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12 Day itinerary in Philippines, Asia

Visayas, the Center of the Philippines

You are heading to the Central Visayas, an archipelago in which you can hop from an island to another island and have extraordinary encounters. You can indeed swim with the whale-sharks, see a school of sardines and observe amazing coral reefs. Waterfalls, tropical jungle, coconut trees, sand bars b... 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 as a Guide

starting point

Manila

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Indigenous culture

Meet local people

Snorkeling/Diving

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Chocolate Hills and the Tarsiers of Bohol

2

Cambughay Falls and fish spa under the Enchanted Balate Tree

3

Whalesharks Watching and Sumilon Sandbar

4

balinsasayaw twin lakes natural park, the twin falls and the sulfur vents of Valencia

Itinerary

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Day 1

place Welcome to Manila, Philippines!

Upon arrival in Manila airport (NAIA), your driver will be waiting for you outside the corresponding terminal to take you to your hotel near the Manila Bay : The Manila Hotel located next to Intramuros and described by Ernest Hemingway as "one of the most important landmarks in Manila; It presents a great story for the Philippines. It is the perfect representation of the city, if not the country's resilience, vitality, versatility and hospitality". Depending on your time of arrival, you will be going to Intramuros for a unique visit of the walled city, you will either ride a bamboo bicycle called bambike to discover the ancient city built by the spaniards or, if you don't mind a late night, we will take you to a tour of Intramuros after dark. Either way, you will have an unforgettable experience

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: The Manila Hotel
Day 2

place Manila - Samboan : transfer to Southern Cebu via Dumaguete

Upon arrival in Dumaguete airport, we will start our adventure around for a day tour in the countryside of Dumaguete, a mountainous and volcanic area with numerous lakes and amazing waterfalls. We will hit the road to Sibulan and then we will go up to the Twin Lakes at 900 meters above sea level. In the past, they were craters. On the way, you can admire typical sceneries such as rice fields, coconut trees, volcanos, beaches. Balinsasayao Park is a naturel reserve that offers a wide variety of animal and floral species. You will have your lunch in a traditional restaurant along the way down, that overviews the Tañon Straight and the valley below it. After your meal, you will be riding the van again and head to the port of Sibulan where you will take the fast craft bound to Liloan-Santander, at the tip of Cebu Island. It takes only 25 minutes to reach your destination. From there, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to Fantasy Lodge where you will spend the next 2 nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Fantasy Lodge Cebu
Day 3

place Samboan : whale shark watching and Sumilon Island

For this day, you will be leaving early since you will be visiting Oslob, Cebu and bond with the whale sharks. Oslob is now very famous all over the world for its whale-sharks. It’s one of the rare spots where you can watch and swim with the biggest fish of the world. You don’t have to worry since this specie is friendly and does not harm any human, unless attacked. You will board small boats (bancas) that will bring you closer to these animals. Those who wish to swim with them will be allowed to do so with a snorkelling gear. But Cebu is more than just a dive spot to see the majestic whale sharks, after, this unique encounter, you will be heading to Sumilon Island famous for its surreal sandbar: this tiny island has a lot of hidden treasures waiting to be discovered! Lunch will be served in Bluewater Sumilon, the only resort of the island. And in the afternoon, you will go back to Samboan and your resort.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Fantasy Lodge Cebu
Day 4

place Samboan - Dumaguete : Transfer to the city of pleasant people and visit of Valencia

You will be going back to Negros Island. You will cross the Tañon Strait again and upon arrival, a driver will be waiting for you. The island of Negros is located in the western Visayas and divided into two provinces: Negros occidental in the south west part with Dumaguete as the capital city, and Negros Oriental in the North East part with Bacolod as the capital city. In the south of the island, the Tablas Plateau offers a stunning view thanks to the famous Twin Lakes and the Casaroro Falls. You will enjoy the coastal areas that lead you to beautiful treasures. The delicate white sand beaches along the west coast are opposed to the small creeks with dark sand beaches along the east coast. Upon arrival in Sibulan port, you will head to Valencia to discover the Pulang Bato falls and their iron waters coming from Mount Talinis, the highest peak of the province. You can swim under the falls and in the pool filled with source water. Right after this exciting adventure, you will be checking in to your hotel, The Henry Resort Dumaguete.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: The Henry Resort Dumaguete
Day 5

place Dumaguete : Free Day

Today is your free day! but you are given the chance to explore this amazing province by going to its historical place located in the are or go to its countryside as they have much to offer. You may visit the campus of Siliman University, the first protestant university in the Philippines is worth a visit, with its anthropology museum and the boulevard along the sea is also very pleasant with its century old acacias. You might be interested in discovering another lake: the lake Balanan, or another option would be to take the coastal road along the Tañon Strait again until Bais also called the Maldives of the Philippines where you can enjoy the Manjuyod sandbar and see some dolphins.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: The Henry Resort Dumaguete
Day 6

