Description
Heaven is a place on earth. And it’s right here in the Philippines. Get ready for the Ultimate Philippines Island Hopping without Expedition 18-day love affair with the best beaches, cities and seaside gems in all of Asia. You’ll sample local eats, snorkel & swim in the sparkling sea, chase waterfalls and soak in the most beautiful island sunsets you’ll ever see, all with included flights & Special Stays.
Ultimate Philippines Island Hopping without Expedition Highlights:
Departures
- Departs Cebu at 4:00pm
- Ends in El Nido at approx 12:00pm
Dining Summary
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 17 Breakfast (B)
- 7 Lunch (L)
What’s included
- 3 Dinner (D)
- 17 Breakfast (B)
- 7 Lunch (L)
- Expert Trip Manager, Driver Team, Local Guides
- 24 included experiences
- ALL INTERNAL TRANSPORT
- ALL ACCOMMODATION
What’s not included
- Flights to/from the start/end location
- Travel insurance
- Free-time Add-ons
Included Experience
Moalboal:
- Enjoy lunch with your crew as you try all the quintessential Filipino dishes at this local spot.
- This renowned church is famous for its remarkable architecture. But it’s also rumoured to have healing powers! You’ll have some time to take a leisurely stroll through this grand church and delve into the fascinating stories it holds.
- Put on your snorkelling gear and get ready to witness an ultra rare phenomenon. You’ll have the chance to see the incredible spectacle of hundreds (if not thousands) of sardines gathering ’round in the clear blue water. Plus, we’ll visit even more white-sand spots like Pescador Island, Panagsama Beach.
- Dip your toes (and take those photo dump snaps) in the cool blue waters of Kawasan Falls, Alergria Waterfall & Aguinid Falls. You’ll also have the chance to swim and trek around.
Bohol:
- Hop on for a Tuk Tuk ride & feel the refreshing breeze on your face as we hit the countryside of Bohol for a full day tour, passing by Mahogany forests, hanging bridges and landscapes so tranquil, you’ll probably find inner peace.
- Check out one of Bohol’s most iconic attractions – the perfectly-domed landscape of the Chocolate Hills. (Just try to not lick your screen when you’re taking pics…)
- Come see the world’s smallest primates in their natural habitat. The tarsiers here are taken care of by experts, and the sanctuary even has a research centre that works towards improving the life of these endangered creatures. It’s an…eye-widening experience.
- Welcome to ‘The FRMCY’. Here, you’ll get to try the freshest farm-to-table lunch, made with ingredients grown on site, or in villages nearby. Expect different flavours with every course alongside a spread of juices and teas. Yum!
Panglao:
- Get ready for magical encounters with sealife (think: corals, fishes, dolphins) as we jump on a boat trip to visit Virgin Island & Pamilacan Island for snorkelling & sunsets.
Boracay:
- Ride in style as we hit the skies for a quick transfer to another incredible island – Boracay.
Puerto Princesa:
- Get comfy in your included flight from the east to west of the Philippines.
Underground River:
- Cruise through the serene Subterranean River National Park into a kaleidoscope of pointy limestone caves. Don’t miss the chance to watch the 8.2 km long river flow directly into the ocean.
Port Barton:
- Wanna get a taste of Grandma’s home-cooked food the Filipino way? Join Nanay Elena for a traditional meal made from locally-grown ingredients.
- Want some Filipino keepsakes that you’ll never wanna take off? Here you’ll have the chance to support a local workshop in Port Barton and learn how to make your own rings and bracelets.
- Snorkel, swim, and dine – get your ocean fix on this island hopping day trip. You’ll visit two tropical islands, gorge on delicious seafood. And possibly even swim with turtles!
El Nido:
- Not riding on the colourfully chaotic Jeepney when in the Philippines? Now that should be considered a crime. Hop onto a private Jeepney for a tour of the wonderful beaches and waterfalls.
- Take a walk on the perfectly curved Nacpan Beach. Sink your feet into the golden-white sand. Or dip them into the cool water – it’s a feast for your eyes, feet and soul.
- Watch the shiny smooth water tearing through the rocky hills of Bulalacao. Don’t forget your swimsuit. This spot is famous for its insta-worthy pictures.
Port Barton:
- Cameras at the ready! Be prepared to witness the bewitching beauty of the sunset at Las Cabanas – arguably one of the best sunset spots in the Philippines.
Island Special Stay:
- Support the locals with marine conservation, education and their eco garden while you get irresistible beach-side views. Talk about a win-win!
- Love sea exploration? You’re going to love this shipwreck site that is just off the coast of our island home. Here, you’ll discover the history and secrets of WWII ships.
- It’s time to get dirty (in the best way possible). Join a traditional Kamayan or a boodle fight, where you’ll eat a communal feast served on long banana leaves with your hands.
Itinerary
Welcome to Asia’s Pearl of the Orient, packed with some of the BEST views of your lifetime! There’s so much to see, and there’s no time to waste. You’ll meet your crew here in Cebu. Drop your bags off & join us for your very first meal of the trip (it’s our treat!).
