Philippines Island Hopping 10 Days

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable 10-day island hopping adventure through the Philippines, from the historic streets of Manila to the stunning limestone cliffs of Palawan, the white sand beaches of Boracay, and the chocolate hills of Bohol. Experience the natural beauty, vibrant culture, delicious food, and warm hospitality of this archipelago of over 7,000 islands.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Manila

Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Manila). Transfer to your hotel in Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Explore Manila: visit the historic walled city of Intramuros (the oldest district of Manila, built by the Spanish in the 16th century, with its cobblestone streets, historic churches, and colonial architecture), the San Agustin Church (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the oldest stone church in the Philippines, built in 1587), Fort Santiago (a historic Spanish fortress, where the national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned before his execution), the Rizal Park (Luneta, a large urban park where Jose Rizal was executed, with his monument and the National Museum complex), the National Museum of the Philippines (with its collection of Filipino art, history, and natural history), and the Manila Cathedral. Visit the colorful Binondo district (the oldest Chinatown in the world, established in 1594) for delicious Chinese-Filipino food. Evening welcome dinner with Filipino cuisine including adobo, sinigang, lechon, and halo-halo. Overnight in Manila.

Day 2: Manila to El Nido, Palawan

Morning fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa (the capital of Palawan, approximately 1.5 hours), then drive or fly to El Nido (approximately 5-6 hours drive or 1 hour flight), a beautiful town on the northern tip of Palawan, known for its stunning limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, and lagoons. El Nido is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world. Upon arrival, explore El Nido town: visit the El Nido Beach, the Taraw Cliff (a stunning limestone cliff overlooking the town, with a challenging hike to the top for panoramic views), and the local markets. After lunch, relax on the beach or take a short boat tour to nearby islands. Evening enjoy fresh seafood dinner on the beach. Overnight in El Nido.

Day 3: El Nido Island Hopping Tour A

Full day island hopping tour around El Nido (Tour A, the most popular tour): visit the Big Lagoon (a stunning lagoon surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, with crystal-clear turquoise water, perfect for kayaking and swimming), the Small Lagoon (a smaller, more secluded lagoon accessible through a small opening in the limestone cliffs), the Secret Lagoon (a hidden lagoon behind a limestone wall, accessible by swimming through a small tunnel), the Shimizu Island (a beautiful island with a white sand beach and great snorkeling), and the Payong-Payong Island (a small island with a beautiful sandbar). Snorkel among vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a beautiful beach. Sunset cruise back to El Nido. Evening dinner in El Nido. Overnight in El Nido.

Day 4: El Nido Island Hopping Tour B/C & to Coron

Morning another island hopping tour (Tour B or C): visit the Snake Island (a beautiful sandbar that curves like a snake, connecting two islands, with stunning views), the Pinagbuyutan Island (a beautiful island with a white sand beach and great snorkeling), the Cathedral Cave (a stunning cave with a cathedral-like ceiling, accessible by boat), the Cudugnon Cave (an ancient burial cave with human remains and artifacts dating back thousands of years), and the Tapiutan Strait (a beautiful channel between two islands, great for snorkeling and kayaking). After lunch, take a fast catamaran or ferry from El Nido to Coron (approximately 3-4 hours), a beautiful town on Busuanga Island in northern Palawan, known for its stunning lagoons, lakes, and World War II shipwrecks. Upon arrival, explore Coron town and the nearby beaches. Evening dinner in Coron. Overnight in Coron.

Day 5: Coron Island Tour

Full day island hopping tour around Coron: visit the Kayangan Lake (the cleanest lake in the Philippines, a stunning freshwater lake surrounded by towering limestone cliffs, with crystal-clear water and underwater rock formations, accessible by climbing a short trail over the limestone cliffs), the Twin Lagoon (two beautiful lagoons connected by a narrow passage under a limestone arch, with water that changes temperature from warm to cold), the Barracuda Lake (a unique lake with layers of fresh and salt water, with dramatic thermoclines and haloclines, popular with divers), the Skeleton Wreck (a small Japanese shipwreck from World War II, perfect for snorkeling), the Coral Garden (a beautiful coral reef with vibrant corals and tropical fish), and the Banol Beach (a beautiful white sand beach for picnicking and swimming). Snorkel among vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish, and sea turtles. Enjoy a picnic lunch on a beautiful beach. Sunset cruise back to Coron. Evening dinner in Coron. Overnight in Coron.

