Flight: TG620 Bangkok - Manila 07.40 - 11.55

Meet & greet: On arrival in Manila, you will be welcomed to the Philippines by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dusit Thani Manila (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Manila: After breakfast, you will meet your guide in the lobby of the hotel and then set out on a tour of Manila. The tour starts with a visit to Rizal Park, which was named in honour of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero. After a photo stop here you will proceed to Intramuros, the Walled City, and look around Fort Santiago, an ancient fortress that defends the mouth of the Pasig River. From here you will continue onto San Agustin Church and Casa Manila. Afterwards crossing the Pasig River, driving through Quiapo district, the old downtown area, to Santo Tomas University which was founded in 1611 by the Dominican friars. You will also see the Chinese Cemetery where some of the mausoleums are larger than an average-sized house. The tour will end with a drive along Ayala Avenue, the financial street and commercial centre in Makati. You will then be taken for lunch in a local restaurant, and then afterwards return to your hotel via Roxas Boulevard, the city's sea front, and pass by the Cultural Centre of the Philippines. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dusit Thani Manila (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private road transfer: After breakfast, you will meet your guide in the lobby of the hotel and then set out on the long drive to Banaue, located some 185 miles from Angeles in north of Luzon. You will travel north on the Expressway and the Cagayan Valley Road until you reach the town of Bagabag, in Nueva Vizcaya, where the landscape starts to change and you begin the climb up to Banaue which is located at 1300m above sea level. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant en-route. You will reach Banaue late in the afternoon and on arrival you will check into your hotel and then have some time to look around the town.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Banaue Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day guided tour around Banaue: After breakfast, you will board a local jeepney for the drive to a nearby village which you will reach by a short hike from the main road. After spending sometime in the village, continue to a vantage point to view and admire the world famous 2,000 year old rice terraces of Banaue. These rice terraces were carved into the surrounding hillsides by the Ifugao people. The Ifugao were legendary head-hunters but also great engineers and they invented a sophisticated irrigation system that allowed them to create these incredible rice terraces. If placed end to end, the Banaue rice terraces would reach half way around the globe. Afterwards proceed to the town's public market to mingle with the local people, view the vast array of native handicrafts and have lunch in a local restaurant. Time and weather permitting you will visit another village before returning to the hotel late in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Banaue Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Full day guided tour from Banaue to Sagada: After breakfast, you will leave Banaue and drive inland along a winding mountain trail towards the hinterland town of Bontoc, where you will visit a museum founded by some Belgian sisters. The museum has many relics but is perhaps most famous for its grisly head-hunter exhibits. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. After lunch you will drive on to Sagada and, weather conditions permitting, you will visit the burial caves of Sagada, where dozens of ancient limestone coffins hang from the region's cliffs. The unique burial ritual of the local people involves placing dead relatives into caves after carefully preparing a hollowed out ‘log'. The log or coffin is carved by the elderly themselves in anticipation of their death. The dead body is then pushed into coffin which in turn is then placed high up in the burial caves, or cliffs, in places that seem almost impossible to reach. This is a practice that has been going on for more than 2,000 years. Later you will have some time to explore and meet some of the indigenous tribes' people and afterwards you will drive to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Masferre Country Inn (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Baguio City: After breakfast at the lodge, you will leave the highlands and drive south passing through some majestic scenery as you head through the countryside towards Baguio City, also known as the country's summer capital. On arrival check in to your hotel and afterwards lunch will be taken in a local restaurant.

Afternoon guided tour of Baguio City: This afternoon, you will tour Baguio City taking in Session Road, Burnham Park, the Mansion House and the President's summer residence. One of the highlights of the tour is the energetic public market where villagers from around the region come to sell their goods.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ridgewood Hotel (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer to Manila: After breakfast, you will check out and start the journey back to Manila along the National Highway, passing through Luzon's central plains, before you pick up the North Expressway bound for the capital. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant en route. You will arrive in Manila late in the day and on arrival, you will check in to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dusit Thani Manila (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Private transfer: After an early breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport in time to check in for the flight to Negros with Philippine Airlines.

