10-Day Philippines Natural Attractions Trip to Puerto Princesa City, Bohol Island & Cebu City
Description
Details
Description
Go on a 10-day trip to the Philippines and explore its highlands in Luzon and the island provinces of Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan. You will be able to visit iconic and stunning sites and even underrated attractions. This package already includes your accommodations with breakfast, roundtrip flights to Manila, and land and sea transfers.
For your tour in Manila, you'll get to visit Intramuros, the city's historic district. You can expect to see structures that are several centuries old, engaging museums, and more. During your trip to the highlands, you will visit fascinating parks and tourist sites, like Baguio's Camp John Hay. In Benguet, you'll go to La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. In Tarlac, you'll hike up Mt. Pinatubo.
You will be flying off to the island province of Bohol, which is the site of many natural wonders such as the Chocolate Hills and even go on the Loboc River Cruise. After visiting Bohol, you'll ride a ferry to Cebu's island province, where you will visit sites such as the grand Temple of Leah and the colorful Sirao Flower Farm.
Your trip to the Philippines isn't complete without visiting Palawan. You'll get to go on an exciting island-hopping tour of Honda Bay. What's more, you'll get to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Underground River of Puerto Princesa.
Get ready for a superb trip to the Philippines. This active vacation is not just about sight-seeing but also about having new experiences. Get the chance to handpick strawberries, swim with sea turtles, and climb an infamous volcano.
Book this 10-day vacation package to the highlands, Bohol, Cebu, and Palawan. Check availability by choosing a date.
Included
Map
Attractions
Activities
Daily itinerary
Day 1 - Day 1: Intramuros Tour
On your first day in the Philippines, you will visit Intramuros in the historic city of Manila, the capital of the country. Intramuros is the "old Manila" and is home to important landmarks and buildings. One of which is Fort Santiago, a defense fortress that was built in 1593. It was also a garrison where the national hero, Jose Rizal, was imprisoned in 1896.
You'll visit Plaza Roma, where you will find a King Charles IV Monument. This was erected in 1824 in gratitude to the king for sending smallpox vaccines to the Philippines. At Bahay Tsinoy, you'll get to see all of the contributions of the Ethnic Chinese to the country throughout the centuries.
If you are curious about life during the Spanish Colonization, you'll get a glimpse of it at Casa Manila. This museum is housed in an authentic Spanish mansion. It also has well-preserved memorabilia and furniture.
Before your reach the fort of Baluarte De San Diego, you'll pass through the lovely San Diego Gardens first. Baluarte De San Diego is an old bastion that was constructed back in 1586. You'll then visit two religious sites of Intramuros, San Agustin Church and Museum, and the Manila Cathedral.
After your tour, your van will take you to your hotel in Manila along Roxas Boulevard.
Day 2 - Day 2: Baguio Tour
The trip to Baguio City is a bit long as it is over 200km away from Manila. However, you can enjoy some nice views as you go up the Cordillera Mountains. In the city, you will visit the campus of the premier military academy of the country. The Philippine Military Academy was established during the late 1800s. Its campus occupies almost 400 hectares at Fort Del Pilar.
Baguio City is the Summer Capital of the Philippines, and it is the site of the President's official summer palace. The Mansion is a grand estate with an opulent gate and lush gardens. It was originally supposed to be the residence of the US Governors-General.
Camp John Hay was used as a military base during World War II. These days, it is a tourist destination with hotels, shops, and restaurants. It is also a forest watershed reservation.
There are plenty of parks in Baguio City, and you'll get to go to the best ones. This includes Mines View Park, Wright Park, and Centennial Park. The last attraction on the itinerary is Good Shepherd Convent. This shop sells some of the most sought-after edible souvenirs in the city, like the ube jam. It also has a notable view deck.
Day 3 - Day 3: Benguet Tour
You'll get to enjoy more highland attractions in the province of Benguet. The fertile lands and cool climate of the area make it an excellent choice for farming. Most of Luzon's vegetables are sourced in Benguet. That's why it is nicknamed the Salad Bowl of the Philippines.
