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10 Day itinerary in Philippines, Asia

Discovery of the Visayas

Welcome (Mabuhay) to the heart of the Visayas region. You set course for the central part of the Visayas archipelago. This island-to-island itinerary will allow you to discover varied tropical landscapes, unspoiled nature with amazing biodiversity and a welcoming and smiling people. You will follow ... Read More

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JennyleneBrian JanJela MaeKevin

By Jennylene, Brian Jan, Jela Mae and Kevin

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Light
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

Driver

starting point

Cebu City

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Meet local people

Nature & Wildlife

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Discover Bohol

2

Whale Shark tour

3

Visit the waterfalls of Valencia

4

Visit to the mystical island

Itinerary

Standard Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Arrival in Cebu

You land at Mactan International Airport. After passing immigration and collecting your luggage, your guide will be waiting for you outside the terminal to take you by bus to the city center to proceed with your check-in. Tonight, you’ll sleep near Ayala Shopping Center, one of the city’s main shopping malls, at the Elizabeth Hotel, in a deluxe room. The island of Cebu is in the middle of the Visayas and is about 200 km long, it does not exceed 40km wide. It is a modestly sized and one of the most important cultural and economic centres in the country. The city of Cebu is the oldest in the Philippines and is nicknamed the Queen City of the South. Economically, the city is particularly active thanks to exports (2nd port of the country) and the many call centers, most of them are located in the IT park district. For dinner, we will take the direction of the Circa 1900, a restaurant that opens the doors of an ancestral house with well -established traditions. So you will have your dinner in a decoration more than a century old. After dinner, you will return to the hotel.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Hotel Elizabeth Cebu
Day 2

place Whale sharks and transfer to Dumaguete

In the morning, you will leave early, at 6am, just after breakfast, to follow the coast to Oslob, in the south of the island. Along the way, you will make a stop for the visit of the picturesque market of the small town of Carcar. You can observe the local life and discover the fruits and fish of the Visayas (archipelago of the central region of the Philippines). The market of Carcar is famous for the Lechon Baboy (pig on the spit, legacy of the Spanish colonization). Then, you will take the road to Oslob, a small village now known worldwide for its assembly of whale sharks, the largest fish of creation, visible only in a few places of the world. In Oslob, whale shark watching is done from small pendulum boats called bancas. These boats accommodate 6 to 12 passengers plus a guide. The observation lasts 30 mins. You can take pictures and get into the water, if you wish with mask and snorkel (provided on site) to swim with these fabulous animals. Some specimens reach 14 meters in length and can weigh up to 10 tons. Nevertheless, oslob whale sharks are young males and are therefore less imposing. Peaceful and completely harmless, they eat only plankton and small fish such as sardines and anchovies, as well as krill. After this unforgettable experience, you will leave Oslob to go for lunch in a traditional Filipino restaurant, by the sea, which is located next to the Santander-Liloan embarkation from where you will take the ferry (or on Dumaguete according to the schedule). The crossing (25 minutes) will allow you to reach the island of Negros and the town of Dumaguete. Upon arrival in Sibulan, you will be taken to your holiday resort: the Coco Grande, a charming hotel located in Dumaguete Dumaguete itself, next to the Silliman campus. Dinner will be served either at the hotel or in a restaurant in Dumaguete.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Coco Grande Hotel
Day 3

place The twin lakes of Balinsasayao and the waterfalls of Valencia

The island of Negros, in the Western Visayas is divided into two provinces: Negros Occidental in the northwest with the capital, Bacolod, and Negros Oriental in the Southeast with Dumaguete as its capital. We find the largest sugar cane plantations on Negros which is one of the main producers in the world. This is also the reason why Negros was nicknamed (Sugar Island). In the south of the island, the Tablas plateau offers incomparable landscapes thanks in particular to the twin lakes and waterfalls of Casaroro. You will enjoy the coast that will lead you to these incredible treasures. Delicate white sand beaches along the west coast contrast with small dark sand coves on the east coast. We will start our adventure around 8:30 am, after breakfast for a day in the hinterland of Dumaguete, a region both mountainous and volcanic with many lakes and impressive waterfalls. So we will take the direction of Sibulan and then we will go up to the twin lakes about 900 meters above sea level. These lakes are ancient craters, on the way you can admire typical landscapes made of rice fields, coconut palms, volcanoes and beaches. Balinsasayao Park is a protected nature reserve with varied fauna and flora. You can cross the first lake by boat or simply go around it on foot to cross the jungle for 900 meters. It is not a long walk but in this tropical climate, nevertheless expect a good sweat. On the other side, a turret in height, allows you to admire the two lakes. We will then re-enter our steps to have lunch at the Azaléa restaurant, a traditional restaurant that offers stunning views of the Tañon Strait and the valley just below. (or simply at the top of the twin lakes). After lunch, we will take the road back towards Valencia to discover the pulang Bato falls and their ferrous waters coming from Mount Talinis, the highest point of the province. You can cool off under the falls and in a basin filled with spring water. Before returning to the resort.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Coco Grande Hotel
Day 4

