Experience overview

Highlights of Philippines balances a handful of must-see highlights with plenty of blissful R&R downtime. Explore Manila’s eclectic metropolis, feasting on its vibrant cuisine; unwind amid the natural wonders of Palawan, cruising along the Puerto Princesa underground river; and relax on El Nido’s sundrenched island beaches.   

Highlights

  • Discover Manila’s eclectic culture
  • Graze on delicious Filipino streetfood
  • Float along Palawan’s underground river
  • Trek through lush jungle trails
  • Island hop around El Nido

Manila, Palawan, Puerto Princesa Underground River, El Nido


Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Manila

On arrival in the Philippines, you'll be met by your private guide, who will accompany you to your Manila hotel. 

Day 2
City tour

Tour Manila’s classic landmarks and vibrant modernity, cycling through the cobbled streets of Intramuros - Manilla’s historic, 16th century original walled city - on a traditional, handmade bamboo bike. Follow your guide to the ancient San Agustin church, and the Casa Manila museum house showcasing typical Filipino colonial life. Continue to the impressive Fort Santiago, overlooking Manila Bay, containing a poignant museum dedicated to the country’s famous freedom fighter and national hero, Dr Jose Rizal. Drive on to walk through Rizal Park’s ornamental gardens, visit the unique Chinese Cemetery (with spectacular mausoleums resembling luxury homes equipped with everything from kitchens to running water!), and wander into Makati, the capital’s glittering financial, shopping and entertainment district, to see the Nielson Tower, Fort Bonifacio, and the American WWII Cemetery. The rest of your evening will be at leisure to try some tasty Filipino specialities, including chicken adobo and colourful halo-halo pudding.

Day 3
Fly to Palawan, Sabang beaches

Fly to Puerto Princesa, the capital of the island province of Palawan, to meet your guide and drive along the winding road to Sabang. Quieter than Palawan’s better-known destinations of El Nido and Coron, Sabang Beach sits on the edge of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean National Park, making it an excellent base from which to explore the famous Underground River. The rest of your day will be at leisure to enjoy the seaside serenity.

Day 4
Underground river expedition

Navigate the Puerto Princesa Underground River, one of the country’s most impressive natural wonders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start early to avoid the crowds, taking a boat ride to Sabang pier, then a short walk through the jungle to the cave entrance to board a shared paddle boat with an experienced guide at the helm. Drift through giant caverns and cathedral chambers, lit only by the boatman’s torch, home to a complex ecosystem sustaining several species of crab, giant spider and snake that can only be found here - although you’re only likely to see a few bats and swallows! Reunite with your guide at the cave entrance and trek for a couple of hours along well-worn trails through the jungle back to your hotel, where the remainder of your afternoon will be at leisure to rest after the day’s hike.

Day 5
Car & boat to El Nido

Travel to El Nido town at the tip of Palawan, where you’ll be driven to the jetty to board a shared boat to your chosen resort. The rest of your day will be at leisure to begin leaning in to El Nido’s laid back rhythm.

 

Day 6
Island hopping

An island hopping tour is the best way to experience the natural beauty of El Nido. Which specific islands you visit, and the route of your boat trip, will depend on the resort you start from, but you’re guaranteed to find plenty of the golden sands, clear water lagoons and snorkelling sites that the region is famous for.

Day 7
At leisure on El Nido

Indulge yourself with a long stretch enjoying El Nido’s sun, sea and sand, and making the most of the barefoot luxury at your resort. Follow your instincts to discover hidden coves where you can laze in the shade and snorkel in the shallows; tear yourself away from the reefs to trekking through the lush inland jungle; and feast on fresh seafood on the shore.

Days 8 to 10
Free & Leisure

  Beach time

Day 11
Depart El Nido

Enjoy a morning at leisure soaking up a few last moments in El Nido’s tropical paradise, before heading to the airport for your onward flight.

Booking Policy

  • English speaking, local guide
  • All accommodation listed
  • Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
  • Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
  • All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All meals listed
  • Entry visas
  • International airport departure taxes
  • Any meals not listed in the itinerary
  • Drinks, other than water on activity days
  • Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip...)
  • Travel insurance
  • All other services not listed in 'inclusive'    

Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these.

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Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on firsthand knowledge of the destionation.
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Authentic Experience
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing you destination to life with care and passion.
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Responsible Travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that priorities travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Philippines tours with us

What our clients say about us

Leslie
Feb 2023
star star star star star
An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Lida
April 18, 2023
star star star star star
Our group of 26 people traveled to Japan & Thailand with My Way Travel, and had an incredible time. This was our third trip with My Way Travel and the trip was planned perfectly with every detail accounted for. Our tour guides were exceptional in every way. They exuded a warmth and friendliness that immediately put us at ease, making our trip more enjoyable. Not only were they amiable, but they also had extensive knowledge about the places we visited. We would highly recommend My Way Travel to anyone planning a trip to Asia.
Erik
July 28, 2023
star star star star star
We have just returned from a 16 Day/15 Night trip to southeast Asia including stops in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand planned by Stephen at My Way Travel. We reached out to My Way Travel with quite a tall order asking them to arrange a trip for us that included visiting 9 cities in 15 nights! From the first point of contact, our experience with My Way Travel was absolutely fantastic. Stephen was very attentive and let us customize our tour however we pleased. All of the hotels he booked for us were incredible and the tour guides and drivers made us feel like family. It was very easy to keep in touch with Stephen throughout our trip via Whatsapp. The only thing we really needed during our trip was to add baggage for one of our flights and he was able to take care of it the day before we arrived at the airport. All the drivers/guides showed up on time and made transferring from airport to hotel to tour to wherever extremely easy. I will definitely recommend this company to anyone that plans on traveling to Asia.
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