10 DAYS
El Nido • Siargao
Ten Days, Two Islands
Ten days is enough for two islands done well, not four done badly. El Nido's lagoons and Siargao's palms, with one transfer day in the middle and nothing rushed.
The most common mistake we see in Philippines plans from Europe is trying to fit four islands into ten days. On paper it works. In practice, every island change costs most of a day, often via Manila, and you end up spending your holiday in departure lounges. So here is the alternative: two islands, chosen because they are different from each other, with a single transfer day between them. El Nido for limestone, lagoons and boat days; Siargao for palms, surf, and a town where it is easy to do nothing.
If you land in Manila early in the morning, we can even connect you to El Nido the same day and give you an extra night on the beach. It is a starting point, of course. Bohol can replace Siargao if you would rather not fly through Manila twice, and Coron can replace El Nido for divers. What we would not do is add a third island. Trust us on this one.
What's included
- 9 nights' accommodation in your chosen tier, breakfast daily
- Domestic flights Manila–El Nido, El Nido–Manila, Manila–Siargao, Siargao–Manila
- Airport transfers (shared in Essential, private from Boutique up)
- Two El Nido boat days and two Siargao boat days
- Pre-departure planning call and 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
- Environmental and terminal fees
- Drinks
- Tips
- 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 flightAlternative: fly to Puerto Princesa and drive 5–6h north, if El Nido flights are full.
- FlightEl Nido → Manila · 1h 20m flight
- FlightManila → Siargao · 1h 50m 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 • 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
Arrive in Manila
A night near the airport after your long-haul flight. If you land before late morning, we will try to connect you straight to El Nido instead and add the night there.
OvernightManila
Day 2
Fly to El Nido
A short flight to El Nido's airstrip and a 20-minute drive to your hotel. Swim, then watch the sun go down over Bacuit Bay.
OvernightEl Nido
Day 3–5
Two boat days and one free day
An early boat to the lagoons, before the fleet; a second day around the outer islands; and a day for Nacpan beach, kayaking or a hammock. Three full days is the right amount: enough to see El Nido, not so much that the boat days blur.
OvernightEl Nido
Day 6
El Nido to Siargao via Manila
The trip's single transfer day: El Nido to Manila, then Manila to Siargao, with a sensible connection between them. You land in Siargao in the afternoon and are at your hotel in General Luna 45 minutes later.
OvernightGeneral Luna, Siargao
Day 7–9
Siargao: islands, lagoon and a surf lesson
Island-hopping to Naked, Daku and Guyam; a day north to Sugba Lagoon; and a free day for a surf lesson, the Magpupungko rock pools at low tide or a slow loop of the island by scooter.
OvernightGeneral Luna, Siargao
Day 10
Fly out via Manila or Cebu
A domestic flight to meet your international departure, with a buffer built in.
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
- El Nido lagoons on an early boat
- Outer-island hopping in Bacuit Bay
- Nacpan beach
- Siargao island-hopping: Naked, Daku and Guyam
- Sugba Lagoon day trip
- A beginner surf lesson
Possible upgrades
- Private boats in El Nido and Siargao
- Swap Siargao for Bohol to avoid a second Manila connection
- A night at a private-island resort in northern Palawan
- Charter flight from El Nido to Siargao (Signature)
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
March to May is ideal for both islands; December to February also works, with more chance of rain in Siargao
Choose your trip length
Route: El Nido • 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 €1,700
- per person
- Boutique
- From €2,600
- per person
- Premium
- From €4,300
- per person
- Signature
- From €7,500
- per person
Questions travellers ask
1. Can I add another island?
You can, but we would gently argue against it. Each extra island costs most of a day in transfers. With ten days, two islands is where the trip feels like a holiday. If you want variety, swap one of the two instead.
2. When is the best month?
March to May for good weather on both islands. From June, El Nido enters its wetter season; from November to January, Siargao is more likely to see rain.
3. Does it work for families?
Yes. Two bases and a single transfer day is the easiest shape there is for children. We choose family rooms and calmer beaches, and shorten boat days for younger kids.
4. How do the flights work?
El Nido and Siargao are not directly linked, so day six connects in Manila. We book it, hold the schedule and handle any changes.
Ready to see the Philippines from the inside?
Tell us when you're coming. We'll help design the rest.