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Brilliant Bohol

New Tour

8 days

PRIVATE TOUR: Embark on this 8-day tour of the Philippines, starting in Manila with a city and bamboo bike tour of historical sites like Intramuros, Pasig River, and Chinatown. Fly to Bohol to visit the Chocolate Hills, tarsier sanctuary, and Loboc River, plus enjoy biking, stand-up paddleboarding, dolphin watching, and snorkelling at Balicasag Island. End with two free days to relax on the blissful beaches of Bohol before an included flight back to Manila.

For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more download our Trip Notes

Tour Overview

Duration

8 days

Starts

Manila

Ends

Manila

Range

Private

Tour Guide

Yes - for included sightseeing

Group Size

Min 2 / Max Private Tour

Minimum age

5 yrs, accompanied by an adult

Departs

Daily

Hotel Rating

3-5 star hotels

Countries

Philippines

Arrival Transfer

Yes

Departure Transfer

Yes, for flight to Manila on day 8

Meals included

Breakfast: 7, Lunch: 2

Physical Rating

Moderate

Tour Pace

Slow
1
of 4 pages
Per Person From
€2,295.00
Deposit From
Final payment
€1,377.00
€3,213.00

Tour Highlights

Manila - Uncover the highlights of the city including the historic walled Intramuros district, travelling by ferry, bamboo bike, horse and cart, and train!
Bohol - Take in highlights of the island including the Chocolate Hills and meet adorable native tarsiers at a sanctaury
Bohol - Spend two free days unwinding at some of the best beaches in the Philippines or relaxing in the hotel
Loboc - Engage with the local culture in Loboc, learning traditional skills and tasting homemade coconut wine
Balicasag Island - Snorkel at Coral Gardens and explore the Marine Sanctuary, with opportunities to see dolphins along the way

Included

7 breakfasts & 2 lunches
7 nights 3-5 star hotels
Services of a professional English-speaking guide for all included sightseeing and activities
Guided sightseeing in Manila & Bohol
All relevant transfers and transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles (except for Manila sightseeing tour)
Airport arrival transfer on day 1 and airport departure transfer (for flight to Manila) on day 8
2 economy class domestic flights from Manila - Bohol & Bohol - Manila
Entrance fees for included sights
Manila sightseeing & bamboo bike tour by public transport
Full day Bohol cultural tour (Loboc visit, 2-hour cycle tour, paddleboarding introduction, Chocolate Hills & tarsier sanctuary)
Balicasag Island day trip to see dolphins and enjoy swimming/snorkelling
This private tour is operated by a trusted partner, not On The Go Tours

Not Included

International flights and visa
Tipping - An entirely personal gesture
Optional activities

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to the Philippines!

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.

Overnight: Manila

Day 2 - Manila city tour & bamboo bike tour

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.

Overnight: Manila
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Manila to Bohol

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.

Overnight: Bohol
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - The village of Loboc

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.

Overnight: Bohol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Balicasag Island dolphins

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.

Overnight: Bohol
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Days 6-7 - Bohol at leisure

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!

Overnight: Bohol
Meals: Breakfast x2

Day 8 - Bohol to Manila

Bohol - Manila. Today after breakfast, your tour will conclude with your flight back to Manila.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotels

The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
The Peninsula Manila
Manila

This luxury hotel is an 8-minute walk from the Ayala Museum and a 12-minute walk from the Ayala Centre shopping malls. The spacious rooms feature Filipino-inspired decor and furnishings, luxurious beds, marble bathrooms, and mood lighting, along with flat-screen televisions, complimentary Wi-Fi, minibars, and coffee makers. Amenities include various dining options, an outdoor pool, a gym, lush gardens, and a spa (surcharge applies).

Our Rating
Deluxe
Local Rating
5 Star Hotel
Bohol Beach Club
Bohol

Nestled on Dumaluan Beach, this relaxed resort is 3 km from Tarsier Botanika Park and 10 km from Hinagdanan Cave. The modern, warmly decorated rooms feature dark wood furnishings and verandas, offering views of the pool or beach. Each room is equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and mini-fridges. Amenities include a pavilion-style restaurant serving traditional cuisine and an outdoor pool. Guests can also enjoy activities such as scuba diving, windsurfing, and snorkelling.

Our Rating
Standard
Local Rating
3 Star Hotel

Prices & Dates

'Twin/Double' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Single' prices are applicable to solo travellers and anyone wanting the privacy of their own room, based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. If travelling solo, an additional ‘1-person’ supplement will apply, contact us for details.

Prices are indicative and will vary depending on your chosen hotels, room availability as well as time of travel. If you wish to travel on a date not listed please contact us for pricing. High season supplements will apply for travel during local festivals, Easter, Christmas and New Year dates. Please note that discounts will apply if there are more 4 our more people in your travelling party, since fixed costs like transportation and guiding are shared across the group.

2024
Twin/Double
Single
5 Dec - 12 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
6 Dec - 13 Dec
Sold Out
Sold Out
7 Dec - 14 Dec
€2,295
€3,275
8 Dec - 15 Dec
€2,295
€3,275
9 Dec - 16 Dec
€2,295
€3,275
10 Dec - 17 Dec
€2,295
€3,275
11 Dec - 18 Dec
€2,295
€3,275
12 Dec - 19 Dec
€2,295
€3,275
2025
Twin/Double
Single
1 Jan - 8 Jan
Sold Out
Sold Out
2 Jan - 9 Jan
€2,295
€3,275
3 Jan - 10 Jan
€2,295
€3,275
4 Jan - 11 Jan
€2,295
€3,275
5 Jan - 12 Jan
€2,295
€3,275
6 Jan - 13 Jan
€2,295
€3,275
7 Jan - 14 Jan
€2,295
€3,275
8 Jan - 15 Jan
€2,295
€3,275

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