14-Day Philippines Beaches, Nature, Heritage Trip to Islands of Palawan, Bohol & Cebu from Manila

On your 2nd day, you will be heading out of the city and go north for trekking. Mt. Pinatubo is situated in the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga, and Zambales. It is responsible for one of the largest volcanic eruptions back in 1991. The base camp is located in Tarlac’s Barangay Sta. Juliana. Your van will only take you to the base camp, from there you have to switch to a 4x4 vehicle. This is due to the effect of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption. The terrain has become craggy and rocky plus it is filled with lahar. It’s important to wear the proper hiking gear for your Mt. Pinatubo Tour. The 4x4 jeep will take you through Crow Valley but the mountain’s deck can only be reached on foot. Not to worry, as going up to the deck is easy enough for beginners. At the end of the trek, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the mountain’s crater lake. After your Mt. Pinatubo Tour, you will then be returning to Manila.

On the third day of your vacation, you will be leaving Luzon and go to Bohol in Visayas. You will check out of your Manila hotel and ride a van to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will then catch a flight to Panglao International Airport. The Bohol Cambuhat Tour takes place in the municipality of Buenavista. Your van will bring you to Daet Bridge where you will ride a small paddle boat. It’s just a short ride along Cambuhat River to reach the village of Cambuhat. You’ll get to see small nipa huts and mangroves as you go through the river. Once you reach Cambuhat Village, you will be immersed in the tradition and culture of the locals. You’ll be able to learn their livelihoods, one of which is the Cambuhat Oyster Farm. At the eco-friendly farm, you will find out how this shellfish is harvested and even get to try it. Another livelihood of Cambuhat Village you can know more about is their looming and weaving. The locals create various items such as brooms, mats, baskets, and hats. They even have a traditional dance, the Buri dance, which shows how they process the buri palm. After a full day at Cambuhat, you will be taken back to the island of Panglao where your accommodation is located.

It’s time to visit one of the smaller islands of the country. Put on your bathing suit and sunscreen to enjoy some island fun. Pamilacan Island is over 10km away from the island of Bohol and is home to some 2,000 locals. Back in the 90s, it was a popular site for hunting manta rays and whale sharks. This has since been banned and locals focused on whale- and dolphin-watching tours instead. From your Panglao hotel, you will ride a van and then a boat to reach Pamilacan Island. The island is just 1.75sq.km and is right in the heart of the Bohol Sea. Keep a watchful eye for sea creatures, like dolphins, you might encounter some along the way. Sightings of whales and sharks have also been reported during the past years. Once on Pamilacan Island, you have the option to simply relax on its white sand beaches or go for a swim in its clear waters. You can also explore the small Pamilacan village and learn more about the way of life on the island. After your tour, you will be taken back to your Panglao hotel.

On Day 5, you will be touring the wonderful Bohol countryside. From your Panglao accommodation, your van will take you straight to Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. This wildlife relief sanctuary is home to one of the smallest primates in the world, the Bohol Tarsier. This sensitive creature has large eyes, tourists are reminded not to take photos of them with the flash on. The next stop on the itinerary is the well-known Loboc River Cruise. You will ride a floating restaurant that will traverse the Loboc River. Enjoy fantastic views and cultural presentations during your cruise. Right after that, you will head to Baclayon Church, which is a declared National Cultural Treasure. Although it was heavily damaged in 2013 by an earthquake, Baclayon Church has been completely restored in 2017. You will head to the town of Bilar where you will visit 2 attractions. The first is the Butterfly Conservatory, which is Bohol’s first butterfly breeding and conservation livelihood program. The second is Bilar Forest, an impressive 2km man-made forest planted with mahogany trees. Finally, on your last day in Bohol, you will get to visit the famous Chocolate Hills. This remarkable geological formation consists of more than 1,000 hills sitting closely together. As the green grass of the hills turns brown during the summer, they start resembling chocolates.