You'll get to see firsthand how strawberries are farmed at your first stop of the day. La Trinidad Strawberry Farm is a large strawberry plantation. From November to May, visitors are allowed to harvest strawberries on their own. You'll have a basket to place the strawberries in, and you'll handpick the fruits.
Atok Sakura Flowers is the site of the cherry blossom trees. There are white and pink sakura trees in this garden that were planted in 2016. The Kochi prefecture and Benguet are sister cities, and the sakura trees are a gift to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their friendship.
If you want to see more amazing blooms, you'll get just that at the Northern Blossom. This flower farm has a wide range of flowers, including roses and sunflowers. You'll get to appreciate the beauty of the highlands in your next two destinations: the 2nd Highest Point and the Spanish Trail.
Day 4 - Day 4: Mt. Pinatubo Tour
Your highland attractions itinerary also includes a trip to a volcano. Mt. Pinatubo is located in the Zambales Mountain Range. You can access the volcano through the province of Tarlac.
To reach the summit of Mt. Pinatubo, you will ride a 4x4 jeep and then go hiking. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes. It should also be noted that the terrain is very rough, and the area is quite sandy.
In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo became a global issue as it made the 2nd-largest eruption in the world. Its summit was destroyed, and the surrounding lands were filled with lahar. It didn't help that soon after the eruption, a monsoon came. The caldera that formed was soon filled with rainwater and became Mt. Pinatubo's crater lake.
Certain parts of the volcano cannot be crossed by vehicles. That's why you need to hike the rest of the way towards the summit. Once you have finished the trail, you will get a rewarding view. The crater lake is a beautiful hue of blue and green, and it has a backdrop of dramatic crater walls.
After returning to the basecamp, your van will pick you up and take you back to Manila.
Day 5 - Day 5: Bohol Countryside Tour
The province of Bohol is comprised of over 70 islands. On this day, you will explore the main island of Bohol. You will ride a plane to Panglao International Airport to reach the province.
The first stop of the day is the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. Here, you will be able to see up close the delicate tarsier. This animal is one of the smallest primates in the world. Tarsiers have large eyes and heads that can twist 180 degrees.
Your next destination is the Loboc River, which can be accessed at the Loay Bridge. You will ride a floating restaurant to enjoy the Loboc River Cruise. After that, you will visit the historic Baclayon Church. Tons of religious artifacts can be found at the onsite museum.
The Butterfly Conservatory is home to different butterfly species of the province. You'll be able to know more about the butterfly and its lifespan. Bilar Forest is a 2km-long land that is planted with mahogany trees.
The final stop of the day is one of the best attractions of the province and the country. Chocolate Hills is a natural geological formation comprised of hundreds of hills spread on almost 5,000 hectares of land. After your tour, your van will take you to your hotel in Panglao.
Day 6 - Day 6: Bohol Pamilacan Island Tour
On the 6th day of your tour, you'll get to visit one of the outlying islands of Bohol. Pamilacan Island is more or less 10km away from Panglao Island. It is part of the town of Baclayon. Your van will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the boat terminal.
During your boat ride to the island, watch out for whales and dolphins. There are many whales, dolphins, and manta rays that hunting was the primary source of living for the locals. However, hunting has since been banned. When you explore the island, you may still find some houses adorned with whale bones.
These days, the people of Pamilacan are doing whale- and dolphin-watching tours instead. The island has quiet, and nice beaches tourists may relax on. If you want to see corals and fish, there is a sanctuary where you can go snorkeling.
A notable structure is located on the northern tip of the island. There is a base of an old tower that is said to be 200 years old. It was used as a watchtower during the Spanish era.
After your tour of Pamilacan, you will return to the mainland and go back to your Panglao hotel.
Day 7 - Day 7: Cebu City Tour
After exploring Bohol for two days, it's time to leave and visit another island province of Visayas. Your van will pick you up after you have checked out of your hotel and take you to the port. You will then ride a ferry to Cebu.
On your Cebu City tour, you'll be able to get to visit religious buildings and historic sites. The first stop of the day is the Taoist Temple. This colorful temple has a chapel, souvenir shop, and a library. It's set on 110m above sea level and boasts a nice view of Cebu City.
