Philippines Island Hopping: Cebu, Bohol, Coron and El Nido

Day 1: Fly to Cebu

Today you will start your Philippine adventure by flying to Cebu International Airport.

Day 2: Arrive in Cebu

Your guide meets you at Mactan-Cebu International Airport and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to rest after your journey.

Deluxe

Philippines

Heritage Hotel – Manila

Heritage Hotel Manila offers a comfortable, convenient, and modern stay with welcoming and hospitable service

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 3: Cebu Heritage Tour and Ferry to Bohol

Cebu is where Magellan landed in 1521 and where the Spanish began to build their colony. Visit Magellan’s Cross, the Basilica del Santo Niño, Fort San Pedro and the old Parian district, and walk through the busy Carbon Market. In the afternoon, take the fast ferry to Tagbilaran on Bohol, around two hours. Overnight on Bohol.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 4: Bohol: Chocolate Hills, Tarsiers and the Loboc River

After breakfast, check out and meet your local guide in the lobby for a captivating Landmarks and Historical Tour of Cebu, where the rich tapestry of history blends seamlessly with a commitment to sustainability. Begin your journey in the historic district of Parian, where well-preserved ancestral homes tell the story of Cebu’s multicultural heritage. Next, marvel at the Cebu Heritage Monument, which vividly illustrates pivotal moments in the city’s past.

Take a stroll along Colon Street, the oldest street in the country, and immerse yourself in its vibrant atmosphere. Visit the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, a testament to the enduring legacy of the region’s cultural and religious heritage, before heading to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño. This spiritual haven embraces green initiatives, from energy-efficient lighting to waste reduction programmes. Nearby, discover Magellan’s Cross, a symbol of resilience, where sustainable efforts preserve the historic cross planted by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Explore Fort San Pedro’s triangular fortress, showcasing Spanish colonial architecture alongside sustainable restoration practices. Then, dive into the National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu, a cultural repository dedicated to heritage and sustainability through innovative conservation techniques.

Conclude your tour at the bustling Carbon Market, where history and local commerce converge. Experience the lively atmosphere while recognising sustainable practices that support local livelihoods. After the tour, head to the seaport for a ferry trip to Tagbilaran City, the capital of Bohol. Upon arrival, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in and an overnight stay.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 5: Bohol Marine Day

An early boat takes you out to Pamilacan Island to look for dolphins, with a local boatman who keeps a respectful distance. Then snorkel the coral reef at Balicasag Island, a marine sanctuary, and walk on the sandbar of Virgin Island. The afternoon is free. Overnight on Bohol.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 6: Bohol to Southern Cebu

Take a boat across to the southern tip of Cebu. Visit the Spanish-era church and coral-stone barracks of Oslob, swim below Tumalog Falls and walk on the white sandbar of Sumilon Island. Whale shark feeding at Oslob is not included, as we don’t support it. Continue to Badian. Overnight at Badian Island Wellness Resort.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 7: Kawasan Falls and Moalboal

In the morning, join a guided canyoneering trip, jumping, swimming and sliding down a river canyon to the turquoise pools of Kawasan Falls. Helmets and life jackets are provided, and you can skip the higher jumps. In the afternoon, snorkel off Moalboal among millions of sardines, with turtles often seen nearby. Overnight at Badian Island Wellness Resort.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 8: Cebu to Coron

Drive back to Mactan-Cebu airport, around three hours, and fly to Busuanga, the gateway to Coron. Overnight in Coron.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 9: Coron Lakes and Lagoons

A private boat day. Swim in Kayangan Lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs, then visit Twin Lagoon, the Coral Garden and CYC Beach. Overnight in Coron.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 10: Coron Wrecks and Beaches

Snorkel in the clear waters of Barracuda Lake and over the Skeleton Wreck, a shallow Second World War wreck, then relax on Atwayan and Smith beaches and visit Green Lagoon. Overnight in Coron.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 11: Coron to El Nido

Take the short flight from Busuanga to El Nido, around 45 minutes. The afternoon is free to explore the town or watch the sunset from the beach. Overnight in El Nido.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 12: El Nido Lagoons

Board a private boat to explore the Bacuit Archipelago. Kayak into the Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon on Miniloc Island, snorkel at Shimizu Island, and stop for lunch on the beach at Payong-Payong. End the day at Seven Commando Beach. Overnight in El Nido.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 13: El Nido Beaches and Islands

A second day by boat. Visit Matinloc Shrine, swim at Secret Beach and Hidden Beach, reached through gaps in the limestone cliffs, and snorkel at Helicopter Island and Tapiutan Island. Overnight in El Nido.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch

Day 14: El Nido to Manila and Intramuros

Fly to Manila, around 1 hour 20 minutes. In the afternoon, take a guided walk through Intramuros, the walled Spanish city, with Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral, Casa Manila and San Agustin Church, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Manila.

• Board Includes:
• Breakfast

Day 15: Binondo and Departure

If your flight time allows, take a morning food walk in Binondo, Manila’s historic Chinatown. Then transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport for your flight home.