Wonderful Philippines

About this trip

The Philippines rewards travellers who mix history with the sea. This trip starts in Manila's walled city of Intramuros, then flies south to Cebu, where Magellan landed in 1521 and where today you can swim beside whale sharks at Oslob. A day on Bohol brings the strange, rounded Chocolate Hills, a slow lunch cruise on the Loboc River and a visit to the tiny tarsier. You finish in Clark, the old American base turned food-and-heritage town, before heading home from Manila.

• Swim with whale sharks at Oslob (optional)
• Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary on Bohol
• Loboc River cruise with lunch
• Intramuros and Rizal Park in Manila
• Private transfers and a driver-guide throughout

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1

   Bengaluru to Manila

   Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where our team meets you. Manila city tour covering Rizal Park, the walled city of Intramuros and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Check in to your hotel.

2. Day 2

   Manila to Cebu (B)

   Early breakfast and flight to Cebu. City tour: the Heritage of Cebu monument, Magellan's Cross, the Basilica del Santo Niño and Fort San Pedro, built in 1565 under Miguel López de Legazpi and the oldest, smallest fort in the country. Finish at the Taoist Temple for a view over the city. Evening at leisure.

3. Day 3

   Cebu, free day or optional tours (B)

   Option 1: Oslob whale-shark watching, then island hopping around three islands off Moalboal to snorkel with sardine shoals and, with luck, sea turtles. Dinner at a local restaurant. Option 2: Cebu Ocean Park, the largest oceanarium in the Philippines, with coral gardens, stingrays and shark encounters.

4. Day 4

   Bohol day trip (B, L)

   About two hours by ferry to Bohol for the countryside tour: Blood Compact Shrine, Baclayon Church (a National Cultural Treasure), Loboc River cruise with lunch, the tarsier sanctuary (one of the world's smallest primates), the Bilar man-made mahogany forest and the Chocolate Hills, more than 1,200 cone-shaped hills. Return to Cebu.

5. Day 5

   Cebu to Clark / Angeles (B)

   Check out and fly to Clark. City tour: Holy Rosary Parish Church, Museo ning Angeles, the Center for Kapampangan Studies, a Clark rolling tour and Clark Museum. Check in to your hotel.

6. Day 6

   Angeles to Manila, fly home (B)

   Early breakfast and road transfer to Manila airport for your flight to India.

B = breakfast, L = lunch. Timings can change with flight schedules and weather.

Price per person

Land package, 3-star hotels, twin sharing, group of 7–10. Couples from USD 690. Airfare extra.

Optional tours

• Oslob whale-shark watching and island hoppingUSD 140 (2–3 pax) · USD 130 (4–6) · USD 120 (7–10)
• Cebu Ocean ParkUSD 70 (2–3 pax) · USD 60 (4–6) · USD 50 (7–10)
• Pinatubo hot spring adventureUSD 160 (2–3 pax) · USD 150 (4–6)

Hotels used

Manila

3★ Manila Prince Hotel, Microtel by Wyndham, City State or similar · 4★ Holiday Inn Express, Armada, Savoy, Bayleaf or similar

Cebu

3★ Golden Prince, Golden Peak, Castle Peak, Bayfront or similar · 4★ Parklane, Waterfront, Holiday Inn Express, Seda or similar

Angeles / Clark

3★ Prime Asia, Pacific Breeze, SureStay by Best Western or similar · 4★ Widus Hotel, W Clark, Oasis Hotel

Booking terms

• No rooms are reserved yet; rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking.
• 50% advance to reserve; balance due 25 days before the travel date.
• USD 40 extra for international bank transfer charges.
• Any unused part of a confirmed tour is not refundable.
• Any postponement or cancellation attracts charges.
• Hotel check-in 2:00 pm, check-out 11:30 am.
• Rates apply to regular and lean seasons; peak and high-peak rates apply on special Philippine holidays.

See also our cancellation & refund policy.