Meals: Dinner
Cebu City
It’s the first full day. So you best believe we’re living it out to the fullest. We’ll head out in our van to our very first beachy spot of the trip, stopping by for a local style lunch & then a beautiful mystical church too!
Moalboal
Love waterfalls? You’ll love today. So drop your bags off at our hotel, and let’s get going with a trek towards a gorgeous waterfall. You’ll have the chance to dip your toes in the water and even take a swim (if that’s your vibe). Expect stunning scenery of beautiful turquoise waters, majestic cascades and wonderfully green forests. Wow.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences:
- Sample Filipino Delicacies at a Local Spot
- Visit the ‘healing’ Simala Church
- Tick off Moalboal’s Picture-Perfect Waterfalls
Yes, we know. You can’t wait to witness the fascinating sardine run IRL. After breakfast, get ready for a snorkelling adventure here in this picturesque coastal town. Hit the white-sand beach, play volleyball with the locals. And then head into the water for snorkelling, turtles and ofc, the super rare sardine run!
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Witness a Sardine Run while Snorkelling
Moalboal
It’s time to say goodbye to the oh-so-beautiful Moalboal. Don’t worry, our next stop is giving those turquoise waters some serious competition.
Bohol
Jaws will drop as you drop your bags off at our scenic riverside resort here. Bohol’s known for its luscious landscape & fascinating creatures. But first, you’re in for an once-in-a-lifetime experience tonight – we’re riding on a boat to see golden fireflies illuminate the river in the dark!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences: Take a Firefly Boat Tour
Wakey wakey, grab your brekkie. Today we’re jumping on a tuk tuk (just like the locals!) for a full day of exploring all the countryside sights here. Think: hills that look like chocolate, and a visit to Tarsier Sanctuary with cute tree-hugging monkeys… And for lunch? Oh, not much, just a delicious 8-course meal of the freshest-ever Filipino food.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences:
- Enjoy a Full Day of Countryside Scenery (from a Tuk Tuk!)
- Visit the Iconic Chocolate Hills
- Visit a Tarsier Sanctuary
- Savour a Fresh 8-Course Meal MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
Bohol
Bye-bye Bohol. An island hopping boat adventure awaits us.
Panglao
One afternoon. Two islands. Plenty of seaside stunners to discover. So hop on the boat for our first stop – Pamilacan Island for snorkelling around the vibrant corals. Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins as we cruise through the ocean. Then, we’ll settle down on Virgin Island to catch the golden sunset over the turquoise waters. What a day!
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Catch Stunning Island Sunsets on a Boat Trip
All good things in life are free – just like this day. Unwind on the white-sand beach. Get pampered with a massage. Sample local eats. Go snorkelling in the sparkling sea. Do what you please. Rest & relaxation never looked this good…
Meals: Breakfast
Panglao
Shh, no need to shed tears just yet. We’re heading back to Cebu City today – but only to catch a flight to another sun-kissed island.
Cebu City
Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for the final stop of our eastern island adventure.
Boracay
Boracay’s our home base for the next couple of days, and it’s probably one of the most popular ones out here too. So check into your rooms and enjoy a free evening with your fam, here in this sun-kissed paradise.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Fly to Boracay
Suit up for an island hopping day trip! We’ll stop by at plenty of show-stopping spots with crystal clear waters, hidden coves and snorkelling opportunities before heading back to our hotel to rest up.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Enjoy an Island Hopping Day Trip in Boracay
Boracay
Boracay, you’ve been beautiful. With 4 show-stopping islands ticked off our lists, it’s time for season two of our journey – this time in Palawan!
Puerto Princesa
We’re here. We’ve arrived in Palawan. And we’re so so ready for more. Dinner’s on us tonight, so come hungry!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Included Experiences: Fly to Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa
Morning, sunshine lovers! Today’s the first full day on this wonderful island, so you know we’re starting with a bang. You’ll grab some breakfast at the hotel and head straight to the Subterranean River National Park for a fascinating underground endeavour.
Underground River
Ready? Put on your neon helmets. You’ll float through an aquamarine river into one of the most complex cave systems in the world. Surrounded by intricate limestone formations (some of them egg-shaped too!) – you’ll have no doubt about why this glorious landscape is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Port Barton
Bet your eyes are pleased with those gorgeous views. Now it’s time to please our tummies. You’ll stop by at Nanay Elena’s House for a traditional Filipino meal, made using only the freshest ingredients (that she grows on her own farm!). Afterwards, drop your bags at our beachfront hotel. Relax on the shore. Explore the tiny town. The night is still young, and it’s all yours!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences:
- Explore the Underground River via boat
- Taste traditional food at Nanay Elena’s House
Ocean-lovers, unite! Today, we’re going island hopping in our very own private boat. You’ll swim with sea turtles. Snorkel along the vibrant reefs. Grab a scrumptious locally-cooked meal. Dodge waves at the beach. And chill at a starfish sandbar (with your newly-made best friends, of course) as the sun sets over the serene sea. Is this island exploration done right or
what?
