Northern Philippines and Palawan Adventure — Self-Launched

Land at NAIA and make your way to a hostel in Makati or Malate (both well-connected by LRT/MRT and Grab). Settle in, grab a cheap first meal of adobo or lechon kawali, and plan the next few days. Pick up a local SIM (Globe/Smart tourist SIM, ~£7 for data).

🚌Grab or metered taxi from NAIA T3 (~£5-8)

🛏Hostel dorm in Makati/Malate (~£10-14/night)

• →Airport transfer by Grab/taxi (~£5-8)
• →Neighbourhood orientation walk
• →Local SIM setup

Spend the day exploring Manila's historic core — the walled city of Intramuros, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church and Rizal Park — before boarding the overnight bus north. Several operators (Ohayami, Coda Lines) run Manila–Banaue night buses from around 9-10pm. The drive through the Cordillera is spectacular in daylight, but the night bus saves a hotel night.

🚌LRT/MRT around Manila (~£1), Ohayami night bus Manila–Banaue (~£12-15, ~9-10h)

🛏Overnight bus (sleeper/recliner seat)

• →Intramuros self-walk (£1 entry to Fort Santiago)
• →San Agustin Church
• →Rizal Park
• →Overnight bus to Banaue

Arrive early morning and check into a guesthouse overlooking the terraces. Hire a local jeepney or tricycle to the Batad junction, then hike the steep trail down into the amphitheatre of the Batad rice terraces — a UNESCO-listed 2,000-year-old landscape. Optional extension to Tappiya Falls. In the afternoon head to the Banaue viewpoint for panoramas of the terraces below.

🚌Shared jeepney/tricycle to Batad junction (~£4-6)

🛏Banaue guesthouse with terrace views (~£10-16/night)

• →Batad rice terraces hike (2-3h round trip)
• →Banaue Viewpoint
• →Tappiya Falls optional trek

Take a jeepney or bus up through the mountain pass to Bontoc, the provincial capital of Mountain Province. Visit the Bontoc Museum of Mountain Culture to learn about Igorot headhunting history and traditions (entry ~£1.50). Continue on to Sagada, a cool-climate town famous for its caves and hanging coffins, and settle into a guesthouse.

🚌Jeepney/bus Banaue–Bontoc–Sagada (~£4-6)

🛏Sagada guesthouse (~£12-18/night)

• →Bontoc Museum of Mountain Culture
• →Scenic mountain drive
• →Sagada town orientation

Sagada is an adventure playground. Book a local guide (required for most sites, ~£5-8) and choose your day: the Sumaguing Cave connection (wade, squeeze and scramble through rock formations), the Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley, or the Bomod-ok and Bokong waterfalls. Sunsets from Kiltepan Peak are legendary.

🚌Walking / local tricycle (~£1-2)

🛏Sagada guesthouse

• →Sumaguing Cave guided exploration
• →Echo Valley hanging coffins walk
• →Bomod-ok Falls trek
• →Kiltepan Peak sunset

Long travel day south-west via Bontoc and Cervantes to the UNESCO-listed Spanish colonial town of Vigan — one of Asia's best-preserved colonial cities. Check into a guesthouse in or near the cobbled Calle Crisologo. In the evening, wander the lantern-lit heritage street and try Ilocano empanada and bagnet.

🚌Public bus/van Sagada–Bontoc–Cervantes–Vigan (~£8-12, ~8-10h)

🛏Vigan heritage guesthouse/hostel (~£12-20/night)

• →Scenic mountain-to-coast drive
• →Calle Crisologo evening walk
• →Street food (Ilocano empanada)

Explore at your own pace. Take a kalesa (horse-drawn carriage) tour of the heritage zone (~£3), visit the pottery shops of Pagburnayan, watch handloom weavers at work, and see the bell tower at Bantay. Optional day trip to the World Heritage-listed Santa Maria Church. In the evening catch the dancing fountain at Plaza Salcedo.

🚌Kalesa and walking (~£3)

🛏Vigan heritage guesthouse/hostel

• →Kalesa carriage tour
• →Pagburnayan pottery workshop
• →Bantay Bell Tower
• →Santa Maria Church (optional)
• →Plaza Salcedo dancing fountain

Head north to Laoag, stopping at the UNESCO-listed Paoay Church (a striking 'earthquake baroque' structure) and the scenic Paoay Lake. Visit the Marcos-era sights if time allows, then fly from Laoag back to Manila on a budget carrier (Cebu Pacific/AirAsia, ~£30-45 if booked ahead). Evening back in Manila.

