8 Days • 7 Nights
Classic Philippines: Manila, Cebu & Bohol
Tour Includes
About the Trip
You'll wander the old Spanish walls of Intramuros, swim beside gentle whale sharks, marvel at the surreal Chocolate Hills, meet the wide-eyed tarsier — the world's smallest primate — and cruise the palm-lined Loboc River. White-sand beaches and fresh seafood round out the days.
With comfortable hotels, private guides and the domestic flights arranged, all you have to do is fall for the friendly, beautiful Philippines.
Trip Highlights
- The historic Spanish quarter of Intramuros in Manila
- Swimming with gentle whale sharks off Cebu
- The surreal Chocolate Hills of Bohol
- The tiny wide-eyed tarsiers of Bohol
- A Loboc River lunch cruise
- Kawasan Falls and the Cebu countryside
- The white-sand beaches of Panglao
- Short flights linking each island
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Arrive in the capital and settle in. A welcome dinner introduces Filipino flavours as your island journey begins.
A morning tour of historic Intramuros and Fort Santiago, then fly to Cebu, the 'Queen City of the South', settling in by the sea.
An early drive south to swim beside the gentle whale sharks of Oslob, then the turquoise cascades of Kawasan Falls in the lush interior.
Explore Cebu's history — Magellan's Cross, the Basilica del Santo Nino and the Taoist Temple — with a free afternoon by the beach.
Cross to Bohol by fast ferry and settle on Panglao Island, with its powdery white sand, for an afternoon by the sea.
A full day inland — the surreal Chocolate Hills, the tiny tarsiers, a man-made forest and a lunch cruise on the palm-lined Loboc River.
A relaxed day on Panglao — swimming, an optional island-hopping and dolphin-watching boat trip, or simply the beach.
A final breakfast before your transfer to the airport.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- Private airport transfers and a private guide and driver in each destination
- 1 night Manila, 3 nights Cebu, 3 nights Bohol
- Daily breakfast, a welcome dinner and a Loboc River lunch cruise
- A Manila city tour with Intramuros and Fort Santiago
- A Cebu tour with a whale shark experience and Kawasan Falls
- A Bohol countryside tour — Chocolate Hills, tarsiers and the Loboc River
- Beach time on Panglao Island
- Domestic flights Manila-Cebu and Cebu-Bohol as arranged
Exclusions
- International airfare to and from the Philippines
- Any visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Local environmental, terminal and island-hopping fees where not stated
- Optional activities and water sports
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa: Many nationalities can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days; check your passport's eligibility. Your passport should be valid at least six months, and onward tickets are sometimes requested
- English everywhere: English is an official language and widely spoken, which makes the Philippines wonderfully easy to travel
- Currency: The currency is the Philippine Peso. Cards work in cities and resorts, but carry cash for islands, markets, tricycles and the many small local fees
- Best season: The dry season (November to April) is ideal, with sunshine and calm seas; June to October is the wet, typhoon-prone season when some boat trips can be cancelled
- Island transfers: Getting between islands means domestic flights and boat (bangka) rides, all arranged for you but occasionally affected by weather or sea conditions
- Local fees: Islands and attractions charge small environmental, terminal and island-hopping fees payable in cash on the spot — keep small peso notes handy
- Sun & reef: The tropical sun is strong; bring high-SPF, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a rash guard for snorkelling to protect both yourself and the coral
- Health: Drink bottled water, use mosquito repellent (dengue is present) and consider a waterproof bag for boat days. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended
- Connectivity: A local SIM or eSIM is cheap and handy, though signal can be patchy on remote islands — a welcome excuse to unplug
- Tipping & power: Tipping is appreciated for good service. Power is 220V, usually with type A/B plugs, so bring an adapter
Frequently Asked Questions
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included throughout, along with a welcome dinner and the specific meals named in the itinerary, such as island-hopping lunches. Other meals are left free so you can enjoy the Philippines' fresh seafood and lively food scene.
Are transfers and touring arranged?
Yes — your airport transfers, island-hopping boats and tours are arranged with local guides and boatmen, so there is nothing to organise on the ground.
Do I need a visa for the Philippines?
Many nationalities enter visa-free for up to 30 days. We can confirm the requirements for your passport before you travel.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season from November to April offers the sunniest weather and calmest seas. June to October is wetter and typhoon-prone, so we favour the dry months for island trips.
Is island-hopping weather-dependent?
Boat trips depend on sea and weather conditions and can occasionally be rescheduled for safety. We build in flexibility and your guide will always make the best of the day.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. Durations, islands, resorts and activities can all be tailored, and we can add Palawan, Boracay, Siargao or the rice terraces. Just tell us what you have in mind.
How do we travel between the islands?
By short domestic flights between the main hubs and by boat (bangka) for island-hopping — all included and arranged for you.
Is swimming with whale sharks ethical?
We use responsible operators and follow the guidelines that protect these gentle giants — keeping distance, no touching and no flash. If you prefer, we can arrange a wild snorkelling alternative such as Donsol instead of Oslob.
What is a tarsier?
The Philippine tarsier is one of the world's smallest primates, a tiny, wide-eyed nocturnal creature seen at a sanctuary in Bohol, where they are protected and viewed quietly.
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