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13-Day Break in Visayas and the Palawan Archipelago

Customisable Itinerary
4.8 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

A paradise destination for all, this two-week break in the Philippines takes you to a mix of well-known and lesser-known islands to discover the sites both above and below water.

Starting Cebu, the city where Spanish settlers first arrived, your trip will offer you a mix of the Spanish colonial history and Filippino traditions. From Cebu, you'll visit Panglao, famous for its Chocolate Hills and the cute Tarsiers with their massive eyes. Then, you'll go to Siquijor, an island known for its mysticism where waterfalls are never too far away.

This trip is a water baby paradise - especially for diver and avid snorkelers as you make your way to Dumaguete with a chance to swim with sea turtles around Apo Island. Your trip then finishes in El Nido with yet more snorkelling and diving opportunities.
Culture & Arts
Diving
Outdoors & Nature
Adventure
Beach & Sea
Sightseeing
Cruising

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Cebu!

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Welcome to Cebu!

Your private driver will welcome you at Mactan Airport in Cebu and bring you to your hotel. Take your time to settle down and rest at your hotel. Gateway to the Visayas, Cebu is the second-largest city in the Philippines. This modern metropolis is the oldest city in the Philippine archipelago and was the point of entry for Spanish settlers in the 16th century. Stroll through the city centre: the Magellan Cross, the Basilica of Santo Nino and the Taoist Temple.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Montebello Villa Hotel3 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Terminal 2, International Departing and Arriving Flights to Montebello Villa Hotel Cebu

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    Destinations

    Cebu City

Day 2

Go to Panglao

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Go to Panglao

Your driver will pick you up from your hotel for a private transfer to Cebu Pier. Embark on a hydrofoil to Tagbilaran on Bohol island. The crossing takes approximately 2 hours. The Oceanjet hydrofoil baggage fee is 100 PHP per checked baggage. Anything in excess of 15kg is taxed 20 PHP per kilo. The port fee is around 25 PHP/person. When you arrive on Bohol Island, your driver will be waiting for you at the exit of the port of Tagbilaran and will take you to your hotel in Panglao.

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    Accommodation

    Alona Tropical Beach Resort3 star

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    Activities

    PanglaoOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Cebu City to Bohol

    Private Driver from Tagbilaran City Sea Port to Alona Tropical Beach Resort

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Cebu City

    Panglao

Day 3

The Treasures of Bohol

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The Treasures of Bohol

Today, discover the treasures of Bohol! You'll be awestruck by the Chocolate Hills, one of the unmissable landscapes of the Philippines. Unusual geological formations, the Chocolate Hills are round green mountains that become brown during the dry season. Next, go on a cruise on the Loboc River and have lunch on board. In the afternoon, your local guide will show you Baclayon Church before ending this beautiful day at the sanctuary of Tarsiers; small leaping primates with really big eyes!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Alona Tropical Beach Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Chocolate Hills

    Loboc River Cruise

    Baclayon Church

    Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Panglao

    Central Visayas

    Loboc

    Baclayon

    Corella

Day 4

Siquijor Island

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Siquijor Island

Today, your driver picks you up from your hotel and brings you to Tagbilaran Pier. You take the boat from Tagbilaran to Siquijor Island. You'll have the remainder of the day to kick back and relax in paradise. You can either head to the beach in front of your hotel –a great snorkelling spot– or head out and explore some other beaches.

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    Accommodation

    Coco Grove Beach Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Siquijor IslandOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Alona Tropical Beach Resort to Tagbilaran City Sea Port

    Boat from Tagbilaran City Sea Port to Siquijor

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Panglao

    Siquijor

    San Juan

Day 5

The Beauty of Siquijor

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The Beauty of Siquijor

Start your day with breakfast on the beach, facing the blue sky and crystal clear sea. Then, go on a tour to discover the beauty of Siquijor. Visit the church of Saint Isidore and the convent of Lazi. Why not ask your local guide to take you to see one of the many healers on the island for a consultation? In the afternoon, refresh yourself with a swim in the waterfalls of Cambugahay and Lagaan. You'll go back to the beach in front of your hotel for a snorkelling session at the end of the day.

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    Accommodation

    Coco Grove Beach Resort3 star

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    Activities

    Lazi Church

    Cambugahay Falls

    Lagaan Falls

    Snorkelling on Tubod Beach

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    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Juan

    Lazi

Day 6

Free Day on Siquijor Island

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Free Day on Siquijor Island

This day is like a gift: completely at your own leisure, swim. A bicycle can be rented on-site if you would like to go along the coast to discover other wild beaches. Why not take a walk on the Barangay mountain or jump in the water on a snorkelling session in the crystal clear waters in front of your hotel. You have the opportunity to organise a number of activities directly with the hotel - if you haven't had a massage yet, why not treat yourself to one for complete relaxation?

