Today your tour begins: you take an overnight flight to Manila, arriving the next day.

Welcome to Manila, the economic and cultural centre of the Philippines! Your guide greets you and accompanies you to your accommodation – even on the short drive you will feel the city’s lively atmosphere. Then you can recover from the journey at your leisure. (Distance: approx. 9 km; driving time: approx. 30 min)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Diamond Hotel Manila is located on Roxas Boulevard opposite Manila Bay, close to the historic sights. It has several restaurants serving Japanese, international and Filipino cuisine, a large outdoor pool, a gym and a bar. The elegant rooms are comfortable and modern.

Today you leave the big city behind. In the afternoon you fly to Dumaguete in about an hour and a half; from there a ferry takes you to the small island of Siquijor in about 40 minutes. In the evening you reach your accommodation in Coco Grove. Enjoy the sunset or let your guide recommend a place for dinner. (B) (Distance: approx. 50 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

4 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Coco Grove Beach Resort lies secluded on a sandy beach on Siquijor, surrounded by lush nature. The rooms in warm wood tones are comfortably furnished. The restaurant serves international and Filipino dishes, and there is a large pool with sea views.

Today you experience Apo Island, about 7 km off the coast of Negros. The marine sanctuary around the island is known for its wealth of corals and reef fish. In Malatapay you board an excursion boat and reach the island after about 40 minutes. Snorkelling over reef flats and coral mounds, you encounter countless fish and, with luck, sea turtles. At midday there is a picnic on the beach with local specialities; afterwards there is time for more snorkelling or relaxing before you return to Siquijor in the late afternoon. (B/P)

Siquijor is a hilly limestone island which, according to tradition, the Spanish called “Isla del Fuego” – because of the fireflies that looked like fire from their ships. In Lazi you visit the San Isidro Labrador Church and the convent opposite, one of the largest monastic buildings of the Spanish colonial era in Asia, with floors of molave wood. You then visit the three-tiered Cambugahay Falls beneath a green canopy – take a refreshing dip if you like. At midday you enjoy a picnic-style lunch at Salagdoong Beach and can swim in the clear water. Then it is on to Siquijor town with the old stone church of St Francis of Assisi and the Capilay Spring Park pool. Finally you climb the steps up Mount Bandilaan, the island’s highest point, to watch the sunset with a panoramic view. (B/L)

Today is yours: spend the day on the beach, explore the island on your own or rent a kayak or snorkelling gear. Your guide is sure to have a few tips. (B)

In about two hours the ferry takes you to Bohol in the Central Visayas, the tenth-largest island of the Philippines with over 260 km of coastline and many offshore islets. You stay in Panglao; the afternoon is at leisure. (B) (Distance: approx. 50 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

3 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Bohol Beach Club lies right on a white sandy beach on Panglao, surrounded by tropical gardens. The rooms combine modern comfort with Filipino design. Restaurants serving international and Filipino cuisine and spa treatments (at extra cost) complete the offer.

You begin the day at the Philippine Tarsier Foundation in Corella, where you watch tarsiers – among the world’s smallest primates, nocturnal animals with huge eyes that can turn their heads extremely far. In Baclayon you stop at the Blood Compact monument, where the Spaniard Miguel López de Legazpi and chieftain Datu Sikatuna sealed their friendship in 1565. The nearby stone church of Baclayon, damaged in an earthquake in 2013, houses a museum with religious art, vestments and Latin hymnals written on animal hide (closed on Tuesdays). Afterwards you look out over the Chocolate Hills from a viewpoint – more than 1,200 symmetrical hills that turn brown in the dry season. In the afternoon you glide by boat along the Loboc River through lush vegetation while enjoying a Filipino buffet. (B/L)

By speedboat you travel in about 45 minutes to the small island of Pamilacan (around 150 ha). On a walk through the village your guide tells you about the chapel and the old Spanish watchtower that once guarded against pirates. At midday there is a picnic on the beach; afterwards you can relax or discover schools of fish while snorkelling. In the afternoon you return to Panglao. (B/P)

You take the ferry to Cebu and enjoy views of Cebu City on the way to the airport. Around midday you fly to Puerto Princesa on Palawan in about an hour and are taken to your accommodation in Sabang. (B) (Distance: approx. 70 km; driving time: approx. 1.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Atremaru Jungle Retreat & Spa sits on a rise in the Palawan rainforest with sea views. The open suites built from local materials have a terrace, fans, safe, private bathroom and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant uses fresh local ingredients; there is a spa (at extra cost) and an outdoor pool.

Today you explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River (UNESCO World Heritage), one of the longest navigable underground rivers in the world. On a guided boat trip of about 45 minutes you glide through limestone caves with impressive rock formations. After lunch in Sabang you travel by minibus to El Nido. Spend the evening as you wish. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 270 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

4 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Huni Lio is right on Lio Beach in El Nido overlooking Bacuit Bay, close to Lio airport. It has a restaurant, bar, terrace, outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi. Rooms have air conditioning, private bathroom, balcony, sofa and desk.

Today you take a boat to the most beautiful lagoons of Bacuit Bay. In the Big Lagoon you are surrounded by clear water and steep limestone cliffs; a narrow gap in the rocks leads into the Secret Lagoon. At midday there is a packed lunch on board. Then you continue to the hidden Payong-Payong Beach, the white beaches of Shimizu Island and finally Seven Commandos Beach, where you can swim and relax – your guide will tell you where the name comes from. (B/P) The order of stops depends on weather and tides.

Today you travel with the group to Nacpan Beach, around 4 km of white sand, turquoise water and coconut palms. The day is yours – for swimming, lazing or long walks. In the afternoon you return to your accommodation. (B)

By boat you visit the Small Lagoon, Cadlao Lagoon and Pasandigan Cove with clear water and limestone cliffs – ideal for swimming and snorkelling. In the Small Lagoon you paddle by kayak for about half an hour (or stay on board). After lunch (packed lunch) you visit Bukal Island and Paradise Beach. In the afternoon you head back; the rest of the day is free. (B/L) The order of stops depends on weather and tides.

In the morning you fly in about an hour from El Nido’s small airport to Clark Airport north of Manila and continue to the capital. In the old town of Intramuros you walk along cobbled streets to San Agustín Church, the oldest stone church in the country (UNESCO World Heritage), with its collection of religious art. You then visit Casa Manila, a replica of a 19th-century house with antique furniture, and Fort Santiago, once the city’s main defence. You spend the last evening as you wish – your guide will gladly suggest restaurants. (B/L) (Distance: approx. 100 km; driving time: approx. 2 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Diamond Hotel Manila is located on Roxas Boulevard opposite Manila Bay, close to the historic sights. It has several restaurants serving Japanese, international and Filipino cuisine, a large outdoor pool, a gym and a bar. The elegant rooms are comfortable and modern.

Today it is time to say goodbye. You are taken to the airport in good time for your flight home. (B) (Distance: approx. 10 km; driving time: approx. 30 min)

After two eventful weeks in the Philippines, you land back home today.