Flight: PR254 Manila - Dumaguete 08.40 - 09.55

Guided city tour of Dumaguete: You will be met on arrival by a private guide, and then immediately set out on a tour of Dumaguete city. Start at Silliman University Campus, the largest Protestant university in the country that was founded by the American Presbyterian missionaries who came to Dumaguete a century ago. The campus houses an exhibition of locally excavated artefacts, Sung and Ming porcelain, and an ethnographic collection from various minority tribes in the country. In its Marine Laboratory there is an assortment of underwater specimens - an aquaculture for giant clams and groupers and a breeding programme for the Philippine crocodile. Drive through the busy streets of the city, passing by the public market, the Provincial Capitol Building and Rizal Boulevard. Then make a brief stop at an ice cream shop to savour a famous local delicacy, the fried ice cream! Afterwards visit the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the city's most popular architectural landmark which was erected in 1776. Carry on to Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage, a handicraft store and factory that specializes in items made out of red and blue corals, and petrified stones. Close by is a small abaca-weaving centre run by a local cooperative, and Bacong Church, a centuries-old coral church. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant, and after the sightseeing you will be transferred to your hotel in the coastal village of Dauin, around 30 minutes' south of the city. Arrive in the mid-afternoon and have the rest of the day to relax. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Atmosphere Resort (Suite Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Guided visit to Apo Island: After breakfast at the resort, set off for the village of Malatapay, from where you will board an outrigger boat for the 40 minute boat ride to Apo Island. Apo Island is a marine sanctuary, famous throughout the Philippines, for its huge coral mounds, drop offs and plentiful supply of fish. On reaching the island, enjoy snorkelling in its wide reef flats and corals teeming with an extensive variety of fish. Have a delicious lunch at Apo Island Beach Resort, and then there is time for more snorkelling before returning to your hotel on the mainland.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Atmosphere Resort (Suite Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Private transfer: After an early breakfast at the resort, you will be transferred to the pier in time to board a ferry bound for Bohol.

Ferry to Bohol: On arrival at the pier, you will take the ferry to Bohol. The journey will take around 2 hours. Please note that your free baggage allowance is limited to 10kg per person including carry-on luggage. Any amount over this will be subject to an excess luggage charge.

Private transfer: On arrival at Tagbilaran, on the island of Bohol, you will be met and transferred to Panglao Island, just over the bridge from Bohol. Check in and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Amarela Beach Resort (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Full day guided tour of Bohol: After an early breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and taken for a tour of Bohol's scenic spots. The tour starts at the ‘Blood Compact Site' where an agreement was reached on 16th March 1565 between Sikatuna, a native chieftain, and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, the Spanish explorer and colonizer. You will then continue on to Baclayon Church which is one of the island's ancient Spanish churches. From here you will drive to the Loboc River where you will have a chance to see one of the world's smallest primates. The Tarsier, no larger than a man's hand, is indigenous to the Philippines and is an extremely rare animal these days, due to the destruction of its natural habitat. Afterwards you will join a river boat for a leisurely lunch-time cruise up the Loboc River to see one of the island's waterfalls and this afternoon you will drive to see the incredible ‘Chocolate Hills'. From a viewing point you will be able to look out over the 1268 hills which combine to make up this incredible landscape. The tour ends with visits to the ‘Man Made Forest' and Hinagdanan Cave. Afterwards you will return to your beach hotel on Panglao Island.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Amarela Beach Resort (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day at leisure: After breakfast, you have the day to explore the island, snorkel, dive or simply laze by the beach.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Amarela Beach Resort (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After an early breakfast at the resort, you will be transferred to the pier in time to board a ferry bound for Cebu.

Ferry to Cebu: On arrival at the pier, you will take the ferry to Cebu. The journey will take around 2 hours. Please note that your free baggage allowance is limited to 10kg per person including carry-on luggage. Any amount over this will be subject to an excess luggage charge.

