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Brilliant Bohol - 8 days
8 Days Starting in Manila, Philippines and ending in Bohol, Philippines
Visiting: Manila, Bohol
Tour operator:
Group Type:
Private
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Age range:
5-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an 8-day adventure through the Philippines with the "Brilliant Bohol" tour. Begin your journey in Manila, exploring the historic Intramuros district by ferry, bamboo bike, and more. Fly to Bohol to witness the iconic Chocolate Hills and meet the charming tarsiers. Immerse yourself in local culture in Loboc, learning traditional skills and savoring homemade coconut wine. Snorkel in the vibrant Coral Gardens of Balicasag Island, with opportunities to spot dolphins and whales. Relax on the pristine beaches of Panglao Island and enjoy a scenic cruise along the Loboc River. With comfortable accommodations and guided tours, this adventure promises a perfect blend of culture, nature, and relaxation.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation Name: hotel
Upon arrival in Manila, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel for the next two days. The rest of the day is at leisure, for you to relax or explore at your own pace.
Day 2: Manila
Location: Manila
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you are exploring the Filipino capital, making use of the city's public transport system. Set off early for Guadalupe Station to catch the 09:00 Pasig River Ferry. Once aboard the twin-hulled, double-engine passenger boat, find a good spot to take in the views as you cruise along the riverbanks. The Pasig River, stretching 25 kilometers, was once Manila’s economic lifeline during Spanish times. Historic cities like Tondo, Maynila, and Namayan thrived along its shores, while landmarks like the historic walled city of Intramuros and Malacañang Palace still stand as reminders of the past.
As you glide past gleaming skyscrapers mixed with more modest structures, you might spot children diving from makeshift platforms under bridges, locals relaxing in small gardens, fishermen trying their luck, and street basketball games in full swing. Disembark at Plaza Mexico Station, a short walk from Fort Santiago. Explore its ramparts, then embark on a 1.5-hour tour of Intramuros on a bamboo bike.
Next, hop on a calesa, cross MacArthur Bridge, and stop at Sta. Cruz Church. From there, walk down Ongpin Street in Chinatown, where you’ll find Chinese herbal stores, jewellery shops, and oriental trinkets. Pause for refreshments at an authentic Chinese tea house before hailing a ‘trisikad’ to the Philippine National Railway Station, the country’s oldest commuter service, dating back to 1892. End your tour with a train ride to Buendia Station, passing through densely populated areas, before catching a jeepney or taxi back to your hotel.
Once at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to opt to try Halo-halo, a popular Filipino cold dessert of crushed ice, evaporated or coconut milk, and a mix of ingredients like ube jam, sweetened beans, coconut strips, sago, gulaman, pinipig, yams, flan, and fruit preserves. Topped with ube ice cream, it's typically served in a tall glass with a long spoon.
Day 3: Manila
Location: Bohol
Accommodation Name: resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Manila - Bohol. Take a morning included flight to Bohol, an island in the Central Visayas with over 260 kilometres of coastline and surrounding islets. Bohol is a popular destination, known for the Chocolate Hills and the tarsier, the world’s second smallest primate with large eyes. The Chocolate Hills, named for their brown colour, are a major attraction.
You’ll find white sandy beaches on Panglao Island, often compared to Boracay for their beauty, along with luxury resorts. The nearby islets also offer pristine, untouched beaches. A cruise along the Loboc River is another must, with meals and entertainment included.
Upon arrival, transfer to your resort and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Day 4: Bohol
Location: Bohol
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Start your day early with a visit to the village of Loboc for a full day of activity! The best way to truly experience a place is by engaging with its people and learning about their daily lives. This tour offers a glimpse into the livelihoods and traditions of those living along the Loboc River in rural Philippines.
You’ll learn how to weave a house roof from indigenous materials, taste homemade coconut wine, visit a fighting cock farm, walk through rice paddies, discover the process of rice planting, and meet the national animal, the carabao. To top it off, you’ll even learn how to open a coconut to quench your thirst after exploring the village.
Afterwards, enjoy a 1.5 to 2-hour bike ride on both paved and off-road paths, passing two old Spanish church ruins and a museum in a famous ancestral home. This scenic route takes you through local villages and woods along the Loboc River, offering an introduction to rustic Bohol and some advanced mountain biking skills (not recommended for beginners).
