Philippines Grand Tour: See & Experience it ALL in 14 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours
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Philippines Grand Tour: See & Experience it ALL in 14 Days, 1st Class Custom Tours

$559 a month for 6 months, 0% interest (ask for details)

Highlights
What's Included
International Airfare *For VIP members only (ask us for details)
Lodging
Male or Female Tour Guides
Tours in English
All Ground & Water Transportation
All Activities in Itinerary Below
All Entry Fees
Your Own On-Call Concierge
Breakfasts
Lunches x 7
Our Tour Package Itinerary
Day 1: Creepers in the Night
When traveling from abroad to the Philippines, Manila is usually most tourists’ first point of arrival. It is recommended that you avoid the capital altogether and instead simply use its airport as a layover en route to the island of Bohol. Upon arrival to the island’s capital, Tagbilaran, we drive to the settlement of Panglao. This is our base from which to explore the island and where our lodge is located. We will be hanging out at Alona beach. About 1,500 meters (1,640 yards) long and lined with palm trees, resorts and shops, the white-sandy Alona beach is popular both day and night.
Your tour with us today starts officially at 5:15pm. Please be in the lobby at this time, as your tour guide and driver should be waiting for you there. We are taken by vehicle to the Abatan River Community Life Tour. There we go on a firefly boat cruise. Probably you have never seen something like this before. The cruise starts shortly after arrival. Afterwards, we return to our hotel.
Day 2: Making Friends with Sharks, Chocolate Everywhere, Tiny Primates with Huge Eyes & Cruising a Colorful River
After swimming with whale sharks early in the morning, we explore Bohol Island. Specifically, we see Loboc River (for a cruise), Tarsier Sanctuary, Chocolate Hills, Habitat Butterflies Conservation Center, Bilar Man-Made Forest and Baclayon Church.
Chocolate Hills’ unique and mound-shaped formations are Bohol’s most popular attraction. During the dry season, the grass-covered hills turn chocolate brown in color. This transforms the area into seemingly endless rows of chocolate kisses. Another highlight is a visit to a sanctuary to see endangered tarsiers. These primates can only be found on a few islands throughout Southeast Asia. Not least is a boat cruise along the Loboc River. Lunch is included in this boat cruise tour.
Note that children under 4 years old are not allowed to swim with whale sharks.
Day 3: The Region's 2 Best Waterfalls
From Tagbilaran, we go by boat to Dumaguete, a town best used as a base from which to explore the area. Have ready your swimming attire and a towel. The first stop on today’s tour is Casaroro Falls. The other stop is Pulangbato Falls. We return to Dumaguete in the early evening.
Day 4: Why are Those Large Reptiles Swimming in the Water?
As a daytrip from Dumaguete, we head to the port in Malatapay so we can take the boat ride to Apo Island. Big-eyed jacks, bump-head parrotfish, and sea snakes inhabit the reefs of the island. Nevertheless, the highlight for most tourists are the sea turtles. They get so close to swimmers and are pretty big.
Day 5: Thrill-a-Minute Outdoor Activities Amid Stunning Scenery
Today will be a long but exciting day nonetheless. From Dumaguete, we take a boat ride to Cebu Island and head straight to Aguinid Falls. This is a great place for climbing waterfalls (with a helmet and ropes, of course!). Next, we drive to Kawasan Falls. There we have lunch, which is included on today’s tour. Kawasan Falls is a destination popular specifically for canyoneering. After that thrilling tour, we drive to Cebu City and sleep there for the evening.
Note that children under 6 years old are not allowed to go canyoneering at Kawasan Falls. Also, note that children under 7 years old are not allowed to go canyoneering at Aguinid Falls.
Day 6: Exploring the Philippines' Showcase Destination, Boracay Island
We relocate from Cebu City to Boracay Island via a quick flight followed by a quick boat ride. Attractions for today include Bulabog Beach, Puka Beach and Ilig Iligan Beach as well as walking to the top of Mount Luho. Bring swimming attire, a towel and a change of clothes. The day ends with walking along a footpath which runs around the headland and connects White Beach with romantic Diniwid Beach. This is a great place for both bridal shoots and watching the sunset.
