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12-Day The Essentials of the Philippines

Customisable Itinerary
4.8 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

From the high mountain tribes of Banaue to the remote island of Club Paradise, this 12-day itinerary shows you the very best of what the Philippines has to offer.

You'll hike across rice field amphitheatre, hang out with locals in remote homestays in the middle of the mountains, snorkel between shipwrecks and relax on a remote island, with the chance of seeing turtles!

Make your dream holiday to the Philippines come true with this customisable trip.
Diving
Outdoors & Nature
Hiking & Trekking
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Manila

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Welcome to Manila

Your driver will greet you at Manila airport and bring you to your hotel to settle down. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure to rest and relax after your flight. You can also take a tour of the old city, Intramuros or do some shopping in the district of Makati. We recommend a few must-sees in Manila such as the Colonial Quarter and Fort Santiago, the Church of St. Augustine, the Cathedral, Rizal Park, the Chinese Cemetery and the Quiapo Market.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila3 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Manila

Day 2

Travel to Baguio

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Travel to Baguio

You leave Manila towards Baguio with your private driver. The journey will take you up into the mountains, where lush greenery will surround you. Upon arrival in Baguio at the end of the afternoon, settle into your hotel. If not too tired, why don't you take a walk around to visit the market of Baguio and the city centre to see the main sights such as the Cathedral and Burnham Park?

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Baguio Burnham Suites4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    BaguioOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Manila to Baguio

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Manila

    Baguio

Day 3

Sagada Mountain Trail

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Sagada Mountain Trail

You leave Baguio for Sagada via the famous Mountain Trail, a magnificent road through the mountains of Luzon. As you climb higher and higher you will make some stops to visit all that Sagada and the surrounding area has to offer. You stop for a tour of the sacred funerary caves and hanging coffins, a weaving workshop and some stops around the Echo Valley with its unique landscapes before arriving at your hotel.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Saint Joseph Resthouse

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hanging Coffins of SagadaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Baguio to Sagada

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    Baguio

    Sagada

Day 4

Bontoc and Banaue

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Bontoc and Banaue

Your private driver will pick you up from your hotel and you take the road to Bontoc. Upon arrival in Bontoc, you visit the Ethnological Museum to learn more about the ethnic groups of the region. Then, you head to Banaue, crossing the Pulis Mountain Pass. On the way, stop at a viewpoint at the top of the valley that overlooks the famous rice terraces, a view that will take your breath away.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Banaue Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bontoc Museum

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sagada to Banaue

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Sagada

    Bontoc

    Banaue

Day 5

Banaue

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Banaue

You go in a private jeepney to the village of Banga-an located in the heart of Ifugao country. Discover the village on foot and have lunch in a local Banga-an hostel and get to know the locals. Then you continue on foot to the Batad Pass: walk to the village of Batad and admire its UNESCO rice terraces that form a natural amphitheatre before returning to Banaue in a jeepney.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Banaue Hotel3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Trek to Batad Rice Terraces

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Off-Road from Banaue to Bangaan

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Banaue

Day 6

Drive back to Manila

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Drive back to Manila

In the morning, you leave the small town of Banaue early and head towards Manila. After a 9-hour drive, you arrive at your hotel in Manila and enjoy your afternoon at leisure. You'll no doubt be ready to rest and take it easy after a very long drive.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in ManilaOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Banaue to Manila

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Banaue

    Manila

Day 7

Fly to Coron

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Fly to Coron

You take a domestic flight from Manila to Coron, on the island of Busuanga. Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you in a private car to your hotel. From the city of Coron, you set off in traditional bangka boat for a day of island hopping through the islands of the archipelago. During your excursion, you will discover the magnificent cliffs that give the archipelago its reputation and visit hidden beaches and lagoons. Many opportunities for snorkelling await you!

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    Accommodation

    Corto Del Mar4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Island-Hopping around Coron

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Manila to Ninoy Aquino International Airport

    Plane from Manila to Coron

    Private Driver from Francisco B. Reyes Airport to Corto Del Mar

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Manila

    Coron

Day 8

Snorkelling around Shipwrecks

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Snorkelling around Shipwrecks

Today, set off on your traditional bangka boat for a tour of Sangat Island. On this island, covered with virgin forest, you can kayak along the beach and set off with your mask and snorkel to see the Japanese shipwreck from the Second World War. After a cosy picnic lunch, you head to the wreck of Lusong. Next, you continue to North Kay Island, a splendid island where it is sometimes possible to see black-tip sharks while snorkelling.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Corto Del Mar4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Snorkelling around the Shipwrecks of Coron

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Coron Island to Sangat Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Coron

Day 9

Club Paradise Island

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Club Paradise Island

Today, you leave Coron and head towards Club Paradise Island. After one hour and a half of car and boat transfer, you arrive at your beautiful hotel on an isolated island. Relax and embrace the beauty of this remote island as you stay on the only resort found here. You'll be free to relax on the beach or arrange a short tour to explore all that there is to be found on and off shore.

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    Accommodation

    Club Paradise Palawan5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Relax at Club Paradise PalawanOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Corto Del Mar to Club Paradise Palawan

    Boat from Club Paradise Palawan to Club Paradise Palawan

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Coron

Day 10

Free Day on Club Paradise Island

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Free Day on Club Paradise Island

Enjoy a free day on the beaches of the hotel. There are plenty of opportunities for island hopping, discovering the forest on foot, taking a day trip to the Calauit Game Reserve or diving in the famous marine reserve of Apo Reef (any extra activities are to be paid on the spot).

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    Accommodation

    Club Paradise Palawan5 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Turtles of Apo IslandOptional Activity

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    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Coron

    Dauin

Day 11

Fly to Manila

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Fly to Manila

You leave Club Paradise behind and head to Coron on Busuanga Island by boat. Your private driver will bring you from Coron town to Busuanga airport for your flight. You take a domestic flight from Busuanga to Manila and check into the hotel one last time.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila3 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Club Paradise Palawan to Coron

    Private Driver from Coron to Francisco B. Reyes Airport

    Plane from Coron to Manila

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Coron

    Manila

Day 12

Departure from Manila

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Departure from Manila

You'll be transferred to the airport when the time comes. You may have the morning to explore a little before your flight.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Best Western Hotel La Corona Manila to Ninoy Aquino International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Manila

Share With Your Partners

Download this trip itinerary as a PDF and start planning your next trip offline!

What’s included?

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 4 activities
  • 11 breakfasts and 4 lunches
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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