It’s time to leave Bohol and head to Dumaguete City via ferry. Dumaguete is known as a university city as it is home to several educational institutions, one of which is Silliman University, your first stop on the tour. Established in 1901, Silliman University is the first American college in the Philippines. Next, you’ll be visiting the scenic and historic Rizal Boulevard. Named after Jose Rizal, the country’s National Hero, this seafront promenade was often visited by its namesake during his stays in Dumaguete. Less than a kilometer away from the boulevard are your next 2 destinations: the 18th-century St. Catherine De Alexandria church and the 18th-century Dumaguete Campanario. After that, you’ll get into the busy Dumaguete Public Market. This important city hub is frequented by locals and tourists alike. It’s a source for fresh produce, fruits, seafood, local delicacies, and more. Up next is the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park, a well-known spot for hosting festivals and events in Dumaguete. If you are ready to shop for some souvenirs, you’ll surely spot unique goods at the next 2 stops. In Barangay Daro is Claytown Pottery, which is known for its handcrafted clay pots. At Sidlakang Negros Village, you will find a number of Dumaguete arts and handicrafts. After shopping, you’ll have lunch at Lab-as Seafood, a beloved Dumaguete restaurant that has been operational since the 1980s. Try out their delicious seafood dishes, such as the Dumaguete express. Up next on the itinerary is Valencia Forest Camp, which is outside of the city proper. This expansive resort offers a relaxing mountain escape with its cold spring pools and lush landscape. Just a short ride away is the Cata-al War Museum, which has a notable World War II exhibit. At Bacong town, you will visit San Agustin de Hippo Church, which houses the Philippines’ oldest pipe organ. Also in the same town is Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage Center, where you can score exceptional novelties.

On your 7th vacation day, you will be visiting one of the world’s most popular dive sites, Apo Island. From Dumaguete City, you will ride a van to Dauin and then go on a short boat ride. Dauin is about 10km from Apo Island, a marine sanctuary inhabited by hammerheads, manta rays, and tuna. Be sure to wear your swimsuit so as not to miss out on all the sea has to offer. Aside from viewing wondrous fish and corals underwater, you will also get the chance to swim with sea turtles. With a small population on Apo Island, you can expect the beaches to be quiet. If you want to further explore the area, there is an eco trail at Apo Island’s southern end. You can have a better vantage point to appreciate the rock formations of the island. After the tour, you will head back to your hotel in Dumaguete.

The next destination on your 14-day tour is Cebu. You will check out of your Dumaguete Hotel and head to the island of Cebu via ferry. The first stop for the day is the town of Badian. It is home to the multi-layered Kawasan Falls, which features 3 waterfalls plus pools and lagoons. To better explore the beauty of Kawasan Falls, be sure to add-on the canyoneering activity to your itinerary. After visiting Badian, you will be heading north to Moalboal. This coastal town is well-known among divers as it has a good coral ecosystem. It’s the starting point for visiting interesting islands of Cebu, including your next destinations. The marine park Pescador Island is a good place to find colorful corals and exotic fish. At Turtle Island, you can spot sea turtles and also get a chance to swim with them. One of the highlights of this day tour is the Sardine Run. This unique experience will have you seeing millions of sardines all in one place. There are so many sardines, they can almost block off the sun underwater. After your tour, you will ride a boat back to the mainland and then your van will take you to your accommodation in Argao, Cebu.

Get ready to explore the attractions of Cebu City. Once you have checked out of your hotel in Argao, your van will take you to the Queen City of the South. The City of Cebu is Central Visayas’ regional center and is also a hub for trade and commerce. The Taoist Temple is the first attraction you will visit in the city. This multi-tiered temple was built in 1972. Visitors are allowed to enter the Taoist Temple, it has a souvenir shop, a chapel, a wishing well, and a library. After the temple, you will then go to downtown Cebu where the 16th-century Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino stands. It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines. Just a few steps from the basilica is the historically-significant Magellan’s Cross. Explorer Ferdinand Magellan planted the cross back in 1521. Next on the list of city sites is the Heritage of Cebu Monument. This awe-inspiring artwork is located in Parian Park. The mix of concrete, bronze, brass, and steel illustrates Cebu’s important historical events. You can learn more about the history of Cebu at the next destination, the Yap - San Diego Ancestral House. It’s the oldest house in the city, built during the 17th century. In comparison, the next attraction, the Temple of Leah, is fairly new. Built in 2012, this shrine is dedicated to a Cebuano’s wife. The elaborate Temple of Leah features Roman architectural details. Your last stop in Cebu is Sirao Flower Farm. The colorful blooms at the farm are comparable to the flowers in the Netherlands, thus earning the nickname, the Little Amsterdam of Cebu.