Downtown, you'll get to visit some of the most important religious sites of the country. The Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino is the Philippines' oldest Roman Catholic church. The small chapel close to the church houses Magellan's Cross. This is the very cross the explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted on Cebu's soil when he arrived in 1521.
The Heritage of Cebu Monument depicts important events that happened in the city and the province. Nearby, the Yap - San Diego Ancestral House is one of the oldest residences in the country. You'll get to see amazing architecture at the Temple of Leah and stunning views at Sirao Flower Farm.
Day 8 - Day 8: Puerto Princesa Honda Bay Island Hopping Tour
Once you have checked out of your hotel in Mandaue City, your van will pick you up and take you to the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. You'll catch a flight to Puerto Princesa International Airport.
Puerto Princesa is the capital city of Palawan. On this day, you'll get to visit one of the most visited sites of the province. From the airport, it's about 10km to the Sta. Lourdes Wharf. You'll then ride a boat to start your island-hopping tour of Honda Bay.
At Star Fish Island, you can guess from the name what you'll be able to see. There are many starfishes on the shore of the island. If you go snorkeling, you'll be able to spot fishes like the puffer or yellowtail snapper.
At Cowrie Island, there are other things you can do aside from swimming and snorkeling. There are a few watersports, including banana boats. You can also play sports on the beach like frisbee or volleyball. It's the largest island on Honda Bay, and it has dining facilities too.
At Luli Island, you can go snorkeling again and find other species of fish. If you want an adrenaline rush, there is a diving board on the island that is about 10ft high.
Day 9 - Day 9: Puerto Princesa Underground River & City Tour
One of the most notable attractions of Palawan is the Puerto Princesa Underground River. This national park is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You will ride a boat to reach the stunning underground river.
After your tour, you will head to the city of Puerto Princesa. Baker's Hill is a popular stopover for tourists. It sells a wide range of pastries that are locally made. The best-seller is the hopia, which is a mooncake-like pastry.
You'll get a better understanding of the history of Palawan when you visit Plaza Cuartel. This was an important site during World War II. At Crocodile Farm, you'll get to see dozens of reptiles. You'll also get to learn more about the crocodile and its different species.
Be prepared for a wonderful view at Mitra's Ranch. This hilltop park overlooks Puerto Princesa City. If you want a more exciting way to enjoy the view, you can try to ride the zipline at the ranch.
At Puerto Princesa Baywalk, you'll be able to find a few dining establishments where you can get a snack. There are also shops where you can purchase souvenirs. After you tour the city, your van will take you back to your hotel in the town of Sabang.
Day 10 - Day 10: Departure to Manila
After ten days, you have visited over a dozen tourist attractions of the Philippines. The tour has come to an end, and you will go back to Manila. Your van will pick you up from Sabang and take you to Puerto Princesa International Airport. Your plane will land in Manila.
What to bring
Good to know
Please bring appropriate clothing. Please be aware that your itinerary may have to be rearranged to fit your arrival date and time better.
All our guides speak English. For other languages, contact us for availability and rates.
Not all establishments accept credit or debit cards, and ATMs can be limited.
Accommodation
See our accommodation levels below and our preferred accommodation partners under each day in the daily itinerary. All accommodation levels, bookings for one person will be arranged in single rooms, bookings for two or more people will share a twin/double, and odd number groups will always be allocated a single room. If you are travelling in a group, but prefer a single room, please make separate bookings. Teenagers and children will be arranged in the same room with parents. If additional room(s) is needed, additional costs will incur.
For multi-day guided tours, accommodation cannot be upgraded and the levels below do not apply. Guide to the Philippines will provide you with the best available accommodation at the time of your booking from our preferred partners. If our preferred partners are fully booked at the time of your booking, we will find another suitable accommodation for you of similar level.
We always do our best to accommodate special requests, which may incur additional costs. Press choose a date to find availability.
Private rooms with private bathrooms in guesthouses or small hotels with basic amenities.
Private Rooms with a private bathroom at three-star hotels or resorts located in the city center, in close vicinity, or near the beach area. Breakfast is included and with basic room amenities and toiletries.
Rooms at four-star to a five-star hotel in the city center or beachfront resort with a private bathroom at the absolute best locations with the best amenities, facilities, and services.
