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Peregrine Travel Centre

Real Philippines

Real Philippines

From $ 2,345 AUD

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Description

Fall in love with the Philippines on this 12-day tour, from bustling Manila to glittering coasts and rugged mountains. Begin with a bang in the capital, then change the pace in cruisy San Juan. Learn to surf (or show off pre-existing skills), then leave the beach behind for the mountains of Sagada, where you will discover the hanging coffins attached to the cliff face by the Igorot people. Whether you’re climbing to dizzying heights on cascading rice terraces or drinking rice wine while watching the sunset in El Nido, every moment here is one for the books.

Trip Name
Real Philippines
Last Updated
2020-10-09
Days
12
Capacity
16
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.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Manila
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 comes to ordering, then feast on a selection of regional dishes served family style. Once you’ve lined your stomach, venture out to popular nightlife district Poblacion. Once regarded as a fairly seedy area, Poblacion has undergone a makeover in recent years and emerged as a hub for bars, art and eclectic dining.
Day 2 - San Juan (La Union)
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 into the sand and kicking back on the beach once you get there. Arrive in the afternoon and take some free time to soak up the beachside vibes. Later, you can choose to grab a dinner with the gang at one of your leader’s favourite local spots or make your own plans.
Day 3 - San Juan (La Union)
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 Namacpacan, a 19th-century icon of the Virgin Mary which several local miracles have been attributed to. You’ll also visit a centuries-old Spanish watchtower, enjoy a tasting of bibingka and tupig (local rice cakes) and finish with a stroll through an open-air art gallery on the beach. If you decide to partake in this optional excursion, return to San Juan in the afternoon with plenty of time to relax on the beach before sundown. Enjoy a barbecue on the beachfront with your fellow travellers for dinner tonight.
Day 4 - Sagada
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 case you need them. There will be plenty of stops for photo ops and bathroom breaks along the way. Arrive at your accommodation for the next two nights and settle in. In the afternoon visit a pottery centre to learn some local techniques and get your hands dirty after the demo. It’s harder than it looks. Let your leader show you a nice local eatery or pick your own place for dinner. Later, why not grab a few beers with the crew. Just keep in mind most places in this sleepy mountain town shut pretty early.
Day 5 - Sagada
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 cliff faces. Continue to a weaving shop and stop to eat a well-deserved lunch. Once you’ve refuelled, make tracks for a waterfall and chill out for bit. Whatever time is left today is yours to do whatever you want (well, within reason). Have you developed a taste for bugnay (wild berry wine) yet? Maybe grab a few glasses with your fellow travellers tonight
Day 6 - Banaue
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 is part gallery and part recreated village, giving insight into the daily lives of the Igorot people before colonisation. Next, check out the Banaue Rice Terraces. From a distance they almost look like grass covered pyramids, and it’s amazing to know they were made mainly by hand over 2000 years ago. Spend some time considering just how badass the ancient engineering is, then continue to your lodging where you’ve got free time until dinner. Your meal tonight is based around heirloom rice – ancient rice varieties that have been preserved throughout the ages. Chow down on history!
Day 7 - Banaue
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, then you can choose to visit the Tappiya Waterfall or relax and shake off any leftover dizziness from the hike. Munch on regional fare in a local restaurant for lunch, then head back to town for some free time. Tonight you’ve got a really tough decision to make: dinner with your leader at a place they recommend, or trying your luck solo. Choose wisely. There will also be an opportunity to pay a little extra for a rice wine tasting.
Day 8 - Manila
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 hate reading, you can always sit back and admire the countryside views, listen to a podcast or catch some Zs. You’ll stop in a local restaurant for lunch en route, arriving in Manila in the late afternoon. Check in to your accommodation, then head out for an optional dinner with your leader and travel mates.
Day 9 - El Nido
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 today you might just want to relax. Maybe walk or hire a bike and ride to Las Cabanas beach. Keep in mind it will take over an hour if you want to go on foot, so pack water and shield yourself from the sun! For dinner it’s hard to go wrong with seafood, so maybe ask your leader for a restaurant recommendation.
Day 10 - El Nido
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.
Day 11 - El Nido
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 white sand and palm trees frame the blue water. Chat to your leader about organising transport to the beach (or for help booking other activities). Keen to immerse yourself in local life? Hiring a bike to pedal around town is a good option.
Day 12 - El Nido
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
26-12-202006-01-2021AUD $ 2,345-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights),Guesthouse (4 night),Hostel (4 nights)

Transport

Plane,Private minibus,Public bus

Map

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