TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

TOUR: COMBINATION CITY OF OLD & NEW MANILA DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

This tour is an orientation tour that features the old and new Manila. This tour is designed to let you have a feel of Manila’s old lifestyle and to let you take a peak on Manila’s ultra - modern metropolises. A tour that will have you traversed from Manila’s historic past to the present modern and emerging urban centers. Come! Experience the FUN and friendliness in one of the most hospitable cities in Asia.

In the first part of the tour, visit Rizal Park and Monument-One of Manila’s most important landmark and pay homage to our national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Proceed to Intramuros - walled city of Manila, where the seat of government during the Spanish Colonial Period is situated. Visit Fort Santiago - oldest and most important fortification during the Spanish rule, Manila Cathedral - seat of the archdiocese of Manila, San Agustin Church - Old Catholic Church in the Philippines and UNESCO world heritage site and Casa Manila-museum that features Spanish era ilustrado house. Lunch at local restaurant.

After lunch we proceed to the second part of the tour. Visit Manila American Cemetery, pay homage to WWII heroes, pass by Forbes Park - Manila’s millionaires’ row. And proceed on a driving tour of Bonifacio Global City - Manila’s emerging ultra-modern urban center. We then proceed to Ayala Malls in Makati City for free time shopping.

Rizal Park and Monument Fort Santiago, Manila

TOUR: SCENIC TAGAYTAY RIDGE DURATION: FULL DAY (8-10 HOURS)

Only a few hours’ drive from Manila is the refreshing wisp of a city and capture the panoramic & most splendid views of the Taal Volcano – the world’s smallest, while the cool breeze offer a brief escape from the heat of Manila

– all from the picturesque city of Tagaytay.

While en-route to Tagaytay, visit the Geronimo Berenguer delos Reyes Jr. Museum, also known as GBR Museum which exhibits the Philippines’ rich history of culture and the arts through an extensive collection of vintage photographs, and 15th to 20th century rare books, maps and prints. In Tagaytay, you will likewise get to stroll through the plant nurseries which the city is known for.

On the way back to Manila, pass by the Las Piñas Church to see and hear the only “bamboo organ” in the world. Built in 1824, this Philippine National Cultural Treasure is composed of 1,031 pipes, out of which 902 are made of bamboo.

Taal Volcano Bamboo Organ of Las Piñas Church

TOUR: HISTORIC CORREGIDOR ISLAND

DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

Across the bay from Manila is Corregidor Island, a fortress in Spanish times. It became a symbol of courage in the World War II for it was there that Filipino and American soldiers put up a gallant stand to resist the enemy.

The tadpole-shaped island of Corregidor is the largest of five islands situated off the coast of Manila Bay in the south-western part of Luzon. Its strategic location made the island an ideal natural harbor defense for the Philippines during the war. It served as the headquarters of the allied forces and was the scene of one of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines.

Today, Corregidor Island serves as a landmark of peace and freedom, reminding the present and future generations to defend liberty from oppression. Most of the buildings heavily bombarded in the latter part of the war have been preserved as they were right after the war. The ruins remaining on the island serves as a memorial to Filipino- American and Japanese soldiers who served or die on the island.

The tour begins with a fast-craft ferry boat ride via Sun Cruises to the island followed by a guided sightseeing of its many monuments.

Schedule:

0700H - Pick-up at the hotel - (the Sun Cruises ferry terminal is just a few minutes’ drive from hotels in Manila) 0730H - Boarding time 0800H - ETD in Manila

0915H - ETA in Corregidor Island - Guided tour of the island 1200H - Lunch at Corregidor Inn - Continuation of guided island tour 1430H - ETD in Corregidor

1545H - ETA in Manila

Malinta Tunnel Lights & Sound Show, a multi-vision light and sound show recreates a drama in the harsh reality of war, dynamic lighting and special effects will conjure an airplane bombings, batteries firing, walls crumbling and people screaming.

Ferry Specifications: MV Sun Cruiser II. Catamaran Twin Hull. Over- all Length is 26 m long with upper and lower deck. Total passenger capacity is 293. Fully air-conditioned.

TOUR: MYSTICAL HIDDEN VALLEY SPRING = DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

Hidden Valley Springs is a secluded and private resort naturally landscaped at the crater of an extinct forested volcano in Laguna Province, 75 kilometers (approximately two hours’ drive) from Manila. This 110-acre crater is more than 300 feet deep and is said to have been formed after a fiery volcanic upheaval hundreds of centuries ago. A natural botanical garden, it has superb irresistible natural thermal pools scented by exquisite tropical plants and canopied by giant ferns and centuries-old trees.

Relax and unwind in the resort’s six natural pools of varying temperatures, fed from natural mineral spring waters that are said to be medicinal and rejuvenating; or hike through the surrounding rainforest, following the path among ancient Amlang trees, to the “scattered springs” and the “hidden waterfall”.

