14 DAYS
El Nido • Bohol • Siargao
Island Classics
El Nido's lagoons, Bohol's rivers and hills, Siargao's palm-lined roads. The three islands most people mean when they say the Philippines, in an order that actually works.
This is the route we suggest most often to first-time visitors, because it shows three very different sides of the country without asking you to live on planes. El Nido is limestone and lagoons, best seen from a boat before nine in the morning. Bohol is rivers, the Chocolate Hills and quiet Panglao beaches, with an easy pace that resets you after the boat days. Siargao is the coconut-palm interior, the island-hopping lagoons of the south and a surf town that has grown up without losing its looseness.
It is honest about the logistics: there are two real transfer days, and both of them route through Manila or Cebu, because that is how domestic flights in the Philippines work. We time them so you are not up at 3am. Treat the whole thing as a starting point. Swap Bohol for Siquijor, add Coron, take a night out of Siargao and give it to El Nido: we will rebuild the route around what you want.
What's included
- 13 nights' accommodation in your chosen tier, breakfast daily
- Domestic flights: Manila–El Nido, El Nido–Manila, Manila–Bohol, Cebu–Siargao
- Tagbilaran–Cebu fast ferry
- Airport and port transfers (shared in Essential, private from Boutique up)
- Two El Nido boat days, one Bohol countryside day, two Siargao boat days
- Pre-departure planning call and a printed-quality digital travel guide
- Tours with a Spanish- or English-speaking local guide, private or shared depending on the trip
- Lunch on boat and tour days
- Entrance fees for the visits in the itinerary
- Premium and Signature: dinner at a top-rated restaurant in every destination, plus a local food experience with a guide (market visit and tasting)
- Free rebooking by our team if weather or other events cancel a boat or flight
- International travel insurance, with cancellation cover up to €2,000
- 24/7 local support by WhatsApp throughout your trip
Not included
- International flights
- Other meals not listed as included
- El Nido eco-tourism and environmental fees, terminal fees
- Drinks
- Tips for guides, boat crews and drivers
- Extra costs caused by weather or other events outside our control (new tickets, extra hotel nights). We handle the rebooking for you
The route
Flights, ferries and transfers
- FlightManila → El Nido · 1h 20m flightSmall-plane service with a strict baggage allowance. Alternative: fly to Puerto Princesa and drive 5–6h north.
- FlightEl Nido → Manila · 1h 20m flight
- FlightManila → Bohol (Panglao) · 1h 20m flight
- FerryTagbilaran → Cebu · around 2h fast ferry
- FlightCebu → Siargao · 1h flight
- RoadSiargao airport → General Luna · 45m by road
- FlightSiargao → Manila · 1h 50m flightOr via Cebu, depending on your international connection.
Day by day
Choose your trip length
Route: El Nido • Bohol • Siargao
The day-by-day plan and prices update for the length you choose. Every plan can still be adjusted with our team.
Day 1
Land in Manila, sleep near the airport
Most long-haul flights from Europe and the Gulf arrive into Manila. We meet you, take you to a quiet hotel near the airport and leave you alone. If your flight lands early enough we can connect you to El Nido the same day, but after twelve-plus hours in the air most people are glad of the night.
OvernightManila
Day 2
Fly to El Nido
A short flight on a small turboprop lands at El Nido's own airstrip, about 20 minutes from town. Seats are limited and luggage allowances are strict, so we book this early. The afternoon is yours: a swim at Corong Corong and the sunset over Bacuit Bay.
OvernightEl Nido
Day 3–5
Lagoons, beaches and one day off the boat
We start with the lagoons on an early private or small-group boat, depending on your tier, so you are inside the Big and Small Lagoon before the main fleet. The next day takes in the quieter islands of the bay. Day five is deliberately loose: Nacpan beach by tricycle, a massage, or nothing at all.
OvernightEl Nido
Day 6
Transfer day: El Nido to Bohol via Manila
There is no direct way from Palawan to Bohol, so this is a two-flight day connecting in Manila (occasionally Cebu, depending on the season's schedules). We build in a sensible connection window and have someone meet you at Panglao airport. Expect to arrive mid-afternoon.
OvernightPanglao, Bohol
Day 7–9
Bohol: hills, river and a slower pace
Go to the Chocolate Hills early: the light is softer and the tour vans arrive later in the morning. Add the tarsier sanctuary, a stretch of the Loboc River and lunch in the countryside. Keep one day for the beach and, if the sea is kind, an early boat to Balicasag for snorkelling.
