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Peregrine Travel Centre

Passage through the Philippines – A Voyage from Taiwan to Malaysia

Passage through the Philippines – A Voyage from Taiwan to Malaysia

From GBP £9,995

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Description

This unique voyage aboard the MS Island Sky from Taipei through the Philippines and on to Borneo and Kuala Lumpur offers a unique opportunity to visit little known and remote regions that are well away from the usual cruise routes. The privilege of exploring these remarkable lands from a small ship in the company of just over 100 fellow passengers and knowledgeable local guides is an opportunity not to be missed. Marvellous experiences are to be had as we land on pristine beaches, witness traditional ways of life in remote communities and explore mangrove forests looking out for endemic flora and fauna, each evening returning to the considerable comforts of the all-suite MS Island Sky.
Our journey begins in Taiwan where, having first been under control of the Chinese empire in the 17th century and later a colony of Japan, history abounds. Witness the stunning mountain, lake and coastal scenery vie with futuristic cityscapes, hot springs and remote islands as we explore this beautiful country and its outlying islands. We then make our way to the Philippines where we will experience the legendary Filipino hospitality with visits to traditional villages and remote island communities and discover the rich cultural history with Chinese traders, Spanish conquistadors, and American rulers all having left their mark. We will spend time in the capital city of Manila where quaint street stalls sit side by side with ancient Spanish churches and modern high-rise buildings and also visit Vigan, the finest surviving example of a Spanish Colonial town in Asia. As we journey through the staggeringly beautiful islands, there will be opportunities to swim from the white-sand beaches and, a highlight for the birders will be the Subterranean River National Park which is home to long-tailed macaques, blue-naped parrots and other indigenous wildlife. Our final few days will be spent immersing ourselves in the culture and nature of Malaysia as we observe the diverse range of plants, trees and wildlife including the ‘wild man of Borneo’ – the orangutan, before our journey ends in the city of Kuala Lumpur.

