The Philippines have seven thousand islands and a huge number of interesting and unusual places that are definitely worth visiting. In order not to get lost in this variety, read a detailed route around the country from our Trevl-Guide and get ready for a very busy trip.
Route:
Manila → Batade → Legaspi → Borakai → Bohol → Palawan
Days 1–4. Manil
Manila is the largest city and the capital of the state of the Philippines. It is considered the most densely populated city in the world. Developed business ruins with skyscrapers, noisy and chaotic Asian streets and colonial architecture are adjacent here.
In Manila, we suggest that you stay in the intramuros area. Here are a few options for hotels there:
- Red Planet Manila Binondo
- The Bayleaf Intramuros
- The Manila Hotel
The area of intramuros
Intramuros is a picturesque area on the banks of the Pasig River, in which you will find the ancient architecture of the times of Spain, along with historical attractions.
It is worth walking along the streets to look at the variety of buildings, find interesting stores and look at the city life of the Philippines.
Be sure to visit the main basil and walk around the perimeter of intramuros – it is surrounded by stone walls, and from neighboring areas you can get here through numerous gates.
Fort Santiago
After a walk on Intramusr, go to the Fort Santiago – an old fortress that once served as a defensive structure.
Here you can take a walk around the courtyards, go to the museum and walk along the external walls and the embankment. From the north-eastern wall, an excellent view of the river and manila is opened.
Ticket cost: 75 PHP
How to get: to get to the fort, go through the channel near Plaza Morions.
Park Jose Risal
To relax from noisy streets, go to the park of Jose Risal. It is located immediately beyond the boundaries of the intramuros area on its south side.
The park has many paths, alleys and several ponds. Look at Japanese and Chinese gardens, monuments placed in honor of outstanding people, and fountains surrounded by shrubs. In the evening, the fountains turn on the backlight and you can look at the light show.
The embankment was beckoning Bay
If you go from the park of Jose Risal along the Roxas Boulevard, you’ll get to the promenade of the Bay. On the one hand, you will be a bay of the city, and on the other, its high -rise buildings. It’s nice to walk here both in the afternoon, and in the evening, when the backlight is lit in the skyscrapers. At sunset, the embankment looks especially picturesque.
Binondo and Basilica of St. Lorenso Ruis
To look at a more Asian manila, go to the Binondo area. To do this, you need to cross the William A. Jones memorial bridge.
Following directly along Quintin Paredes Road, you will see the remarkable basilic of St. Lorenso Ruis from gray and pinkish stone.
On the streets in the district you can find numerous markets, restaurants and cafes with local cuisine and shops. Nearby is Chinatown, where Chinese goods are sold and Chinese restaurants are open.
Days 4-5. Batades, rice terraces
To get to the rice terraces of battles, you need to go on an airplane in Manila and fly to the town of Kauayan. A convenient flight can be selected on OneTwotrip.
In Kauayan, take a taxi directly to the terraces. The duration of the trip will be about 2 hours, the cost is from 35 to $ 45.
Keep in mind that a taxi cannot take you to the place of placement on the terraces, since there are no roads. Ask the driver to take you as close as possible to the village of Batada. Next, you will need to overcome about 1.5 km (about 30 minutes of travel) on foot.
We offer you to stop in the Batad Transient House guest house. Fantastic views of terraces, mountains and districts open from its territory.
Rice terraces
To inspect rice terraces, go for a walk along their narrow paths. The higher you go, the more exciting panoramic views will open to you.
Tapa waterfall
Be sure to allocate time to see an incredibly beautiful tapi waterfall. The path to it begins immediately from your guest house. Go 1 km, so get in about 15 minutes.
The waterfall is located in the gorge, and a narrow river originates from it. In the basin of the waterfall you can swim.
Days 5-6. Legaspi
In the morning on the fifth day of the trip you will be waited for a departure from the airport of the town of Kauayan. We advise you to agree on a transfer or taxi from the battery to the airport in advance so as not to miss the flight. You can choose a suitable ticket on OneTwotrip.
In the legaspi, we have selected the following accommodation options for you.
- Emerald Boutique Hotel
- The Oriental Hotel Legazpi
Reserve Maion Volkano
Maion is a valid volcano that can be seen from anywhere in the city of Legaspi.
At the top of the volcano we offer to go on an ATV. To do this, you need to book a tour with Mayon ATV Tour. The cost of the tour will be from 8500 PHP for two. If you want to rent on an ATV for each, the cost per person will be 6500 PHP.
The tour lasts from 3 to 4 hours. During this time, you cross streams, lava thresholds and slopes of the volcano.
Church of Daraga
Be sure to visit the Church of Daraga. This is an old structure with an original facade, colorful decoration and unusual sculptures.
Go around the church to look at its architectural elements.
Kagsava ruins
If you have time left, visit the ruins of Kagsava – the remains of the Franciscan Church of the 16th century, which was destroyed by pirates. Subsequently, it was restored, however, after the eruption of the Main Milkan, in the 19th century, only ruins remained from the Church. As a bonus from the park, excellent views of the volcano are opened.
How to get there: local buses “Jeepney” (jeepney) go from the bus station to the park.
Days 6–9. Borakai
On the sixth day of the trip, go to the Legaspi airport. You are waiting for a flight to the island of Borakai. Suitable tickets can be found on OneTwotrip.
