Manila & Palawan Explorer (4-5 Star)

Mabuhay! Welcome to Manila, capital of the Philippines. On arrival, you will be collected at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

This evening, you have an included dinner at the Blackbird at the Neilson Tower. This area was once the main commercial airport in Manila, but has now been lavishly redeveloped.

Today you are exploring the Filipino capital, making use of the city's public transport system. Departing the hotel after breakfast, you will take a private transfer to Guadalupe Station, where you board the 9:00 passenger ferry. This scenic cruise gives you the chance to see Manila from the water. Sit back and relax as you glide past gleaming skyscrapers, local fishermen and children playing along the river banks.

Disembarking the ferry at Plaza Mexico, you can explore the historic ramparts of Fort Santiago before embarking on a 1.5 hour cycling tour of Intramuros, Manila's historic walled district and the oldest part of the city. You will be riding bamboo bikes, quite literally bicycles made from bamboo!

Next, you can hop aboard a calesa, a traditional Filipino horse-drawn carriage, crossing MacArthur Bridge on a short ride. Explore Chinatown, including a stop for a drink at an authentic Chinese tea house.

Time to try another sort of public transport in Manila, as your guide hails a trisikad (cycle rickshaw) to reach the Philippine National Railway Station, which was established in 1892. Your tour ends with an included train ride to Buendia Station, passing through some of Manila's most populated districts. You will need to make your own way back to the hotel, why not hail a "jeepney", one of the most popular ways of getting around Manila. The rest of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or head out to further explore the city.

Manila - Coron. This morning transfer to the airport for your included flight to Coron, in the province of Palawan.

Coron is one of the top destinations in the Philippines, known for its Second World War wreck diving, stunning limestone karst landscapes, coral reefs and some of Southeast Asia's finest beaches. On arrival in Palawan, you will be transferred to our hotel, and the rest of today is at leisure.

Today, embark on a day trip to explore the aqua blue lagoons, lush vegetation and caves of Coron. You will hopefully be able to spot wildlife including sea eagles, monkeys, monitor lizards and perhaps even sea turtles.

You will be sailing from destination to destination by motorized outrigger boat, with kayaks kept onboard. At each stop, you will then be able to climb into your kayak to explore some of the highlights of Coron. Lunch is included on today's excursion, and you will return to your hotel during the mid-afternoon. There is an included dinner tonight, at a romantic spot by the beach.

Today you will enjoy the chance to snorkel with dugongs, also known as sea cows - one of the Philippines rarest and most enigmatic creatures.

You sail to Dugong Bay, off Calauit Island, which is home to the largest family of dugongs in the Philippines. Along the way, you will collect a native Tagbanua guide. The dugong family live within Tagbanua territory, and the animal holds a great spiritual importance over these native people. Lunch and a snack are provided onboard.

Reaching the dugongs, you can don your mask and snorkel and enter the water. It is important to listen to the instructions of your guide and to keep a safe distance so as to avoid disturbing the dugongs. However, they are naturally inquisitive creatures, and may head over on their own to say hello! A full grown dugong is the size of an adult cow, though these gentle giants are completely harmless, feeding on sea grasses. After your incredible encounter, it's time to head back to the hotel. Spend the evening enjoying a cocktail and reflecting on a day that will stay with you forever!

Please note: Although our success rate for seeing dugongs is more than 90%, sightings cannot be guaranteed as dugongs are wild animals. Colourful coral reefs, tropical fish and sea turtles are also found in the area, so you are sure to enjoy a memorable day of snorkeling regardless.

Today you are exploring Coron by mountain bike. The approximate cycling distance for the day is 27 kilometres, and all of the equipment you need will be provided. You will also be shadowed for some of the journey by a 4X4 support vehicle, and will make frequent stops along the way.

Your cycling adventure starts at Decalachao, just north of Busuanga Airport. Riding south, you will make your way along single track roads to San Nicolas and will have to cross a river with your bikes. Stopping for a quick snack, your guide will plan the route across the tree-studded plains to Guadalupe, where you have some time to explore a local village. You then complete your cycle to Coron town. The rest of the day is at leisure for a well earned rest!

After a tiring day yesterday, today is completely free for you to relax. It's a great day to explore some of Palawan's world-beating beaches. You could also take a day trip to a nearby island, or head out on an adventure to the Skeleton Wreck, one of several Japanese shipwrecks from the Second World War.

Coron - Manila. After an included breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your included flight back to Manila. Your tour ends on arrival back in the Filipino capital.