The Philippines Island Explorer is our 13 day adventure that will have you snorkelling turquoise waters, visiting local villages, hanging out at waterfalls, discovering untouched islands on a multiday boat expedition, and much more! Oh, and did we mention that you’ll be doing this with an experienced Group Leader and instant crew of new friends?
Highlights (TL/DR):
Discover the mystical mountains, shamans and waterfalls of Siquijor
Canyoneering through the stunning Kawasan Falls
Experience an underwater wonderland at the famous Sardine Run in Moalboal
Explore majestic emerald cliffs, uninhabited islands and incredible snorkeling spots on a 3-day boat expedition
Tour the best of the iconic El Nido in a traditional Jeepney
13 Day Philippines Island Explorer Tour - Tour itinerary - 13 Days
Welcome to Manila! We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Once you’ve checked in you’ll then have plenty of time to recover from your flight and relax before you meet everyone in your group!
You will stay at Lub D, a funky hotel in the heart of Manila.
This morning we travel to the stunning island of Siquijor via an internal flight and ferry. We’ll check in to our hotel before heading down to one of the island’s famous stretches of white coast to watch the sunset with a drink in hand.
Today we’re off on a tour of Siquijor, starting with a trip into the mountains to visit village shamans, who are believed to have mysterious healing powers. Next up we’ll check out Cambugahay Falls, a picturesque waterfall complete with bamboo rafts and rope swings, perfect for those Instagram shots! Later we’ll have our first snorkeling stop of the trip, giving us a taste of what’s to come as we continue hopping around the Philippines.
Leaving Siquijor, today we’ll stop for a thrilling canyoneering adventure at Kawasan Falls that’ll have us leaping into bright blue pools. This evening we’ll check in to our accommodation at Moalboal.
This morning we’re off on a snorkelling trip to observe the Sardine Run that Moalboal is famous for. A phenomenon worthy of a David Attenborough documentary, we’ll have the chance to snorkel amongst countless sardines in amazingly clear water - an experience like nothing else! The afternoon is yours to check out more of Moalboal town or relax by the beach or pool under the tropical sun.
Today we’ll stop at Simala Church, a castle-like monastery where we can learn about the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. From Cebu City, we’ll take our second internal flight to Busuanga Island, check in to our hotel, and head into town for dinner and drinks!
This morning you can choose to wander Coron Town or just chill by the pool. Later that day, we’ll hike up Mount Tapyas for beautiful views of the bay. After some exercise, we’ll travel to Maquinit Hot Springs to relax our bodies and be rewarded with a golden sunset as we soak in the hot saltwater pools.
Today we set off on a spectacular 3-day island-hopping expedition from Coron to El Nido. Sailing on a traditional Banca boat we’ll go off the beaten track to explore untouched islands, pristine oceans, meet local tribes, and sleep on the beach. Our Filipino huts are simple, but with very few tourists, loads of fresh food and marvelous vistas everywhere you turn, we think the trade-off is absolutely worth it.
Continuing our trip to Palawan we’ll pass more white beaches and swim with fish in some of the world’s most colourful snorkeling spots. Completely off the grid we’ll be able to fully immerse in the heavenly beauty of our surroundings. With nothing else to worry about, all we have on the agenda is swim, snorkel, sunbathe, repeat! Tonight we stay on the beach in a traditional camp, dozing off to the sounds of the waves under the stars.
Today our island-hopping expedition comes to an end as we arrive on the island of Palawan. We’ll check into our accommodation for the remainder of the trip, then head off to see the town from above on a walk through the lush jungle canopy.
After a few days of swimming and sailing, today is ours to relax on the beach, sip cold drinks and discover El Nido. To ease your muscles we’ve also included a Filipino massage, the ultimate way to chill after so much adventure. This is paradise!
Our last full day will see us hopping in a Jeepney to tour El Nido. First up is Nacpan Beach, one of the most beautiful spots on Palawan, then we’ll visit a few local hideouts to get a taste of island life. Tonight we wrap things up with a farewell dinner and drinks to toast the incredible adventures we’ve had together.
Your amazing 13-day adventure comes to an end. You can either check out and make your way back home, stay on longer in El Nido or continue your travels in the Philippines.