Philippines: Manila, Banaue, Coron, El Nido, Bohol and Malapascua, private tour including beach holiday

Transfer to hotel. Upon arrival, our representative in Manila will be waiting with all the details about the tour.

Breakfast. We'll start off on our journey through the history of the Philippines by visiting the well-known Intramuros area, a small colonial city within the huge megalopolis that is Manila, with remains of the only truly 'European' city that still exists in Asia. The tour includes the Church of San Agustín, the courtyard in the Casa Manila, the Rizal Museum and the bastion of Santa Bárbara that rises above the River Pasig. From Intramuros, we'll head to the San Miguel district to have lunch at a very special restaurant. After lunch, we'll go to the Presidential Palace of Malacañang and the Library. In the afternoon, we'll take a walking tour through the streets of the Binondo and Quiapo districts. We'll stop at Plaza San Ruiz and see the Church of Binondo (built in 1594), which stands in the oldest Chinatown in the world. From the Plaza, we'll stroll down Ongpin Street, which is lined with typical Chinese shops and restaurants, and enter the district of Santa Cruz, with its church dating from 1608. We'll then take Rizal Avenue until arriving in Quiapo. This is a place full of hand readers and sellers of lucky charms and herbs with healing powers. We'll stop at the Bahay Nakpil Bautista Museum and also at the Muslim market before visiting another of the most important craft markets in Manila, the Ilalim ng Tulay. To end, we'll walk up to Hidalgo Street, which is the border between Quiapo and the District of San Miguel, to visit the Church of San Sebastián (built in 1891). From here we'll head to the bus station to take the overnight bus to Banaue. The journey takes around eight hours, depending on traffic. Night on board.

Arrival in Banaue at dawn. We'll then be met by our guide and transferred to a local hotel to rest. Please remember that accommodations in this area are pretty basic. The hotel is located on the main street of Banaue, providing us with a room to relax and take a shower before starting out with the visits. We'll also have breakfast included on the terrace, which commands spectacular views over the valley. Once we've regained our strength, it's time to start our visit to the area of Ifuago. We recommend taking the essentials for the night in Batad and leaving all other luggage at the hotel in Banaue. Once there, our means of transport will be a tricycle or the locally-called jeepney. So, it's off on our jeepney towards Batad, which is a road trip of around 45 minutes (16 kilometres) along narrow trails ideal for stopping off and taking photos of the different villages en route. We'll then arrive at the starting point of today's trek. It will ultimately take us to Batad, but in around forty minutes we'll arrive at the first hanging houses over the rice paddies. Then, we'll leave our belongings behind and set out on the real trek among rice terraces. The province of Ifugao is home to colossal rice terraces, among which the most outstanding are in Banaue, Batad and Banga an. UNESCO World Heritage Site, these terraces were built two thousand years ago by the indigenous tribe of the Ifugao, in a network of springs that channel the water of subtropical forests and create a perfect irrigation system. Today, we'll trek through rice paddies and observe everyday life in Batad. Although tourism is gradually taking root in this remote area, it hasn't yet altered the laid-back atmosphere of a village that cherishes its traditions. The walk will end at the waterfalls of Tappiya, so we'll need our swimwear to enjoy a refreshing dip once there. We'll cross all the rice fields that surround the village to reach the highest point and then begin the descent to the waterfall. After an hour following the course of the river, we'll arrive at this remote place. Time at leisure for a cooling swim. At noon, we'll start the return trek to Batad, where we'll have lunch while enjoying some incredible views. Rest of the day at leisure.

Breakfast. Getting up at dawn and admiring the immense valley of rice fields embraced by mountains is a pleasure for all the senses. After breakfast, it'll be time to say goodbye to Batad and carry on with our itinerary. We'll take the road back to Banaue, but before reaching where we left the jeepney, we'll turn off onto a small track on the left that will take us to Banga An in about three hours, crossing through villages, tropical forests and terraces. It's a gentle and very enjoyable trek without too many slopes. On arrival in Banga An, we'll have lunch and if we fancy, we can take a stroll down to the village. After the visit, journey back to Banaue and connection with the overnight bus. Night on board.