OvernightPanglao, Bohol
Day 10
Transfer day: Bohol to Siargao via Cebu
A fast ferry from Tagbilaran to Cebu takes about two hours, then a one-hour flight to Siargao. It is a full day, but a straightforward one. Your driver meets you at Sayak airport for the 45-minute ride to General Luna.
OvernightGeneral Luna, Siargao
Day 11–13
Siargao: islands, lagoons and a first surf lesson
One day island-hopping Naked, Daku and Guyam; one day north to Sugba Lagoon by boat from Del Carmen; one day for a beginner surf lesson on a gentle reef break, the Magpupungko rock pools at low tide, or a scooter ride through the palms. Evenings in General Luna are relaxed and good for eating well.
OvernightGeneral Luna, Siargao
Day 14
Fly out via Manila or Cebu
Siargao has no international flights, so you connect in Manila or Cebu for your flight home. We choose the domestic flight to leave a comfortable buffer, because island flights do run late.
Where you'll stay
We choose hotels for you from our shortlist in each destination, matched to your travel style. Examples will appear here as our hotel collection is published.
Experiences
- Early-start boat into El Nido's Big and Small Lagoon
- Bacuit Bay island-hopping on a quieter route
- Chocolate Hills at sunrise and the tarsier sanctuary
- Loboc River by paddleboard or traditional boat
- Balicasag snorkelling, weather permitting
- Siargao island-hopping: Naked, Daku and Guyam
- Sugba Lagoon day trip from Del Carmen
- A beginner surf lesson with a local coach
Possible upgrades
- Private boat for every El Nido day, with lunch on a quiet beach
- Add Coron for three nights by fast ferry (drier months only)
- Swap Bohol for Siquijor and a slower few days
- Private surf coaching every morning in Siargao
- Final night in a Manila hotel with a late check-out before your flight
Travel styles
Four ways to travel. All of them done properly.
I
Essential
The right places, smartly connected.
Well-located, characterful hotels, the experiences that matter and efficient routing. Never a compromise on where you are.
- Well-located 3★ hotels with character, double room with breakfast
- Shared airport and port transfers
- Group tours and shared boat days with a local guide
- Domestic flights and ferries with checked baggage
- Lunch on tour days, entrance fees and travel insurance
- 24/7 support by WhatsApp
II
Boutique
Small hotels with a point of view.
Design-led boutique hotels, upgraded rooms, private transfers where they make a difference and experiences curated for you.
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Boutique 4★ hotels, superior rooms or better
- Private transfers by car throughout
- Private guided tours, and a private boat on one day per island
- Best available flight times
- Personal welcome at the airport on arrival
III
Premium
The best resorts, a slower pace.
High-end resorts and villas, private transfers throughout, exceptional experiences and service that anticipates.
- Everything in Boutique, plus:
- 5★ resorts and villas, sea-view rooms or better
- Private boats and private guides on every tour day
- Dinner at a top-rated restaurant in every destination
- A local food experience with a guide
- Meet-and-assist service at Manila airport
IV
Signature
The Philippines, privately.
Private-island resorts, villas and boats, charter flights where they save a day, and concierge-level care from arrival to departure.
- Everything in Premium, plus:
- Private-island resorts and villas with private pools
- Your own boat and crew on every island
- Charter flights or seaplanes where they save time
- Private dinners on the beach or a sandbar
- A dedicated concierge on WhatsApp before and during your trip
Price indication
Per person, based on two people sharing, excluding international flights. Final price depends on dates, hotels and room availability.
Best months
December to May; March to May is the sweet spot for Palawan and Siargao together
Choose your trip length
Route: El Nido • Bohol • Siargao
The day-by-day plan and prices update for the length you choose. Every plan can still be adjusted with our team.
- Essential
- From €2,300
- per person
- Boutique
- From €3,400
- per person
- Premium
- From €5,800
- per person
- Signature
- From €9,800
- per person
Questions travellers ask
1. Can I change the islands?
Yes. This is a starting point. The most common changes are swapping Bohol for Siquijor, adding Coron, or dropping a stop to slow down. We will tell you honestly what each change costs in transfer time.
2. When is the best month?
March to May gives you the best chance of good weather in El Nido and Siargao at the same time. December to February is also good for Palawan and Bohol, though Siargao can be wetter then.
3. Does it work with children?
Very well from about age six. Boat days are easy to shorten, Bohol is gentle, and we can choose family rooms and calmer beaches. With very young children we usually cut one stop.
4. How do the domestic flights work?
Most routes between islands connect through Manila or Cebu, so two of your days include a connection. We book everything, hold the schedule and rebook you if a flight is changed.
Ready to see the Philippines from the inside?
Tell us when you're coming. We'll help design the rest.