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Experiences: Go on an island hopping day trip
Need your beauty sleep? Or just need to spend some time on the sandy beach? Today’s the day you can do anything you want. Dive into the crystal blue waters. Grab a book and soak in the sun. Go on a morning hike to check out the rocky hills. Or make your own rings & bracelets in a local workshop. Either way, sublime beach vibes are guaranteed here.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences: Join a local jewellery-making workshop
Port Barton
It’s time to bid farewell to our (now) favourite island stop. But don’t worry, there are plenty more destinations here to give it competition. You’ll start the day with some breakfast at the hotel and with no time to waste, head to the next turquoise-tinted spot.
El Nido
A free afternoon to spend in another wonderful tropical paradise? How lucky are we? Taste the local street food. Or check out the unique shops around town. Oh, and please don’t forget to charge your camera!
Meals: Breakfast
Rise and shine folks. It’s time to hit the road (just like the locals) in a wonderfully colourful, classic Jeepney. First stop? The beautiful Lio Beach. Enjoy the peaceful views and walk the wooden footpath that leads into the ocean. And it doesn’t end there. Next, we’ll head to Bulalacao Waterfalls. It’s gonna be really hard to stop yourself from taking a plunge into the water. The day is not complete yet, we’ll head to the most popular beach in all of Palawan (and maybe even the Philippines, if you ask us) – Nacpan Beach. Finally, we’ll end the day at Las Cabanas – one of the best sunset points in the ENTIRE country.
Meals: Breakfast
Included Experiences:
- Ride on a classic Filipino Jeepney
- Visit the spell-binding Nacpan Beach
- Plunge into the Bulalacao waterfalls
- Catch a scenic sunset at Las Cabanas
It’s not often you get an entire day in a palm tree paradise to spend just the way you please. But the stars must’ve aligned, because today is one of them! You can explore the pristine white-sand beaches while the sun’s out and spend the night chilling with your crew. It’s a ‘you do you’ kinda day.
Meals: Breakfast
El Nido
Mabuhay, travellers! The sun has risen, and so has the opportunity to explore another destination with crystal clear water. Munch on your final El Nido meal before we catch a boat-transfer.
Island Special Stay
This is what you’ve been waiting for. You’ll drop your bags off at our Special Stay, our next MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience where we’ll spend time exploring local culture. You’ll snorkel under the crystal blue water and explore a local shipwreck! We’ll then enjoy another authentic Filipino experience. Delicious local food served on a long banana leaf across the table devoured with your hands AKA a boodle fight. Finally, we’ll light up a soothing bonfire and end the day resting on the shores (next to our rustic beach huts).
*Please note: On some departures the Isla Experience Special Stay will occur before the stay in El Nido. This will be reflected in the hotel list.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Experiences:
- Stay at the Isla Experience on Darocotan Island MAKE TRAVEL MATTER ® Experience
- Snorkel through a shipwreck site
- Take part in a local boodle fight
Island Special Stay
Ah, the final day is here. Make the most of your last meal in this wonderful marine ecstasy. Because we’re heading straight to El Nido.
El Nido
Our island exploration has come to an end. Goodbyes are due. Contacts are shared. Tears are shed. New friends are tagged on insta stories. And perhaps, plans are made to meet again at another destination to reminisce about these unforgeable island hopping memories (and make some new ones too!)
Meals: Breakfast
Important Info
TRAVELLERS WITH A MIDDLE NAME PLEASE CONTACT RESERVATIONS TO PROVIDE AS SERVICES CANNOT BE BOOKED WITOUT THIS INFORMATION. Trip starts in Cebu at 4:00pm and ends in El Nido at approx 12:00pm. It is not recommended to book flights to depart before 3pm on the last day of the trip. Full Passport Information (inclusive of middle name) is required at time of booking as services cannot be booked without this information. Single and twin chargeable arrival and departure transfers are available. Twin transfers can only be booked when two passengers are traveling together on the same reference number and same arrival flight. Full Flight Information must be provided if transfers are required to be booked. Travellers are responsible for obtaining all necessary visas prior to the departure of the trip. Contiki sometimes uses ground handlers or third parties to assist with the full or partial operation of our products. The ground handler for this trip is Mango Tiger.
Please ensure that your name is correct on your ticket, as per your passport. Name changes or amendments may incur Contiki and/or Airline fees. It is the passenger’s responsibility to have a valid passport and all visas, permits and certificates required for their selected holiday as well as any necessary vaccinations. It is compulsory for travellers to take out comprehensive insurance cover for cancellation, personal injury, death, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and evacuation expenses before travelling on a Contiki holiday. We strongly recommend insurance also covers cancellation, personal liability and loss of personal property, and is arranged at time of deposit. Contiki has the right to refuse travellers without the required insurance cover to join our trips. For full details please visit www.contiki.com/booking-conditions. As Contiki trips are specifically designed for likeminded 18-35 year old travellers, to confirm space on the trip each travellers date of birth must be provided. Full payment must be received no later than 60 days before the trip start date.
