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The seven tour options below are only for hosted buyers and
all international media delegates.
An administrative fee of US$50 per tour, per person, is applicable
for each of the seven tours listed below. |
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| Tour
1: Manila & Environs |
3D/2N
The capital of the Philippines—its heart and soul—
is Manila. It sets the archipelago’s rhythm and is
a pulsating hub that blends the Oriental with the Occidental,
the quaint with the modern, the mundane with the xtraordinary.
At the heart of Manila’s history is Intramuros, featuring
the grand Manila Cathedral with its detailed stone carvings
and stained glass mosaics; Fort Santiago, the site of torture
chambers and dungeons; and the favorite wedding spot, the
San Agustin Church.
Greater Manila, made up of 11 cities and five towns, is
where the country’s most prestigious business addresses
and the trendiest leisure establishments are found. Fashionable
hotels, restaurants, discos, music bars, boutiques, and
specialty shops converge around the sleek Ayala and Ortigas
Centres.
Other major cities include Quezon City, also an entertainment
hub as well as a government center; Marikina City, the shoe
center of the Philippines; ParaÀaque City, known
for its dry goods and seafood markets and restaurants; and
Las Piñas City, which houses the world’s only
bamboo organ at St. Joseph Parish Church.
With options to select:
Corregidor
This tadpole-shaped island lying at the entrance of Manila
Bay, 25 miles west of Manila, is a symbol of determined
resistance of Filipino and American soldiers against Japanese
invaders during World War II. “The Rock,” as
it is often referred to, is accessible by an hour's fast
ferry ride from Manila. A guided tour of Corregidor on board
a “tranvia” is a trip down memory lane for war
veterans and
history buffs.
Tagaytay Tour
Only about two hours south of Manila, Tagaytay sits on a
ridge 685m above Taal Lake and its active volcano-island.
From a vantage point along the ridge, one can get a good
look at the maws of the seemingly placid but volatile Taal
Volcano surrounded by the gleaming waters of the lake. The
extensive fruit and flower gardens lining the main road
are attributed to Tagaytay’s rich, fertile soil. After
enjoying native refreshments at Josephine's Restaurant,
return to Manila but not before visiting the world-famous
Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas Church, which dates back
to 1824, and a jeepney factory.
The Farm at San Benito (Health
& Wellness)
Life’s greatest treasure is health. Based on the holistic
principle of a unified body, mind and spirit, The Farm is
a world-class health resort that addresses every aspect
of rejuvenation. The Farm is also a fully integrated medical
facility specialising in alternative, preventive healthcare
and natural healing. Guests can enjoy a range of programmes
designed to suit each one’s needs, such as medical
consultation, iris analysis, live blood cell analysis through
dark field microscopy, colon detoxification therapy and
psycho-emotional therapy. Health challenges that The Farm
addresses include all degenerative, acute and chronic diseases.
Subic
Start the day visiting our historical landmarks like the
106-year-old Spain gate, the Tappan Park, the anti-aircraft
battery bunkers at Grande Island, the secret helipad of
the Americans (Hill 394) during the Vietnam War at 394ft
above sea level, and much, much more. Corals and shipwrecks
pepper Subic’s dive spots. The bay is best for cruising,
jet-skiing, parasailing, canoeing, fishing and yachting.
In the forest are to be found distinctive species of birds,
bats, monkeys and more. Pamulaklakin Forest Trails, Apalin
Trail, Triboa Mangrove Park and Jungle Environmental Survival
Training (JEST) Camp are perfect starting points for trekkers
and campers in search of adventure.
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3D/2N
Cebu is the traveller's fantasy of a tropical island come
true - balmy weather, pristine beaches, crystalline waters,
and luxurious resorts with all the frills of modern living.
The island-province of Cebu is where the sweetest mangoes
can be found and where Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan
planted the Cross of Christianity in the name of Spain in
1521. Metropolitan Cebu, the country’s second largest
metropolis, is the political, economic, educational, and cultural
center of the Visayas. Hotels, shopping malls, entertainment
halls, casinos,
and golf fairways are present in the metro to cater to every
tourist’s whim.
East of Cebu is scenic Bohol, with its rolling hills, plateaus,
crystal springs and beaches. The country’s 10th largest
island, Bohol is home to the worldfamous Chocolate Hills and
the world’s smallest monkey, the Tarsier. Surrounding
the mainland are 73 smaller offshore islands and islets whose
palmfringed coastlines are rimmed with white sand and sheltering
coves.
With options to dive:
Malapascua – A Dream Island
Malapascua lies about eight kms northeast of mainland Cebu
and 25 kms west of Leyte. Though Malapascua literally translates
as “Unfortunate Christmas”, time stands still
as soon as you step into this “Pacific Island Dream.”
Malapascua has a blindingly white bounty beach, which is one
of the best in the Philippines. This exceptionally long white
beach stretches around the southeast coast of the island facing
Cebu, Leyte and Biliran. The other side of the island has
a more panoramic rocky coastline and is an attractive alternative
for the ever-popular white beach.