Next, learn the basics of stand-up paddleboarding and enjoy a peaceful paddle along the Loboc River. With a quick lesson, you’ll be confidently standing on your board in no time.
Lunch will be served by the riverbank before heading off to visit the Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary. You'll return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Bohol
Location: Bohol
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Start your day early to catch a glimpse of playful dolphins! The Bohol Sea is one of the few places in the Philippine Archipelago that attracts a wide variety of dolphins and whales. As you make your way to Balicasag island, you'll have the opportunity to see different dolphin species and might even be lucky enough to spot a whale!
Upon arrival at Balicasag Island, you can snorkel at Coral Gardens, explore the island on foot, or simply relax on the white sandy beach. Spend the afternoon at the Marine Sanctuary, where you'll find schools of colourful fish and vast table corals. A barbecue lunch will be prepared and served on board your outrigger boat before heading back to Panglao Island. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 6-7: Bohol
Location: Bohol
Accommodation Name: hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy two days at your leisure in Bohol, where you can explore the island's stunning attractions or simply unwind on the beach and soak up the sun. You might discover the vibrant marine life while snorkelling in crystal-clear waters or take a scenic walk along the coast. Alternatively, relax at your hotel or stroll along the sandy shores of Panglao Island. Whatever you choose, these days are yours to enjoy as you wish!
Day 8: Bohol
Location: Bohol
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bohol - Manila. Today after breakfast, your tour will conclude with your flight back to Manila.
What's Included
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7 breakfasts & 2 lunches
Enjoy 7 breakfasts and 2 lunches during your tour.
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7 nights 3-5 star hotels
Stay in 3-5 star hotels for 7 nights.
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Services of a professional English-speaking guide
Benefit from the services of a professional English-speaking guide for all included sightseeing and activities.
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Guided sightseeing in Manila & Bohol
Experience guided sightseeing tours in Manila and Bohol.
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Private air-conditioned transportation
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles, except for the Manila sightseeing tour.
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Airport transfers
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer for the flight to Manila on day 8.
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Domestic flights
Includes 2 economy class domestic flights from Manila to Bohol and Bohol to Manila.
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Entrance fees
Entrance fees for included sights are covered.
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Manila sightseeing & bamboo bike tour
Enjoy a Manila sightseeing and bamboo bike tour using public transport.
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Full day Bohol cultural tour
Participate in a full day Bohol cultural tour including a visit to Loboc, a 2-hour cycle tour, paddleboarding introduction, Chocolate Hills, and tarsier sanctuary.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
International flights and visa are not included in the tour package.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.
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Optional activities
Optional activities are not included in the tour package.
Mode of Transport
Travel in private air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers and transportation, except for the Manila sightseeing tour. Enjoy two economy class domestic flights between Manila and Bohol, and experience local public transport during the Manila sightseeing tour.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights in 3-5 star hotels, offering comfort and relaxation after each day's adventure. Unwind in well-appointed rooms and take advantage of the amenities provided to enhance your stay.
Age Policy
Minimum age 5 for SEA private tours.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour includes travel in private air-conditioned vehicles for all transfers and transportation, except for the Manila sightseeing tour, which uses local public transport. Additionally, there are two economy class domestic flights between Manila and Bohol.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
You will stay in 3-5 star hotels for 7 nights, providing comfort and relaxation after each day's adventure. The hotels offer well-appointed rooms and amenities to enhance your stay.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour includes 7 breakfasts and 2 lunches. Meals are provided during certain activities, such as a barbecue lunch on Balicasag Island and lunch by the riverbank during the Bohol cultural tour.
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What activities are included in the Bohol cultural tour?
The Bohol cultural tour includes learning traditional skills like weaving a house roof, tasting homemade coconut wine, visiting a fighting cock farm, walking through rice paddies, and meeting the national animal, the carabao. It also includes a 1.5 to 2-hour bike ride, stand-up paddleboarding, and visits to the Chocolate Hills and Tarsier Sanctuary.
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Will I have the opportunity to see marine life during the tour?
Yes, during the day trip to Balicasag Island, you can snorkel at Coral Gardens and explore the Marine Sanctuary, where you might see schools of colorful fish and vast table corals. There are also opportunities to spot dolphins and possibly whales in the Bohol Sea.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.