Boracay may be a small island but it is huge in its offering of a variety of activities: swimming in pristine clear water, strolling along the sugary white-sanded beach, enjoying the nightlife, making choices on restaurants featuring multiethnic foods and much more. In 2012, Boracay was named the best island in the world from the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure.
Day 7: A 'Free' Day in Boracay
Today is a ‘free day’, meaning without any guided tour. What should you do today? Some tourists visit the waterfalls at Hacienda Maria, Sapsapon Cave and/or a plantation where you could watch a coconut (a.k.a. lambanog) winemaking demonstration. Some tourists bathe in Kawa’s Hot Pot Jacuzzi. We discourage all those activities. We think you are better off windsurfing, kite-boarding, parasailing, paragliding, jet skiing and/or riding an ATV around the island. We also discourage you from making the shared boat daytrip tour which covers the surrounding islands as well as the place where cliff diving is done. That boat daytrip tour is arguably a letdown.
Day 8: Arriving in El Nido & Sunset at Las Cabanas Beach
We relocate via a quick flight from Boracay Island to a beach town called El Nido. Today we spend our time in El Nido specifically at Las Cabanas beach. It is a perfect place to eat dinner on the beach and watch the sunset.
As a natural attraction in its own right, the quiet beach town of El Nido is also a great base from which to explore the surrounding marble cliffs, enchanting lagoons, beaches, lush jungle, mangrove forest, prehistoric caves, and waterfalls. Dotted with islands and islets, most of which are inhabited, Bacuit Bay is home to blue waters and lots of marine life such as dugongs, turtles, manta rays, species of fishes, coral reefs and the occasional whale sharks.
Arguably the only major tourist destination in the Philippines not included in this 14-day tour is Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. It can be reached via a quick flight from Boracay, before continuing onto El Nido by land. Let us know if you have interest. Note that adding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park would not increase the duration of this standard 14-day tour.
In the November-December 2007 issue of the National Geographic Traveler’s Magazine, Palawan was chosen as one of the best island destinations in the world. Sabang is located on the western coast of Palawan Island. This small village is commonly used by tourists as an access point to Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. This park is one of the most famous tourist destinations in all of the Philippines. There you’ll discover small waterfalls inside caves, as well as rock formations, bats, a deep water hole, river channels, a mangrove forest and marine creatures.
Day 9: Boat Excursion to Snake Island, Papaya Beach, Entalula Beach & Cudugnon Cave
The daytrip boat tours from El Nido are pretty straightforward. For the most part, they do not overlap with each other. Each tour has its own highlights. All of the daytrip tours offer amazing attractions, not least for today. Today we join the boat daytrip tour which covers Snake Island, Papaya Beach, Entalula Beach and Cudugnon Cave. Snorkeling and lunch are included in today’s tour. Water is available for us on the boat, as is the case with the other boat daytrips throughout this tour.
Day 10: Boat Excursion to Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach & Hidden Beach
Today we join the boat daytrip tour which covers Helicopter Island, Matinloc Shrine, Secret Beach, Star Beach and Hidden Beach. Lunch and snorkeling are included in today’s tour.
Day 11: Boat Excursion to Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island & 7 Commando Beach
Today we join the boat daytrip tour which covers Small Lagoon or Big Lagoon (to be determined), Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island and 7 Commando Beach. Snorkeling, kayaking and lunch are included in today’s tour.
Day 12: Ferry to Coron Island, Sightseeing & Hiking Up Mount Tapyas for Sunset
Today we take an early morning ferry ride to Coron Island. Upon arrival in the quiet/low-key village of Coron Town, we are taken directly to our nearby room. Afterwards, we are provided with a guided tour around town. Places to visit today include the public market, Coron Baywalk, the cashew harvest factory and Maquinit Hot Spring. In the later part of the day, we are taken to the stairway entrance of Mount Tapyas. Reaching the top with our tour guide takes around 45 minutes. Watching the sunset from above is a beautiful way to end our day.
