Visayas and Palawan Island Escape

Welcome to the start of your tour of the Philippines! Your driver will greet you on arrival at Cebu Airport and drive you to your hotel. Settle down and relax around the swimming pool of your hotel to recover from your long journey. Cebu is the second largest city in the Philippines after Manila, the capital. It is also known to be the oldest city in the archipelago and was the first base for Spanish settlers after the arrival of the Portuguese explorer, Fernand de Magellan in the 16th century. At the end of the day, why not stroll through the city center and taste the local culinary specialties. First night in the Philippines.

After a hearty breakfast, your driver will take you to the port of Cebu. You embark on a speed boat for a crossing of about two hours to Tagbilaran, on the island of Bohol. A short transfer by car takes you to the Panglao peninsula which will be your next home for the next two nights. You are staying in the south of the peninsula, a stone's throw from the famous Alona Beach. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere here and dine on the beach at one of Alona Beach's many restaurants. Grilled fish on the barbecue with your feet in the sand: welcome to paradise!

Today, you are discovering the riches of Bohol. Your first stop of the day is the awe-inspiring Chocolate Hills, one of the must-see landscapes of the Philippines and a highlight of your tour of the Philippines. This stunning geological formation results in grassy green mountains which turn brown in the dry season. You then go on a cruise on the Loboc River and have lunch on board. In the afternoon, your local guide shows you the Church of Baclayon, the oldest stone church in Bohol. You end this beautiful day with a visit to the sanctuary of Tarsiers, adorable tiny primates with large globular eyes! Return back to your hotel on Alona Beach.

This morning, you leave Alona beach and head to Siquijor Island. Your driver takes you to the Tagbilaran Pier for your boat trip to Siquijor, known for its peaceful family atmosphere. Nicknamed the “Island of Fire," Siquijor is revered by the Filipinos as a center of mysticism in the Visayas. Many visitors come here to buy herbal medicines. Settle down in your hotel, located on the beach of San Juan and enjoy some beachside relaxation. Take this opportunity to try a traditional Filipino massage, the Hilot massage, and indulge in a moment of absolute well-being.

You have breakfast with your feet in the sand facing the blue sky and the crystal clear sea. Today, you are going on an excursion to explore the interior of the island of Siquijor. Start with a visit to the Church of Saint Isidore and the Convent of Lazi. Ask your local Filipino guide to take you to one of the island's many healers for an unusual consultation. In the afternoon, cool off with a swim in the Cambugahay and Lagaan waterfalls. Return to the beach in front of your hotel for a snorkeling session at the end of the day.

Today, you have a free day to spend at your leisure! Relax, rest, swim, stroll, cycle, lounge around on the beach.. The choice is yours! You can organize a bicycle from the hotel if you want to ride along the coast on two wheels to discover other wild beaches, take a walk on the mountain of Barangay de Cantabon or simply go with a mask and a snorkel to discover the underwater world in the crystal clear waters in front of your hotel. If you have not tried it yet, now is the time to book your Filipino massage for complete relaxation! In the evening, sip a cocktail with your feet in the pool or by the sea.

After a hearty breakfast facing the beach, you are taken to the port of Siquijor. Hop on a speedboat for a crossing of less than an hour to Dumaguete on Negros Island. This island, located in the western Visayas region, has the largest sugar cane plantations in the Philippines, earning it the nickname "Sugar Island". Take a walking tour of Dumaguete Town and visit the market, the cathedral and the anthropology museum at Silliman University. Don’t miss the Campanario Monument, a vestige of the Spanish colonial era! End the day at the seafront of Dumaguete, a pleasant place to go for a walk in the evening.

If you've always dreamed of swimming with sea turtles, this day in the Philippines is for you! You are going on an excursion to the neighboring island of Apo, southeast of Dumaguete. This corner of paradise, in the middle of the Visayas archipelago, is accessible after a boat ride of about an hour. Well-known to lovers of scuba diving and snorkeling, Apo is a small wild island classified as a natural maritime reserve. Wearing your mask and snorkel, swim among the corals, multicolored fish and, if you’re lucky, graceful sea turtles as well!

Today, you explore the lush and mountainous side of Dumaguete's hinterland, which is full of hidden riches. Volcanic landscapes, tropical forests, sumptuous coasts and a luscious seabed, not forgetting the fields of sugar cane as far as the eye can see. Why not go on an excursion to the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Park? The Twin Lakes are two ancient volcanic craters perched at an altitude of 900m. On the way, stop at the magnificent Casaroro waterfalls. The landscapes of this region are truly splendid: verdant rice fields, coconut plantations, white-sand beaches and majestic volcanoes. Return to Dumaguete at the end of the day.

This morning, you leave the island of Negros for another corner of paradise: El Nido. You are taken to the port of Sibuan for a crossing to Cebu. Your driver will then drive you to Cebu Airport for your domestic flight to El Nido, located at the north of the large Palawan Island. In the afternoon, you arrive at Lio Beach which will be your home for the next three nights. The El Nido region is made up of around fifty islands and islets, most of them uninhabited. This region, is home to pristine forests and untouched beaches bordering crystal clear waters. The name, El Nido, which literally translates to “the nest”, was given to the town by the Spanish, who noticed the huge black cliffs with swallow nests.

Enjoy breakfast in an enchanting setting before leaving for a day of exploring Bacuit Bay. From island to island, you discover beaches, caves, coral reefs and lagoons aboard your pendulum boat. Go snorkelling in Shimizu, enjoy the dreamy Seven Commandos Beach, and discover a small secret beach. You have lunch by the seaside. On the menu: a grilled fish and seafood barbecue with your feet in the sand! Enjoy the feeling of being absolutely alone in the world in this enchanting setting. At the end of the day, you return to your hotel on Lio beach.

Today, enjoy a free day of rest and relaxation at your hotel located in Bacuit Bay. Enjoy the hotel's facilities, go for a diving session, a kayak trip or simply sunbathe on the beach. From your hotel, the view on the karst cliffs that plunge into the turquoise water is simply incredible. You can quickly reach magnificent places such as "Snake Island" and its huge sandbank or the fascinating grottoes of "Cathedral Cave". In the evening, why not sip a cocktail with your feet in the sand on one of the terraces of Lio Beach?

Enjoy your last breakfast in the Bacuit Archipelago. El Nido is certainly one of the most exotic and paradisiac places of all your trip to the Philippines. When you are ready, your driver will bring you to El Nido Airport for your flight to Manila. Depending on your flight schedule, you have time to do some last-minute souvenir shopping in the capital. Your driver is at your disposal until your final transfer to Manila International Airport for your return flight. End of our services.