Top things to do in the Philippines
Discover all the adventures you can experience in the Philippines
Explore the scenic countryside, natural wonders, and islands of the Philippines with this 14-day vacation package. From Manila, you will visit the pristine white beaches of Puerto Princesa, the breathtaking countryside of Cebu and Bohol, and the historical attractions of Ilocos. This tour also comes complete with accommodations, daily breakfast, transfers, entrance fees, and the service of guides.
You will kick off your tour with a visit to Intramuros in Manila. Known as the only walled district in the city, Intramuros is home to landmarks dating as far back as the Spanish colonial period. Afterward, you will fly to northern Luzon to visit Marcos Museum in Ilocos Norte and Calle Crisologo in Ilocos Sur.
From the lowlands, your guide will bring you to the highlands of Luzon, where you will see the Strawberry Farm in Benguet. You will also trek Mt. Pinatubo in Tarlac to get a glimpse of its breathtaking crater lake. After your Luzon escapade, you will fly to the scenic province of Bohol. Here, you will embark on the famous Loboc River Cruise and see the Hershey’s Kisses-like mounds of Chocolate Hills.
Following your Bohol trip, you will board a ferry to Dumaguete to drop by the century-old Silliman University and the diving haven of Apo Island. Another province you will visit in the Visayas is Cebu, home to the 40-meter high Kawasan Falls, the Roman-inspired Temple of Leah, and the “Little Amsterdam of Cebu,” Sirao Flower Farm. You will then cap off your tour in Palawan, where you will go on an island-hopping tour of Honda Bay and a jaw-dropping cruise of the Underground River.
Witness the marvels of the Philippines with this 14-day tour from Manila to Ilocos, Sagada, Benguet, Tarlac, Bohol, Dumaguete, Cebu, and Puerto Princesa. Check availability by choosing a date.
Fort Santiago, a Spanish stone fortress founded in 1593, is one of the landmarks you will visit here. Well-known as national hero Jose Rizal's prison, the fort now serves as a venue for open-air theater and picnics. Your guide will then take you from the fortress to the nearby Plaza Roma, one of Intramuros' three main squares. Take a brief break here to take in the scenery before moving on to Bahay Tsinoy.
This museum is divided into 12 parts that represent the cultural and historical history of the Chinese and Filipinos. Following your visit to the museum, you will proceed to the fully furnished house of Casa Manila to learn more about the country's past.
You will then go on a stroll through San Diego Gardens and Baluarte De San Diego. This bastion on the southwestern corner of Intramuros dates back to the 16th century, making it one of the oldest stone fortifications in Intramuros. To cap off your tour, you will drop by San Agustin Church and Museum and Manila Cathedral.
Your guide will then take you 10km south to the Saint Augustine Church, also known as the Paoay Church. The cathedral is distinguished by its baroque style and the three-story coral stone bell standing next to it. From there, you will visit two of the region's most important museums: the Marcos Museum and the Juan and Antonio Luna Museum.
Afterward, you will continue your tour at Vigan, home to the St. Paul's Metropolitan Cathedral. This Roman Catholic church follows a Baroque architectural design with neo-Gothic, pseudo-Romanesque, and Chinese craftsmanship. Bantay Church, known for its Neo-Gothic style with pseudo-Romanesque elements, is another notable church you will visit in the area.
From there, you will make your way to Pagburnayan, where you will learn how the locals make pottery. To learn more about Ilocos culture and history, you will visit the Burgos Museum, the National Museum, and the Crisologo Museum next. Your guide will then take you to Baluarte for some safari fun. You will finish your day with a stroll along the cobblestone streets of Calle Crisologo before returning to your hotel in Laoag.
You will then take in the lush landscape that surrounds Echo Valley. This gorge, located just before Sugong Cave, is the perfect spot to rest in as limestone mountains and dense woodland surrou,d it. From there, you will make your way to Sumaguing Cave next.
Sumaguing, located about an hour's walk from Sagada City Hall, is also known as the Big Cave. Here, you will go on a two-hour tour through the cave's rocky tunnel that is peppered with numerous rock formations like a squirrel, turtlehead, and elephant.