Day 13: Aquatic Views of Sunken Japanese Warships & Arguably the Most Beautiful Coral on Earth
Today we join the boat daytrip tour which covers Lake Kayangan, Twin Lagoon, Sunset Beach, Siete Pecados (a.k.a. Isles of the Seven Sins), Skeleton Wreck, Coral Garden and CYC Beach. Lunch and snorkeling are included in today’s tour.
Siete Pecados is where we see arguably the most amazing coral on earth. Lake Kayangan and the Twin Lagoon are also amazing. As its name suggests, the Twin Lagoon is two separate bodies of water divided by limestone karsts. At high tide, the second lagoon appears inaccessible. There is a small hole in the karsts that we can swim under in order to get to the other side. For those who prefer to climb over the rock formation, a wooden ladder rests above the hole.
Skeleton Wreck is the most popular of the places to be visited today. The aquatic views from the sunken Japanese WWII ships off Coron Island are listed in Forbes Traveler Magazine as one of the top-10 best scuba diving sites in the world. Note that if you prefer diving over snorkeling, you can book directly with a local dive shop. They usually require at least 2 days advance notice. Also, you would need to show proof of a scuba diving license.
Day 14: Our Tour Ends Today
Transportation will be arranged for you to reach the airport in Coron.
Note that your flight out of Manila must depart no earlier than 1:00pm. Why? That same morning, we will need to fly you from Coron Town to Manila.
Are Our Tours Right for You?
If you are seeking an adventurous yet luxury tour in which you see and do it all stress-free, in which all the planning is done for you by experts, in which 5-star hotels, ground transportation, tour guides and entry fees are all included in the package, then you have come to the right place. Welcome to CharlieTheTraveler, an international tour operation company providing tailormade or packaged tours. Read some of our over 800 5-star reviews found across the Internet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can We Customize This Tour?
We are open to customizing this tour to your liking, even though the itinerary we recommend is rock solid. As our tour is currently advertised, you absolutely will not find another one out there as packed with activities and attractions. What’s more, you will not find another tour out there that offers it all "FIRST CLASS," yet for a relatively low price. We have thousands of travelers taking this specific tour every year, and that's because no competitor can beat us on quality, price & substance.
Is Travel Insurance Required & Included?
All participants are required to book travel insurance within 72 hours of booking this tour. At a minimum, such insurance must cover cancellations, medical expenses, evacuations, flight loss or delays and 24/7 assistance.
How Much Does This Tour Cost & Is Financing Offered?
A 4-installment payment plan is available, often with 0 percent interest to those with at least decent credit. Ask us for details. Our luxury-oriented and itinerary-packed “Philippines Grand Tour in 14 Days” tour is available for $2,316 USD per person. This price includes all transportation, except flights. It also includes English-speaking tour guides, food, all activities and all entry fees. If you would like lodging included for all nights on this tour, then the combined (transportation, tour guides, food, activities, entry fees and lodging) total would be $3,356 USD per person. This price is based on 2 per room and is offered to those booking at least 6 weeks in advance. Note that there is a $30 USD fee if paying by bank transfer or a 4.6 percent surcharge for payments made by credit card. We accept both forms of payment. We do not accept checks. Moving forward, to better understand your specific circumstances and wishes, and for us to accurately quote you, please tell us:
1. How many persons in your party-including yourself-would be joining this tour? Solo travelers are welcomed, in case you were wondering.
2. What is your age and the age of your travel companion(s), if applicable? Travel insurance is required for this tour and we cannot quote you without knowing your age.
3. Would you be sharing the room with others in your group (e.g. a spouse, relative or friend) or do you want the room exclusive to you?
4. Where would you be flying from (and back to)?
5. On what date would you like to leave home?
6. Would you like to extend the duration of this tour so you have some free days just to relax? If you have 1 extra day, then we recommend Boracay. If you have 2, then we recommend 1 in Boracay and 1 in Coron Town.
