9-Day Philippines Vacation Package to Dumaguete, Cebu & Palawan from Manila

On the second day of your vacation, you will be exploring Dumaguete, the City of Gentle People. From Manila, you will board a plane to Dumaguete Airport.

Also known as the University town, Dumaguete is home to several universities and colleges. Silliman University is within the grounds of the coastal city. As a premier educational institution, the university features an anthropology museum, a university zoo, and a marine laboratory. The campus is near the seaside promenade at Rizal Boulevard.

In downtown Dumaguete, you will visit the historic stone church of St. Catherine De Alexandria and the iconic Dumaguete Campanario. Afterward, you can go shopping at Dumaguete Public Market or go sightseeing at the Provincial Capitol and Freedom Park.

You can also purchase handmade pots, souvenirs, and novelty items at Clayton Pottery and Sidlakang Negros Village. Then, you will take your lunch break at Lab-as Seafood. After that, you will savor the cool breeze at Valencia Forest Camp. Then, you will browse through the collection of World War II artifacts at the Cata-al War Museum.

In Bacong town, you will visit San Agustin de Hippo Church. Finally, you will purchase local handicrafts and souvenirs at Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage Center.

From Dumaguete, you will hop on a short boat ride to Apo Island on the third day of your tour. Recognized as a world-class diving spot, Apo Island boasts over 400 coral species. It features majestic coral gardens and abundant marine sanctuaries.

The locals strictly implement marine conservation programs to protect and maintain the beauty of the island. They also remind visitors to be mindful of their litter, follow the guidelines, and practice responsible tourism.

Apo Island is a volcanic island located at the southeastern tip of Negros. Once you arrive, the breathtaking scenery and vast seascape await you. You can dive into its deep waters and see for yourself different marine creatures like tuna, manta rays, and hammerheads. Swim with sea turtles at Turtle Point, snorkel, and lounge on the white-sand beach afterward.

For your next activity, you will traverse the 600-meter Habagat Eco Trail. A breathtaking and panoramic view awaits you on top of the trail. Here, you can capture the stunning seascape alongside rock formations. You can also appreciate the beauty of nature while taking plenty of photos.

After your exhilarating tour in Apo Island, your private van will take you back to your hotel in Dumaguete.

For your fourth day, you will ride a ferry from Dumaguete to Cebu. Upon arrival, you will be staying in a hotel located in Mandaue City.

Your first destination is the three-stage cascading Kawasan Falls. To get there, you will have to rappel and crawl through rocky edges. You will go canyoneering along the Badian River and pass by edgy cliffs to reach the beautiful gorges and river canyons of Kawasan Falls. The enchanting waterfalls also boast natural pools and lagoons.

Then, you will proceed to the southwestern tip of Cebu. The coastal municipality of Moalboal is a famous turtle site and home to the famous sardine run. It is popular among divers because of its rich marine biodiversity.

At Pescador Island, you can witness a school of sardines congregating in perfect unison. You can snorkel over beautiful coral reefs and colorful exotic fishes. If you want to discover more of its hidden gems, you can also explore an underwater cave known as the Cathedral. You can even get a rare opportunity to swim with sea turtles at Turtle Island.

At the end of your exhilarating tour in Kawasan Falls and Moalboal, you will be heading back to your hotel.

Your tropical escapade continues in Palawan’s paradise-like and breathtaking islands. On your fifth day, you will board a plane going to Puerto Princesa International Airport.

For your first activity, you will go on an island-hopping tour to Honda Bay. You will visit three of its islands. First, you will explore Starfish Island. You can snorkel to see different kinds of starfishes. One of which is the five-armed orange starfish, known for its perfect symmetry. You can also find pufferfish and yellowtail snappers.

Cowrie Island is next on your itinerary. It is shell-shaped and the largest among all of the islands in Honda Bay. You can try different water activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and banana boat riding. There are also cabanas and huts for rent throughout the shore.

Lastly, you will visit the sandbar on Luli Island. It appears during low tide and submerges at high tide. You can spend your afternoon lounging on its powdery sand. Then, you can cap off your long day resting on the hammocks floating on the beach.

On Day 6, you will be exploring the Puerto Princesa Underground River. From Sabang Boat Terminal, you will take a short boat ride to reach Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

The 8km-long underground river spans over 22,000 hectares and boasts large cave chambers and stunning rock formations. Inside the cave, you will marvel at uniquely shaped stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the shapes you will find include a man’s head, jellyfish, umbrella, and a ship.

After traversing the Puerto Princesa Underground River, you will proceed to the city proper. You can buy some baked goodies and local pastries at Baker’s Hill. Another historical attraction you will visit is the Plaza Cuartel. It is a former Spanish garrison and penal colony that has become a leisure park.

Next, you will have an up-close encounter with crocodiles at a research center and breeding facility in Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Then, you will visit the observation deck at Mitra’s Ranch. Since it sits on top of a hill, you can expect to witness a breathtaking and panoramic view from afar.

At the end of your jam-packed tour, you will head to Puerto Princesa Baywalk to catch the sunset.

On Day 7, you will explore the tropical paradise of Port Barton. This majestic island lets you experience the simplicity of island life away from the crowds. Port Barton is often positively compared with El Nido because of its pristine and breathtaking seascape.

You will discover the hidden gems and islands dotting Port Barton with an island hopping tour. Your first stop is at Inaladelan resort. This beach camping site provides sports facilities for those who like to kayak or play beach volleyball. You can also soak in the sun, lounge on the sand, and set up a picnic-style lunch by the beach.

If you happen to visit Port Barton in January, you will have the opportunity to see the turtle hatching season. You can even take part in the annual event of walking the baby turtles through their first steps to the sea. Your next destination is Luli Sandbar, a piece of powdery white sand that emerges and sinks into the water depending on the tides.

For your next activity, you will snorkel or dive around and beyond the turtle snorkeling site. You can also have fun swimming with sea turtles at the fish and snorkeling site.

The last leg of your trip will take place in the majestic islands of El Nido. You will ride a boat to reach the pristine beaches and lagoons dotting Bacuit Bay for your island hopping tour. Your first stop is at Big Lagoon. To get inside the lagoon, you have to pass through a narrow entrance. A postcard-worthy scenery of the towering rock formations awaits you inside.

Your next destination, Miniloc Island, is popular among divers because of its rich and flourishing ecosystem. Along the pristine beachscape, you will find an evergreen forest. The Secret Lagoon is your next destination. Unlike the Big Lagoon, you have to crawl through a smaller entrance.

You can soak in the sun and lounge on the beautiful beach outside the Secret Lagoon. Next, you will visit the Seven Commandos Beach. The palm-fringed beach has tall coconut trees and lush mountains, perfect for taking postcard-worthy photos.

Finally, you will swim and snorkel around the beautiful coral gardens at Shimizu Island. Like the previous islands, it also boasts stunning rock formations, limestone cliffs, and clear waters suitable for snorkeling.

It’s time to leave Palawan. You will wait for your van to pick you up from your hotel in Lio Properties. Then, you will board a direct flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. You will head back to where you started, Manila.