Duration
13 days / 12 nights
Price Per Person
Destinations

Sand, sea, sun and adventure are ready to be enjoyed on this 13-day luxurious adventure. For an adventure you will explore waterfalls and trek volcanoes, exploring the Philippines stunning natural geological formations, cultural sites and historical buildings. While also experiencing relaxation exploring Batanes, finishing the trip to El Nido, a small island picturesque for seaside relaxing, before returning back to the busy real world. Make sure to try the area’s fantastic cuisine, including the famous edible nest soup in El Nido! This is the perfect tour of the Philippines’ tropical chain with the ideal balance of adventure and relaxation. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Mt. Pinatubo: Trek to one of the most powerful active volcanoes from the 20th century.
  • Shoot the Rapids: Learn from expert boatmen in Pagsanjan in Laguna Province to navigate the turbulent waters in a wooden canoe all the way to Cavinti Falls — and the cave hidden behind the falls.
  • Palawan Beaches: Palawan has become one of the most impressive beach destinations in Southeast Asia, particularly those in the north of El Nido. Travelers can lounge, snorkel, and eat their way through tropical paradise.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Manila

Fly into the capital city of Manila. Arrive in the lush Philippines, an archipelago of 7,000 incredible tropical islands. Meet your guide and private transfer to your hotel spending the rest of the day at your own leisure.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel
  • Outstanding Service: Guests rave about the staff at Fairmont Makati, from the front desk, concierge, and housekeeping professionals to the expert bartenders and chefs.
  • Fitness Forward: The hotel’s fitness and spa facilities are especially well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and creatively planned classes. The spacious fitness center alone occupies some 928 square feet.
  • Indulgent Cuisine: Fairmont Makati’s culinary offerings include “live culinary theater,” handcrafted pastries, and artisan cocktails.
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Fairmont Makati Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Peninsula Manila is the most centrally located five-star hotel in Manila.

Dining: Four world-class dining and drinking options including a modern French restaurant, a restaurant serving exotic Asian fare, a 1930s Shanghai mansion style bar and an ostentatious lobby lounge.

Health and Fitness: The Peninsula Manila boasts a host of luxury well-being facilities including a spa, swimming pool, gym, steam and sauna rooms.

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The Peninsula Manila Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Manila

The natural town of Pagsanjan in the Laguna Province is on the menu for today. Along the way, you visit the eerie Underground Cemetery of Nagcarlan, a burial ground that serviced Spanish friars and society’s elite Once you reach the riverbank resort, dugout canoes will take you to the cascading falls. Expert boatmen will teach you to “shoot the rapids” and travel between the turbulent waters in a friendly competition. Return to Manila to your hotel and leisure time for the rest of the day.

Manila
Manila

Day 3

Batanes Archipelago

Take an early morning flight to the Batanes archipeligo. Upon arrival in Basco on Batan Island, transfer to your comfortable hotel in the scenic province as you are greeted by the friendly locals. Next, enjoy a Batan Northern Part Tour, stopping at the Tukon Radar Station, the Valugan Boulder Beach, Naidi Hills and the Vayang Ranch.

Hotel Options
About

Philippines’ northernmost province, Batanes, is the smallest in population and land area. The landscape is mostly covered with rolling green hills and mountains, perfectly manicured by cows.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 4

Batanes Archipelago

Begin the day with an early morning drive to San Vicente port to reach your next destination, Sabtang Island, by way of a quick 45-minute boat ride. The area has beautiful Savidug Vernacular houses, which are lined with green plants coming out of every crevasse. The Savidug Ruins is a great place to see the damage done by tropical storms. Next, visit the tranquil community of Chavayan before making your way to Nakabuang Beach for a relaxing afternoon. Return to Batan Island and overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

Batanes Archipelago

Today it’s time for a tour of Batan’s southern region. Enjoy a scenic, winding drive along the coastal road, stopping at the Chawa View Deck for a stunning photo opportunity. Visit the Mahatao town proper to explore the historical old church, the Spanish Lighthouse and Breateria. Continue along to the House of Dakay, a beautiful 18th-century building and now a UNESCO Heritage Site. Stop by the unique Honesty Coffee Shop for a caffeine boost before visiting your last few remaining stops of the day. Stops include the Ruins of Song Song and “Marlboro Country.” Return to your hotel this evening.

