Voyage into the Visayas (16 days)
The Visayas is a group of islands in the heart of the Philippine archipelago. The island group has some of the country's most historic sites, and also some of its most alluring beaches. Start your voyage by arriving in one of the most famous islands in the Philippines - Cebu, just as Ferdinand Magellan did almost 500 years ago. From Cebu you will journey to the island of Negros, famous for its sugar plantations and jungly interior. You will continue to visit the mystical island Siquijor, and then on to Bohol for a mix of natural and cultural attractions, and also a taste for Filipino-style beach life on Panglao Island.
Guide Price
From £2,995 per person based on a shared room for departures in May.
Day by Day Itinerary
Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.
Flight: CX252 London Heathrow - Hong Kong 12.25 - 07.05 (overnight)
Flight: CX921 Hong Kong - Cebu 08.35 - 11.20
Meet & greet: On arrival in Cebu, you will be welcomed to the Philippines by your private English-speaking guide, and then transferred to your hotel to check in. You then have the remainder of the day at leisure to relax after your long flight.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Henry Hotel (Standard Room)
Morning guided tour of Cebu City: After breakfast at the hotel, 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. Return to the resort around lunchtime.
Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon, you are at leisure to relax around the hotel pool, or head out to explore the city independently.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Henry Hotel (Standard Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Private transfer to the airport: At the appropriate time today you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your onward flight.
Domestic flight: Depart Cebu Airport on CebGo flight DG6515 to Negros. The flight departs at 12:15 and arrives at 13:10.
Private transfer: On arrival at Dumaguete Airport you will be met by your guide and taken to explore Dumaguete City before transferring to your hotel to check in.
Guided city tour of Dumaguete: This afternoon, discover and experience Dumaguete, dubbed the "City of Gentle People“ - a fitting compliment to the unhurried lifestyle of Dumagueteños. First stop is the Silliman University, where you will take a walking tour of the campus dotted with century-old acacia trees. A tour of the Anthropological Museum is worth it (weekdays only). Next is a rolling tour of the city's landmark, including Claytown Pottery, Ninoy Aquino Park, the Convention Center, the bustling Public Market, and the historical Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria. A quick trip down south of Dumaguete takes you to Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage (NOAH) which houses the stone craft factory & showroom in Bacong, and the century-old San Agustin Church. Lastly, you will pass through Rizal Boulevard, and visit Sidlakang Negros for some handicraft & delicacies.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Atmosphere Resort (Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Guided sightseeing and Dolphin Watching: After breakfast, drive north to Capinahan Pier in Bais City where you will board an outrigger boat for a short sailing trip to Tanon Strait. Stop briefly at Talubong Mangrove Island, a 400-hectare protected mangrove forest that serves as a natural habitat for wild birds and crustaceans. From Talubong, head straight for Campuyo White Sandbar while scouring the sea for dolphins. When the sea is calm, the deep waters of Tanon Strait become the playground of bottlenose, melon-head and spotted dolphins. Wait in anticipation for a pod or two to come and swim alongside the boat, until coming to a rest in the shallow waters of Campuyo White Sandbar. Here on this half-mile long sandbar, find a spot where you can stretch out on the sand or take a dip in its shallow waters.
Later sail back to Bais for a well deserved lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon, wind up the tour with a short visit to the Central Azucarera de Bais, a sugar mill company where, during the milling season, a tour of its facilities introduces you to the manufacture of raw sugar. Afterwards, return to the resort for the night.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Atmosphere Resort (Suite Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Guided sightseeing and visit to Apo Island: After breakfast, you will be transferred to a nearby jetty in the village of Malatapay. If you happen to time your visit right, you will be able to catch a colourful ‘tabu’ that is held every Wednesday of the week. On this day, villagers come down from the hills to auction livestock, buy and sell produce and handicrafts and enjoy fresh fish and tuba. Observe how farm animals are sold off to the highest bidder at one corner of the market area, and be amused by the animated banter of market-goers as they haggle for the best price, or simply experience the vividness and ebullient ambience of a typical village market.
Then proceed to the beach located at the end of the market and board an outrigger boat for the 40 minute boat ride to Apo Island. On Apo Island, enjoy snorkelling in its wide reef flats and coral mounds 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
Hotel transfer: After breakfast at the resort, you will be transferred to the pier in time to board a ferry bound for the mystical island of Siquijor.
Ferry to Siquijor Island: On arrival at the pier, you will take the ferry to Siquijor Island. The journey will take around 45 minutes. 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.
Hotel transfer: On arrival in Siquijor, you will be met by a hotel representative and transferred to Coco Grove Resort, a cosy resort tucked in a thicket of coconut trees fronting a private white sandy beach.
Afternoon at leisure: Once checked in, you have the rest of the day to relax and get acquainted with your new surroundings.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at Coco Grove Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Guided sightseeing around Siquijor Island: After breakfast, spend the day exploring this hilly, limestone island, which came to be called ‘Isla del Fuego’ by Spaniards in the 16th century as they mistook masses of glowing fireflies, seen from the decks of their ships, for volcanic fires. First drive to Lazi, where the oldest and biggest convent in the Far East is located. The convento, built in 1884, is a huge structure made out of limestone blocks and its floorings hewn out of molave wood. Just across from the convent is St Isidore Parish Church, another imposing edifice built in 1894. Afterwards move on to Cambugahay Falls, a waterfall sheltered beneath a canopy of trees and surrounded by a thick foliage of flowering shrubs - a picture-perfect setting for nature lovers. Spend time at the falls before proceeding to Salagdo-ong Beach for lunch and a chance to swim. After lunch embark on a short tour of Siquijor Town with brief stops at St. Francis of Assisi Church, an ancient stone church; and San Juan de Capilay Spring Park, a natural spring-fed swimming pool located at the heart of the town plaza. Finally, before returning to the resort, trek up Mount Bandilaan, the highest peak on the island, for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at Coco Grove Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Days at leisure: These two days are at leisure to relax, enjoy the resort facilities, or see more of the island on an independent basis.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at Coco Grove Beach Resort (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Hotel transfer: After breakfast at the resort, you will be transferred to Siquijor pier in time to board a ferry for Bohol.
Ferry to Bohol: On arrival at the pier, you will take the ferry to Bohol. The journey will take around 1 hour. 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.
Hotel transfer: On arrival in Bohol, you will be met by a hotel representative and transferred to Panglao Island, just over the bridge from Bohol, to check in at your beach hotel.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bohol Beach Club (Deluxe 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 (this was badly damaged in the 2013 eartthquake). From here you will drive to the Tarsier Sanctuary at Corella 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.
Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bohol Beach Club (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Days at leisure: You have two days free to relax and enjoy the resort facilities. We recommend trying your hand at some diving or snorkelling - either of which can be easily arranged through your hotel.
Accommodation: Stay these nights at the Bohol Beach Club (Deluxe Room)
Meals: Breakfast
Morning at leisure: You have a final morning at leisure to relax, or cram in some final sightseeing or souvenir-hunting.
Hotel transfer: In the early afternoon, you will be transferred to the ferry terminal in Tagbilaran in time to check in for the ferry to Cebu.
Ferry and road transfer to Cebu Airport: On arrival at the port, 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. On arrival in Cebu you will be met at the port and taken straight to Cebu International Aiport in time to check-in for your onward flight.
Flight: CX926 Cebu - Hong Kong 20.05 - 22.50
Flight: CX251 Hong Kong - London Heathrow 23.55 - 05.40 (overnight)
Meals: Breakfast