Guides/Assistance

Our tours could be organized in two different ways:

A- Self-guided version, with English assistance

We'll organize your trip, then you and your companions will travel by yourself, supported (in English language) by experienced local operators in each destination. Before the start of the tour, you will received a Travel Handbook with your itinerary in full detail along with travel documents and tickets, passes and vouchers, so you'll be able to travel around the Philippines in a smooth and organized way. This solution is advised for those that have some travel experience and can communicate using the English language (a bit, at least!). Of course, it's also a good solution for those who want privacy or choose a rather simpler / not too complex tour. See how our self-guided version works here.

B- Fully guided version, with an English-speaking tour leader

Alternatively you could choose to have a private tour escort appointed by Tropical Experience, who will coordinate all your activities and transfer, to offer the most comfortable way to travel around. We offer privacy and a professional approach. This option is ideal for bigger groups, people who are not comfortable speaking in English and/or have too little or zero travel experience. It can also be an advised solution for certain destinations that may have complicated logistics. Surely, it is also a service that fits those who need prime-level guide services.

 

Other "combinations" or different options can be discussed by E-mail.

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General Description

The main destinations of the tour are Dumaguete, Oslob, Siquijor and Bohol: though they belong to different provinces, these 4 destinations are in proximity to each other.

Located in the Central Visayas Region, Dumaguete is nicknamed “The City of Gentle People” and  is the biggest urbanized center of the area. Dumaguete, as well as Oslob, Siquijor and Bohol, are quite notable for their welcoming kindness, you can easily feel in most of the people you interact with.

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The first very interesting spot in the tour is the island of Siquijor, which constitutes another province itself, that can be reached with a short sea travel from Dumaguete. Siquijor is a coralline island, almost completely surrounded by white-sand beaches, where it is common to encounter fossils of giant clams and you can have great diving activities. For a long time, Siquijor had the reputation of a place of magic, which kept tourists away and attracted them at the same time. Nowadays, the area is a growing tourist destination for its natural attractions like the beaches, a butterfly sanctuary, waterfalls, caves and various diving sites surrounding the island. Enchanting as it is, Siquijor takes pride of the remarkable and genuine kindness of their people.

 

Your next destination will be Apo Island. Apo Island is a popular destination, only a short distance from Siquijor and Dumaguete. The marine habitat around the island is a protected marine reserve which makes Apo Island a popular dive site and snorkeling destination among enthusiasts.

 

Entering the province of Cebu, is the town of Oslob. Here we find a very exciting destination dedicated to encountering the Whale Sharks, the biggest fish species in the world (approximately 14 meters length). The gentle giants became friends with fishermen feeding them in the morning and allowing visitors to have the unforgettable experience of swimming with them.

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The last stop will be in Bohol. Bohol is renowned for its cultural heritage as well as natural wonders: the Chocolate Hills, waterfalls, freshwater springs, rivers, caves, mangrove orchards, beautiful off-shore islands, white-sand beaches and clear blue waters with abundant marine life. These features make it a truly special destination for adventurous tourism. Bohol is 70 km from Mactan Island of Cebu, so it is easily accessible by sea or air from the modern city. Take the chance to taste this part of the country’s tasty cuisine while you cruise on a raft in a river in Bohol, just after snorkeling and/or in an amazing sea.  Viewing the chocolate hills and having a staring contest with the world’s smallest monkey, the pocket-sized, wide-eyed tarsier is also a MUST when visiting Bohol.

 

The destinations included in this tour are the following:

• Siquijor:  an enchanting tiny province packed with natural attractions

• Apo Island: a popular dive site and snorkeling destination among enthusiasts

• Oslob:  close encounter with the whale sharks and  go swim with these gentle giants

• Bohol: a favorite Eco-adventure tourism destination in the region

Thenafter, a tour of Manila  (optional activity) will let you experience the colorful, busy and lively life of the capital city

 

What Kind of Tour

This tour is for divers who find the thrill in the underwater world. This will take you to some of the best diving destinations the country has to offer.  Yet, it serves them well as they will be enjoying both being nearby, above and under the sea.  Moreover, the in-lands have got as much to offer to those seeking natural wonders and adventure.

 

Transfers

An hour flight will take you to Dumaguete from Manila. Transfers between Dumaguete, Siquijor, Apo Island and Oslob will be done with ferry or small boat rides. Also for the tranfer from Cebu to Bohol From Bohol, an hour flight will take you back to Manila. Local modes of transportation and/or chartered vehicles for in-land transfers to take you to sites and attraction will be provided.

 

Meals and Filipino cuisine
You will try the specialties of the tasty local cuisine. The local cuisine is quite varied, comprising fish and other seafoods, meat (especially pork and chicken), some choice of vegetables, rice and plenty of tasty and fresh tropical fruits and juices. The Filipino cuisine is tasty, flavorful and aromatic but not spicy nor complicated and generally matches with the western taste.
In the tour program it is specified if the meals will be included or not.  We left “not included” and autonomous dinners in some places where it would be easy for you to choose the restaurant that you prefer and have your privacy. We can always make recommendations if you’d allow us.

 

Notes on Diving

! Some included diving activities might not include entrance fees to sanctuary/marine reserves or other ancillary payments needed to access the diving sites. You will receive a general price list and those costs should be shouldered by the clients on the spot (not included).

!! For this tour, it's necessary that the guest are already experienced divers.

 

Tour Program

Day 1 - Arrival in Manila, time to rest

• Transfer to the hotel and rest.

