Philippines24 days
Philippines: Highlands to Islands — 24 Days
Rice terraces of Banaue, heritage Manila, El Nido's lagoons, Puerto Princesa's underground river, and Boracay beaches across 24 days
This 24-day circuit connects the Philippines' major regions in geographical sequence: starting in Manila, moving north to the Cordillera highlands and their amphitheater rice terraces, descending to Baguio, returning to the capital, then traveling south to the limestone karst and island networks of Palawan, the cultural landmarks of Cebu, and finally the white-sand beaches of Boracay. The itinerary balances trekking, cultural visits, boat-based island tours, and unstructured beach time, with domestic flights connecting the larger distances between regions.
Highlights
- Trek to Batad Rice Terraces near Banaue, amphitheater-shaped paddies carved into steep mountainside, approximately 2 hour walk
- Walking tour of Echo Valley and hanging coffins in Sagada
- Baguio city tour: The Mansion, Wright Park, Baguio Cathedral, and Burnham Park
- Intramuros guided tour in Manila, including Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, and San Agustin Church
- Island-hopping Tour A from El Nido: Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong Payong Beach, 7 Commando Beach
- St. Paul Underground River in Puerto Princesa, paddle canoe through subterranean cave system with audio guide
- Twin City tour of Cebu: Taoist Temple, Cebu Heritage Monument, Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño
- Island hopping from Boracay: Diniwid Beach, Tambisaan Beach, Coral Garden, Puka Beach
Day by day
1Arrival in ManilaManila · your hotel
Arrive in Manila and transfer to your hotel. Check in and settle in for your overnight stay.
2Manila: Recovery and AcclimatizationManila · your hotel
Breakfast at your hotel, then free time to rest and acclimatize to the region. Overnight in Manila.
3Manila to Banaue via CauayanManila airport · Cauayan to Banaue · hotel in Banaue
After breakfast, transfer to Manila airport for your flight to Cauayan. Upon arrival, begin the scenic 130 km drive to Banaue through mountainous terrain—approximately 4 hours of travel. Check in at your hotel and settle in for the night.
4Banaue Rice Terraces TrekBanaue · Batad Rice Terraces · Tappiya Waterfall · Hapao Rice Terraces · Hapao Springs
Two trekking options are available. The Batad Rice Terraces route leads through the most well-known and dramatic of the region's terraces, shaped like an amphitheater, with a 2-hour trek to the viewpoint and the possibility of extending to Tappiya Waterfall. The Hapao Rice Terraces option offers gentler slopes and wide stone-walled paddies over approximately 2 hours, with the option to visit Hapao Springs. Overnight in Banaue.
5Bontoc Museum, Sagada's Hanging Coffins, and Echo ValleyBontoc Museum · Sagada · Echo Valley · Banaue · Bauko
After breakfast, depart Banaue and travel south toward Bontoc (61 km, approximately 2–2.5 hours). The Bontoc Museum offers essential context on Cordillera culture and history before continuing to Sagada (31.5 km, 1 hour). Take lunch at a local restaurant in Sagada, then visit Echo Valley on foot—a landscape shaped by the region's burial traditions, including the distinctive hanging coffins suspended in the cliff face. In late afternoon, travel to Bauko (50 km, approximately 2 hours), where dinner and accommodation await at your hotel.
6Bauko to Baguio: City and HighlandsBauko to Baguio · The Mansion · Wright Park · Baguio Cathedral · Session Road · Burnham Park · Mirador Hills
Four-hour, 121 km drive to Baguio. City tour includes The Mansion, a walk through Wright Park, Baguio Cathedral, a stroll on Session Road, and Burnham Park. Day concludes with sunset viewing at Mirador Hills with tea and light refreshments. Overnight in Baguio.
7Baguio to Manila: Return SouthBaguio to Manila · Manila
After breakfast at the hotel, check out around 1130H and begin the 4.5–5 hour drive south to Manila, covering 250 km. Lunch is taken en route. Settle in for your overnight stay in Manila.
8Manila: Intramuros Walking TourFort Santiago · Casa Manila · San Agustin Church and Museum · Distilleria Limtuaco · a local restaurant
Guided tour of Intramuros, the walled colonial district, visiting Fort Santiago, Casa Manila, San Agustin Church and Museum, and Distilleria Limtuaco. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Manila.
