Day 01: Arrive Manila

Mabuhay! We are warmly welcomed to the capital city of Manila. We get our first experience of this busy and colorful city as we are driven from the airport to our hotel.
Overnight: Dusit Thani Hotel, Manila (2 nights)

Day 02: Manila

Our morning city tour includes visits to Intramuros, the Spanish Colonial City in Manila, the ruins of Fort Santiago, the old Spanish garrison and military headquarter, San Agustin Church*, Casa Manila, Baluarte de San Diego, and the walls of Intramuros. After lunch, we visit Quiapo Church, which is known for the statue of the Black Nazarene that draws believers to flock here every day. Next, visit Manila’s Chinese Cemetery, which is one-of-a-kind. Here, the mausoleums of rich Chinese who lived in the Philippines are equipped with electricity, water supply, kitchen facilities and other amenities for the living. (B, L)

Day 03: Manila/Banaue (Drive)

We leave Manila for Banaue. The drive will take about 8 hours and is along the scenic countryside of the Northern Luzon island. We arrive in Banaue late in the afternoon.
Overnight: Banaue Hotel, Banaue (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 04: Banaue

Full day tour of Banaue Rice Terraces* and local villages by private jeepneys. We drive through the trail that leads to Banga-an, a typical traditional Ifugao village set in the middle of a valley surrounded by terraces. Trek down to the village to see and experience the life of the typical Ifugao people. In the afternoon, we discover one of the Banaue Viewpoints to see the most awesome rice terraces in the area that are known as Eighth Wonder of the World. We also visit the Banaue Trade Center to buy souvenirs and soak up the local atmosphere. (B, L)

Day 05: Banaue/Sagada (Drive)

Morning, we depart for Bontoc, the heart of the Cordillera Mountains. Bontoc is at the cross road of the Cordillera provinces. We visit the town of Bontoc and its museum of old photos and artifacts of the tribal minorities of the Cordillera. Then we take the road to Sagada, a small town known for its hanging coffins and burial caves. Sagada bears witness to the ancient mummification practices of the mountain tribes. We visit Sagada and its burial caves.
Overnight: St. Joseph’s Inn, Sagada (1 night) (B, L)

Day 06: Sagada/Vigan (Drive)

After breakfast, we depart for Vigan*.  Established in the 6th century and declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, Vigan is the best example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.  Its architecture reflects the blending of cultural elements from other parts of the Philippines, China and Europe, making its townscape the only one of its kind in Asia.  Lunch en route.  Before reaching Vigan, a side trip to Sta. Maria* Town to visit one of the four Baroque churches in the Philippines, Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion*, built in 1769. With its massive, heavily buttressed walls, it resembles a medieval fort. In fact, it served as a fortress during the revolution in the Philippines in 1896. Arrive in  Vigan late in the afternoon.
Overnight: Luna Hotel, Vigan (1 night) (B, L)

Day 07: Vigan/Laoag (Drive)/Manila (Flight)

We leave the hotel after breakfast for a tour of Vigan.  In Vigan, we visit the old houses and museums that relate the history of the town. A must-see is the Pagburnayan, where the age-old jar making industry in Vigan can be observed.  Lunch at a local restaurant.  Then, proceed on a tour of Laoag, including a visit to Paoay Church*, another Baroque church in the Philippines.  We also explore other important sites around Laoag, such as Sarat, where you can see both the Marcos Museum dedicated to the late President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos and the Santa Monica Church, one of the oldest in the region. Transfer to Laoag International Airport for our flight back to Manila.
Overnight: Dusit Thani Hotel, Manila (1 night) (B, L)

Day 08: Manila/Puerto Princesa (Flight)

We take our flight to Puerto Princesa. We then embark on a tour of the city, including visits to the Puerto Princesa Ethnological Museum, the Butterfly Farm, the Crocodile Farm, the Public Market, the Port and some coastal communities. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Aziza Paradise Hotel, Puerto Princesa (2 nights) (B)

Day 09: Puerto Princesa

After an early breakfast, we take off for a full day tour of Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park*. We head to the town of Sabang, crossing the marble cliff landscape of Cabayugan. Here, we take a 20-minute trip on an outrigger-motorized boat to St. Paul National Park, a 3,900-hectare area of limestone and marble cliff mountains. The base of Mount Saint Paul has a white sand beach and a lagoon that leads to the mouth of the underground river. By the lagoon, we take a paddleboat to navigate the inner cave of the river. Huge stalactites of different formations are all over the cave and on the walls are the nests of birds and bats. Within the park, trek to the monkey trail that leads to the inner part of the forest inhabited by monkeys, large monitor lizards, squirrels, and exotic birds and butterflies. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the park. Later in the afternoon, return to Puerto Princesa. (B, L)

Day 10: Puerto Princesa/Cebu (Flight)

We take a flight to Cebu.  Enjoy a Cebu city tour upon arrival with lunch at local restaurant.  Visit Fort San Pedro, the smallest tri-bastion in the country, and Magellan’s Cross, which marks the spot where the first Christian Filipinos were baptized.  Beside Magellan’s Cross is the Basilica del Sto Nino, which houses the image of Sto Nino, considered to be the oldest religious relic in the country.  The image was a gift of Magellan to Queen Juana during her and her husband’s baptism on April 14, 1521. Proceed to Casa Gorordo Museum, home of the first Filipino Bishop in Cebu, Juan Gorordo. A tour inside this residence is a brief journey into a Filipino lifestyle in the period between 1860 to 1920. Then, drive along Carbon Market, Avenue of the Flags, Cebu Provincial Capitol, Beverly Hills and the Taoist Temple.
Overnight: Maribago Bluewater Hotel, Cebu (1 night) (B, L)

Day 11: Cebu/Bohol (Ferry)

In the morning, we take a ferry ride to Bohol.  Upon arrival, we enjoy a tour of the Bohol countryside, showcasing the island’s history, culture and nature.  First, visit the Blood Compact Shrine, a historical landmark commemorating the first treaty between the east and the west. In this agreement, Datu Sikatuna had a blood compact with Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, representing the King of Spain, marking the friendly relations between the two countries. Then, journey on to centuries old Baclayon Church before visiting the famous Chocolate Hills, small hills that look like chocolate mounds during the hot, dry months.  En route to the Chocolate Hills, we will stop by a butterfly farm which showcases different species of Philippine butterflies, and a mahogany man-made forest. The tour will end with a leisurely boat cruise along palm-lined Loboc River. A barbecue lunch will be served as we cruise.
Overnight: South Palms Resort, Bohol (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 12: Bohol

Day free to enjoy the sun, sand and beach. (B)

Day 13: Bohol/Manila (Flight)

Morning, we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to Manila. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Dusit Thani Hotel, Manila (1 night) (B)

Day 14: Depart Manila

We bid farewell to the country of paradise islands as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 08 participants

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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