Day 6: Coron to Boracay

Morning free for last-minute exploration of Coron or an optional dive to the World War II shipwrecks (Coron is one of the best wreck diving destinations in the world, with over 10 Japanese shipwrecks from World War II). After lunch, fly from Coron (Busuanga Airport) to Manila (1 hour), then connect to Caticlan (the gateway to Boracay, approximately 1 hour). Upon arrival at Caticlan, take a short boat ride (15 minutes) to Boracay Island, one of the most famous beach destinations in the world, known for its stunning White Beach (a 4-kilometer stretch of powdery white sand, consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the world), crystal-clear turquoise waters, and vibrant nightlife. Check into your beachfront hotel. Relax on White Beach, swim in the crystal-clear water, or try water sports including parasailing, jet skiing, and banana boating. Evening enjoy a beachside barbecue dinner and experience the vibrant nightlife of Boracay (the island is famous for its bars, clubs, and fire dancers). Overnight in Boracay.

Day 7: Boracay

Full day to enjoy Boracay: relax on White Beach, swim in the crystal-clear water, or try water sports. Take a boat tour around the island: visit the Puka Shell Beach (a beautiful beach on the northern tip of the island, known for its puka shells), the Crystal Cove Island (a small island with beautiful caves and snorkeling), the Crocodile Island (a small island shaped like a crocodile, great for snorkeling), and the Balinghai Beach (a secluded beach accessible by a steep path). Visit the Mount Luho viewpoint (the highest point on the island, with stunning panoramic views). Try the famous Boracay sunset sailing (a traditional paraw sailboat cruise at sunset, one of the most popular activities on the island). After lunch, visit the D’Mall (the main shopping and dining area of Boracay) and the Talipapa Market (the local wet market, where you can buy fresh seafood and have it cooked at a nearby restaurant). Evening enjoy a beachside dinner and the famous Boracay fire dancing performances. Overnight in Boracay.

Day 8: Boracay to Cebu & Bohol

Morning take the boat from Boracay to Caticlan, then fly from Caticlan to Cebu (approximately 1 hour), the oldest city in the Philippines and the second-largest city in the country. Upon arrival in Cebu, take a fast ferry to Tagbilaran City on Bohol Island (approximately 2 hours), a beautiful island in the Central Visayas, known for its unique geological formations, cute primates, and beautiful beaches. Upon arrival, check into your hotel in Panglao Island (a beautiful island connected to Bohol by a bridge, known for its stunning beaches and world-class diving). Visit the Alona Beach (a beautiful white sand beach on Panglao Island, with restaurants, bars, and dive shops). Evening enjoy fresh seafood dinner. Overnight in Panglao/Bohol.

Day 9: Bohol Countryside Tour

Full day countryside tour of Bohol: visit the Chocolate Hills (one of the most famous natural attractions in the Philippines, a unique geological formation of over 1,200 perfectly cone-shaped hills that turn chocolate brown during the dry season, covering an area of over 50 square kilometers), the Tarsier Conservation Area (home to the Philippine tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world, with its huge eyes, tiny body, and ability to turn its head 180 degrees, an endangered species endemic to the Philippines), the Loboc River Cruise (a scenic cruise along the Loboc River on a floating restaurant, with a buffet lunch of Filipino cuisine and live music, passing by lush greenery, waterfalls, and villages), the Baclayon Church (one of the oldest stone churches in the Philippines, built by the Jesuits in 1596, a National Cultural Treasure), the Blood Compact Shrine (commemorating the blood compact between the Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and the Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna in 1565, the first international treaty in the Philippines), and the Man-Made Forest (a beautiful forest of mahogany trees planted by the local community, with a lush green canopy). After the countryside tour, visit the Panglao Island beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Visit the Balicasag Island (a small island near Panglao, one of the best diving and snorkeling sites in the Philippines, with vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, and a variety of marine life). Evening enjoy a farewell dinner with Filipino cuisine. Overnight in Panglao/Bohol.

Day 10: Bohol to Cebu & Departure

Morning free for last-minute beach time in Panglao or an optional dive at the famous Balicasag Island or Alona Beach. After breakfast, take the fast ferry from Tagbilaran to Cebu (approximately 2 hours). Upon arrival in Cebu, explore the city: visit the Magellan’s Cross (a wooden cross planted by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan in 1521, one of the most important historical landmarks in the Philippines), the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño (the oldest Roman Catholic church in the Philippines, built in 1565, home to the Santo Niño de Cebu, a statue of the infant Jesus given by Magellan to the Rajah of Cebu), the Fort San Pedro (the oldest and smallest fort in the Philippines, built by the Spanish in 1565), the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the Taoist Temple, and the SM Seaside City Cebu (one of the largest shopping malls in the Philippines). Do some last-minute shopping for Filipino products including dried mangoes, coconut products, and traditional crafts. Transfer to Mactan-Cebu International Airport for your departure flight, concluding your 10-day Philippines island hopping adventure.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses