Batak Tribe
community. After a boat cruise along the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, you will start your
relaxing beach holiday in El Nido - freely for you to visit enchanting lagoons and explore remote islands.
Itinerary Summary
HIGHLIGHTS
DAY
1 - 2 MANILLA
DAY
3 - 5 Puerto Princesa
DAY
6 - 8 El Nido
DAY
9 Departure
Fort Santiago, UNESCO San Agustin Church, Ride Traditional Horse-Drawn Carriage
Puerto Princesa City Tour, Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center, Subterranean River Boat Ride
Optional Island-Hopping Activities, Relax on Beach
Departure
Itinerary
Day 1: Manila, Arrival
Fly into the pulsing capital city of Manila, for the perfect introduction to the lush Philippines. As you touch down at the airport, meet your friendly guide in the arrivals hall for your private transfer to your comfortable hotel. The rest of today is free to relax or explore at your own leisure.
Day 2: Manila's Past and Present
Spend today exploring Manila with myriad faces, starting from the historic walled city of Intramuros. After an informative visit to the Casa Manila, admire the UNESCO-inscribed San Agustin Church, ride a " kalesa" (traditional horse-drawn carriage) to the Manila Cathedral, and explore Fort Santiago housing a shrine to national hero Jose Rizal. As you traverse the lively districts of Quiapo and Binondo, mingle with the locals to discover Manila's more hidden side.
This afternoon, pay respects at the American Cemetery and Memorial, a poignant tribute to WWII soldiers. Return to the hotel for refreshment before enjoying leisure time in the cosmopolitan Makati and Bonifacio Global City, with diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Day 3: Manila - Puerto Princesa
Savor a leisurely morning before transferring to Manila Airport for your flight onward to Puerto Princesa, the primary getaway to Palawan's nature wonders.
You'll be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 4: Puerto Princesa
Today is reserved for a guided city tour of Puerto Princesa, which includes visits to the Palawan Museum, Plaza Cuartel, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (formerly Crocodile Farming Institute), and the Iwahidg Prison and Penal Farm.
Optional dinner at Ka Lui's Restaurant offers delightful seafood amid a distinctive atmosphere. Conclude the day with a potential firefly-watching tour at Kito-kito, weather permitting, for an enchanting experience before returning to your hotel.
Day 5: Puerto Princesa
After breakfast, set off on a 2-hour scenic drive to Sabang for the UNESCO-recognized Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. Aboard a paddle boat, and cruise into a flooded cave system to marvel at Cathedral chambers, expansive hallways, and distinctive geological wonders beneath St. Paul Mountain. With some luck, you may encounter wildlife like monkeys, monitor lizards, and squirrels on the nearby beach. If you like, dive deeper into nature with bird watching, mountain trekking, or a serene mangrove river safari.
The end of the tour will be spiced up with a leisurely picnic lunch, offering time for relaxation and beachside enjoyment before returning to your hotel.
Day 6: Puerto Princesa - El Nido
About 5 or 6 hours drive away, El Nido comprises 45 islands and islets on the northern tip of Palawan. From the pier, a speedboat ride will whisk you away to your resort on an outlying island.
Feel free to explore the luxurious surroundings, idle on the soft sand beach, and enjoy an indulgent sunset dinner before relaxing into the evening for a restful sleep.
Day 7: El Nido, Leisure Day
Wake up in paradise and spend the whole day utterly at your leisure. In the protected waters of the El Nido area, a multitude of marine species and coral reefs await aquatic adventures. You may wish to kayak over transparent water, swim with the 1.5-meter jack fish, or snorkel into the colorful underwater world.
Day 8: El Nido, Leisure Day
On this free day, why not go island-hopping in style to explore the natural wonders around El Nido? Major scenic spots include Big Lagoon, Snake Island, Hidden Beach, and Cathedral Cave, just to name a few.
Day 9: El Nido - Manila, Departure
Say your goodbyes to El Nido and the Philippines today as you transfer to the airport for your departing flight back home. Bon Voyage!