Best of the Philippines

Enjoy complimentary UK airport lounge access before your overnight flight from the UK to Manila, arriving on day two.

Arrive in Manila, the sprawling capital of the Philippines, where you'll be met your local guide. Your Philippines experience begins today with a guided city tour, starting with a visit to historic Rizal Park, where the remains of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal are buried. From here you'll head to the old walled city of Intramuros, built during the days of Spanish colonial rule. Here you'll visit Fort Santiago, which served as the Spanish military headquarters, before heading to San Augustin Church, the oldest remaining building in the Philippines, which dates back to 1571. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Casa Manila, a reconstructed 19^th century mansion. The final stop on the tour will be Fort Santiago, Manila's main line of defence against sea invaders over the centuries. At the end of the tour you'll head to your city centre hotel.

Stay: The Manila Hotel (Deluxe)

Check out of your hotel and transfer to Manila airport for your flight to Cauayan where a private vehicle will take you on a 3-hour journey to Banaue, home to the iconic, 2,000 year-old Ifugao Rice Terraces. You'll stop at a local restaurant for lunch on the way. On arrival in Banaue, head to the Barangay Viewpoint for the ultimate view overlooking the rice terraces. Finally, check into your accommodation and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

The following morning, be ready for an early start as you take a scenic journey through deep gorges and past towering ridges to the village of Bangaan, a traditional Ifugao tribal settlement not far from Banaue where you'll learn about the day-to-day lives of the villagers and their age-old rice farming techniques. In the afternoon, you'll return to Banaue. 

On your third day in Banaue, you'll head out on a full day tour, traversing Mount Polis, Ifugao's third-highest peak. You'll make a stop at the rural village of Bontoc, on the banks of the Chico River, and visit a local market before continuing to another tranquil highland settlement, Sagada – renowned for its cave-studded limestone formations and hanging coffins. Lastly, return to Banaue for dinner at a local restaurant. 

Stay: Banaue Grand View Hotel (Superior)

After breakfast, you'll head south, passing through the vibrant mountain city of Baguio en route, with a tour that takes in major landmarks including Burnham Park, Session Road and Mansion House (the president's summer residence), before visiting a bustling local market. You'll then continue via the national highway, crossing the Central Plains of Luzon, arriving back in Manila in the evening. 

Stay: The Manila Hotel (Deluxe)

Transfer to the airport this morning and board a flight to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan, around an hour and a half from Manila. On arrival you'll be met by your local guide to begin an orientation tour of the city, including Rizal Avenue (the main street) and stops at the Crocodile Farm Institute (a joint project with the Japanese government to preserve the endangered crocodile population) and the Iwahig Penal Colony, a unique "prison without walls", where inmates are free to live with their families and work in local farms. 

The next day you'll enjoy a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, home to the St Paul's Underground River, which is one of the longest underground rivers in the world. Tour the river on small outrigger canoes, marveling at spectacular rock formations and cathedral-like chambers that date back millions of years. Enjoy lunch at the seaside resort of Sabang before returning to Puerto Princesa via Port Barton. 

You final day on Palawan sees you embark on an island-hopping tour of Honda Bay, visiting Bat, Luli, Marina and Pandan Islands, with the chance to swim, snorkel, or simply relax. Enjoy a picnic lunch before heading back Puerto Princesa. 

Stay: Aziza Paradise Hotel (Superior) or The Funny Lion Puerto Princesa (Deluxe)

* Lunch included on days 8 and 9 only

Transfer to Puerto Princesa Airport this morning and board a flight to Cebu. You'll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, spending the rest of the day at leisure.

The following day you'll enjoy a tour of Cebu, taking in the city's historical sites and landmarks, beginning at the majestic Taoist Temple. You'll then stop by a local market before heading to Basilica Minore del Santo Nino, built in 1565 by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, which now houses the statuette of Santo Nino. A short walk from here is Magellan's Cross, a Catholic cross planted by Portuguese and Spanish explorers in 1521. You'll also have the chance to explore Fort San Pedro, the oldest triangular fortress in the country, which dates back to 1565. The last stop of the tour is Casa Gorordo, a former residence-turned-museum in the historic Parian district, offering a glimpse into Cebu's Spanish colonial history.

Your final day in Cebu will be spent touring the scenic countryside of Bohol, an island province which offers a wonderful combination of nature, history and culture. Throughout the day you'll visit a number of fascinating sites, including the Blood Compact Shrine, which commemorates the 1^st Treaty of Friendship between the easy and west, and the ruins of the old Baclayon Church. Head through the lush mahogany forests and the green farmlands of Batuan and Bilar en route to the magnificent Chocolate Hills. From there you'll make your way to Loboc where you'll embark on a river cruise with barbecue lunch, enjoying the scenery of rolling hills, coconut trees and nipa palms lining the riverbank. You'll also visit the Phil Tarsier Research Centre and Sanctuary for the chance to see tarsiers (the world's smallest primates) in their natural habitat. After the tour you'll head back to Cebu.

Stay: Bluewater Maribago (Superior) or Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu (Deluxe)

*Lunch included on days 11 and 12 only

After breakfast you'll transfer to Mactan Airport for a flight to Caticlan in the province of Alan. Here you'll be met and transferred to your accommodation on the tiny island of Boracay, your home for the next three nights of your holiday. Check into your hotel and prepare yourself for three days of peace, tranquility and relaxation on one of the Philippine's most idyllic island hideaways, the perfect end to an exciting adventure.

Stay:  Coast Boracary (Superior) or Shangri-La Boracay (Deluxe)

Transfer back to Caticlan Airport and board a flight back to Manila for the final night of your holiday.

Stay: The Manila Hotel (Deluxe)

Spend the day at leisure before taking a transfer to the airport to catch your flight home.