You will then visit the Bontoc Tribal Museum before returning to your downtown hotel. Featuring an exhibit of photos and artifacts, this museum preserves the heritage of the Ifugao people. It also features a recreation of an Ifugao village behind the building.
From there, you will head next to Northern Blossom to see more colorful blooms. This two-hectare farm will take your breath away with its field of rare flowers. Here, you will spot snapdragons, rice flowers, dusty millers, alstroemeria, and cabbage roses.
Feel free to take as many photos as you wish before moving on to the 2nd Highest Point in Barangays Cattubo and Paoay in Atok. Sitting 2,255 meters above sea level, this place is dubbed the second-highest spot in the Philippine highway system. Afterward, you will stroll through the century-old Spanish Trail that locals used before constructing the Halsema Highway.
From there, you will then cap off your tour at La Trinidad. This tranquil town is home to the well-known Strawberry Farm, one of the most famous attractions in highland Luzon. During your visit, you can go strawberry picking and souvenir shopping before proceeding to your Baguio hotel.
When you arrive in the province, you will stop by Sta. Juliana Tourism Center to transfer to a 4x4 jeep. Your guide will then bring you on a trip to the mountain base. On the way to the mountain base, you will cross the Crow Valley. This area is well-known for its moon-like setting because of its bumpy and dusty terrain. After about an hour’s ride, you will get off the jeep and hike up the volcano.
The trek typically takes between an hour and two hours. Along the way, you can see lava sand formations formed by the volcano’s 1991 eruption. You will then be welcomed by the turquoise waters of the crater lake once you reach the summit. Take plenty of souvenir photos by the lakeside and enjoy your lunch here before beginning your descent and returning to your Manila hotel.
After you've had your fill of these googly-eyed primates, you will go on your Loboc River Cruise. Savor your sumptuous buffet lunch on this floating restaurant as you cruise down the river's emerald streams. The locals aboard will also entertain you with popular Filipino songs and dances while you dine.
After returning to the dock, you will stop by Baclayon Church for a quick prayer before heading to the Butterfly Conservatory. This location houses and breeds a wide range of colorful butterflies. You will then drop by the Bilar Forest, a 2km stretch of mahogany trees.
Before the end of the day, you will travel to Chocolate Hills, the most celebrated destination in the province. It is a geological formation composed of 1,268 to 1,776 almost symmetrically shaped hills that somewhat look like Hershey's Kisses. After enjoying the view, your guide will drop you off at your Panglao hotel.
Even though Pamilacan is inhabited, the locals still manage to conserve the island's natural beauty. In fact, its white beaches remain as pristine as ever, and its crystal waters never fail to amaze its visitors.
After docking on the island, you can immediately go swimming. Make sure to have your snorkeling gear prepared, as well, so you don't lose out on the island's vibrant underwater world. Expect to see some sea turtles and a variety of fish species here. If you're up for a more adrenaline-pumping adventure, there are also diving spots near Pamilacan you can visit.
When you've had your fill of the ocean, you can take a quick stroll to the 200-year-old Spanish fort on the island's northeast coast. Once used to keep an eye out for Moro pirates, this observatory is one of the province's National Cultural Treasures. You will head to your Panglao hotel at the end of the day.
The St. Catherine de Alexandria Cathedral will be your next stop. Commonly referred to as Dumaguete Cathedral, this church is known for its elaborately designed altarpieces and exquisite chandeliers. You will also find the oldest bell tower in the Visayas, the Dumaguete Campanario, next to the church.
From there, you will drop by the Dumaguete Public Market for a quick souvenir shopping before proceeding to the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park and Clayton Pottery. Afterward, you will head to Sidlakang Negros Village, considered a one-stop-shop of Negros Oriental's finest arts, crafts, and delicacies.
You will then dig into your lunch at Lab-as Seafood before continuing to Valencia's Forest Camp. Because of its large open space, this mountain resort is one of the locals' favorite spots for camping. From there, you will visit the Cata-al War Museum to see some artifacts from World War II. Before retreating to your hotel, you will drop by century-old San Agustin Church and the Negros Oriental Arts & Heritage Center.