Day 10 of the tour package will bring you to one of the best islands in the world, Palawan. You will check out of your hotel in Mandaue then ride a plane to Puerto Princesa International Airport. Your first stop in Palawan is Honda Bay in Puerto Princesa. You can expect to see everything from coral reefs and sandbars to blue waters and white sand beaches on this island hopping tour. Make sure to apply plenty of sunblock for a full day of fun in the sun. At Honda Bay, you will get to visit beautiful islands, such as Star Fish Island. From its name, you can already guess what you will find on the island, starfishes! Apart from that, you may also get the chance to see yellowtail snappers and pufferfish. Another island you will make a stop at is Cowrie Island. It is Honda Bay’s largest island and it is shaped like a shell, or a cowrie. If you feel like going for a swim, the island has a netted portion to make sure swimmers are safe from jellyfish. The last attraction you will visit on Honda Bay is the aptly-named Luli Island. It’s name is derived from the Filipino words lulubog and lilitaw, which loosely translates to submerged and raised. Luli Island appears above and disappears underneath the waters, dependent on the tide.

On Day 11, you will continue to explore the outstanding attractions of Puerto Princesa. First up on the itinerary is Puerto Princesa Underground River, 1 of only 3 natural UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country. Your van will pick you up from your hotel in Sabang and bring you to the boat terminal. You will ride a boat to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, be sure to take notice of the gorgeous limestone cliffs and the natural fauna and flora along the way. The underground river is around 8km long, however, only about half of it is open to tourists. It has amazing cave and rock formations plus it is inhabited by bats. After returning to Sabang boat terminal, your van will take you to Puerto Princesa City. At Baker’s Hill, you will find shops selling local pastries. It’s a popular stopover to purchase souvenirs and baked goodies to bring home. Next, you will head to downtown Puerto Princesa to visit the historic Plaza Cuartel. This restored garrison was a World War II military base. At Puerto Princesa’s Crocodile Farm, you’ll find dozens of crocodiles, both big and small. You will learn more about the scaly reptiles, including 2 endangered species: the Philippine freshwater crocodile and the saltwater crocodile. After visiting crocodiles, you’ll go to Mitra’s Ranch. This relaxing park is on a hilltop and it boasts brilliant views of the city. The final stop for the day is Puerto Princesa Baywalk. This seaside promenade is popular among tourists and locals alike. Aside from offering a good view of Puerto Princesa Port, this baywalk also has a few stalls selling food and souvenirs.

You will be leaving Puerto Princesa on Day 12 of your vacation and head north of Palawan. After checking out of your accommodation in Sabang, your van will bring you to the quiet town of San Vicente. At Port Barton, you will ride a boat and start your island hopping tour. The first island you will visit is Inaladelan, also known as German Island. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with clear, azure waters and a white, powdery sand beach. Inaladelan Island is a popular camping site and it offers different sporting facilities. It has a beach volleyball court and kayaks. If you prefer to chill on land, board games are available as well as hammocks. After leaving Inaladelan Island, you will be heading to Luli Sandbar. When the tide is high, this sandbar is submerged underneath the water. During low tide, Luli Sandbar is a great place to spot starfishes. The latter part of your island hopping tour will have you going for a swim. The Turtle Snorkeling site will have you seeing cute sea creatures. During hatching season, you might get a chance to spot baby turtles. At the Fish and Coral Snorkeling site, be prepared to watch a wide range of colorful fish under the sea.

It’s another day dedicated for island hopping but this time, it will be at El Nido. It boasts some of the best beaches in the world and is even top-ranked on international travel lists. You’ll get to visit some of the most popular attractions of Bacuit Bay. Once on the boat, you will be heading to the Big Lagoon. You will enter a narrow entrance that will soon open up to a wonderful blue lagoon surrounded by limestone cliffs. After that, you’ll go to Miniloc Island, which boasts a lush rainforest and white sand beaches. Also on Miniloc Island is your next destination, Secret Lagoon. Once a hidden gem of Bacuit Bay, Secret Lagoon is now one of the most visited sites in the archipelago. The entrance to the lagoon is quite small, just enough for a person but not a boat. Your efforts of crawling through the entrance will surely reward you with an enchanting scene. After visiting lagoons, the next destination on the itinerary is Seven Commandos Beach. Although it is on the mainland, it can’t be reached without a boat. It’s truly a relaxing spot where you can sit by the sand or go for a swim. The last stop on the El Nido Island Hopping Tour is Shimizu Island. It is a well-known diving and snorkeling site, thanks to its incredible marine life and corals.

On the last day of your vacation package, you will leave Palawan and return to Manila. Your van will pick you up from your hotel in El Nido and then take you to the airport. From Palawan, you’ll board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.