Batanes Archipelago
Batanes Archipelago

Day 6

Batanes Archipelago

The day is entirely yours to explore the lush natural surroundings. Immerse yourself in the island’s rich culture as you roam the area. It’s the perfect spot for biking and you can cover much more ground this way.

Day 7

Pampanga

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to fly back to Manila. From Manila, you drive to Pampanga. After checking into your hotel spend the day at your leisure.

Hotel Options
About

Abe’s Farm is a lifestyle destination nestled at the foothills of Mt. Arayat in the heart of Pampanga.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 8

Pampanga

Depart early this morning as you drive to Mt. Pinatubo, one of the most powerful active volcanoes from the 20th century, and now one of the country's top hiking destinations. The climb is not difficult, with minimal steep ascends, and enjoyable for seasoned and new trekkers alike. The first 1.5 hours of the trek is fairly flat over rocky ground, through lahar valleys and small streams - the last 20 minutes is a steeper climb on a single trail to the summit of the Crater Lake. After your trek, return to your hotel for leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 9

El Nido

Today you will fly to El Nido - the northern tip of Palawan Island, named for its’ edible nests. We recommend staying at El Nido resorts whose properties are its own islands, reachable by speedboat from the mainland.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Getting to and from the beautiful Pangulasian Island Resort is a relatively simple process, with an airport only a 25 minute boat ride away from the hotel.

History: The Palawan area where this hotel is located is known as one of the last ecological frontiers of the Philippines, and still retains much of its rustic, natural charm.

Service: The Pangulasian Island Resort combines its five-star service with the traditionally warm and friendly hospitality for which the Philippines is known.

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El Nido Pangulasian Preferred Hotel
El Nido
El Nido

Day 10

El Nido

Enjoy the day at your leisure or engage in one of the many activities available in the area. You can choose from island-hopping, cave investigation, lagoon exploration, snorkeling or even try your hand at diving! There’s plenty to do on the sunny island - or it’s a fantastic environment if you prefer to simply relax and live on island time.

Day 11

El Nido

Today is another day to enjoy at your leisure. Keep your eyes peeled to spot endangered sea turtles crawling across the plush sand. If you haven’t tried “nido,” the region’s famous soup, today is the perfect day to try the exotic local favorite. The soup's’ main ingredient is the famous edible nest.

Day 12

El Nido

Swim, sun, read or explore on your final full day in the tropical paradise. Snorkel through the animated corals or hike through the lively forest in search of rare animal sightings. Enjoy a last indulgent sunset dinner at your resort.

El Nido
El Nido

Day 13

Departure

After breakfast at the resort, take one last look at the sparkling sea. You are transferred to the small airport to begin making your way home. From here, you will fly to Manila where you can connect to the international airport for your journey homewards.

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–2

Fairmont Makati
Preferred Hotel

Fairmont Makati

Manila’s Fairmont Makati is located at the heart of the Philippines’ premier art and business district of Makati, which ranks among the world’s busiest centers of commerce and culture. Although directly connected to Manila, Makati is typically considered a highly modernized, cosmopolitan city of its own thanks to its dense population, as well as its ample concentration of multinational and local businesses. Fairmont Makati has cemented a place among the capital’s finest five-star hotels thanks to its classy amenities and top-flight hospitality team. In terms of dining, the hotel’s unique offerings promise to satisfy the gastronomic desires of even the most discerning guests. And what’s more, the hotel is located within walking distance of some of Manila’s most sought-after attractions, including the Zuellig Building, 6750, Ayala Museum, the Glorietta Shopping Complex, and Greenbelt – one of the country’s most fashionable shopping malls. The sprawling metropolis of Manila beckons with a little bit of something for everyone, from culturally immersive explorations into the city’s music and art scenes to day trips adventuring among the country’s 7,100 islands. Whatever the journey, Fairmont Makati welcomes guests with a safe haven of five-star luxury and relaxation amid the urban landscape of the capital city.
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The Peninsula Manila
Preferred Hotel