Afternoon guided tour of Cebu City: You will be met on arrival at the jetty by a private guide. You will then immediately set out on a tour of Cebu, a city which retains a certain colonial charm. The tour is a special journey that introduces Cebu's history in a nutshell as you cruise along its main thoroughfares. The first stop will take you to the majestic Taoist Temple which is situated 4 miles from the city centre. This impressive and highly ornate temple, of the Taoist religious community, is evidence that a considerable part of Cebu's population is Chinese. You can get a good view of the city from this magnificent temple. On your way to the Basilica, you will pass by Cebu's seat of government and its graceful piece of architecture, the Cebu Provincial Capitol and then you will make a stop at the Carbon Market, where most of the city's fresh produce is being sold. Afterwards stop at the Basilica Minore de Santo Nino, an ancient stone structure that was once called the Basilica Minore de San Agustin, and which now houses the statue of the Infant Jesus. A short walk away is Magellan's Cross, the spot where Christianity was first introduced to Cebu. Not far away is Fort San Pedro, the first military stronghold in the country. Its walls were restored in the late ‘60s and a garden is laid out in the inner courtyard, an enticing refuge not far from the hustle and bustle of the harbour. Your last stop is Casa Gorordo - the Parian district in today's downtown area which was the residential home of Cebu's wealthy at the turn of the century. Of the remaining four houses, the Gorordo residence was restored and furnished in the style of the period. Apart from its furniture, there are porcelain, liturgical pieces, clothes and old photographs of Cebu. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant, and you will then transfer to your nearby beach hotel to check in. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Maribago Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today you are free to relax by the pool or explore on your own.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Maribago Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning at leisure: You have one final morning at leisure in Cebu.

Private transfer: Around lunchtime, you will be picked up and transferred to the airport in time to check in for the flight to Palawan.

Flight: 5J227 Cebu - Puerto Princesa 14.25 - 15.40

Private transfer: On arrival In Puerto Princesa, you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check in.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Canvas Boutique Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour to the Underground River: After breakfast, you will set out on the 3 hour drive to Sabang on the western coast of Palawan. On arrival you will take a boat from Sabang to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. This national park is famous for the underground river which extends through a limestone cave for around 5 miles. You will pass along part of the river in a small boat admiring unusual shapes that have been formed by the limestone erosion. Some of the caves you pass through have been compared to temple domes due to the array of glittering stalactites that hang from the roof. The stalagmites rising from the water create an eerie atmosphere. After seeing the Underground River, you will have a chance to see some the wildlife in the national park before returning to the hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Canvas Boutique Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning dolphin watching tour: Leave the hotel early in the morning to drive to a local jetty where you will board a motorized boat, and head out into Honda Bay, around 3-4 miles from the city's mainland. Here you will cruise the waters of the bay where spinner dolphins abound and with luck you will enjoy an awe-inspiring spectacle of dolphins cavorting in the deep blue seas. Afterwards return to the hotel for a late breakfast. You will then have a few hours at leisure to relax.

Afternoon guided tour of Puerto Princesa: In the afternoon, you will be taken for a tour of Palawan's capital city. The itinerary will include a drive down Rizal Avenue, the city's main street and commercial centre, passing by Mendoza Mini Park, to the wharf and the port area. You will visit the crocodile farm and the Iwahig Penal Farm and, time permitting, indulge in ethnic craft shopping before returning to the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Canvas Boutique Hotel (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After an early breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the airport in time to check in for the flight to Caticlan, via Manila with Philippine Airlines.

Flight: PR946 Puerto Princesa - Manila 09.50 - 11.00

Flight: PR61 Manila - Caticlan 12.30 - 13.40

Hotel transfer by road & boat: On arrival in Caticlan, you will be met by a hotel representative and transferred to the jetty at Caticlan's port. Here you will join a shared hotel boat transfer to your resort on Boracay Island. The total transfer time will be under an hour. On arrival in Boracay you will be met and transferred to your hotel to check in. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Coast Boracay (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Days at leisure: You have two full days at leisure. Explore the island, snorkel, dive or simply laze by the beach.

Accommodation: Stay these nights at Coast Boracay (Deluxe Room)