Manila, Cebu & El Nido
A night in Manila, Cebu's waterfalls and sardine run, and El Nido's lagoons and island-hopping tours in Palawan.
Trip at a glance
- Duration8 days / 7 nights
- Starts inManila
- RouteManila · Cebu · El Nido (Palawan)
- Places3 destinations
- CountryPhilippines
- Ideal forIsland holidays, Group tours
- Trip stylePrivate, customisable
- Package codeNX-1JCDU3
Best time to visit: December to April
Trip overview
A night in Manila, Cebu's waterfalls and sardine run, and El Nido's lagoons and island-hopping tours in Palawan.
The route spends 1 night in Manila, 3 nights in Cebu and 3 nights in El Nido (Palawan), so you get time for the main sights without changing hotels every day. It suits island holidays, group tours and adventure holidays, and every day can be shortened, swapped or extended.
Highlights
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Manila
- Arrive via Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and transfer to your hotel
- Check in and settle in
- Later: Manila Bay sunset: Famous sunsets along Roxas Boulevard
Day 2Manila to Cebu
- Transfer from Manila to Cebu by ferry or short flight, depending on schedules
- Check in at your Cebu hotel
- Bohol's Chocolate Hills: Day trip by ferry
Day 3Cebu: Snorkelling and Island hopping
- Snorkelling
- Island hopping
Day 4Cebu: Kawasan Falls and Magellan's Cross
- Kawasan Falls: Turquoise falls and canyoneering
- Magellan's Cross: Historic cross from 1521
Day 5Cebu to El Nido (Palawan)
- Transfer from Cebu to El Nido (Palawan) by ferry or short flight, depending on schedules
- Check in at your El Nido (Palawan) hotel
- Big and Small Lagoons: Kayak into hidden lagoons
Day 6El Nido (Palawan): Secret Lagoon and Nacpan Beach
- Secret Lagoon: Lagoon reached through a gap in the rocks
- Nacpan Beach: Long, quiet beach
Day 7El Nido (Palawan): Shimizu Island and Island hopping tours
- Shimizu Island: Snorkelling stop
- Island hopping tours
Day 8Depart from El Nido (Palawan)
- Breakfast and hotel check-out
- Transfer to El Nido (Lio) Airport (ENI) for your journey home
How this version is planned
- Ferries and boats booked with buffer time before flights
- No flight home on the same day as an outer-island ferry
- Snorkelling and reef trips planned for calm-sea days
- Vehicle sized for the whole group and its luggage
- Rooms quoted on twin or triple sharing, with single supplements shown
This is a suggested itinerary. Sightseeing order may change with opening days, weather and local conditions; your final plan is in your written quote.
Good to know
- Manila: Traffic is heavy; plan sightseeing by area and avoid the evening rush hour.
- Cebu: Oslob whale shark feeding is controversial; we suggest the Moalboal sardine run instead.
- El Nido (Palawan): Tour A covers the lagoons; book a private boat to beat the crowds.
Questions about this trip
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PhilippinesManila
Manila is the Philippines' capital and main international gateway, where the Spanish-era walled city of Intramuros sits beside the glass towers of Makati and Bonifacio Global City.
PhilippinesCebu
Cebu is the Philippines' oldest city and a gateway to waterfalls, whale sharks at Oslob, sardine runs at Moalboal and island resorts at Mactan and Bohol.
PhilippinesEl Nido (Palawan)
El Nido in northern Palawan is a gateway to Bacuit Bay's limestone islands, hidden lagoons and white beaches, explored by island-hopping tours lettered A to D.
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