Activities in the area: Swimming, light trekking, camping, biking & billiards

VILLA ESCUDERO PLANTATIONS & TOUR: RESORT DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

Villa Escudero is a pleasant two hour and a half drive from Manila through scenic countryside that brings you to a vast coconut plantation and allows you to experience warm and cheerful hospitality in a rustic Philippine setting. It showcases the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage, offering an enticing glimpse of its natural beauty and brings back quiet life in the countryside.

A must in Villa Escudero is the tour of the Escudero Private Museum. It houses diverse collections such as religious art consisting of silver altars, gilded carrozas, ivory-headed santos, and other important pieces dating back to Spanish times. The collections demonstrate the artistry and piety of the Filipino. You will also view antique oriental ceramics, costumes, dioramas of Philippine wildlife, rare antique coins, religious artifacts, Chinese porcelain, antique furniture, ethnic clothing, relics from World War II, clothes of Philippine presidents and first ladies, and many items of interest from around the world.

Ride a carabao-drawn cart to the Labasin Waterfalls where lunch is served at dining tables uniquely set in a few inches of cool running water from the falls. Get the rare experience of enjoying native cuisine, while dipping your feet in a clear cool spring water, with the waterfalls and lush vegetation as background.

TOUR: SPECTACULAR SUBIC ESCAPADE DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

The largest Naval Base outside the USA before being transformed into a commercial free port, just 210 kilometers northwest of Manila (about three hours’ drive) is a destination of historical significance. It also promises a myriad of experiences, from majestic beaches with fascinating shipwrecks to a multitude of outdoor adventures.

Subic is now being transformed into a business and industrial area. It offers diverse activities like swimming, scuba diving, horseback riding, golf, jungle survival training, ecological tour, etc.

Stop at the Ocean Adventure, a marine conservatory and Adventure Park located in Subic Bay and founded by animal behaviorists and trainers. It is owned by Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, which is the same Philippine corporation running Camayan Beach Resort beside it. Experience the dolphin & whale watching and sea lion shows. One of the unique experiences in Ocean Adventure is getting to know the Dolphin up close and personal. The dolphin will swim with you and bring you from the beach area to the platform training area on a minimal fee.

Visit the Zoobic Safari, one of the tourist attraction situated at the Subic Bay Freeport’s Forest Adventure. Embracing a twenty five hectare land, with an astonishing sight of diverse exotic animals roaming and frolicking in their simulated natural habitat. It features a wide range of habitats present in the forest due to the terrain, presence of streams and fringing grasslands.

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TOUR: MARVELOUS TAAL VOLCANO TREK DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

Taal Volcano is an active volcano inside a lake, formed through one major eruption at the center of a lake. Taal volcano is a complex volcanic system with more than 33 eruptions since it was first recorded in 1572. This picturesque volcano is about 70 kilometers south of Manila, in the province of Batangas.

The hike begins on the island's shore and ends at the rim of the main Crater Lake via the regular trail. No worry, a Taal volcano trek is easy. On-board a motorized outrigger boat for the 20-minute ride to Volcano Island, which was created by subsequent eruptions up to 1754. Assisted by guide and local coordinator, ride local ponies along wide expanses of hardened black lava flows up to the crater rim viewpoint overlooking the two-kilometer Crater Lake. Within Crater Lake is another volcanic cinder cone called Vulcan point, which appeared during the Taal’s last major eruption in 1977.

The main crater lake of Taal Volcano Taal Volcano at a distance

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TOUR: MAGNIFICENT MT. PINATUBO TREK

DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

Mount Pinatubo is 150 kilometers north of Manila and an hour east of Subic. Filipinos have experienced the wrath of this active volcano in 1991. The volcano erupted in all its fury throwing ashes and pyroclastic materials as much as 50,000 ft. into the atmosphere. But despite the havoc it once sowed, tourists remain to admire it.

Travel to Mt. Pinatubo and explore one of the most amazing place in the Philippines. Most Mt. Pinatubo treks begin at the base camp in Brgy. Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac, 28 kilometers from the Crater Lake. The tour starts with a 4x4 off road adventure from the base camp to the jump-off with magnificent view of the largest lahar canyon in the world. Pinatubo trek is a 2-hour hike going to the crater. Once at the peak, you’ll be able to see the majestic jewel- blue Crater Lake.

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TOUR: MAJESTIC PAGSANJAN RAPIDS DURATION: FULL DAY (8 HOURS)

Embark on an adventure when you visit Pagsanjan, a small town in Laguna province, only two hours away from Manila.

Ride a banca (native canoe) upriver through a gorge hemmed in by rocky cliffs as high as 300 feet, lush with tropical vegetation to the majestic Pagsanjan Falls. The base of Pagsanjan Falls is a huge natural swimming pool with clear cool waters which one can swim in. A good swimmer can dive and swim to his heart’s delight Experience the ride of a lifetime as you travel downriver with expert Pagsanjano boatmen who will guide your banca through fourteen rapids, winding through boulders and roaring downstream.

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