Philippines 2025

LAND COST = $2490 (hotels, 4 domestic flights, breakfasts, land transport, entries/activities, Matt & Suzan Ebiner as group leaders)

INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE = $1600 – approximate cost for round-trip flight from LAX                                                             

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Friday     12/27/24 – Depart USA for Manila

Depart the USA for Manila, Philippines.  It is possible to depart before December 27 to have more time in the Philippines (or Asia) before the tour begins.  Philippines Airlines is the only airline with a nonstop from LAX to Manila, but fares are usually lower on Korean, EVA, or China Airlines.  GeoTours will recommend which airline tickets to buy.

Saturday – 12/28/24 – Arrive in Manila

Arrive in Manila (probably in the evening).  Spend 3 nights in the bustling city of Manila at Rizal Park Hotel (4*) or equivalent, located near the waterfront and the historic center.

Sunday   12/29/24 – Manila

Relaxed day with different options:  Explore Intramuros, the historic center of Manila founded by the Spanish in the 1500s and enclosed by thick stone walls.  Tour of Intramuros can be done on foot or by bicycle.  Another option is to stroll through Rizal (Luneta) Park, with fountains, lagoons, monuments, museums, and lots of friendly locals.  Or visit one of the many museums near our hotel such as the National Museum of Anthropology (“Museum of the Filipino People”).  In the afternoon walk a short distance to Manila Baywalk, a waterfront promenade which is an excellent spot to watch the sunset.  Night #2 in Manila.

Monday 12/30/24 – Manila Optional Activities

Optional activities today:  Option 1 – Pagsanjan waterfall excursion ($90) – travel 2 hours by road from Manila, then take a 2-hour boat excursion through a lush gorge, which was the filming location of the movie Apocalypse Now.  Includes a short, steep downhill hike + chance to go under the falls (and get wet!).

Option 2 – Mt. Mayon excursion with round-trip flight ($150, including flights) – a spectacular day trip from Manila to southern Luzon Island to see Mayon Volcano, often called the world’s most perfectly shaped volcano.  This requires a one-hour flight from Manila at 5 a.m. to Bicol.  From Bicol a guide and driver take us to Cagsawa ruins for beautiful early morning views of Mt. Mayon from an old church half-buried by an 1814 lava flow.  Go to other viewpoints from hilltops and lakes, with some short walks.  Option to ride an ATV to the base of the volcano for up-close views.  Return flight to Manila from Bicol in the late afternoon.

Option 3 (no cost) – Free time in Manila to do any activity on your own (museums, shopping, swimming, dining, exploring).

Tuesday 12/31/24 – Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island

Fly to Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island, consistently rated as one of the most beautiful islands in the world.  Afternoon city tour of Puerto Princesa.  New Year’s Eve in Puerto Princesa, most actively celebrated on the waterfront Baywalk.  One night in Puerto Princesa at The Ivywall Hotel (4*) or equivalent.

Wednesday – 1/1/25 – Puerto Princesa to Sabang, Palawan Island

Happy New Year’s in Philippines!  Leisurely morning, and then travel 2 hours to the beachfront town of Sabang.  Afternoon option to ride an 800-meter-long zip line, from a clifftop to the beach below.  GeoTours pays the cost for all those who want to do it.  The rest of the afternoon is free.  Two nights in Sabang at Daluyon Beach & Mountain Resort (4*) or equivalent, with an excellent location on a long, quiet beach.

Thursday – 1/2/25 – Sabang, Palawan Island

Visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in a 2011 online poll.  Take a boat ride through the Underground River, flowing 5 miles through caves that are full of amazing rock formations.  Free afternoon for rest, beach, or swimming.  Night #2 in Sabang at Daluyon Beach & Mountain Resort.

Friday – 1/3/25 – Sabang to El Nido, Palawan

Optional morning boat ride through the mangroves.  Drive 4 hours to El Nido at the northern tip of Palawan Island.  Sunset at Maremegmeg Beach.  Two nights in El Nido at Sea Cocoon Hotel (3*) or equivalent.

Saturday – 1/4/25 – Island Hopping, Palawan Island

Spend the day island-hopping on a private boat from El Nido.  Visit the gorgeous islands and lagoons of the Bacuit archipelago, with time to swim, kayak, snorkel, or just enjoy and photograph the beautiful scenery.  Return to El Nido for night #2.

Sunday – 1/5/25 – El Nido, Palawan to Panglao Island

Free morning in El Nido to relax, attend church, or visit a nearby beach.  Late morning flight from El Nido to Panglao Island.  Two nights in Panglao at Blue Planet Hotel (3*) or equivalent, a short drive from Alona Beach.

Monday – 1/6/25 – Bohol Island

Spend a day touring wonderful Bohol Island: visit the Tarsier Sanctuary to see the tiny tarsier, similar to Madagascar’s lemurs and one of the world’s smallest primates (4-6 inches).  Have lunch on a floating restaurant while going up the Loboc River.  Visit the peculiar Chocolate Hills, mounds of grassy limestone that look like big chocolate drops during the dry season.  Optional activities at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park (zip-line, zorb, giant swing, mountain bike).  Night #2 in Panglao.

Tuesday – 1/7/25 – Panglao Island to Boracay Island

Fly from Panglao to Caticlan.  Visit Motag Living Museum and take a 2-hour guided, interactive tour of a farm.  See traditional farming methods with the option to participate in ploughing, planting, pounding, and cooking rice.  Learn about traditional crafts and games with opportunities to join in.  Take a ferry to Boracay Island, with one of the best white sand beaches in the world.  Two nights in Boracay at Two Seasons Hotel (4*) or equivalent.

Wed       1/8/25 – Boracay Island

Free day in Boracay to enjoy White Beach, the hotel swimming pool, or do an optional excursion like snorkeling, parasailing, helmet diving, island-hopping, sunset sailing, shopping, or whatever you want.  Watch the colorful sunset at White Beach.  Night #2 in Boracay.

Thu         1/9/25 – Boracay to Manila to USA

Early morning flight to Manila, arriving around 10 am.  Connect to a flight back to the USA or continue traveling on your own.  Probably arrive home in the USA the same day.

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