Trip Name
Passage through the Philippines - A Voyage from Taiwan to Malaysia
Days
16
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 90 metres Passenger Capacity: 116  Built / refurbished: 1992 / 2010 / 2017 The MS Island Sky offers an intimate and luxurious cruising experience, designed for travelers who appreciate peace, high-quality service, and a relaxed atmosphere. The ship features elegant public spaces, including a main lounge for daily briefings and talks, The Club with a pianist and a 24-hour tea and coffee station, and a well-stocked library with internet access. Guests can enjoy al fresco dining on the Lido Deck, a walk-around promenade for scenic views, and a top-deck observation area ideal for relaxation and wildlife spotting. The ship also includes a small hair salon, a doctor on board, and a lift serving all decks for added convenience. Complimentary satellite Wi-Fi is available, though signal strength may vary. Accommodations include 59 spacious and well-appointed suites, all with outside views, seating areas, and en-suite bathrooms. Some suites offer private balconies or sliding glass doors for enhanced ocean views. Amenities include a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, Molton Brown toiletries, air-conditioning, and a safe. The Island Suite boasts an extended balcony, complimentary minibar, and laundry service. Dining is a refined yet relaxed affair, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and a single open seating. Guests can enjoy buffet-style breakfasts, à la carte lunches and dinners, daily afternoon tea, and included wines. The ship’s culinary team creates exceptional meals, often incorporating local specialties, while the friendly staff ensures a welcoming and social dining experience. Life onboard is serene, focusing on enriching experiences rather than organized entertainment. Guests can enjoy informative talks, port briefings, and casual evening music rather than large-scale shows or games. The ship is equipped with modern safety and navigation technology, including roll stabilizers for a smooth journey. The atmosphere is akin to a private yacht or boutique hotel, where like-minded travelers can immerse themselves in nature, history, and culture.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London to Taipei, Taiwan.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Taipei.
Arrive today and transfer to our hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the day and evening are free to relax or explore at your own pace.
Day 3 - Day 3 Taipei & Keelung.
After breakfast in the hotel enjoy a leisurely morning before we meet for lunch. This afternoon we will delve into the history and heritage of Taiwan and explore how Taipei fuses the past with modernity. We will begin our exploration at the National Palace Museum which houses over 600,000 priceless treasures of Chinese art, some of which date back almost 5000 years. Many of the items were removed from the Forbidden Place before the Communist revolution. From here we will visit the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, which pays tribute to the former President of Taiwan. Later this afternoon we will transfer to the MS Island Sky moored in Keelung and sail this evening.
Day 4 - Day 4 Taichung.
From our berth in Taichung we have a choice of tours. Take a full day tour inland to the Sun Moon Lake, the largest lake in Taiwan and so named as the eastern part of the lake is round like the sun and the western side is shaped like a crescent moon. Its crystalline, emerald green waters reflect the hills and mountains which rise on all sides and provide one of Taiwan’s most mesmerising landscapes. We will spend time on the lake and also visit one of the temples on the banks before enjoying lunch. We return to the ship via the Chung Tai Chun Monastery, a lavish monument to Chan Buddhism which has fused ancient traditions with modern architecture. Alternatively, join a half day tour to Lukang, one of Taiwan’s oldest port towns which was used as a major harbour by Dutch traders in the 17th century. We will see the 17th century Lungshan Temple, one of the best preserved in Taiwan and whilst in Old Street we can see the historic buildings or purchase some of the rare handicrafts produced here. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and an afternoon at leisure in Taichung.
Day 5 - Day 5 Penghu Islands.
Staying in the Taiwan Straits we visit the Penghu archipelago made up of 64 islands of which only 20 are inhabited. We will base ourselves in the historic capital of Magong where we will find an array of historical buildings and temples. See the 16th century Queen of Heaven Temple (Mazu Temple) which is Taiwan’s oldest and finest temple and is classified as the first grade relic. Whilst on Zhongyang Street, one of the oldest in the islands, we will hear about the historic ‘Four-eyed well’. Return to the MS Island Sky for lunch and this afternoon we will continue to explore the island seeing the sacred Tongliang Great Banyan Tree and the traditional houses of Erkan village.
Day 6 - Day 6 Kaohsiung for Tainan.
Our final port in Taiwan is the southern city of Kaohsiung which is our base for a choice of excursions. Maybe drive to nearby Tainan, the former capital of Taiwan. During our tour we will see the Chikan Tower, built by the Dutch in 1653 as an administrative centre, and the Koxinga Shrine dedicated to General Chenggong. We will continue to the beautiful Confucius Temple which is over three hundred years old and played a key role in education and is now a venue for cultural festivals and events. Alternatively, drive to the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum which covers over 100 hectares and is home to the 108 metre high bronze Buddha, the largest seated bronze Buddha in Asia. The museum houses a number of permanent exhibitions about the life of Buddha, Buddhist festivals and relics. Return to the ship for lunch and some free time before we sail in the late afternoon.
Day 7 - Day 7 Batanes Islands, Philippines.
Arrive this morning in the Philippines at the Batanes Islands, a chain of 10 isolated islands in the north of the country. Rugged and windswept, the three largest islands are inhabited by the Ivatan people who are famed for their distinctive typhoon-resistant houses and wearing the vakul, headgear which is designed to protect against the weather. During our island tour we will see the verdant pasturelands, the volcano, Basco Lighthouse, the pretty village of Mahatao, and Ivana with its picturesque yellow church and Batan’s oldest stone house. Also, see one of the Japanese tunnels built during World War II. Spend a leisurely afternoon at sea as we continue our journey south.
Day 8 - Day 8 Currimao for Vigan.
The port of Currimao will be our base to explore the UNESCO town of Vigan, one of the oldest towns in the Philippines and considered the best preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. We will walk its cobblestone streets, including the pedestrianised Calle Crisologo and discover a unique architecture that fuses Philippine building design and construction with colonial European architecture. See the St Vincent Ferrer Church, built in 1795, before we visit the Hidden Garden where we enjoy a lunch of Ilocano cuisine.
Day 9 - Day 9 Hundred Islands.
