Real Philippines
Overview
Highlights
- Get acquainted with the three Bs in San Juan – beach, beers and boards. Your leader can show you the best spot to catch the sunset.
- Check out the hanging coffins on the cliffs of Sagada and learn about the hows and whys of this unique death ritual.
- Navigate the narrow ledges of the Batad Rice Terraces on a morning hike through this towering cascade of bright green paddies.
- Spend a full day island hopping in El Nido – AKA paradise! – exploring lagoons framed by limestone karsts and technicolour coral reefs.
- When you’re travelling in the great outdoors it doesn’t make sense to micro-plan every second. This trip is a perfect mix of included highlights and free time to explore at your own pace.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Itinerary
Welcome to Manila! Your tour begins with a 6 pm welcome meeting at your central hostel in the Makati City. When the formalities out of the way, head to a nearby restaurant for an included dinner with your fellow travellers. Let your local leader take the reins when it...
Rise and shine for a very early check out a private transfer to the bus terminal. Board a local bus to San Juan, a suburb in coastal La Union (approximately 6–7 hours). A book or a few podcasts will help the time pass quicker, as will the promise of sinking your feet ...
There’s nothing scheduled until dinner, so you can decide whether you’d like to embrace the laid-back life on the beach or head out on an optional adventure to nearby Luna. This optional morning excursion includes a visit to the Miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of Namacp...
From the beach to the mountains! Load into a private minivan for the approximate 5-hour drive to Sagada. Time spent on the road isn’t so bad when the scenery is this beautiful (and the company is so great), but it’s a good idea to have a book or podcast ready just in ...
If you’ve heard anything about Sagada before, it was probably about the hanging coffins that decorate the mountains. Today you’ll see them for yourself and learn about the ancient ‘burial’ practice the area is famous for, which involves stringing up wooden coffins on ...
Rise, shine and watch the sunrise over evergreen hillside. Any residual grumpiness about being up so early is sure to evaporate when you watch the mist give way to the light. Pack your stuff, eat some breakfast and then drive to Bontoc Museum. This sweet little centre...
Do some centring exercises, because this morning you’ll be hiking some very narrow rice terraces in Batad. Take a 1-hour transfer to the Batad Rice Terraces, then trek around this man-made amphitheatre. Your leader will school you on the intricacies of growing rice, t...
Dusk; Birds of Prey; After Lambana – what are these? All great books (well, one is a graphic novel) by Filipino authors. Why are we mentioning them? Because you’ve got a 10-hour drive ahead, which is a great opportunity to crack one open. If you get carsick, or just h...
Check out of your accommodation and catch a direct flight to El Nido (AKA paradise), which should take under 2 hours. Enjoy a day that’s as clear as the waters in El Nido’s reefs to do whatever the heck you’d like. An island-hopping adventure is included tomorrow, so ...
This morning head out on a full day of snorkelling and island hopping. Witness jagged limestone islands, rocky coves, virgin rainforest and white sandy beaches. The snorkelling is just as spectacular, revealing beautiful coral and many different species of fish. After an included lunch, venture to the area’s spectacularly clear lagoons. Your evening is then free to do as you wish.
Soak up El Nido however you want during a free day. If you feel like some more adventure you can pay to hire a kayak from El Nido town or book a boat out to one of the lagoons. If you want to see a picture-perfect beach, consider optional trip to Nacpan Beach where wh...
Your tour comes to an end this morning, but that doesn’t mean your adventure has to. El Nido is captivating, and plenty of travellers decide to extend their time here.
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Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Intrepid Travel.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.
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