place Transfer to Siquijor

After breakfast, we will cross the city on foot to go to the market where we can taste in particular the Jaquier. We will continue our march to observe the bell tower and visit the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria. Then, we will go up the seafront to the port to take the boat to Siquijor. The crossing lasts less than an hour, a vehicle will be waiting for you to take you to your resort where lunch will be served. You will arrive in a very beautiful and spacious beach resort, built of traditional materials, along the large blond sandy beach of San Juan, on the east coast of Siquijor: Coco Grove Beach Resort. You will stay either in bungalows by the beach or in the building at the entrance of the resort. The resort is spacious and quiet. It has four pools, three restaurants, a spa, and a dive center. You will have the rest of the afternoon free to enjoy the 700m long beach and the hotel amenities. The Tubod marine reserve in front of your resort presents an interesting sample of the biodiversity of the seas of the archipelago. Do not hesitate to equip yourself with a mask and a snorkel. If you dreamed of a quiet place with a white sandy beach, blue sky and crystal clear coral-rich waters with stunning underwater wildlife, Siquijor is the perfect place. The island of fire is one of the many nicknames given to this small island in the Philippines, recognized as being inhabited by many sorcerers and healers. Every year, many healers gather to stock up on herbs, roots, oils and medicinal concoctions. If you enjoy massages, know that the traditional massage of the Philippines is better known as "Hilot" which means massage or healer in Tagalog. Hilot is not only a technique, it has a lot in common with acupuncture and aromatherapy. Its purpose is to improve blood circulation and that of all body fluids, this participates in a good emotional "digestion" of problems and traumas. In the evening you will have dinner on the beach in one of the hotel's restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Day 5

place Visit to the mystical island

Today, we invite you to discover Siquijor and go around the island by jeepney. You will be enchanted by the calm and beauty of Siquijor, which the Spaniards called La Puerta isla del fuego in reference to the clouds of fireflies that illuminated the talisays at night. We will leave after breakfast, around 9am and take the 80 km of the circular road, very little frequented, to discover the multiple beaches that stretch the along the coast, like that of Salagdoong. You will stop in particular by the church of Lazi and its convent, visit a factory for the extraction of virgin coconut oil, you can also make some purchases if you wish. You'll cool off at the edge of Cambugahay Falls, discover as much as possible the amazing practices of local healers that give Siquijor its reputation as a mystical island, and also enjoy a fish spa at the shadow of a banyan several hundred years old. And before you go back to the hotel, we also recommend you to visit, if you are interested in a shell museum, right next to the resort. A day in the fresh air, between nature and culture. In the evening, dinner will be served at the hotel, in one of their restaurants, by the sea.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Day 6

place Free day or discovery of apo island

You can take advantage of this free day to go diving or simply loam in the hotel grounds. It is also possible to rent scooters to discover what the island still has to offer: Mount Bandilaan (the highest point of the island at 600m above water level), the Cantabon cave, etc ... The resort offers scooters for rent and you will also find them in the nearby shops. If you prefer, you can also take the opportunity to discover Apo Island. You will make extraordinary encounters since you leave in this case for a boat trip on the island of Apo and will have the opportunity to swim with turtles! This rocky island is surrounded by extremely well preserved coral reefs that you will have the chance to simply admire with mask and snorkel, if you manage to detach your eyes from the turtles. Departure is scheduled at 8am from the hotel. The crossing is not very long since it is about 45 minutes. Upon arrival, you will access the marine sanctuary, accompanied by a local guide, and swim with the turtles. Apart from turtles, Apo's coral reef is known for its underwater wildlife: biologists at Siliman University have identified more than 600 species of fish and 400 species of corals, making Apo one of the 5 best spots in the Philippines for making PMT (palm, mask and snorkel). Divers obviously see this, too, as a great opportunity. Lunch will be served on the beach. After eating, you will still have time to relax and swim in these crystal clear waters. You will be back at the resort in the late afternoon, around 5pm. This day is organized by the resort, just inquire with the reception to know their availability

