The Philippines Edit with Harsh Nagar
Manila · Cebu · Palawan
- Pickup
- Manila
- Drop
- Manila
- Next departures
- 23 Jan
What you are signing up for
Nine days across three islands. Start in Manila, fly to Cebu to swim with whale sharks at Oslob and canyoneer down to Kawasan Falls, then cross to Palawan for the Underground River and two nights in El Nido. We sort the stays, transfers, tours and every boat. You just pack light and show up.
Highlights
- Whale sharks at Oslob
- Kawasan canyoneering
- The Underground River
- El Nido island hopping
- Old Manila
- A Trip Captain, start to end
Meet your host
Harsh Nagar
- Travels with the group From day one to the flight home.
- Knows the best spots Viewpoints, food stops and photo moments.
- Your go-to person Ask Harsh Nagar anything before or during the trip.
All 9 days
Manila— 1 night
Part One · Manila to Cebu
Land at Manila airport and meet your guide at the exit.
Transfer to the hotel and check in.
Welcome night with Harsh Nagar and the crew.
Fly to Cebu
Cebu City— 1 night
Part One · Manila to Cebu
Transfer to Manila airport for the flight to Cebu.
Land at Mactan Cebu and meet the local team.
Check in at your Cebu City hotel and take it easy.
Drive via Oslob
Moalboal— 1 night
Part Two · South Cebu
An early drive south to Oslob for a guided whale shark encounter.
Cool off at Tumalog Falls.
Along the coast to Moalboal for an evening by the beach.
Drive via Badian
Cebu City— 1 night
Part Two · South Cebu
Gear up in Badian for canyoneering: trekking, swimming, sliding and optional cliff jumps.
Finish at the turquoise pools of Kawasan Falls, with lunch.
Back to Cebu City for the night.
Fly to Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa— 1 night
Part Three · Palawan
Fly from Cebu to Puerto Princesa.
Meet the local team and check in.
A free afternoon: a spa, a café or a stroll through town.
Drive to El Nido
El Nido— 2 nights
Part Three · Palawan
A paddle boat through the Puerto Princesa Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Local lunch, then the drive north through Palawan to El Nido.
Check in and settle into island time.
A full day island hopping through lagoons ringed by limestone cliffs.
Snorkel over coral reefs and swim off white-sand beaches, with lunch on the tour.
Sunset back in El Nido with Harsh Nagar and the crew.
Fly to Manila
Manila— 1 night
Part Four · Back to Manila
Drive back to Puerto Princesa after breakfast.
Fly to Manila and transfer to your hotel.
A last evening for shopping, dinner or a city stroll.
A half-day tour of Intramuros, Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church.
Photo stops at Manila Cathedral and Rizal Park.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
8 nights, town by town
Manila
Hotel, double sharing
Cebu City
Hotel, double sharing
Moalboal
Hotel, double sharing
Cebu City
Hotel, double sharing
Puerto Princesa
Hotel, double sharing
El Nido
Hotel, double sharing
Manila
Hotel, double sharing
What is and is not included
Included
- 8 nights in hotels, as in the itinerary
- Breakfast every day
- English-speaking guide
- Airport transfers and all transfers in the itinerary
- Manila city tour (private)
- Oslob whale shark encounter and Tumalog Falls, with lunch
- Badian canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, with lunch
- Underground River tour, with lunch
- El Nido island hopping (Tour A), with lunch
- Harsh Nagar on the trip, plus a Trip Captain throughout
Not included
- 5% GST and 5% TCS
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- El Nido environmental fee (P400), protection fee (P200) and kayak rental (P300)
- Optional activities such as scuba diving
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Other information
Built for solo travellers after a crew, friends who hate planning, and couples who'd rather not hold the itinerary.
Pack this
- Swimwear and a quick-dry towel
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Water shoes with grip for canyoneering
- A dry bag for boat days
- Pesos in cash for El Nido fees
- A universal plug adapter
Sort this before you fly
- Carry a passport valid 6+ months from your return date.
- Airport pickups run at a common scheduled time on Day 1.
- Sites may change with weather, holidays or local events.
Plans can move Weather, roads and closures can change a day. We carry an alternative for each one rather than cancelling it.
What to eat in Philippines
Adobo
Meat braised in vinegar, soy and garlic.
Lechon
Cebu's famous roast pig.
Sinigang
A sour, tamarind-based soup.
Halo-halo
Shaved ice piled with sweet toppings.
When to go
Every town on this route has its own weather. Pick a month to see the real numbers for each one.
Jan on this route
Philippines averages 29° by day and 23° after dark, with rain on 10 days of the month.
Typical conditions, not a forecast — weather models only run about a fortnight ahead. Daily records averaged per calendar month (Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis). Temperature bars scaled 15 °C to 35 °C, rain bars to 30 days.
Not sure it is your group?
Tell us who is coming and when you are free. We will say honestly whether this departure fits, or build a private one that does.
Chat on WhatsAppOne message. A person replies, usually within the hour.