The Peninsula Manila

Strategically placed on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, The Peninsula Manila is close to premier shopping facilities and within easy access of Manila's numerous attractions. The hotel is a nine kilometers drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and just six kilometers from Manila's domestic airport. Elegantly furnished in classic style, the hotel's 351 rooms and suites provide modern, technologically advanced conveniences, including complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. The Gallery Club Lounge is available 24 hours a day, providing live musical entertainment and all-day refreshments and nibbles, including a breakfast buffet, The Peninsula Afternoon Tea, gourmet canapés and an open bar with a curated selection of spirits and sommelier-selected wines. The thoughtfully-designed private lounge is enhanced with custom-designed tables and soft furnishings arranged in an intimate lounge setting. Continental and Pan-Asian cuisine is served at The Peninsula's many restaurants, including Old Manila and Spices, which are two of the top restaurants in the city. Salon de Ning, the hotel's quirky lounge, features musical entertainment on most evenings.

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Suggested Hotel For Days 3–6

Fundacion Pacita Hotel

Fundacion Pacita Hotel

Philippines’ northernmost province, Batanes, is the smallest in population and land area. The landscape is mostly covered with rolling green hills and mountains, perfectly manicured by cows. Small boxy, cobblestone-walled Ivatan houses with thatched roofs sit atop the emerald mounds. Travelers to this slice of paradise are welcome to stay at Fundacion Pacita, an artist’s home studio turned hotel. Designed to promote the traditional Ivatan houses in Batanes, the hotel supports the local community through culinary, artistic, and heritage-conservation initiatives. Each Ivatan-inspired room is adorned by local artwork, and provides views of the Pacific Ocean, the West Philippine Sea, or green hills. The onsite restaurant, Cafe du Tukon serves a taste of Batanes using fresh farm to table, locally produced and organically raised ingredients. Savor garlic sauteed seafood and roasted pumpkin hilltop  the clear blue skies, warm sea salt air, idyllic land and seascapes, and the sound of pounding waves against the cliffs.

Suggested Hotel For Days 7–8

Abe's Farm

Abe's Farm

Abe’s Farm is a lifestyle destination nestled at the foothills of Mt. Arayat in the heart of Pampanga. For accommodations, guests can choose between Ifugao or regular-style huts. The 4-hectare farm provides facilities where guests may relax with a therapeutic spa treatment, a dip in the pool surrounded by gardens, and enjoy the culinary delights of the gourmet province of Pampanga from the onsite restaurant. Abé’s Farm is located in the town of Magalang where the famed writer, artist, and father of Larry Cruz, E. Aguilar Cruz was born. A small museum on the property features his works.

Suggested Hotel For Days 9–12

El Nido Pangulasian
Preferred Hotel

El Nido Pangulasian

Located on a private island with breathtaking scenery comparable to Vietnam's spectacular Halong Bay, Pangulasian Island is the first and only luxury accommodation available in this pristine hideaway setting. Known as the “Island of the Sun”, guests at Pangulasian can enjoy stunning views of the sunrise and sunset from the expansive white sandy beach stretching over 2400 foot. The resort has 42 select palm-thatched beach villas built with a contemporary Filipino flair. The high-end amenities include an infinity pool, restaurant, a private dining area, beach bar, poolside grill, boutique, library, gym, spa, hiking trail with viewing deck, five-star dive center and a marine sports center. The deluxe abodes rest either on stilts above the lush flora and fauna or beside the beach or pool, all just a stones throw from warm inviting water. The villas, decorated with a neutral palate and natural materials, are spacious with their own private balcony (some have private pools and bath tubs), complimentary Wi-Fi, international TV channels, iPod dock, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-bar.

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Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.

What Others Say

Here is a small selection of the kind words our clients have said about us recently.

A couple from Holland - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

A couple from Holland - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

People keep asking us which country we enjoyed the most, it's very hard to say, there were special experiences everywhere.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan

A couple from Florida - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

A couple from Florida - Aman Jet Expedition, Spring 2016

As the trip progressed strangers became friends. Particularly special was the effortlessness: perfect logistics, never having to worry about anything, and, of course, the charming and thoughtful way you organised everything.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan

Jessika and David, Los Angeles

Jessika and David, Los Angeles

There was an authenticity to the type of experience set up for us that made every city we visited special and gave us countless moments we will never forget.

Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines, Vietnam

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