Arrival in Manila at three in the morning and transfer to the hotel. In the morning, transfer to airport for flight to Coron. Upon arrival at the tiny airport of Bususanga, our hotel partners will take us to Coron, crossing the rural areas of the island, and in around forty-five minutes we'll reach the town-centre hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. The town of Coron is the commercial hub of the island of Bususanga and has all kinds of shops, cute restaurants and street food stands, so today is a great day for exploring the centre. Our recommendations for this first day include visiting Maquinit Hot Spring, a natural spa located on the outskirts of the village and with some amazing views; climbing Mt. Tapyas; or, if for a bit more adventure, renting a motorbike and touring the island.

Breakfast. Day spent exploring the island of Coron. The waters here are so pure and clean that, in some points, they have a visibility of more than twenty-four metres. What's more, the island is famous for being an area where Japanese ships were shipwrecked during World War II, and is a true karst paradise of cliffs, rocks and turquoise lagoons. It's home to the Tagbanua ethnic group, one of the oldest tribes in the Philippines, so the inland areas are very protected with restrictions on tourist access. The main attractions of Coron are Lake Kayangan and Lake Barrakuda, which combine salt and fresh water, and several lagoons, such as the Twin Lagoon, ideal for a refreshing dip thanks to the dramatic temperature shifts from one area to another. Return journey to the hotel and overnight stay.

Breakfast. At the prearranged time, transfer to the port of Coron, where we'll take a ferry over to El Nido. The crossing takes around three and a half hours, depending on the sea conditions. Transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure, but we definitely recommend going to admire the sunset in the area of ​​Las Cabañas, in the south of El Nido. Overnight stay.

Breakfast. Our colleagues will pick you up at your hotel and walk you down to the jetty, where the boat will be waiting to whisk you off on a stunning adventure around the islands of the El Nido archipelago. We'll stop at Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Star Beach and Helicopter Island. At the end of the trip, return journey to the hotel.

Breakfast. Free day at your leisure. There are many activities that can be enjoyed on the island: mountain biking, sunbathing on the beautiful beach of Nacpan or swimming in the waterfall of Bulalacao.

Breakfast. Transfer around 11.00 am to El Nido airport. Flight to Cebu. On arrival, transfer to the port to take the ferry to Bohol. Upon arrival, our chauffeur will take us to our resort in Loboc.

Breakfast. Day spent visiting the most famous sites of Bohol. The tour will start at about 8.00 in the morning. Our local guide in Bohol will pick you up at your hotel and take you to see the most extraordinary primates of Bohol, the Tarsiers. Eyes the size of their brain and the ability to jump 40 times the length of their body are just some of the things that make the tarsier a fascinating animal. After this visit we will cross the Bamboo Bridge and the Man Made Forest until we reach the falls. Here you can bathe in a naturally beautiful environment. Our next stop are the Chocolate Hills. Travel in quads or buggies along a route that lasts around 45 minutes. Our lunch spot is reached by entering the jungle and crossing the river. We'll end the day with a visit to the butterfly garden. Return journey to the hotel.

Breakfast. Morning transfer to the port to catch a ferry to Cebu. From there, transfer to another port to take a boat to Malapascua. Arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Breakfast. Day at your disposal. Malapascua is one of the top diving destinations in Asia. Many of the divers who come here are attracted by the thresher shark, as it's relatively easy to spot in the waters of Malapascua. Apart from being one of the best dive sites, Malapascua is famous for its stunning white beaches, such as Bounty Beach.

Breakfast. Day at your disposal.

Breakfast. Transfer by boat to Cebu to head to the airport. Flight to City of origin destination. Night on board.

Arrival. End of the trip and our services.