7. Do you have a preference between male and female tour guides?
8. Would you like to upgrade from snorkeling to scuba diving off Apo Island and/or off Coron Island?
9. On a final note, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features small waterfalls inside caves as well as rock formations, bats, a deep-water hole, river channels, a mangrove forest and marine creatures. This park is not automatically included on this 14-day tour because it is a bit of a challenge to get to. We would pick you up at the airport in Puerto Princesa and take you via a 2-hour drive to the settlement near to the park. After your guided tour there, you would be taken via a 6-hour drive to El Nido (rather than fly there directly). Would you like to add Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park onto this itinerary? Adding it usually does not increase the duration of our standard 14-day tour.
What’s Excluded in the Price?
Any airfare, alcohol, travel insurance, any government-imposed visa fees and anything not mentioned in the itinerary
Although airfare is not included in the price, we will find you the exact flights you need. Just ask.
Are Domestic Flights Needed for This Tour?
Below are the domestic flights needed for this tour:
Day 1: Manila or Cebu City to Tagbilaran
Day 6: Cebu City to Boracay
Day 8: Boracay Island to El Nido or Puerto Princesa
Day 12: El Nido through Manila to Coron Town (only if the direct speedboat from El Nido to Coron Town is not available)
Day 14: Coron Town to Manila or Cebu City
After booking our tour package, we would send you screenshots of what you need to purchase (airlines, flight number and date) and you would then book directly with the carrier. Never book airfare through a third party and always ensure your airfare type allows for changes or cancellation without penality. Does CharlieTheTraveler book airfare on customers' behalf? Although we recommend you do so directly to save money, yes we do offer this service, after the initial booking is made.
At What Specific Hotels Would We Be Staying?
Below are the names of the hotels where we commonly have our customers stay. Note this is subject to availability.
Nights 1-2: Alona Beach, Panglao, Preferred Accommodation: BE Grand Resort
Nights 3-4: Dumaguete, Preferred Accommodation: The Henry Resort
Night 5: Cebu City (near to the airport), Preferred Accommodation: Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan
Nights 6-7: Boracay (near to or along White Beach), Preferred Accommodation: Two Seasons
Nights 8-11: El Nido, Preferred Accommodation: Karuna El Nido Villas
Nights 12-13: Coron Town, Preferred Accommodation: Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel
Those who add the Subterranean River National Park, our preferred hotel in nearby Puerto Princesa is Princesa Garden Island Resort and Spa.
*For those who need a ‘pre-tour’ and/or ‘post-tour’ night of lodging in Manila, our preferred hotel there is Belmont Hotel.
Is This a Private or Group Tour?
Although about half of the activities on this multi-day tour are shared with other travelers, we can make the trip almost completely private, per your request, at an additional cost. Typically, the private activities are the Bohol Island land tour, the visits to two waterfalls near to the city of Dumaguete, watching the sunset at Las Cabanas beach (near El Nido), the sightseeing tour in and around Coron Town and the island tour of Boracay.
*Note that you are not with the same travelers and tour guides throughout your trip. Instead, you usually meet and engage with new people.
Am I Sharing the Room with Someone?
Your room is exclusive to you and whomever is in your party. Strangers (meaning customers who book on the same start date but do not know each other) do not share rooms on this tour. On a side note, please let us know if you and the other person(s) in your booking want separate rooms.
What is the Age Range & Nationality of the People Who Book This Tour?
Although we get customers of all ages and from several countries, our statistics show most people who book are 30 to 65 years old and from USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Are Kids Allowed on This Tour & Are They Charged the Same as Adults?
We welcome your kids specifically and only when the tour is exclusive to you and your group-meaning other customers are not joining you. We define kids as anyone under 18 years old. In order to make the tour exclusive to you and your group, your booking would need to be for 4 persons or more for any of our tours except Iceland. For our Iceland tour, your booking would need to be for 8 persons or more. Regarding the cost of bringing a non-adult, we do deduct from the total based on the amount of activities you request we remove from the tour. Note that reducing the total price of the tour by removing activities is something offered for non-adults only. Adults can opt out of activities but the total price does not change.