Awake this morning among the one hundred and twenty three islands that make up the Hundred Islands National Park in the Lingayen Gulf. The park is made up of mostly coral and supported by mangrove forests, which creates a healthy ecosystem for both marine and birdlife, as well as various lizards and mammals. We will spend the morning travelling between the islands on local boats, swimming amongst the coral or taking a walk on one of the islands. Return to the ship for lunch and sail this afternoon.
Day 10 - Day 10 Manila.
Arrive today in the capital of the Philippines. A morning tour will explore the colonial area within the well preserved 16th century walled city of Intramuros which was created by the Spanish elite during their colonisation of the Philippines. See the San Agustin Church, one of four Philippine churches constructed during the Spanish colonial period to be designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and which withstood heavy bombardment during the World War II. Later we visit Baluarte San Diego, Baluarte Dilao, Manila Cathedral and Plaza Roma before ending at Fort Santiago, one of the oldest forts in Manila strategically built in 1571 on the tongue of land where the Pasig River flows into Manila Bay.
Day 11 - Day 11 Coron Island.
This morning we enter the spectacular bay of Coron Island. Known to only a few, this remarkable area will one day most likely be a major tourist resort but for now you can enjoy the peace and beauty without the crowds. This morning you can choose an island tour including St Augustin Church and Lualhati Park before ending at the Maquinit Hot Springs where warm saltwater springs are said to have therapeutic qualities. Alternatively explore the coastline by local boat and take in the towering limestone cliffs, rock formations, idyllic lagoons and abundant reefs of the marine park. We plan to land on one of the white sand beaches for a swim in the crystal clear waters before returning to the MS Island Sky.
Day 12 - Day 12 Palawan.
Arrive today on the island of Palawan where from our berth at Puerto Princessa we have a choice of tours. Maybe cross the island, passing picturesque countryside to Sabang where we board local boats to discover the Subterranean River National Park which is home to long-tailed macaques, blue-naped parrots and other indigenous wildlife. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was also listed as one of the new seven wonders of the world and on our 45 minute sailing in the underground river we are treated to a spectacular display of rock formations and cathedral like chambers sculpted over millions of years. Alternatively, explore Puerto Princessa and surrounding areas including the Binuatan Creations where we see the art of handloom weaving using local materials, the nearby butterfly eco-garden, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and the Palawan World War II Museum.
Day 13 - Day 13 Sandakan, Malaysia.
After a morning at sea we arrive into Borneo and the port of Sandakan where we have a choice of excursions. For the keen nature lovers, we visit the Rainforest Discovery Centre, one of the most accessible natural rainforests in Sabah. It sits by a lake at the edge of the Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve and is managed by the Sabah Forestry Department which has been in operation since 1996 for environmental education purposes. Today, it is a 3-in-1 park (wildlife, bird and plant) where we can see the unique flora and fauna of Borneo. Our walk through the forest trails will lead to the canopy walkway where the centre boasts a pristine lowland dipterocarp forest with an astounding 300 species of birds recorded in the area. Alternatively, a city tour of Sandakan will include the lively market and the old-fashioned stone building of St Michael Church, one of the few surviving pre-war stone building built in 1893. We will also visit Newlands, the former home of author Agnes Newton Keith.
Day 14 - Day 14 Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the Sepilok Centre where we will learn about the rehabilitation of the orangutans and hear about their threats to survival. We will visit the Sepilok Forest Reserve feeding platform and see orangutans in the third stage of their rehabilitation programme; the orphaned and injured orangutans are brought to Sepilok to be rehabilitated to return to forest life. Sepilok is a primary lowland forest and one of the few remaining rainforests in Sabah. Observe the fascinating diversity of plants, trees and wildlife as Sepilok is known to have more than 450 species of trees and more than 250 species of birds, and we also have a good chance of sighting macaques, leaf monkeys and other mammals. Close by is the Sun Bear Conservation Centre. Opened in 2014, this centre provides rehabilitation to the smallest bears in the world that are at risk from deforestation and poaching. After lunch we will transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to Kuala Lumpur. On arrival we transfer to our hotel for a two night stay and have a free evening to relax at the hotel or explore independently.
Day 15 - Day 15 Kuala Lumpur.
Spend a day in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur. A morning walking tour begins in Independence Square, also known as Dataran Merdeka. This is the historical place where the Union Flag was lowered, and the Malayan flag was raised for the very first time on the 31st of August 1957. Continue to the Masjid Jamek Mosque, the oldest Islamic place of worship in Kuala Lumpur. Overlooking the Klang River, it offers breathtaking vistas due to the combination of ancient Moorish, Islam and Mughal architectural styles, verdant surroundings, and distant views of the city’s other iconic landmarks. Also see the Central Market, Chinatown and the extravagantly decorated Sri Mahamariamman Temple before ending at the Petronas Twin Towers which were once the tallest buildings in the world. The remainder of the day is free to explore further at your own pace before we meet for dinner this evening.
Day 16 - Day 16 Kuala Lumpur to London.
Check out this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London. Arrive this evening.
Day 17 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change. 

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £9,995Magellan Deck Standard Suite
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £10,395Columbus Deck Superior Suite
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £10,595Marco Polo Deck Premium Suite
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £10,995Marco Polo Deck Corner Suite
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £12,295Erikson Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £12,795Explorer Deck Owner's Balcony Suite
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £12,995Magellan Deck Standard Single
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £13,395Columbus Deck Superior Single
16-06-202601-07-2026GBP £13,495Explorer Deck Island Suite

Inclusions

    • Explore Taiwan's National Palace Museum and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei.
    • Discover the UNESCO-listed Vigan, Philippines, with its colonial architecture and vibrant history.
    • Visit Borneo's Rainforest Discovery Centre and Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Malaysia.

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