Hong Kong and the Philippines. New Year on uninhabited island

Days

Tour description

The most modern metropolis of the world. And the wild picturesque islands that you saw on the advertising pictures. These experiences last a lifetime!

Swim with the sea giants - huge whale sharks in the open sea
Look down on the endless forest of skyscrapers from the top of Victoria Peak In Hong Kong
Conquer active Taal and look into the lake inside the crater
Feel like a Robinson Crusoe on tiny uninhabited islands with secret lagoons and clear turquoise water
Walk in pristine jungle and stumble upon picturesque waterfalls with warm crystal clear water
Try the most delicious dim sum in Hong Kong, and enjoy the freshest seafood

Tour departures

The price of the tour includes

Four domestic flights; Accommodation during the entire trip; All transportation, including buses, ferries, boats, minivans and public transportation; Professional guiding services.

What is NOT included

Flight to Hong Kong and back home. (Let us know if you need help finding the best deals); Visas (if required); Insurance (mandatory); Entrance fees to museums, parks and other attractions ($150); Food (in Hong Kong – $15-25 per person per day, in the Philippines - $12-20); Renting diving and snorkeling equipment.

Tour map

Tour itinerary

Day 1

Hong Kong, Chungking mansions, Victoria harbor , Night life on Temple street

We arrive in Hong Kong and begin our guided tour to Hong Kong and the Philippines. We check into a famous Chongqing mansions on the busiest central Nathan Road. Writer Michael Connelly described this place as “the whole world in one building”, and The Economist magazine compared it with the Star Wars` Cantina cafeteria in spaceport. Built in 1961, the place became iconic after the release of the Wong Karwai`s film “Chungking Express”. It boasts small family hotels with tiny rooms, cozy restaurants of all cuisines of the world from African to Turkish, tailoring workshops, currency exchange ... And a lot more!

In the evening we walk to the Victoria harbor to see the famous light show. Neon lights shimmer and come to all forms on endless skyscrapers across the strait - these are the business areas of Hong Kong, the financial heart of the world! And do not forget to look down - we are walking on the Avenue of Stars of the Hong Kong cinema! True, few names will be familiar, except perhaps Jackie Chan and John Woo ...

For dinner, we go to the center of nightlife on Temple Street. We emerge from the noisy crowds of onlookers and visit the restaurant of Sichuan cuisine. Here we try the most delicious eels and frogs.

Day 2

Tai O fishing village, Big Buddha monastery, Ngong Ping 360 cable car, The best dim sum in the city

Many believe that Hong Kong is all about skyscrapers and crowds. Today we will part with these stereotypes forever! In the morning we take a ferry to Lantau Island and take a bus to the Tai O fishing village. There is not a single building above two floors here, and all around us we will only see forests and empty beaches. This is Hong Kong as it was just decades ago. We explore the narrow streets between the blue houses and take a boat ride, looking at traditional houses on stilts directly above the sea. Tai O is also known for its own cuisine - here they grill the freshest squids, oysters and shrimps, and boil large snails in sweet soy sauce. Delicious!

We take a bus to the Big Buddha monastery. You have seen it in many photos! We walk around the 34 meters tall statue, watch Buddhist ceremonies and take the Ngong Ping 360 cable car down. Rocks and wild jungles slide under our feet, and skyscrapers, aircraft at the airport and ships in the strait slowly approach from afar.

In the evening we will visit the dim sum restaurant, which is very popular among locals. It boasts the international quality mark - Michelin Star and is considered the most affordable restaurant with such a star in the world! The dim sum that the restaurant specializes in is the traditional steam cuisine of southern China. You will fall in love forever!

Day 3

Hong Kong island, Victoria Peak, Wong Tai Sin temple, Nan Lian nunnery

Skyscrapers! Today we will see plenty of them. In the morning we take a ferry to the Hong Kong island, the same one that we saw across the strait on the Victoria harbor on the very first day. We walk around the business districts of the city, and then take the old funicular to the famous Victoria Peak. The funicular, which has been working here for more than 120 years, offers an unusual perspective on the skyscrapers - it seems that they are leaning towards the ground and falling. The most famous views of Hong Kong await at Victoria Peak - hundreds of skyscrapers under our feet!

We get down, explore Cat street, known as the former street of the thieves and now home to the biggest flea market. The ferry takes us back to the continent, and we head to the Wong Tai Sin temple. The parishioners place their offerings here - fruit, incense, meat and wine. Many go to the street of fortune-tellers next to the temple. Local masters can do everything - palmistry, playing cards, crystal balls, astrology and numerology. We wonder if they can predict our pleasant evening in the garden of Nan Lian Nunnery? Walking through the park, we will enjoy the sound of water and birds singing.

In the evening we fly to Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where we will continue our group trip to Hong Kong and the Philippines and check into a hotel in the Ermita district.

Tour leaders

Yevgeniy Ikhelzon

co-founder, tour leader

Oleksandr Levytskyi

tour leader

Is this trip for you?

This trip is of easy physical grade. It consists of visiting cities and towns where we will take long walks and short easy hikes in the jungle. We will also ride ferries, take short boat trips to islands, ride buses or minivans for up to 6 hours and take 4 short domestic flights. Accommodation in double/twin rooms of tourist class hotels. Each room will have own attached bathroom with hot water and wi fi internet. In El Nido we might be staying in double/twin rooms of tourist class guesthouses. Each room will have own attached bathroom, but might not have hot water.