13 days Manila to Bohol - trip code TSPI10
US$2950
The seven thousand, one hundred and seven islands of the Philippines stretch for nearly two thousand kilometers through the Pacific and encompass everything from volcanoes and lofty mountain peaks to idyllic tropical beaches. The people of these islands are as diverse as the geography, but one thing they all seem to share is a broad smile.
Our journey is designed to offer a blend of unique local culture, spectacular scenery and wildlife. We'll hike through some of the most incredible rice terraces on the planet, visit cave burial sites and hanging coffins, climb a volcano, drive over the highest pass in the Philippines, come face to face with the world's smallest mammal, spend the night at a bee farm, and have time to mull it all over on a picture perfect tropical beach. Mabuhay!
Itinerary
Day 1 | Manila
The tour starts today and people will be arriving at different times throughout the day. In the late afternoon we'll all get together for an introduction to the trip and a delicious local dinner.
Day 2 | Baguio
Today we set off early on the beautiful drive north into the mountains to Baguio, gateway to the Cordillera.
Day 3-4 | Sagada
After a brief visit to a local artists enclave and a weaving school in Baguio, we make the long drive into the Cordillera. Sagada is an idyllic village, nestled in a dramatic limestone valley, 1400m (4,600ft) up in the mountains. We spend a day exploring the rugged countryside around Sagada, heading to hanging coffins and burial caves in the cliffs and valleys of this remote mountain hideaway.
Day 5-6 | Banaue
We drive to Banaue via the small town of Bontoc which has an excellent museum detailing the lives of the region's earliest inhabitants, some of whom were headhunters. In the afternoon we'll get our first glimpse of what are often described as the eighth wonder of the world, the incredible rice terraces. The following day we'll take a short, bumpy drive deeper into the Cordillera to a trailhead where we begin our hike to a small village engulfed in rice terraces.
Day 7 | Manila
Today it's a long day of travel back to the warmth of Manila.
Days 8-9 | Tagaytay
After a free morning we'll make the short drive out to Tagaytay which sits on the crater rim of an ancient volcano and offers spectacular views down to the lake and the beautifully formed Taal volcano. Early the next morning we'll take a boat ride across the lake to the volcano, and there's the chance to make the short, steep climb up to the rim.
Day 10 | Bohol Bee Farm
After a short drive we'll board a flight south to Tagbilaran, from where we transfer to the fascinating Bohol Bee Farm. In the afternoon we'll have a guided tour of the farm, including its herb and lettuce gardens, weaving center, and, of course, the beehives. Dinner is at the farm's acclaimed organic restaurant.
Days 11-12 | Alona Beach
After breakfast on day 11 we'll head to the Tarsier Research and Development Center to try and spot these tiny cuddly critters in the wild. From here we continue to the Loboc River where we'll take a boat ride through the jungle. After disembarking we'll drive to the other worldly Chocolate Hills, and we'll also visit a butterfly farm. We end the day at beautiful Alona Beach and the following day is free to go swimming, snorkeling or diving, or just relax and get a massage. In the evening we'll meet for a final beach dinner to mark the end of our adventure through the Philippine archipelago.
Day 13 | Tour Ends
The tour ends after breakfast.
Facts and Information
Style
fully supported adventure tour
Grasshopper Leader
Your tour leader on this trip will be Simon Foster. Simon has been living in the Asia-Pacific region for seven years and ever since first washing up on the shores of the Philippines he has been captivated by its diverse beauty and the warmth of the people. With each new trip he explores a few more of the 7,107 islands on offer.
meet Simon
Inclusions
accommodation, domestic flight, private vehicle and driver throughout, local guides, entrance fees and some meals.
Group Size
minimum 4, maximum 12
Accommodation
10 nights in comfortable hotels, 2 nights in simple mountain cottage
Meals Included
12 breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 7 dinners
Difficulty
moderate
Feedback and Reviews
"Excellent itinerary. It was all fun, but the trip through the mountains, the rice terraces, and snorkeling on the reef were best."
- Don & Arlene, January 2010
