Wonderful Philippines and New Year on uninhabited island

Price

€2410

Days

Tour description

Chocolate hills, secret lagoons with clear water and flocks of colorful fish, a park of exotic tarsiers - you have seen all this on advertising brochures, and now you can see it with your own eyes!

Celebrate New Year on the wild beach of a desert island
Walk to the top of the active Taal volcano to enjoy a pristine lake in the crater
Swim next to wild whale sharks in the open sea
Admire the famous Chocolate Hills, a natural wonder of the Philippines
Savour all kinds of juicy mango on Guimaras Island.

Tour departures

25 December 2024 - 08 January 2025

€2410

Book

The price of the tour includes

Four domestic flights
All accommodation
All transportation, including taxis
Professional guiding services.

What is NOT included

Flight to Manila and back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals)
Visa to Philippines (if you need one)
Travel insurance (mandatory)
Entry tickets to parks, museums and other attractions
Food ($15-20 per person per day)
Renting of equipment for diving and snorkeling.

Tour map

Tour itinerary

Day 1-3

Manila, Intramuros old city, 16th century St. Augustine’s cathedral, Rizal Park, Taal volcano

We arrive in Manila and check into a hotel in Ermita district. Let`s head to the Spanish walled city, Intramuros with its stunning 16th century St. Augustine’s cathedral. This is the favorite place for Filipino lovers. Almost certainly here we will see a wedding - with rose petals, limousines, organ music and fabulous outfits.

Next, we take a walk through Rizal Park, known for the monument of the national hero Lapu-Lapu. He was a Filipino fighter against the Spanish colonialists, who personally killed the famous explorer Fernando Magellan.

Next day we may take a trip to the Taal Volcano (approximately 2 hours by bus). This is the second most active volcano in the Philippines, located in the middle of a huge lake. First on boats, and then on horseback, we will get to the crater and find another lake inside. An unforgettable sight!

Day 4-7

Palawan island, El Nido town, Uninhabited islands, Diving and snorkeling

A short flight to the island of Palawan - the most remote and authentic island of the country. A minibus takes us to the town of El Nido in 5-6 hours. From the windows we will observe the life of local peasants. Almost all the houses here are the same as they were thousands of years ago - wooden on high piles. The most popular transport is a cart with skis instead of wheels, pulled by buffaloes. At the same time, everyone here has mobile phones with mobile Internet. We check into a guesthouse near the sea.

When in El Nido we like to visit the secret beach where tourists do not go, and walk to a waterfall in the middle of the wild jungle. But the main thing is that we will ride a traditional boat among dozens of deserted islands, where bays and rocks form secret lagoons. We will swim in clear water, relax on snow-white beaches and enjoy the pristine beauty of our planet.

Imagine sailing to an small island with a huge rock which looks like a fortress. You jump from the side of our boat into the turquoise water, swim into a small hole in the rock - and suddenly you find yourself in a secret lagoon. Palm trees, birds chirping and white sand. We will celebrate New Year on a similar deserted island, swimming, enjoying food from the fire, fruits, local rum and conversations with our helpers - boat captains.

Day 8-9

Iloilo town, Authentic churches, Guisi lighthouse, Guimaras island

Early in the morning we leave for the airport by minibus (about 5-6 hours) and fly to Iloilo. We check into a hotel, have lunch, and head to the 18th century St. Thomas church. The walls here are 2 meters thick, and the facade is decorated with many figures. Eye-opening! Filipinos say there are no more churches like this on their many islands!

Another well-known local church is considered the temple of women. It was built in honor of Saint Anne in the 19th century. Red spiers crown this gentle Gothic building. A huge wooden altar inside is decorated with statues of 16 female saints.

The next day we sail to the nearby island of Guimaras, a favorite resort of the locals. Here we will visit several beautiful beaches, try all the local types of mangoes. Through the ruins of the Spanish town of the 18th century, we make our way to the Gisi lighthouse - the second oldest lighthouse in the country. The view of the bay from here is beautiful!

Tour leaders

Yevgeniy Ikhelzon

co-founder, tour leader

Oleksandr Levytskyi

tour leader

Is this trip for you?

The trips is of easy physical grade. It includes walks in cities and towns, as well as short easy jungle walks. We will be taking traditional boats and modern ferries. The trips also includes four short domestic flights, bus trips lasting up to 6 hours.

Accommodation in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels. During our stay on the island of Palawan we might stay in double/twin rooms of a tourist class guesthouse. Attached bathrooms there might not have hot water.