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Day 7

place Transfer to Bohol

You can enjoy the hotel again for a good part of the morning since you will leave the Coco Grove Resort around 11am towards the port of Larena to take the Ocean Jet from 12.30pm, to Tagbilaran. Upon arrival at the port, a vehicle will be waiting for you to take you to the banks of the Loboc River and more particularly to the Loboc River Resort where you will spend a night. The Loboc River Resort is a very beautiful eco-lodge, consisting of cottages on stilts on the banks of the Loboc River. The tropical atmosphere, the magic of the river and the extreme friendliness of the staff give this small establishment of about twenty rooms an incomparable charm. The location is ideal for discovering the interior of Bohol. After dinner on the deck, you will embark on a small cruise to go see the fireflies in the trees by the river.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Loboc River Resort
Day 8

place To discover Bohol

We will take you to discover the most interesting sites of the island. The itinerary thus includes - Loboc Eco-tourism Adventure Park (optional, 450 pesos/person), a steel wire that connects the two banks of the river, 520m long, 120m high, to cross in a lying position for the bird's eye view of the river and for fun. - The sanctuary of tarsiers: the tarsier is considered the smallest primate in the world. It is an endangered protected species. The island of Bohol is home to two sanctuaries where we can observe some specimens that live in freedom (the tarsier is a fearful animal, nocturnal, which does not tolerate life in captivity) - Twin suspension bridges, - The chocolate hills, these amazing geological formations that form a sheepish landscape, chocolate color in the dry season - A meal-cruise on the river Loboc, We have lunch on a barge, in a musical atmosphere by letting ourselves be seduced by the atmosphere of the surrounding tropical jungle - The church of Baclayon, the oldest stone church on the island, a place of memory that retraces the Christianization of Bohol by the Spanish - The Blood compact: a statue that commemorates the blood pact made by Legazpi and Sikatuna in 1565 to ratify the agreement made between the Spanish conquerors and the inhabitants of Bohol. In the late afternoon, you will arrive at your resort on Panglao: the Bohol Beach Club where you will spend your last two nights. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Bohol Beach Club
Day 9

place Free day or outing on Pamilacan Island (optional)

Today, you can enjoy your last day in Bohol to rest or to discover Pamilacan. At sunrise, around 6am/6.30am, if you choose this option, you will embark on a banca to take the direction of the small island of Pamilacan, known for its dolphin spot and for the hospitality of its population. She can be seen from the hotel beach. The captain and his crew will try to spot the dolphins. With a little luck, the show is magical... From the splendid white sandy beach of Pamilacan, you can snorkel in the marine sanctuary and coral garden. You will have a traditional lunch on the beach, prepared by the women of the village. You can then enjoy a traditional massage on the beach or stroll inside the island and along the huge deserted beach. The return to the Bohol Beach Club is scheduled around 3pm. So you will have the rest of the afternoon for free to enjoy the hotel or to go to Alona beach, the touristic and lively beach where there are many restaurants, hotels, bars,diving clubs, etc ... Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Standard Accommodation: Bohol Beach Club
Day 10

place Return to Cebu

In the morning, shortly after breakfast, you will have to leave the Bohol Beach Club to return to Cebu. You will take the ferry to Tagbilaran for a two-hour crossing at the end of which you will disembark on the island of Cebu. Arriving at the port, you will see fort San Pedro which adjoins the plaza Indepencia, then you will discover the cross of Magellan and enter the oldest church in the country and Asia, the Basilica Santo Niño where is housed the famous statuette of the holy child, brought from Spain by Magellan himself. This statuette is the subject of a real cult, it will be for you the opportunity to realize the fervour of the Filipinos. Then we will make a stop by the SM shopping center to make the last purchases before going to Mactan for lunch at the water's edge, at the Yacht Club. Then it will be time to go to the airport, a 5-minute drive away, to drop you off at Terminal 2 (international flights) at least 2 hours before your return flight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Hotel Elizabeth Cebu
  • Coco Grande Hotel
  • Coco Grove Beach Resort
  • Loboc River Resort
  • Bohol Beach Club

Meals expand_less

  • Dinner (9)
  • Breakfast (9)
  • Lunch (7)

Transport expand_less

  • All privatized land transfers
  • Four boat crossings: Santander-Sibulan, Dumaguete-Siquijor, Larena-Tagbilaran, Tagbilaran-Cebu

Activities expand_less

  • Visit of the historic heart of Cebu (Cross of Magellan, Basilica santo Nino)
  • Carcar market, observation and swimming with whale sharks, visit of the anthropological museum
  • Visit of the hinterland of Dumaguete
  • Visit of Siquijor,
  • Observations of fireflies
  • Visit of Bohol

Extras expand_less

  • 24/7 local assistance

Not Included expand_less

  • International Flights
  • Tips & Gratuities
  • Personal Expenses
  • Drinks
  • Port and airport taxes as well as the possible check-in of luggage during sea crossings
  • Porters

About Jennylene

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Expertise: 

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

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Nature & Wildlife

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