How Strong Do I Need to Be For This Trip?
We do not expect you to be an Olympic champion. We know some of the tour members are more fit than others…and we are well prepared for this. However, we do hope you take into consideration this is a very active tour, just like every other tour we offer.
Are Disabled People Allowed on This Tour?
Please let us know about any disability you have. Some disabilities would not affect you taking this tour. Others would prevent you from joining altogether. Although we want all of our customers to have fun, your safety is our first priority.
Do I Get Any Free Time to Myself?
Of course. Once each day’s tour is over, you have the rest of the evening to yourself. Because our tours tend to be very active, our customers typically want to simply relax once the sun sets.
What Happens If I Arrive Late?
Notify us as soon as possible and we will do our very best to arrange a meeting point. Please note that we do not refund for any days or activities that you miss.
Can I Opt-Out of Certain Activities?
Generally speaking, you can opt out as long as we are given adequate notice. Please note that opting out of certain activities does not reduce the price of this tour.
What Happens If I Get Injured on This Trip & Cannot Continue?
We would do our best to keep you safe and make you as comfortable as possible, as well as make special arrangements to address your situation. Partial refunds are not offered if you cannot continue with the tour. However, most travel insurances reimburse you for such situations. This is one of many reasons why we require our customers to purchase travel insurance before taking this tour.
What Happens If I Cancel This Trip?
To confirm your tour, full payment is needed at the time of your purchase. However, refunds are offered. You will receive a full refund if canceling at least 91 days in advance from the departure date. Cancelling between 90-60 days prior to departure entitles you to a 50 percent refund. Cancelling between 59-31 days prior to departure entitles you to a 25 percent refund. Canceling 30 days or less prior to departure is not eligible for a refund. Cancellation requests need to be made by email and become effective on the date received by CharlieTheTraveler.
What Happens If You, CharlieTheTraveler, Cancel This Trip?
In the unlikely event CharlieTheTraveler needs to cancel this trip, such as because of very poor weather conditions, we will give you a full refund for the tour within 14 business days of the cancellation. Note: We are not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, nor is this transaction covered by the Restitution Fund.
How Do You Help Prepare Us For This Trip?
You should receive an email from us within 24 hours of purchasing this tour as well as a week before departure. The first email gives details about what to bring, how to prepare yourself, etc. The second email is more like a timetable combined with important contact information.
Is There Anything Out of the Ordinary I Should Bring on This Trip?
Bring a lockable waterproof bag (to bring onto the boat), a waterproof case for your identification card and credit cards (when swimming) and water shoes. On a different note, you may need to bring adapters for your electronic devices.
Are the Tour Guides Licensed & Will They Be With Me the Entire Time?
Our tour guides/drivers are licensed, speak English and know how to bring excitement to your day. What we deliver is the complete opposite of the cookie-cutting tours the big corporations offer, leaving you in complete boredom. Although our tour guides/drivers are attentive, accommodating and engaged, they also know when to give you your private space and free time. It's a perfect balance.
In Which Language(s) is This Tour Offered?
All of our tours are offered in English. If you prefer another language, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Do We Need to Get Our Own Transportation to and From the Airport?
Absolutely not. We make the arrangements for you.
Is Someone Available for Us 24-7 While on This Tour?
Yes! You have your own concierge for this tour who is at your disposal. You could reach this person when you need anything.
Where Can I Read About All of Your Terms & Conditions?
Please visit CharlieTheTraveler.com/Tours-Terms-and-Conditions
Why Our Tours Beat the Competition

- We routinely pick up the phone and otherwise respond to messages quickly and thoroughly.
- We do not cancel because of group size turnout, unlike with most competitors.
- Virtually no company offers multiday tours as comprehensive as ours. This is a verifiable fact.
- We do not charge solo travelers single supplements for the tours.
- For most of our tours, you can start on any date.
- We have hundreds of 5-star reviews online.