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Philippines in 10 Days

Philippines

Overview

A domestic-flight-and-ferry route through three of the Philippines' strongest regions: a short stop in Manila for Intramuros' Spanish colonial old town, a few days around Cebu and Bohol for the Chocolate Hills and tarsier sanctuary, then flying to Palawan for El Nido's island-hopping tours through turquoise lagoons and limestone cliffs — widely considered the country's best scenery.

Duration
10 days
Pace
Balanced
Transport
Mixed
Estimated budget (comfortable)
US$1,500–US$1,950

Route

12345
1. Manila2. Cebu City3. Bohol4. Palawan (El Nido)5. Manila

Highlights

  • Intramuros, Manila's walled Spanish colonial old town
  • Bohol's Chocolate Hills and the tarsier sanctuary
  • El Nido's Big and Small Lagoon island-hopping tours
  • Snorkelling and swimming among Palawan's limestone karsts

Worth knowing

  • Domestic flights to Palawan are limited and worth booking early
  • Manila is mostly a transit stop here — allocate more time if city sightseeing matters to you
  • Typhoon season (Jun-Nov) can disrupt inter-island travel

Day by day

Day 1

Manila

Main activities

  • Arrive, settle in
  • Intramuros walled city

Optional additions

  • Rizal Park
Overnight: Manila

Day 2

Manila → Cebu

Main activities

  • Domestic flight (~1.5h)
  • Cebu City heritage sites
~1.5 hours · Domestic flightOvernight: Cebu City

Day 3

Cebu → Bohol

Main activities

  • Ferry (~2h)
  • Chocolate Hills viewpoint
~2 hours · Fast ferry from CebuOvernight: Bohol

Day 4

Bohol

Main activities

  • Tarsier sanctuary
  • Loboc River cruise

Optional additions

  • Panglao Island beach afternoon
Overnight: Bohol

Day 5

Bohol → Manila → Palawan

Main activities

  • Ferry back to Cebu, connect to Palawan via Manila
Most of the day in transit · Ferry + domestic flightOvernight: Palawan (El Nido)

A long transit day — consider a direct Cebu-Puerto Princesa flight if the schedule allows.

Day 6

Palawan (El Nido)

Main activities

  • Island-hopping Tour A: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Secret Beach
Overnight: Palawan (El Nido)

Day 7

Palawan (El Nido)

Main activities

  • Island-hopping Tour C: Matinloc Shrine, Secret Lagoon

Optional additions

  • Sunset from Las Cabanas Beach
Overnight: Palawan (El Nido)

Day 8

Palawan (El Nido)

Main activities

  • Free beach day
  • Nacpan Beach

Optional additions

  • Kayaking
Overnight: Palawan (El Nido)

Day 9

Palawan (El Nido) → Manila

Main activities

  • Domestic flight back (~1.5h)
  • Final souvenir shopping
~1.5 hoursOvernight: Manila

Day 10

Manila

Main activities

  • Departure
Overnight: Manila

Alternatives

Shorter version · 7 days

Skip Bohol and fly directly from Cebu to Palawan.

Longer extension · 14 days

Add Coron's shipwreck diving and lagoons at the northern tip of Palawan.