Solo-ish Philippines
Overview
Itinerary
Welcome to Manila and the Philippines! After meeting your included arrival transfer at the airport, join your new travel mates and CEO for an exciting and tasty walking tour of Manila. Filipino food is unique with such a global historic influence. Try the vibrant flavors as your explore local neighborhoods while getting to know your new fellow solo-ish travellers.
Make sure your flight arrives no later than 1:00 pm to join your CEO and follow solo-ish travellers for a 3:00 pm Welcome Moment, followed by your Manila street food Dinner Party.
- Meet Your CEO and Group: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
- Dinner Party: Food is a universal language, and there's no better way to get to know a new friend, or a new community, than by breaking bread together and digging in to a delicious meal. Filipino food is a vibrant fusion of indigenous flavors and culinary influences from Spain, China, and the United States, reflecting the Philippines' rich history and cultural diversity. On an epic street food tour, try the local favorites like steamed dumpling, meat skewers, and fried rolls. Along the way, get to know your new fellow solo-ish travellers and the lively city of Manila.
Get to know your fellow solo-ish companions and local life of the Philippines on a day trip to Mount Purro Nature Reserve. Leaving the city behind, spend a day with the Dumagat Indigenous community, learning more about Indigenous food and culture. Join your CEO for some light hiking, join in an Indigenous cooking demonstration, build the fire for cooking and make sinigang, a traditional pork dish cooked in bamboo.
- Mount Purro Nature Reserve Adventure: With your incredible CEO at the helm, get to know the local community and your Solo-ish travel mates on a day packed full of interesting and engaging adventures. Connect with local Filipino culture outside of the city with a day trip to Mount Purro Nature Reserve. This reforestation organization was formed to protect the greater Manila area from future natural disasters like flash flooding. With your follow solo-ish travellers, immerse yourself with the local community, learn about their initiatives, hike and join a local cooking demonstration
Today we'll take a day trip to a hidden gem just north of the city of Manila. This stunning wonderland is called Avatar Gorge. Alongside your CEO and solo-ish travel mates, explore this mossy covered canyons, uniquely carved by erosion. This off the beaten path adventure will have you fall in love with The Philippines' natural side while connecting with your group. In the afternoon, travel back to Manila for the night.
- Tutulari Inararo Avatar Gorge: Part of the indigenous domain of the Aeta people, Avatar Gorge is an incredible natural formation of rock and moss. Take a 4x4 to reach the gorge, and then walk on foot through lush vegetation and gorgeous flora though huge walls of green.
Connect with the culture and history of the Philippines today while exploring the stories behind the centuries-old walls of Intramuros. Ride a classic filipino jeepney to the wall to start the walking tour. As you walk through cobblestone streets alongside your other solo-ish travellers, visit iconic landmarks like Fort Santiago and San Agustin Church, engaging with your CEO as they bring the heritage of Manila to life. After the tour, take the jeepney back to your hotel and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Choose to relax at a cafe for some downtime, or join your CEO for a walk through Makati and Chinatown.
- Manila Me Day: Join your CEO for an afternoon exploring Manila on foot. Check out some of the cooler rooftops of Makati and check out some of the more interesting spots in Manila's Chinatown that you have have missed.
- Jeepney Ride & Intramuros Walking Tour: Jump into a local jeepney to the heart of Manila, Intramuros. Take a guided tour to explore the historic centre of Manila known as Intramuros (“Within the Walls”). Founded by the Spanish in the late 16th century, the city was enclosed by thick stone walls which still stand today. At the height of its power, Intramuros was feared by Spain’s enemies as the only true European powerhouse in the whole of Asia, but after holding strong against Chinese pirates, Dutch forces, British, American and Japanese occupations, the large majority of the city was destroyed during the month-long brutal Battle of Manila fought between the Japanese and the Allies in the closing days of WWII, a battle which also claimed the lives of 100,000 Filipino civilians. A walk through this area, despite the devastation (or maybe because of it) truly gives you a sense of the history of this area. Then take the jeepney back to the hotel.
Fly together this morning to Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island. After arrival, spend the afternoon free before coming together for a magical evening under the... fireflies! We'll drive to Iwahig and once its dark, join an expertly guided excursion to watch as the fireflies light up the dark sky.
- Plane: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
- Iwahig Firefly Evening Tour: Take part in a magical evening experience where you will witness the captivating glow of thousands of fireflies. You'll be surrounded by lush mangrove trees, illuminated by these tiny dancing lights.