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    Accommodation

    Coco Grove Beach Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Siquijor IslandOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Juan

    Siquijor

Day 7

Travel to Dumaguete

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Travel to Dumaguete

From the port of Larena on Siquijor Island, you embark on a hydrofoil to Dumaguete on Negros Island. Meet your driver at the pier of Dumaguete (Sibulan) and take the road to your hotel. Today's journey is short, you'll have the remainder of the day to head to the beach or relax and enjoy the sunshine from the comfort of your hotel pool.

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    Accommodation

    El Dorado Beach Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    DauinOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Boat from Larena to Dumaguete

    Private Driver from Sibulan to El Dorado Beach Resort

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    San Juan

    Dauin

Day 8

Sea Turtles of Apo Island

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Sea Turtles of Apo Island

If you have always dreamed of swimming with sea turtles, this is for you! You set out at 7.30 am to the neighbouring Apo Island, southeast of Dumaguete. This corner of paradise in the middle of the Visayas archipelago is just an hour away. Well known to scuba diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, Apo is a small wild island classified as a natural marine reserve. Grab a snorkel and jump in the water to discover the colourful corals, tropical fish, if you are lucky, swim with sea turtles!

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    Accommodation

    El Dorado Beach Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Turtles of Apo Island

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dauin

Day 9

Free Day in Dumaguete

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Free Day in Dumaguete

Enjoy a free day in Dumaguete. You can explore Casaroro waterfalls, the Twin Lakes on the flanks of the volcano or other hidden waterfalls. If you prefer to have a more relaxing day, set out on foot to visit Dumaguete town; its market, cathedral and the anthropology museum of Silliman University. Don't miss the Campanario monument, a vestige of the Spanish colonial era. In the evening, the waterfront of Dumaguete is a pleasant place to stroll and admire the sunset and scenes of daily life.

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    Accommodation

    El Dorado Beach Resort3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in DumagueteOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

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    Destinations

    Dauin

    Dumaguete

Day 10

Dumaguete to El Nido

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Dumaguete to El Nido

Today is a long day of travelling but it is worth it! Your driver will pick you up from your hotel and take you to Dumaguete Pier to take the ferry from the port of Sibulan to Cebu Island. Your driver will greet you at the port of Liloan on and bring you to the airport of Cebu. Then, take a domestic flight from Cebu to El Nido, on the north of Palawan Island. Your driver will meet you at El Nido airport and bring you to your hotel.

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    Accommodation

    Casa Kalaw3 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from El Dorado Beach Resort to Sibulan

    Boat from Dumaguete to Cebu City

    Private Driver from Liloan to Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Terminal 2, International Departing and Arriving Flights

    Plane from Cebu City to El Nido

    Private Driver from El Nido Lio Airport to Casa Kalaw

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    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Dauin

    El Nido

Day 11

Bacuit Bay

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Bacuit Bay

Enjoy a peaceful breakfast before leaving for a day of exploration in Bacuit Bay. From island to island, discover beaches, caves, coral reefs and lagoons aboard your traditional Banca boat. Snorkel on Shimizu Island, enjoy the beautiful Seven Commandos Beach and discover another small secret beach. You will have a barbeque seafood lunch with your feet in the sand. You'll make your way back to your hotel at the end of the day.

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    Accommodation

    Casa Kalaw3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Banca Boat around Bacuit Bay

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and lunch

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    Destinations

    El Nido

    Philippines

Day 12

Free Day in El Nido

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Free Day in El Nido

Enjoy a free day of relaxation in your hotel. You can enjoy the hotel's facilities, choose a diving session, a kayak ride or simply sunbathe and catch up on some reading on the beach. From your hotel, the view of the karst cliffs plunging into the turquoise water is simply amazing. You can also go to some beautiful places such as "Snake Island" and see its huge sandbar or visit the "Cathedral Cave". In the evening, why not sip a cocktail in the sand and watch the beautiful sunset?

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Casa Kalaw3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Snorkelling & Kayaking in El NidoOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    El Nido

Day 13

Fly from El Nido to Manila

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Fly from El Nido to Manila

According to your flight schedule, your driver will pick you up from your hotel and bring you to the airport. Time to leave Palawan! Take a domestic flight from Palawan to Manila. We hope you had a wonderful holiday in the Philippines and hope to see you again for your next adventure!

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Casa Kalaw to El Nido Lio Airport

    Plane from Palawan to Manila

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    El Nido

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What’s included?

  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 10 activities
  • 12 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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