Philippines

Day 1: Manila

The tour starts today and people will be arriving at different times throughout the day. In the late afternoon we'll all get together for an introduction to the trip and a delicious local dinner.

Day 2: Baguio

Today we set off early on the beautiful drive north into the mountains to Baguio, gateway to the Cordillera.

Day 3-4: Sagada

After a brief visit to a local artists enclave and a weaving school in Baguio, we make the long drive into the Cordillera. Sagada is an idyllic village, nestled in a dramatic limestone valley, 1400m (4,600ft) up in the mountains. We spend a day exploring the rugged countryside around Sagada, heading to hanging coffins and burial caves in the cliffs and valleys of this remote mountain hideaway.

Day 5-6: Banaue

We drive to Banaue via the small town of Bontoc which has an excellent museum detailing the lives of the region's earliest inhabitants, some of whom were headhunters. In the afternoon we'll get our first glimpse of what are often described as the eighth wonder of the world, the incredible rice terraces. The following day we'll take a short, bumpy drive deeper into the Cordillera to a trailhead where we begin our hike to a small village engulfed in rice terraces.

Day 7: Manila

Today it's a long day of travel back to the warmth of Manila.

Days 8-9: Tagaytay

 After a free morning we'll make the short drive out to Tagaytay which sits on the crater rim of an ancient volcano and offers spectacular views down to the lake and the beautifully formed Taal volcano. Early the next morning we'll take a boat ride across the lake to the volcano, and there's the chance to make the short, steep climb up to the rim.

Day 10: Bohol Bee Farm

After a short drive we'll board a flight south to Tagbilaran, from where we transfer to the fascinating Bohol Bee Farm. In the afternoon we'll have a guided tour of the farm, including its herb and lettuce gardens, weaving center, and, of course, the beehives. Dinner is at the farm's acclaimed organic restaurant.

Days 11-12: Alona Beach

After breakfast on day 11 we'll head to the Tarsier Research and Development Center to try and spot these tiny cuddly critters in the wild. From here we continue to the Loboc River where we'll take a boat ride through the jungle. After disembarking we'll drive to the other worldly Chocolate Hills, and we'll also visit a butterfly farm. We end the day at beautiful Alona Beach and the following day is free to go swimming, snorkeling or diving, or just relax and get a massage. In the evening we'll meet for a final beach dinner to mark the end of our adventure through the Philippine archipelago.

Day 13: Tour Ends

The tour ends after breakfast.