Since the airport closest to Borakai is located on the neighboring island of Panay, you need to sit on a ferry that goes to the port on Boraka for about 15 minutes.
The ferry pier Caticlan Jetty Port is located immediately near the airport, and the ticket cost will be about 270 PHP.
On the island of Borakai, we invite you to spend 3 days and 3 nights to enjoy his paradise beaches and take a break from the crossings.
Stop in one of the following options for living:
- Henann Prime Beach Resort
- Coast Boracay
- The Lind Boracay
- Shangri-la’s Boracay Resort and Spa
The sights of the island
In Borakai, be sure to spend time on the beaches of White Beach, Punta Bunga Beach and Puka Shell Beach. The first of them is the most famous and long beach of the island, along which there are numerous bars, restaurants and shops.
To buy something in memory of the island, visit D’Mall in the area of the second station of the White Beach. Here you can find everything: clothes, souvenirs, jewelry and beach accessories.
Days 9–11. Bochol
On the ninth day, you will find a flight to the island of Bohol. Convenient tickets can be selected on OneTwotrip.
On the island, we offer to rent a car in order to inspect all attractions with maximum efficiency.
We have selected for you 2 excellent accommodation options:
- Henann Resort Alona Beach
- BOHOL Beach Club
Chocolate hills
Chocolate hills are 50 square kilometers unusual in the shape of hills, called so because of the color of the vegetation, which burns out and becomes brown over the summer.
The hills are located in the center of the island, and you can look at them from the observation deck. To get there, move by car by Balilihan-Hanopol-Batuan Road. Travel time will take about 1.5 hours. The cost of the input ticket will be 50 PHP.
Filippin Tarser Reserve
In the reserve, you can look at local rolbers with small paws and large eyes. This species of animals is on the verge of disappearance, so you should definitely see them with your own eyes.
You can visit the Philippines Tarser as part of a small tour of 15 to 20 minutes. The operating time of the park – from 8:30 to 16:00 daily.
Ticket cost: 60 PHP
How to get: about 50 minutes according to Dauis – Panglao Road.
Official website: Philippine Tarsier Sanctuary
Pakhangog waterfalls
To enjoy the pristine nature, go to the Pakhangog waterfalls. Two waterfalls form a natural pool with emerald water.
To get to them, move along the Bohol Circumferential Road. You need to get to the chapel of Santa Cruz in the village of Dimiao (Guingoyuran Santa Cruz Chapel). Here you can leave the car.
Next, the road awaits you through the forest. The path to waterfalls will be about 1 km. Please note that after rains the road can be blurred and difficult to pass.
Days 11–13. Palavan
On the eleventh day of the trip, go to the Palawan Island. Finders select on OneTwotrip.
On the island of Palavan, stop for 2 nights. You will have an evening and two full days to spend time here. One day we suggest you visit the Puerto Princess National Park, and in the other-the town of El Nido and the paradise tropical bays and beaches. Here we also advise you to rent a car so as not to waste time when long trips by local public transport.
Stop in the city of Puerto Princess, at the Hue Hotels and Resorts Hotel.
Puerto-Princees National Park
The main attraction of the National Park is the famous underground river. To get here, you need to get to the coastal town of Sabang. Move along Puerto Princesa North Road. The road will take 1.5 hours. Take advantage of early in the morning, as the park is open from 8:30 to 15:30.
To get to the entrance to the caves, from where boat walks along the underground river begin, you can sit on a ferry in the boat terminal of Sabang. The path will take about 20 minutes. Another way to get to the river is to go along the track through the Jungle Trail. It stretches for 5 kilometers. They can also use it on the way back.
Ticket cost: 250 PHP (includes a boat and a life jacket).
For additional information and reservation, you can visit the office (Underground River Booking Office) in the city of Puerto Printses. Address: National Highway, Bgy. San Pedro, Puerto Princesa City.
El Nido and the islands of the Bakut Bay
To see the extraordinary beauty of the islands of the Bakut Bay, you will have to leave Puerto Princees at night, since the road to the starting point-the town of El Nido-takes about 4.5 hours. Go to Puerto Princesa North Road.
Arriving, go to the pier of the El Nido beach. We suggest you choose one of the four boat tours from El Nido Paradise. For a 7-hour round you will see small islands, lost beaches and bays with crystal clean water. Each tour (A, B, C or D) has a different program, and their cost starts from 1200 PHP. Be sure to preliminary booking.
Each boat tour also includes snorkeling masks, drinking water and lunch.
Days 13-14. Flight to Manila. Overnight. Return home
On the evening of the thirteenth day of the trip, go to Puerto Prinsez Airport. You are waiting for a flight to Manila.
To relax from the road, before the flight to Moscow, we offer to spend the night in one of the next hotels near the airport:
- Savoy Hotel Manila
- Manila Marriott Hotel
Expert advice
- On a trip, we advise you to take a large spacious backpack instead of a suitcase. So it will be easier for you to move along the route. For example, the path to rice terraces of battles is narrow and non -acheated.
- Use offline Citywalks.me and Maps.me.
- To plan movements in cities and between them, use the Rome2rio service.
On the trip you can book a car. See rental information here.
Service of hotel will help the Onetwotrip travel planning service.