Upon docking on the island, you will first visit the turtle sanctuary to get up close and personal with the local turtles. Feel free to swim and snorkel with the gentle sea creatures and enjoy the area's huge reef garden. You might also spot a plethora of colorful fish swimming in the reef.
Aside from exploring Apo Island's aquatic paradise, you can also relax on the beach and take lots of souvenir photos while you're at it. You might want to see Apo Island Lighthouse or the Apo View Deck, as well. Your guide can lead you through the 600m Habagat Eco-Trail, David's Walk, or Witchy's Trail, all of which can provide you with a panoramic view of the Negros' seascape. You will then board your boat before the sun sets and return to the mainland and your Dumaguete hotel.
This town is well-known as the home to Cebu's pristine white beaches. From there, you will board a boat and travel off the coast to Pescador Island. Because of its cobalt blue waters and breathtaking corals of various colors and sizes, this island is one of the best snorkeling spots in the province.
Afterward, you'll go to Turtle Island to swim with sea turtles before returning to the mainland for the famous sardine race at Panagsama Beach. Since it is open all year, this aquatic activity attracts divers from all over the world. You will first attend a quick briefing before donning your equipment. Once you're all settled, you will swim a few, meters out into the sea and wait for millions of sardines to swim by the area. Following your sardine run experience, you will return to your Argao hotel.
Your guide will then lead you to the Basilica Minore Del Santo Nino, a 16th-century Roman Catholic Church. Its facade features the combined elements of Muslim, Romanesque, and Neoclassical architecture. You will also see the Magellan's Cross right outside the church. This cross is believed to have been planted by Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan.
From there, you will proceed to the Heritage of Cebu Monument, where you can find sculptures depicting the province's main historical events. Across the street from the monument is the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House, a wood-and-coral stone ancestral home turned into a museum.
After seeing the lowland sights, you will travel to the mountains to visit the Temple of Leah and its courtyard overlooking Cebu City. Afterward, your guide will lead you to the Sirao Flower Farm, where you will see fields of uncommon flowers such as Celosia, aster, and chrysanthemum. You will then return to your Mandaue hotel.
Your first stop from the coast will be Starfish Island. This crescent-shaped island, known as the home of hundreds of starfish, is one of the best locations for snorkeling due to its diverse marine life. While snorkeling here, you can spot some bloating puffers and rainbow parrotfish swimming around.
You will then sail from Starfish Island to your next stop, the seashell-shaped Cowrie Island. Cowrie is the most developed island in Honda Bay and the best spot to swim. You can also go snorkeling, jet skiing, and banana boat riding here. Aside from the water activities, you enjoy some local food at the many restaurants dotting Cowrie's shoreline.
Luli Island will be the final stop of your island-hopping adventure. Luli is famed for its disappearing sandbars at high tide, but it also has a great snorkeling spot. Make the most of your time swimming and snorkeling here before you board your boat back to the mainland and retreat to your hotel in Sabang.
Following your cruise, you will return to the mainland and begin your Puerto Princesa city tour with Baker's Hill. This bakery also serves as a theme park with many spots for photo-ops. Make sure to buy some of the baked goods here before you make your way to Plaza Cuartel. This park, which once served as a military base with an old Spanish garrison and tunnels, now houses an open-air war museum and shrine.
You will then proceed to the Crocodile Farm, a wildlife research facility that houses various crocodile bones, skeletons, and bone structures. From there, you will visit Mitra's Ranch in Sta. Monica Heights. This spot features a view deck with a panoramic view of Puerto Princesa. To cap off the tour, you will drop by the city's promenade, the Puerto Princesa Baywalk, and return to your Sabang accommodation.
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.
The season for dolphin watching in Dumaguete is from March to October and is subject to weather and wind conditions. If off-season or on days when the northeast monsoon is strong, dolphin watching may not be possible. During Habagat/ Southwest monsoon Season (June-October), boat ride to Apo Island may be rough.
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.