Philippines Holidays

Planned by Alex Robinson, our Philippines specialist · Updated October 2026

Philippines Bespoke Holidays

The Philippines is made up of more than 7,000 islands, and it offers far more than beaches. On a bespoke Philippines holiday you can walk among 2,000-year-old rice terraces in the mountains of Luzon, see the hanging coffins of Sagada, paddle into the hidden lagoons of El Nido, snorkel over coral reefs and shipwrecks in Coron, and meet the tiny tarsiers of Bohol. Filipinos are famously warm and welcoming, and English is widely spoken, which makes travelling easy.

Every trip is planned privately around you, with local guides, hand-picked hotels and private boats, so you avoid the crowds and travel at your own pace. For more ideas, see the best things to do in the Philippines.

Why Choose Our Philippines Bespoke Holidays?

• Private guides and boats: your own island-hopping boats in El Nido and Coron, and local guides in the mountains and cities.
• Smooth connections: with so many islands, getting around is the hard part. We book your domestic flights, ferries and transfers so everything fits together.
• Mountains and islands: we combine the culture of northern Luzon with the beaches and reefs of the Visayas and Palawan. Browse our Philippines hotels.
• Financial protection: every booking is protected through the Travel Trust Association. Read about our financial protection.

Where to Go in the Philippines

Manila

Most trips start in the capital. Explore Intramuros, the walled Spanish city, with Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and take a food walk through Binondo, one of the world’s oldest Chinatowns.

Banaue, Batad and Sagada

In the Cordillera mountains of northern Luzon, the Ifugao people carved rice terraces into the hillsides by hand more than 2,000 years ago. Walk down to the village of Batad, part of the UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, and swim at Tappiya Waterfall. Nearby Sagada is a cool mountain town known for its hanging coffins, caves and pine forests.

Palawan: El Nido, Coron and the Underground River

Palawan is the long island in the west, famous for limestone islands and turquoise lagoons. Island hop by private boat around El Nido’s Bacuit Archipelago, swim in the clear lakes and snorkel over Second World War wrecks in Coron, and paddle into the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bohol and Cebu

In the Visayas, Bohol has the Chocolate Hills, the tarsier sanctuary in Corella and coral reefs around Balicasag. On Cebu, canyoneer down to the turquoise pools of Kawasan Falls and snorkel among millions of sardines at Moalboal.

Siargao, Boracay and Donsol

Siargao is a laid-back surfing island with lagoons and coconut forests. Boracay has one of Asia’s best-known white-sand beaches. In Donsol, you can swim with wild whale sharks with a trained local guide, mainly from about November to June.

The Philippines at a Glance

Our Philippines Itineraries

Each of these is a starting point that we tailor around your interests, dates and budget:

• From Highlands to Islands: 15 days, from £3,480 per person. The rice terraces, Sagada, Baguio, the Underground River and El Nido.
• Island Hopping: Cebu, Bohol, Coron and El Nido: 15 days, from £3,480 per person.

Responsible Travel in the Philippines

We work with local guides, boatmen and family-run businesses, from Ifugao guides in Batad to island communities in Palawan. For wildlife, we choose experiences where animals live freely, such as the tarsier sanctuary in Corella and wild whale sharks in Donsol, and we never include whale shark feeding. Read more about our responsible travel approach.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a tailor-made Philippines holiday cost?

Our 15-day Philippines itineraries start from £3,480 per person. The final price depends on the season, your hotels, how many domestic flights you need and whether international flights are included. We’ll give you a full quote once we know your plans.

Do British citizens need a visa for the Philippines?

No. British citizens can visit the Philippines for up to 30 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you arrive, you may be asked for proof of an onward or return flight, and you must register on the free eTravel system within 72 hours before arrival. Always check the latest UK government advice before you travel.

How do you get around the Philippines?

Mainly by short domestic flights between the islands, with private boats for island hopping and private cars with a driver on land. The drive from Manila to the rice terraces takes most of a day, so we break it up with stops. We plan connections carefully, as flights between smaller islands don’t run every day.

Is the Philippines safe for tourists?

The main tourist areas, including Manila, the northern mountains, Palawan, Bohol, Cebu and Siargao, are generally safe to visit. The UK government advises against travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, and against all but essential travel to the rest of Mindanao, except Siargao, Camiguin and Dinagat. Our itineraries avoid these areas.

Can I combine the Philippines with other countries?

Yes. Manila and Cebu have good flight connections across Asia, so the Philippines combines well with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand or Japan. Many clients add a few days in another country at the start or end of their trip.

Who plans my Philippines holiday?

Your trip is planned by our Philippines specialist Alex Robinson, an award-winning travel journalist and photographer who writes about South-East Asia, with our trusted local partners. Every booking is protected by the Travel Trust Association (member Q059X).

Plan Your Philippines Holiday

Explore the best things to do in the Philippines, browse our Philippines hotels, read our Philippines travel guide, or see our other East Asia destinations, including Vietnam and Cambodia. To start planning, request a video call with Alex.