Experience Rustic Charm of Bohol 8 days

Manila - the city throbs with pulsating energy that the minute you step out of the airport and into a waiting car, you are caught in the confusing maze of people, cars, jeepneys and buses as they juggle for space on the highway. Acquire a deeper understanding of the country’s culture and learn to appreciation it in all its diversity. Experience and observe local color and be like the locals as you venture out on a commuter river boat ride on Pasig River, wander around Intramuros in a calesa, jostle for a ride with the crowd in a train and tricycle, and discover Manila in the raw as you go along.

Early morning departure for Guadalupe Station where we catch the Pasig River Ferry that leaves at 0900h in the morning. Inside the twin-hulled, double engine passenger boat pick a good spot where you may get ample views of the cities and municipalities as we cruise along the riverbank. Pasig River is 25 kilometers long and was once the economic hub and lifeline of Manilenos during the Spanish times. In the early eras of Philippine history, prominent cities of Tondo, Maynila and Namayan came to life along the riverbanks and drew its wealth from it; at the southern bank near the mouth of the of the river, the Spaniards built the walled city of Intramuros; and on its northern bank stands Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the President of the Philippines.

As we glide along, we pass by gleaming skyscrapers standing cheek by jowl with less than distinguishedlooking structures. Chance upon children diving into the river from a makeshift diving board underneath a bridge, old folks lolling in pocket gardens, fishermen trying their luck with their poles and basketball games played out in the heat of the sun.

Disembark at Plaza Mexico Station, located just a stone’s throw away from Fort Santiago. Walk towards Fort Santiago and stroll along its ramparts, reliving history as you go along, then board a Bamboo Bike for a 1.5 hours tour of Intramuros. Hop on a calesa and cross MacArthur Bridge and alight at Sta. Cruz Church, then cross towards Chinatown in Ongpin Street and walk the whole length of the road where a full gamut of Chinese herbal stores, jewelry shops and other oriental knick-knacks are being sold. Drop by an authentic Chinese tea house for some refreshments before finally hailing a ‘trisikad’ to bring you on to the Philippine National Railway Station, the country’s oldest commuter rail service that was established in 1892. End the tour with a train ride back to Buendia Station, passing through one of the country’s most densely populated areas. Get off to grab a jeepney or a taxi back to your hotel.

Inclusions: Private transfers from hotel to Pasig River Ferry Terminal, public transfers as per itinerary, refreshments, entrance fees and services of an accompanying English-speaking guide. Note: Except for the drop off from hotel to Guadalupe ferry station, the tour entails taking public commuter vehicles to reach from one destination to the other. As such, the tour may be daunting for some who hates cramped spaces and large crowds but the more adventurous ones may find in it the opportunity to know more about the country and its people.

Return to the hotel and enjoy the hotel lobby’s ambiance. Opt to sample Halo-halo a popular cold dessert in the Philippines made up of crushed ice, evaporated milk or coconut milk, and various ingredients including ube jam (ube halaya), sweetened kidney or garbanzo beans, coconut strips, sago, gulaman (agar), pinipig, boiled taro or soft yams in cubes, flan, slices or portions of fruit preserves and other root crop preserves. The dessert is topped with a scoop of ube ice cream. It is usually prepared in a tall clear glass and served with a long spoon.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Take a morning flight to the island of Bohol.

The province of Bohol is in the Central Visayas region; an island that has a coastline of more than 260 kilometers long, with several other islets around it. Bohol is surrounded by neighboring provinces of Cebu, Leyte, and the region of Mindanao. With a land area amassing more than 1,500 square miles, Bohol is the tenth largest island in the Philippines, with Tagbilaran City as the province’s main capital. The province of Bohol is a prime tourist destination in the country, where tourists go to view the famous Chocolate Hills and the indigenous tarsier, the second smallest primate in the world that is known for its distinctively large eyes. The Chocolate Hills, nicknamed because of the brown color it takes on, is one of the Philippines’ major attractions.

Bohol also houses some of the country’s premier beaches and luxury accommodations. Panglao island is the main tourist destination, where white sandy beaches dot the island coast. The fine white sands are often compared to the luxe beaches of Boracay. Other islets surrounding the main land also has untouched and pristine beaches. Another tourist attraction in Bohol is the Loboc River, one of the four main rivers that run through the province. A river cruise along Loboc is a must for tourists, offering packages that include meals and entertainment throughout.

Upon arrival transfer to the resort. Rest of the day at leisure.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Start the day early and head to the little village of Loboc for a full active day!

The only way to truly know a place is to engage with the people who live there and know what they do in their daily life. This tour is a cultural show of the local people’s livelihood and hobbies. A show and tell what it’s like to live next to Loboc River, located in a rural town in the Philippines. Know how to weave your own house roof with indigenous materials, taste a home-made coconut wine, visit a fighting cock farm, take a walk in the rice paddies, learn the process of rice planting, and meet our national animal the “Carabao”, and lastly, learn how to open your own coconut to quench your thirst after an interesting tour in the village.

Afterwards, go for an easy drive that takes about 1.5 to 2 hours of biking on paved road and off-road experience. This tour passes through two old Spanish church ruins and a museum of a famous ancestral home. A scenic drive through the woods and the local villages along the Loboc river. It is a good introductory tour of the rustic Bohol villages and learning a more advanced skill in mountain biking. Not recommended for complete beginners.

Continue to learn the basics of stand-up paddleboarding and have a peaceful paddle to see the Loboc River. Get your groove on after a quick lesson, and you will be standing on the SUP in no time.

Lunch will be served by the river bank before heading to the Chocolate hills and Tarsier Sanctuary.

Return to the hotel late in the afternoon.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel Lunch by Loboc River

Early start to catch a glimpse of the playful Dolphins!

The Bohol Sea is one of the few areas within the Philippine Archipelago that attracts a large diversity of dolphins and whales. On your way to the island, you will have the chance to view several different species of dolphins and hope for the rare chance to see a whale! Upon arriving at Balicasag Island, snorkel at Coral Gardens, explore the island on foot and enjoy the white sandy beach. relax by the beach or spend the afternoon at the Marine Sanctuary where schools of colorful fish and immense table corals await! A barbeque lunch will be prepared and served on board your outrigger boat before heading back to Panglao island. Rest of the day at leisure.

At dinner time a romantic dinner by the beach setup awaits you.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel Lunch on board the boat Dinner by the beach

Day at leisure, to explore other parts of the island or simply laze by the beach and bask under the sun.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Day at leisure, to explore other parts of the island or simply laze by the beach and bask under the sun.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Take the flight back to Manila or onward destination.

Meal included:

Breakfast at the hotel