14-Day Philippines Natural Wonders Trip to Puerto Princesa City and Countryside of Cebu & Bohol

It's time to leave Manila and fly to Laoag. From the airport, you will make your way to the town of Paoay to start your full-day city tour at the Malacanang of the North. This two-story museum once served as the official residence of late President Ferdinand Marcos and his family. Visitors are welcome to take a walk around the mansion and see the nearby Paoay Lake.

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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.

On the third day, you will take a countryside trip from Laoag to the rural town of Sagada in the Cordillera Mountains. This rustic location houses over 60 caves, the most interesting of which is your first stop: Sugong Cave. This cave is located near the town center, just beyond Sagada's cemetery. It is famous for the coffins hanging from its limestone cliffs, an age-old tradition that the locals practice until today.

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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.

On Day 4, your guide will take you to the towns in Benguet province, starting with Atok. This town is home to the Atok Sakura Flowers, formally known as Benguet-Kochi Sisterhood Park. As a token of their 40-year friendship, the Japanese government of Kochi Prefecture donated over 30 Benguet Sakura trees to the province in 2016. The trees had since been planted in the Atok park.

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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.

After checking out of your hotel in Baguio, you will make your way to Tarlac for a day hike up Mt. Pinatubo. This active volcano, located more than 170km from Baguio, is well-known for its destructive eruption back in 1991. The said eruption is regarded as the second-largest terrestrial eruption of the twentieth century after destroying over 8,000 homes and costing about ten billion pesos in losses.

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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.

On Day 6, you will check out of your Manila hotel and board a plane to Panglao International Airport in Bohol. From there, you will make your way across Bohol's vibrant countryside to the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. This woodland patch in the town of Corella is home to a large tarsier community. You can also find a library, a research center related to tarsiers, conference rooms, and a visitor's complex here.

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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.

For this day, you will see more of Bohol's off-the-beaten-path paradise with a visit to the island of Pamilacan. This remote island sits about 12.5 kilometers from the mainland in the middle of the Bohol Sea. It is considered a haven for whale sharks and dolphins, so keep an eye out for these marine creatures on your way to the island.

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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.

After leaving your Panglao hotel, you will board a ferry to Dumaguete, where you will go on a full-day city tour. Your first destination here will be the Silliman University, the country's first university founded by an American and a Protestant. Following your tour around the campus, you will proceed to Dumaguete's promenade, Rizal Boulevard, for a stroll along the beach.

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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.

Your guide will pick you up from your Dumaguete hotel and take you to the Malatapay Boat Terminal, where your tour boat will be waiting. Once you've settled in, you will set out for Dumaguete's diving paradise, Apo Island. This water-locked haven, located at the southeast end of Negros, is well-known for its thriving underwater world teeming with vibrant and varied marine species.

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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.

You will now leave your Dumaguete hotel and ride a ferry to Cebu. After arriving at the port, you will travel to the town of Badian, where you can find the famous Kawasan Falls. Your guide will give you ample time to enjoy the falls' enticing spring waters before you make your way to Moalboal.

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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.

You will leave the countryside and make your way to the Queen City of the South, Cebu City. As the Philippines' oldest city, Cebu is home to many historical sites, one of which is the Taoist Temple. This temple serves as the province's center of Taoism.

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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.

It's time to board a flight from Cebu to Puerto Princesa International Airport in Palawan. After arriving at the airport, you will travel to Honda Bay to board a boat and begin your full-day island-hopping adventure.

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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.

Your guide will drive you from your hotel to Sabang Wharf, where you will board a boat to the world-famous Puerto Princesa Underground River. This UNESCO World Heritage Site contains some of Asia's most significant forests and a complete 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem. Aside from the diverse flora and fauna, the underground river will also amaze you with its century-old stalactites and stalagmites formations.

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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.

After your exciting tour of Palawan, you will check out of your Sabang hotel and make your way to Puerto Princesa International Airport. You will board a plane here bound for Ninoy Aquino International Airport. After about two hours, you will land in Manila, ending your 14-day vacation package.