Pristine Bohol
Panglao Island is a small coralline island located near the
southwestern tip of Bohol. Its best assets are its steep walls
with caves, overhangs and crevices, home to abundant fish
and invertebrate life. At Balicasag Island is a 400-metre
Marine Sanctuary of healthy corals with plenty of pelagic
visitors characterised by vertical walls over deep waters
with strong currents. A dive in December or January can offer
treats of Hammerhead Sharks and sometimes Whale Sharks. |
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| Tour
3: Northern Palawan |
3D/2N
Coron Expedition
Spend the day at a relaxing pace kayaking along the spectacular
limestone cliffs, spotting fascinating birds and wildlife,
exploring deserted beaches, snorkeling on the plentiful reefs
and experiencing nature’s beauty at itstruly unspoiled
best. East Tangat and Bintuan coral gardens are ideal for
snorkeling and swimming. Visit Treasure Island for sea turtles.
Fourteen hectares of mangrove is worth kayaking into. Feast
on a barbeque lunch on the beach. Up for exploration too are
the CYC Beach,
or
El Nido Miniloc or Lagen Resort
The Bacuit Bay area of El Nido, where the El Nido Resorts
are located, has been established by the Philippines as a
protected area as the forests are host to more than 100 species
of birds, a large number of which are endemic to Palawan.
At the El Nido Resorts, sunbathe in secret coves, kayak in
hidden lagoons, explore isolated islands, hike through the
tropical forest, have a picnic on a private beach, go on a
mangrove river tour, or snorkel or scuba dive with colorful
tropical fishes among fringing and submerged coral reefs.
Miniloc Islands resort is situated
in a cove with a backdrop of sheer limestone cliffs. The resort
resembles a quaint coastal village, with Water Cottages built
on stilts, Garden Cottages surrounded by tropical plants,
and Cliff Cottages nestled in the hillside. Right off the
pier, one can snorkel with tropical reef fishes. A short kayak
ride away is the spectacular Big and Small Lagoons.
Lagen Islands resort is set
in a lush forest, with a magnificent view of the El Nido sunset.
Lagen Island has Water Cottages built on stilts, Beachfront
Cottages with a view of the entire cove, Forest Rooms and
Forest Suites built on the fringes of a tropical forest. A
short hike in the Lagen forest will take you through a canopy
of giant trees and lead you to a private cove. |
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4: Boracay |
3D/2N
 The
palm-studded island of Boracay - with its white, talcum-fine
beach, balmy weather and warm, crystalline waters - is like
a hypnotic magnet that lures many to a lotus existence. In
this tiny, butterfly-shaped island, days can be spent simply
lazing on the beach and nights are for indulging in the tropical
party lifestyle. A walk on Boracay’s White Beach feels
like treading on miles of baby powder! No wonder, even swinging
discos have the
beach for a floor, giving dance a new twist. |
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Tour
5: Ifugao Rice Terraces/Sagada/ Bontoc Tour |
TOUR –
4D/3N
Banaue, a leading tourism destination in the country, is considered
the "Eighth Wonder of the World" and mankind's grandest
scaled-engineering feat. The rice terraces start from the
base of the mountain range and reach up to several thousand
feet high. The vertical distance between bottom and top rows
exceeds the height of the world's tallest building. Made about
2,000 years ago, the rice terraces manifest the engineering
skill and ingenuity of the sturdy Ifugaos. Then drive to the
picturesque town of Sagada and see the famous ancient burial
caves and hanging coffins, astonishing limestone formations
of Sumaging Cave, and the very interesting Bontoc museum. |
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6: Sorsogon “Encounter with the whale sharks” |
3D/2N
Whale sharks, the world’s largest fishes, appear in
Donsol, Sorsogon in considerable numbers between December
and May each year, taking advantage of dense food concentrations.
Known locally as “butanding,”, whale sharks grow
to lengths of up to 18 metres, weigh up to 40 tonnes and live
up to 100 years. Interaction tours in Donsol afford tourists
the chance to swim alongside these majestic creatures. Other
attractions include the dazzling display of lights made by
hundreds of fireflies along Donsol river, the Astrillero Archeological
Site, The Grotto, Tangkulan Mangrove Eco-Tour Park, Catundolan
and the Nahulugan Falls. Optional tour: Mayon Volcano Climb.
The world’s nearly perfect cone, Mayon Volcano stands
majestically at 2,421 metres above sea level from
the broad base of about 48 kilometres. |
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7: Cagayan De Oro Whitewater Rafting & Camiguin Island Beckon |
3D/2N
An exhilariting adventure awaits explorers and outdoor enthusiasts
in Cagayan de Oro. Go whitewater rafting on Cagayan de Oro
River for three hours, passing through 14 rapids from Mambuaya
River navigating down to Kabula River in Cagayan de Oro. Discover
and appreciate the beauty of nature along the course. Optional
Tours: Half-day city tour, and Macahambus Gorge canopy walk
day tour.
Camiguin, off the coast of Misamis Oriental, is a small, sun-kissed
island blessed with idyllic landscapes, a cozy lifestyle and
gentle people. Promoted as the country’s first natural
spa, this tiny island has seven volcanoes producing numerous
therapeutic springs. The tour brings you to several hot and
cold springs, while enjoying beautiful landscapes of rolling
hills, verdant forests and long white beaches. |
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