17 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,470pp
Single from £4,160
Escorted tour
Philippines: Rice Terraces, Palawan & El Nido – 17 Days
Mount Pinatubo, the rice terraces of the Cordillera, the Puerto Princesa Underground River and island-hopping in Palawan, in a group of up to 12.
17 days
From £3,470
Tour overview
This 17-day small-group adventure combines the mountains of northern Luzon with the islands of Palawan, two very different sides of the Philippines. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout and local guides in the mountains. You travel by private minibus, colourful local jeepney, boat and one internal flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa, and stay in hotels and a countryside guesthouse on a twin-share basis. Breakfast is included daily, with four lunches and two dinners.
After a welcome in Manila, a guided tour takes in food tastings and the old walled city of Intramuros by bamboo bike. You then head north to hike up to the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo, the volcano whose 1991 eruption was one of the largest of the century, with lunch in the village of Tarukan. Driving through rice fields and mango plantations via the half-buried church of Bacolor, you reach the Cordillera mountains. The guesthouse near Pinatubo is in a quiet rural setting, a contrast to the bustle of the capital.
Read more
Here you trek through the UNESCO-listed rice terraces of Banaue, carved by the Ifugao people around 2,000 years ago, explore Sagada with its hanging coffins suspended on cliffs, and hike the Maligcong terraces to a Kalinga village with a local guide. Baguio, the city of pines, adds art studios and a weaving foundation that supports local women, before you return to Manila, where some travellers join the group.
A short flight takes you to Puerto Princesa on Palawan, where a boat trip follows the Subterranean River through a limestone cave out to the sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You continue to the laid-back village of Port Barton for a day of island-hopping among coral reefs and white beaches, then to El Nido, surrounded by marble cliffs, for a full day of snorkelling around its limestone islands and lagoons. Evenings in El Nido are best spent watching the sunset from the beach.
The physical rating is medium, with several hikes, including a steep climb at Pinatubo and uneven terrace paths. This trip suits active travellers who want culture, mountains and beaches in one journey.
Trip highlights
-
Intramuros by bamboo bike in Manila (Day 2)
-
The crater lake of Mount Pinatubo (Day 3)
-
Trekking the Banaue rice terraces (Day 5)
-
Sagada's hanging coffins (Day 6)
-
The Puerto Princesa Underground River (Day 12)
-
Island-hopping at Port Barton and El Nido (Days 14 and 16)
Your route
12 stops from Manila to El Nido
- Manila Days 1 & 9–10
- Mt Pinatubo (guest house) Days 2–3
- Bacolor Day 4
- Banaue Days 4–5
- Batad Day 5
- Sagada Days 6–7
- Bontoc Day 7
- Baguio Day 8
- Puerto Princesa Days 11–12
- Sabang Day 12
- Port Barton Days 13–14
- El Nido Days 15–17
Why choose this tour
Northern Luzon's mountains and Palawan's islands in one trip, with a local leader. Plenty of hiking and snorkelling, with cultural visits along the way.
Best suited to
- Active travellers who enjoy hiking
- Beach and snorkelling lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
- Travellers interested in indigenous cultures
Day-by-day itinerary
17 days from Manila, Philippines to El Nido, Philippines
-
Day 1 · Manila Arrive in Manila
Meet your leader and group at 6pm in the Philippines' lively capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Intramuros, Manila Manila to Pinatubo
A guided tour of Manila with food tastings and Intramuros by bamboo bike, then head north.
- Hotel
- Countryside guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 3 · Crow Valley, Mount Pinatubo, Tarukan Mount Pinatubo
Ride a 4WD jeep to the trailhead and hike to the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo, with lunch in Tarukan village.