Drive from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton today. On the way, stop at the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Subterranean River National Park, also known as the Underground River. Take a tour with your fellow solo-ish travellers through the limestone karst formations. Arrive to Port Barton in time for an incredible sunset viewing with your new friends.
- Free Time: Spend an evening at leisure in Port Barton.
- Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Visit: Take a boat ride through the famous subterranean river. The underground ecosystem is over 8km (5 mi) long with amazing rock formations, cave systems, wildlife and old growth forest. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011.
This morning, we'll load into a boat and spend the day out on the water on an Island Hopping adventure. Relax under the sun, snorkel and look out for sea turtles, and enjoy lunch on board. In the evening, enjoy a free evening in Port Barton.
- Port Barton Island Hopping: Experience the unspoiled natural beauty of Port Barton with this exciting island-hopping activity. With all your equipment included, jump into the water and snorkel in hopes of swimming alongside sea turtles. Between swims, enjoy lunch on the beach on an island.
Travel this morning from Port Barton to El Nido. Once in El Nido, visit the Sibaltan Heritage House. After meeting the community, jump in hands on in a cooking demonstration with the local women. Witness the local traditions of the community, learning their local songs, cultural dance and observing the Cuyonon artisan weaving.
- Sibaltan Heritage Community: Travelers visiting Sibaltan can engage in hands-on cultural experiences, including traditional weaving workshops led by the Sibaltan Women Weavers Association (SWWA). They can craft travel-friendly items, such as placemats, small baskets, or bags, using pandan or buri leaves dyed in vibrant colors. This workshop offers a meaningful connection to the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines while supporting local artisans. Visitors can also enjoy traditional dance performances and cooking demonstrations, showcasing the vibrant cultural and culinary traditions of Sibaltan, all while promoting sustainable living practices.
Spend the whole day out on the sea today in a private boat island hopping adventure. Cruise, snorkel and swim your way through picturesque beaches, perfect blue water and around krast formations. Make pit stops at gorgeous beaches, like Secret Beach and Hidden Beach, and keep your eyes out for sea turtles, eels and rays in the water.
- Island Hopping Tour: Jump on a boat and cruise through some of the most beautiful water in the world. Stop at world class beaches like Secret Beach and Hidden Beach while swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful sea along the way. Gaze at the impressive limestone karsts and view of the sparkling water. Enjoy lunch on board while listening to stories and the history of El Nido.
A final day of exploring the coastline of El Nido on the water. Snorkel and explore nearby lagoons and beaches with your new travel mates and celebrate an incredible adventure together with a final toast on the beach.
- Island Hopping Tour: Another exciting day at sea awaits. Today, check out a number of additional spots that usually have fewer visitors. Visit Secret Lagoon and 7 Commando Beach, and have more of these spots to yourself as you explore.
Depart at any time.
Trip Inclusions
- Manila Foodie Walking tour.
- Mount Purro Nature Reserve Experience.
- Avatar Gorge excursion.
- Port Barton Island Hopping tour.
- 2 Full day El Nido Snorkeling tours.
- Your G for Good Moment: Sibaltan Heritage Community, El Nido
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Dinner Party: Dinner Party, Manila
- We Day: Mount Purro Nature Reserve Adventure, Mount Purro
- G Day: Tutulari Inararo Avatar Gorge, Clark
- Me Day: Manila Me Day, Manila
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Intramuros walking tour
- Manila Foodie Walking tour
- Jeepney ride
- Mount Purro Nature Reserve G for Good Experience
- Avatar Gorge Excursion
- Iwahig Firefly Excursion
- Puerto Princesa Subterranean River tour
- Full day Port Barton Island Hopping tour
- Sibaltan Indigenous community experience
- 2 Full day El Nido Snorkeling tours
- Internal airfare
- All transport to and from included activities
- Flight, private vehicle, boat, walking
- CEO (Chief Experience Officer) and local guides throughout
- Hotels (10 Nights)
- 10 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 2 dinners
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included.
Operator
On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Travel solo, not alone. Solo-ish tours are designed just for independent travellers who want to see the world with a small group of like-minded people. These tours are exclusively for solo travellers, so you will never feel like the odd one out.
The first few days are designed to build fast connections, with shared meals, group activities, and time to get to know your new friends. With thoughtful perks like an included airport transfer and discounted solo room option, it's solo travel with a social twist.
Dates & Pricing
AUD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by G Adventures. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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