9Manila to El Nido, PalawanManila · El Nido
Domestic flight to El Nido on Palawan's north coast, with resort transfer upon arrival. Overnight in El Nido.
10El Nido: Island Hopping Tour AEl Nido · Big Lagoon · Shimizu Island · Secret Lagoon · Payong Payong Beach · 7 Commando Beach
Boat-based island hopping covering Big Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Secret Lagoon, Payong Payong Beach, and 7 Commando Beach, with lunch included. Overnight in El Nido.
11El Nido: Beach Days at LeisureEl Nido
Begin with breakfast at the hotel, then the day is yours. Soak up the sun on El Nido's beaches, wander at your own pace, or join optional activities. Overnight in El Nido.
12El Nido: Free Time
Unscheduled day at leisure for beach time or optional activities. Overnight in El Nido.
13El Nido to Sabang, Puerto PrincesaEl Nido to Sabang, Puerto Princesa · Sabang, Puerto Princesa
Late morning departure to Sabang, Puerto Princesa on Palawan's west coast. Overnight in Sabang.
14Puerto Princesa Underground River TourSt. Paul Subterranean Park · Sabang Wharf · Sabang · Underground River cave system
Guided tour of St. Paul Subterranean Park. Morning begins with briefing and registration at Sabang Wharf, followed by motorized boat transport to the park entrance. Visitors walk through the holding area, where free-roaming monkeys may be encountered, before boarding paddle canoes equipped with audio guides to visit the Underground River cave system. Return to Sabang for lunch; afternoon free. Overnight in Sabang.
15Puerto Princesa City TourPuerto Princesa City · Crocodile Farm · Plaza Quartel · Immaculate Conception Cathedral · Binuatan Weaving center · local restaurant
Transfer to Puerto Princesa City for a city tour covering the Crocodile Farm, Plaza Quartel, Immaculate Conception Cathedral, and Binuatan Weaving center, with lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Puerto Princesa City.
16Puerto Princesa to CebuCebu · Lio Airport
Flight from Lio Airport to Cebu, with resort transfer upon arrival. Overnight in Cebu.
17Cebu Twin City TourCebu · Taoist Temple · Cebu Heritage Monument · Yap San Diego (Casa Gorordo) · Fort San Pedro · Magellan's Cross · Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño · Mactan Shrine · Alegre Guitar Factory · a local restaurant
Guided tour of Cebu City and Mactan visiting the Taoist Temple, Cebu Heritage Monument, Yap San Diego (Casa Gorordo), Fort San Pedro, Magellan's Cross, and Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño. The itinerary continues to Mactan to see the Mactan Shrine and Alegre Guitar Factory with souvenir shopping. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight in Cebu.
18Cebu to BoracayBoracay · hotel · airport · Caticlan
Breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport. Fly to Caticlan, then take a boat transfer to your resort in Boracay.
19Boracay: Island Hopping TourBoracay · Diniwid Beach · Tambisaan Beach · Coral Garden · Puka Beach · Crocodile Island · Bolabog Beach
Boat tour visiting Diniwid Beach, Tambisaan Beach, Coral Garden, Puka Beach, and seasonally Crocodile Island and Bolabog Beach. Overnight in Boracay.
20Boracay: Free and EasyBoracay · the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel before a day at leisure. Embrace the island's unhurried rhythm and the art of doing nothing. Overnight in Boracay.
21Boracay: Free Time
Unscheduled day at leisure on the beach. Overnight in Boracay.
22Boracay: Free Time
Unscheduled day at leisure on the beach. Overnight in Boracay.
23Boracay: Free Time
Unscheduled day at leisure on the beach. Overnight in Boracay.
24Boracay to Manila: DepartureManila · Boracay to Caticlan Airport · Caticlan Airport to Manila
Boat transfer to Caticlan Airport with flight to Manila and onward connection to the international airport.
Included
- Tours, transfers, hotel accommodations, and meals
- are included as indicated in the tour outline
Not included
- ● Domestic flight
- ○ Manila / Cauayan
- ○ Manila / Beach Destination / Manila
- Rates are available upon request
- Arrangements not specified