• There are no activities nor meals included for this day.

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Day 2 - To Siquijor, the "Magic" Coral Island of the Philippines

• Transfer to Manila Airport with shuttle service.

• Flight Manila-Dumaguete.

• Arrival at Dumaguete Airport and transfer to the Seaport. Follows transfer with ferry to Siquijor.

• Arrival in Siquijor and check-in at your beach resort.

• Free time. Lunch and dinner are not included.

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Day 3 – Exploration of Siquijor’s Wonders (Balete Tree, Healers, Falls) and Time for Beach

• A tour around Siquijor Island will let you  visit the old enchanted Balete tree,  the local healers’ place and learn about their traditional methods, and the wonderful Cambuhagay Falls- a fairy tale place hidden around the hills of the island. Picnic lunch by the falls.

• Back to the hotel in the afternoon. Time to relax and to enjoy the beach. Dinner not included.

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Day 4 – Diving Day in Siquijor

• For this day, you have 2 dives/person included, to explore the seabeds of Siquijor.

• Lunch and dinner not included.

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Day 5 – To Apo Island: a Tiny Volcanic Treasure in the Visayas Region

• Transfer to Apo Island with a boat transfer (shared with other passengers).

• Arrival in Apo Island, check-in at the resort.

• 1 dive/person included for this day.

• Lunch and dinner are not included.

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Day 6 - Diving in Apo Island, Unforgettable Experience

• For this day, you'll have 2 dives/person included at Apo Island. Lunch included during the activities.

• Dinner not included.

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Day 7 – To Oslob (Southern Cebu Province)

• Transfer from Apo Island to the mainland by boat. Follows land transfer to the port of Sibulan (Dumaguete). 

• Short ferry transfer from Sibulan to Liloan (nearby Oslob)*.

• Transfer to the hotel and check-in. Lunch not included (during the transfers or upon arrival).

• Afternoon land transfer for the discovery of Kawasan Falls. You will be taken to the starting point of the walking path to reach the Falls (30-40 minutes walk ). At Kawasan Falls you can swim and get the near the falls using a raft (not included). You can also have your lunch (not included) at the small restaurants in the area.

• Walk back to the car/van, transfer back to the hotel.

• Free time. Dinner not included.

*this transfer is not included and cannot be paid in advance. The clients will need to purchase thet ticket on the spot (around 1.5 €/person)

 

Day 8  – The Wonderful Experience with Whale Sharks and the Cebu Sea

• Early in the morning, departure from the hotel to reach the area where whale sharks go near the coastline. After receiving the proper instructions from the local personnel, you will be able to have 1 dive/person with these wonderful sea animals.

• Transfer to private resort (Sumilon Island) where you will be able to snorkel, relax, do kayaking and stroll.  Lunch included.

• Back to the hotel. Free night and dinner (not included).

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Day 9 – Transfer to Bohol, the Beautiful Province in the Center of the Philippines

• Transfer from Bohol to Cebu City's Seaport with a private vehicle with driver.​

• Ferry Cebu-Bohol.

• Arrival in Bohol and free time.

• No meals included.

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Day 10 – Bohol Sea Tour: Dolphin Watching, Diving and Chilling time

• Day tour to Bohol's Balicasag Island, with Dolphin watching. At Balicasag Island, you will have 2 dives/person at the very beautiful local Marine Sanctuary. Pic nic lunch included.

• Return to the hotel during early afternoon.

• Free time. Dinner not included.

 

Day 11 – Countryside Tour with the most iconic places of Bohol: Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Loboc River + more

• Whole day tour, admiring the curious landscape of the Chocolate Hills and visiting the Sanctuary of the small Tarsiers, where these animals can be encountered free in the tropical forest. Other secondary cultural and historical activities will be proposed. Lunch  (included) on floating restaurant while cruising on Loboc River.

• Back to the resort hotel before evening. Dinner included.

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Day 12 – Back to Manila: Free Time or Optional Manila Half-Day Tour

• Transfer to Bohol Airport with shuttle service. Flight Bohol-Manila. 

• Lunch (not included) during the transfer or upon arrival.

• Free time. Dinner not included.

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Optional:

• In the afternoon, visit of Intramuros, the ancient Spanish colonial part of Manila. You will walk around the ancient walls and will visit San Augustin Church (UNESCO Heritage) and its museum, as well as Casa Manila (another museum of local traditions and domestic practices). Time for souvenir and local crafts shopping, if you like.

• Dinner in Intramuros in a classic heritage restaurant, with live cultural performances

 

Day 13 – Bye bye

• Transfer to the airport with shuttle service.

• End of your trip with Tropical Experience Travel Services.

 

Price​

For a quotation, write an e-mail to experiencetropical@gmail.com.

 

How you could modify or extend this trip
Cebu can also be visited and experience what the vibrant “Queen City of the South” can offer.
You can also decide to experience a different side of the Philippines exploring the the rice terraces and the ancient traditions of Banaue and Sagada.

 

Terms and conditions
Before booking this tour, please read the page Terms and Conditions on our website. The present itinerary should be considered as general. It may vary due to weather, other obstacles, booking availability or other variables not under our control.
If one of the guests has allergies or other issues linked to food, please let us know in advance. Please inform us as well about physical obstacles or a particular health status of a guest.

The present itineraries published on the website are only examples and the prices are not bindings. For any single inquiry made, the tours will be redefined and prices shall be re-computed accordingly, which may vary due to several factors such as number of people or chosen travel period.