🚌Bus Vigan–Laoag (~£3-4), domestic flight Laoag–Manila (~£30-45)

🛏Manila hostel (~£10-14/night)

• →Paoay Church (UNESCO)
• →Paoay Lake viewpoint
• →Laoag Sand Dunes optional
• →Flight back to Manila

Fly south to Palawan (to Puerto Princesa or El Nido via AirSWIFT) and transfer to El Nido town, the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago and its towering limestone karsts. Check into a beachside hostel or guesthouse — El Nido town is walkable and packed with island-tour operators and restaurants.

🚌Flight Manila–Palawan (~£40-70), shared van to El Nido (~£6-12, 5-6h if from Puerto Princesa)

🛏El Nido hostel/guesthouse (~£12-22/night)

• →Domestic flight to Palawan
• →El Nido town sunset walk
• →Beach stroll

Book a classic Bacuit Bay island-hopping tour (Tour A or C) — self-bookable via GetYourGuide, Klook or directly with local boat operators. Expect lagoons, hidden beaches, snorkelling over coral gardens, and a beach barbecue lunch. Tour A covers the Big and Small Lagoons and Secret Lagoon; Tour C hits Hidden Beach and Matinloc Shrine.

🚌Boat tour (included in tour)

🛏El Nido hostel/guesthouse

• →Bacuit Bay island-hopping tour A or C (~£22-30, includes lunch)
• →Snorkelling
• →Lagoon kayaking
• →Beach barbecue lunch

A flexible day: join a second island-hopping tour (Tour C or D), kayak the lagoons, rent a scooter to reach Nacpan Beach and Twin Beach (~£6-8/day), or hike up to Taraw Cliff for panoramic views over the bay. In the evening, enjoy El Nido's low-key nightlife with a drink on the beachfront.

🚌Scooter rental or tricycle (~£3-8)

🛏El Nido hostel/guesthouse

• →Optional second island tour
• →Nacpan Beach day trip
• →Taraw Cliff viewpoint hike
• →Scooter rental

Travel south to sleepy Port Barton, a laid-back village on a quiet bay with far fewer crowds than El Nido. Shared vans (or bus + van combo) run the route in roughly 3-4 hours. Check into a beach bungalow or guesthouse and spend the afternoon swimming, sunbathing and watching the sunset over the bay.

🚌Shared van El Nido–Port Barton (~£6-10, 3-4h)

🛏Port Barton beach bungalow/guesthouse (~£12-22/night)

• →Scenic coastal transfer
• →Beach time and sunset
• →Village walk

Join a local island-hopping and snorkelling trip around the bay's reef, sea turtles and white-sand islands (book directly with village operators, ~£18-25 including lunch). Alternatively, kayak the mangroves or hike to Pamuayan Falls. Port Barton is the ideal place to slow down.

🚌Boat tour (included)

🛏Port Barton beach bungalow/guesthouse

• →Port Barton island-hopping/snorkelling tour
• →Turtle spotting
• →Pamuayan Falls hike (optional)
• →Mangrove kayaking

Transfer south to Puerto Princesa, Palawan's provincial capital. Explore the city's sights — the baywalk, Cathedral, and the Palawan Heritage Center — and sample fresh seafood at the market. Set up for tomorrow's Underground River trip.

🚌Shared van/bus Port Barton–Puerto Princesa (~£5-8, 3-4h)

🛏Puerto Princesa hostel/guesthouse (~£10-16/night)

• →City transfer
• →Puerto Princesa Baywalk
• →Seafood market dinner
• →Heritage Center

Take a day trip to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage site where you paddle a boat through a cave system beneath limestone cliffs (permits/boat tour ~£20-28, book ahead). On the way back, visit Iwahig Penal Colony, a self-governing open prison where inmates farm and craft goods you can buy.

🚌Shared van tour to Sabang (~£3, included in some tours)

🛏Puerto Princesa hostel/guesthouse

• →Puerto Princesa Underground River boat tour (UNESCO)
• →Iwahig Penal Colony visit
• →Sabang Beach stop

Final morning — last-minute souvenir shopping at the market or a beach morning at Honda Bay if your flight allows, then transfer to Puerto Princesa Airport for your onward or return flight. Trip ends.

🚌Tricycle/Grab to airport (~£2-4), flight out

🛏—

• →Souvenir shopping
• →Airport transfer
• →Optional Honda Bay stop