place Dumaguete - Siquijor: transfer to the island of fire

You will be leaving early as you will be transferring from Dumaguete to Siquijor. Upon arrival in Siquijor, a vehicle from the resort will wait for you to take you to the Coco Grove Beach Resort. If you dreamt of a peaceful place with white sand beach, blue sky and pristine water rich in corals with an amazing marine life, Siquijor is the place to go. You can do whatever you want to do in this resort, you can relax, chill, and enjoy the premises. At night, you might want to have dinner by the beach in either Salamandas restaurant or Sunset restaurant, the two restaurants of the Coco Grove Beach resort, unless you prefer to visit the surroundings of San Juan.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Day 7

place Siquijor: Day tour around the isla Puerto del fuego

You will leave the guesthouse early and go around the island through the coastal road with either a tricycle or a multicab (the modern and smaller version of the jeepney). You will be charmed by the calmness and the beauty of Siquijor that was once called Isla del fuego by the Spaniards when they discovered it. They were indeed surprised by the fireflies in the talisay trees that light up the island at night. You will take the coastal road to take you around the island and visit an ancient convent and the Church of San Isidor de Labrador in Lazi. Then, you will head to a virgin coconut oil factory where you can of course get some supplies. After this, it will be time to take a dip in the Cambugahay Falls where you will be able to swim and refresh yourself. Right after, you will have the chance to relax the fish spa under the Enchanted Balete tree. You will then have your lunch at Paliton beach. After eating, you will be free to enjoy the beach and rest. On our way back to the guesthouse, we will make a last stop by a shell museum. Back to the resort, you still have enough time to unwind and enjoy.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Day 8

place Free day (or in option: Swimming with the turtles and visit of Apo Island)

Today is your FREE DAY! You will be given the option to visit Apo Island, where you can enjoy many activities. This rocky island is surrounded by extremely well-preserved coral reefs that you will have the chance to admire with a snorkeling gear, if you can take your eyes off the turtles. You will be departing early since it takes an hour and a half to reach Apo Island. Upon arrival, you will access the marine sanctuary, accompanied by a local guide, and swim with the turtles. Aside from turtles, Apo's coral reef is known for its underwater wildlife: Siliman University biologists have spotted over 600 species of fish and 400 species of coral, making Apo one of the 5 best snorkeling spots in the Philippines. Lunch will be served on the beach at Apo Island Beach Resort. You still have enough time to swim in the crystal clear waters of this marvelous island. Other than the Apo Island tour option, it is also possible to rent scooters to explore 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 hire and you will also find them in the nearby shops.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Coco Grove Beach Resort
Day 9

place Siquijor - Bohol : transfer to Loboc

Upon arrival at the port of Tagbilaran, a vehicle will be waiting for you to take you to the Loboc River resort where you will spend the night. Loboc River Resort is a charming resort along the Loboc river made of elevated cottages. You will have your diner facing the river in a calm and romantic atmosphere. After dinner, you will embark on a short cruise to see the fireflies in the Talisay trees.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Loboc River Resort
Day 10

place Loboc-Panglao : Discover Bohol

You will have a real taste of Bohol experience and a whole day of visits as follows : - Loboc Eco-tourism Adventure Park (optional) : a 520m long zip-line, 120m above the Loboc river, - Tarsier Sanctuary : watch the smallest primate in the world. - Chocolate Hills, - Bilar man-made forest - River-Cruise on a floating restaurant, - Baclayon or Alburquerque church - Blood compact. You will arrive in Panglao in late afternoon and check in to your accomodation: South Palms Resort, where you will spend the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: South Palms Resort Panglao
Day 11

place Panglao : Free Day or Dolphin watching and Pamilacan Island (optional)

Another free day to enjoy! Once again, you will be given an option to tour around Pamilacan Island. If you opt for this adventure, you will discover Pamilacan, a small and traditionnal fishermen’s island. At sunrise, you will take a banca and on your way, you might see some dolphins ! You can do some snorkeling in their marine sanctuary or enjoy a hilot massage by the beach. Don’t hesitate to take a walk to visit the island. You will be back in Panglao later in the afternoon where you can either relax or go to Alona Beach, the famous tourist spot where most hotels, restaurants, bars, dive shops are located

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: South Palms Resort Panglao
Day 12

place Panglao - Manila

Every fun adventure always has to end but worry not since you can still have more journey to experience! Depending on your flight schedule, a driver will pick you up at your hotel to send you to the airport so that you can take your flight bound to Manila and then your international flight. Have a safe trip!

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • The Manila Hotel
  • Fantasy Lodge Cebu
  • The Henry Resort Dumaguete
  • Coco Grove Beach Resort
  • Loboc River Resort
  • South Palms Resort Panglao

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (10)
  • Lunch (5)
  • Dinner (2)

Transport expand_less

  • Van
  • Multicab

Activities expand_less

  • Whale shark watching
  • Dolphin watching

Not Included expand_less

  • International flights
  • Tips
  • Meals (unless explicitely mentioned otherwise)
  • Porters
  • Terminal Fees and Luggages for boat trips
  • Drinks

About Jennylene

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Expertise: 

Hiking

Snorkeling/Diving

Visit markets

Meet local people

Rural home stays

Indigenous culture

Wellness retreat

Kayak & Canoe

Purposeful Travel

Nature & Wildlife

Food & Culinary

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