- Hotel
- Countryside guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 4 · Bacolor, Banaue To Banaue
Drive north via the half-buried church of Bacolor to Banaue in the Cordillera.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Banaue rice terraces Banaue rice terraces
Take a jeepney to Sadel and trek through the 2,000-year-old Ifugao rice terraces.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Sagada, Hanging Coffins Sagada
Travel to Sagada for a tour that includes the hanging coffins.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Bontoc, Maligcong Maligcong terraces
Hike the Maligcong rice terraces to a Kalinga village with a local guide.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Baguio To Baguio
Drive to Baguio, the city of pines, with a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Baguio, Manila Baguio to Manila
Visit art studios and a weaving foundation in Baguio, then return to Manila.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Manila Manila
A free day in Manila. New travellers join at a 6pm meeting.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Puerto Princesa Fly to Palawan
Fly to Puerto Princesa, the relaxed capital of Palawan.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 12 · Sabang, Puerto Princesa Underground River Underground River
A boat trip along the Subterranean River through a limestone cave to the sea.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Port Barton Port Barton
Travel to the slow-paced coastal village of Port Barton.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Port Barton islands Island-hopping
A day of island-hopping among coral reefs and white-sand beaches.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 15 · El Nido El Nido
Travel to El Nido, backed by marble cliffs.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 16 · Bacuit Bay El Nido island-hopping
A full-day snorkelling trip around El Nido's limestone islands and lagoons.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
-
Day 17 · El Nido Trip ends in El Nido
The trip ends after breakfast.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Manila (1 night) Hotel
- Mount Pinatubo (2 nights) Countryside guesthouse
- Banaue (2 nights) Hotel
- Sagada (2 nights) Hotel
- Baguio (1 night) Hotel
- Manila (2 nights) Hotel
- Puerto Princesa (2 nights) Hotel
- Port Barton (2 nights) Hotel
- El Nido (2 nights) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 16 nights in hotels and a countryside guesthouse
- Meals 16 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
- Flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa
- Transport private minibus, jeepney and boats
- Manila city tour and Intramuros bamboo bike tour
- Mount Pinatubo crater hike and Tarukan village visit
- Banaue and Maligcong rice-terrace treks and a Sagada town tour
- Underground River boat trip, and island-hopping at Port Barton and El Nido
- Local leader throughout, with local guides
Not included
- International flights
- Meals not listed
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a beach-only holiday — the first half is in the mountains
- You find hiking difficult — some trails are steep
- You want most meals included — mainly breakfasts
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
FCDO advice
UK FCDO travel advice for Philippines
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,470 per person, twin share, tour only. 28 upcoming departures.
20 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,495pp
Single from £4,185
24 Nov 2026
Twin share
£3,470pp
Single from £4,160
01 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,470pp
Single from £4,160
08 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,520pp
Single from £4,210
11 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,470pp
Single from £4,160
15 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,680pp
Single from £4,370
18 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,680pp
Single from £4,370
29 Dec 2026
Twin share
£3,960pp
Single from £4,650
05 Jan 2027
Twin share
£3,975pp
Single from £4,665
12 Jan 2027
Twin share
£3,820pp
Single from £4,510
19 Jan 2027
Twin share
£3,975pp
Single from £4,665
26 Jan 2027
Twin share
£3,975pp
Single from £4,665
02 Feb 2027
Twin share
£3,975pp
Single from £4,665
16 Feb 2027
Twin share
£3,975pp
Single from £4,665
23 Feb 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
02 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,820pp
Single from £4,510
16 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,820pp
Single from £4,510
30 Mar 2027
Twin share
£3,975pp
Single from £4,665
13 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
27 Apr 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
16 Nov 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
23 Nov 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
30 Nov 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
07 Dec 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
10 Dec 2027
Twin share
£3,605pp
Single from £4,295
14 Dec 2027
Twin share
£3,820pp
Single from £4,510
21 Dec 2027
Twin share
£3,860pp
Single from £4,550
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard are the hikes?
The Pinatubo crater hike is steep in places, and the rice-terrace treks follow narrow, sometimes slippery paths. The physical rating is medium.
Is the internal flight included?
Yes, the flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa is included with a checked bag.
Can I join for part of the trip?
The group changes in Manila, so you can do the mountains or Palawan on their own. Ask a specialist.
When is the best time to go?
The dry season, from about November to May, is best. The rice terraces are greenest before harvest.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors can usually stay up to 30 days without a visa. Check the latest FCDO advice.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary