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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 
Experience remarkable Philippine sights this view of Mount Pinatubo when you take a tailor-made holiday with Alfred&.

Adventure in the Philippines

By Adele Jones
Laos Travel Expert for Alfred&

Awaken your sense of adventure on this 14-day tour exploring many of the Philippines’ most exciting destinations. Discover the cultural heritage of old Manila and Vigan, before heading into the mountainous interior in search of ancient rice terraces, hidden waterfalls and hanging coffins. Returning to sea level, there are opportunities to spot whales, dolphins and green turtles and snorkel along coral reefs teeming with tropical fish.

Places

Length
14 days
Guide price range
From £8,500pp
including international flights
Best months to go
March to June

Top Experiences
Itinerary Highlights

Experience remarkable Philippine sights like these hanging coffins in Sagada when you take a tailor-made holiday with Alfred&.
Sagada

Hanging coffins and mountain scenery in Sagada

Sagada is a small valley in the mountains that’s famous for its hanging coffins and mountain scenery...

Batad Rice Terrace
Banaue

Rice terraces and waterfalls: the Batad village trek

Batad village is special because it’s set in an amphitheatre of UNESCO-listed rice terraces that are over 2,000 years old...

El Nido Island Hopping
El Nido

Island hopping in El Nido

Our island hopping tour is the perfect way to experience El Nido’s white-sand beaches, remote islands and crystalline lagoons...

Day by day
Itinerary in detail

1

Arrival in Manila

Welcome to the Philippines. A local representative will be waiting for you at the airport, to transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to get settled in. Overnight at The Peninsula Manila

Things to do:

2

Manila & Vigan

After breakfast, an experienced local guide will meet you at the hotel for a half-day tour of Intramuros. Shielded from the rest of the city by perfectly preserved high walls, Intramuros is a peaceful area packed full of fascinating colonial heritage. You’ll visit all of the key landmarks, including Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila, San Agustin Church, and Baluarte de Dilao. After the tour, transfer to the airport then fly to Laoag. On arrival you’ll be met by a representative, then transfer for 2-hours to Vigan. Overnight at Hotel Luna.

Things to do:

3

Vigan

Explore Vigan with an experienced local guide, it is designated an UNESCO World Heritage Site for its well-preserved blend of European and Asian architecture. With its horse-drawn carriages and ancient cobbled streets, it feels like wandering around a small pocket of Spain. As well as visiting all the key sights, you’ll learn the traditional craft of weaving and enjoy a lunch of Ilocano and Filipino dishes in a peaceful ornamental garden. In the evening, take a walking tour along the traffic-free Calle Crisologo street, shopping for souvenirs and tasting local products. Overnight at Hotel Luna.

Things to do:

4

Vigan & Sagada

After breakfast, check out and take the 6 to 7-hour scenic drive to Sagada. Located deep within Luzon’s Cordillera Mountains, the town is surrounded by mist-shrouded peaks. Overnight at Martha’s Hearth homestay.

5

Sagada

Discover the best of Sagada on a full-day tour. You’ll walk through the picturesque Echo Valley to a viewpoint below Sagada’s fascinating hanging coffins. The cliffs are dotted with wooden coffins, hung by the local people to protect their ancestors’ remains and help their spirits flee to the heavens. Next, walk through a cavern to Bokong Falls for a refreshing swim, then drive to the Sagada Weaving and Pottery workshop to learn about traditional local crafts. Your final stop is Lumiang Cave, where around 100 ancient coffins can be found neatly stacked at the entrance of the cave. Overnight at Martha’s Hearth homestay.

Things to do:

6

Sagada & Banaue

Rising early, drive to Kiltepan Peak for sunrise and spectacular views of an endless sea of clouds. Return to your homestay for breakfast, then check out and drive for 3 to 4-hours to Banaue. Stop en route at the Bontoc museum, founded to preserve the history and heritage of the indigenous Igorot people. Overnight at Banaue Hotel.

7

Banaue

Banaue and the surrounding region is famous for its UNESCO-listed rice terraces and today you’ll have the opportunity to explore them on foot. After a 1-hour drive by private jeepney, walk to Batad village surrounded by a remote set of terraces that are sculpted like a grassy amphitheatre. Adventurous guests have the option to descend a hidden staircase to the crashing Tappiya waterfalls for a refreshing swim. Overnight at Banaue Hotel.

Things to do:

8

Banaue & Pampanga

After breakfast, check out and drive for 7-hours to Pampanga on the northern shores of Manila Bay. The rest of the day is free to relax. Overnight at Park Inn by Radisson.

Things to do:

9

Pampanga & Bohol

Starting early today, take a packed breakfast from the hotel and drive to Tarlac for a trek to Mount Pinatubo. You’ll drive across the lunar-like landscape of Crow Valley in a a 4x4 Filipino jeep, before walking along a spectacular mountain trail to the crater of the volcano. Mount Pinatubo’s truly unique environment was created by the world’s second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century on the 15th June 1991. After lunch, drive for 2 to 3-hours to Manila, then fly to Panglao where a local representative will be waiting at the airport to transfer you to your resort. Overnight at Amorita Resort.

Things to do:

10

Bohol

Take a packed breakfast from the resort and head to the beachfront where a motorised outrigger boat will be waiting. Your first destination is Pamilacan Island, where you’ll search for the resident dolphins and whales. On the island itself, a fascinating walking tour offers the chance to interact with local fishing families and learn about their traditional culture and practices such as harvesting fresh sea urchins. You’ll also enjoy a delicious fresh seafood lunch, prepared and served al fresco by the local women’s association. Then continue to Balicasag, a tiny island surrounded by a beautiful reef that is a designated marine sanctuary. It’s a fabulous place to snorkel, its waters being home to some of the richest marine biodiversity in the country, including a vast variety of fish and green turtles. Overnight at Amorita Resort.

Things to do:

11

Bohol & El Nido

Enjoy a final breakfast at your resort, then transfer to the airport for the short flight to El Nido. On arrival you’ll be met by a representative, then travel to your resort by a combination of land and boat transfer. The afternoon is free to relax and explore. Overnight at Pangulasian Island Resort.

Things to do:

12

El Nido

After breakfast, meet an experienced resort guide for a half-day of island hopping. El Nido forms the gateway to the remote Bacuit archipelago, a vast marine reserve home to over 800 species of fish and 100 species of coral, as well as endangered marine turtles. Highlights of the cruise include the Big Lagoon, a breeding ground for fish and crustaceans, the Secret Lagoon with its white sand beach concealed by cliffs, and the scenic S-shaped sandbar of Snake Island. Depending on weather and tide conditions, you’ll enjoy lunch either on the boat, on a beach, or back at your resort. The afternoon is free for relaxation. Overnight at Pangulasian Island Resort.

Things to do:

13

El Nido

Enjoy a relaxed hike taking in the finest nature and wildlife of neighbouring Lagen Island. The dense forests here are home to a vast variety of endemic tree species and a wide diversity of thriving birdlife, including the majestic Palawan hornhill. The moderate hiking trail takes around an hour to complete, allowing plenty of time to observe the wildlife and learn about the forest from your local guide. The trail ends at a secluded beach, with time for a refreshing swim or snorkel before returning to your resort by private boat. The afternoon is free to enjoy some beach time, a wide selection of watersports, or relax in the infinity pool or resort spa. Overnight at Pangulasian Island Resort.

Things to do:

14

El Nido & Departure

Your tour comes to an end today. After breakfast, you’ll have some final leisure time before transferring to the airport for your return flight to Manila and onward travel.

Holiday Budget
Guide price information

Year round

£8,500

Alfred & Adele Jones

Adele Jones was charmed by Laos’s untouched natural beauty, history and traditions from the minute she first arrived, and the people she met along the way only cemented her affection for this tiny corner of South East Asia. Her favourite places include Luang Prabang’s colourful markets, the winding mountain road to Vang Vieng and the scenic Kuang Si Waterfalls.

Adele Jones

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Suzanne, who's travelled extensively in The Philippines. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember – the free diver who can take you swimming with turtles, the guides who can take you to secret lagoons and hidden beaches, and the locals who can school you in the art of nipa weaving.

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