10 Days - Backroads Of Bohol

Welcome to the Philippines! Upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, a local representative will greet you and assist with your private transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time and the day’s traffic, the drive into central Manila typically takes 45 minutes to 1 hour and covers a distance of around 10–15km. Once checked in, take the rest of the day to unwind and adjust to the pace and humidity of the Philippines.

This first day is left intentionally free to give you time to rest after your flight. Your hotel is conveniently located and may offer a pool, spa, or casual dining to help ease you into the trip. For families or curious travellers arriving early, you might consider a short walk to a local café or nearby park.

If you’re feeling energetic, ask the concierge about visiting Manila Bay for a sunset stroll, or take a short taxi to a local shopping area for last-minute essentials or snacks. Keep in mind that Manila traffic can be heavy, so short distances may take longer than expected and always allow extra time for getting around.

Enjoy dinner at your hotel or a nearby restaurant of your choice. Manila’s culinary scene is broad, with everything from street food to upscale dining, and there’s something for every palate. Be sure to get a good night’s rest - tomorrow’s full-day city tour introduces you to the living layers of Manila's culture and history.

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel for a full-day city tour that introduces you to Manila’s cultural diversity and layered history. Begin with a ferry ride along the Pasig River, which offers an uncommon but fascinating view of the city’s changing skyline and older neighbourhoods. From there, explore on foot through Quiapo, home to street markets and the famous Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, a place central to local faith.

Continue into Binondo, considered the oldest Chinatown in the world, where history blends with commerce in narrow alleys and bustling storefronts. Your guide will take you to some of the district’s key points and share stories of Manila’s trading past. A short walk brings you to Intramuros, the original walled city built during Spanish rule. Here, cobbled streets, colonial buildings, and leafy plazas reveal how the Philippines evolved under foreign influence.

After lunch at a local restaurant, board a traditional jeepney for the ride to Bonifacio Global City. This district reflects the modern face of Manila, with its wide streets, public art, and vibrant café culture. Walk along High Street to visit contemporary shops and perhaps stop for a coffee or local dessert. A visit to the American Cemetery, one of the largest in the Pacific, adds a moment of reflection to the day.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. Though most of the day’s distances are short - often no more than 15 to 20 kilometres - the movement across different parts of the city and the contrast between them is part of what makes Manila so fascinating. Rest this evening or explore a bit more on your own, depending on your energy levels.

After breakfast, check out of your Manila hotel and meet your driver for the transfer to the airport. Your flight to Bohol takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, landing at Tagbilaran or Panglao International Airport depending on the airline. Upon arrival, a local representative will greet you and arrange your private transfer to Loboc, a peaceful riverside town in central Bohol. The drive covers about 40 kilometres and takes roughly 1 hour, passing through scenic countryside.

Loboc offers a refreshing change from the pace of Manila. Set beside the winding Loboc River and surrounded by forested hills, the town is best known for its laid-back charm, cultural sites, and river cruises. Once at your riverside accommodation, check in and take some time to relax. Many lodges in this area feature open-air dining, hammocks, and gardens that invite you to slow down and unwind.

If you're keen to stretch your legs after the flight, consider a short walk through the town or a visit to the nearby Loboc Church, one of the oldest churches in Bohol. Alternatively, simply enjoy the view from your hotel and listen to the sounds of the river. Canoes, floating restaurants, and village life create a gentle, ever-changing scene outside your door.

Dinner is at your leisure this evening. You may wish to stay in and dine at the hotel restaurant or try a local riverside eatery. Portions are generous and flavours are mild, making the local cuisine approachable and well suited to most travellers. Rest well tonight, as tomorrow brings a full day of exploring Bohol’s best-known landmarks.

After breakfast, depart from your hotel in Loboc for a full-day exploration of Bohol’s best-known interior highlights. The day begins with a drive inland to the Chocolate Hills, one of the Philippines’ most unusual landscapes. Spread across a wide expanse of gently rolling terrain, over a thousand uniform limestone mounds rise from the earth like giant anthills. The drive from Loboc to the main viewpoint in Carmen covers around 45 kilometres and takes roughly one hour through a mix of secondary roads and forested routes.

From there, continue to the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. This forested reserve protects one of the world’s smallest primates, the Philippine tarsier, in its natural habitat. The sanctuary enforces strict conservation rules, making it a quiet, low-impact visit. A short walk through the trees allows you to observe these elusive creatures clinging to branches with their oversized eyes and delicate limbs.

Next, head back toward the Loboc River for a traditional floating restaurant cruise. As the boat drifts through a corridor of palms and riverbank villages, enjoy a local buffet and live acoustic music. The pace is slow, giving you time to take in the riverside views and observe rural life from the water. The cruise lasts around one hour before returning to shore.

Before returning to your hotel, stop at the centuries-old Baclayon Church. Though damaged by a 2013 earthquake, the stone facade and adjoining museum still reveal much about Bohol’s colonial past. Return to Loboc in the late afternoon, with the rest of the evening at your leisure. You may choose to enjoy a quiet dinner, listen to the sounds of the river, or reflect on the contrasts between Bohol’s natural beauty and its layered history.

After breakfast, check out and meet your guide for the overland journey to Anda on Bohol’s eastern coast. The drive from Loboc to Anda covers roughly 85 kilometres and takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, but today’s route is broken up with rewarding stops that showcase the island’s less-visited interior. The first leg leads to the municipality of Candijay, known for its terraced landscapes and tucked-away waterfalls.

Your first stop is Cadapdapan Rice Terraces, where you’ll take a short walk through layered green fields to reach Can-Umantad Falls, one of the highest in Bohol. The 1-kilometre trail is gently sloped, and the falls offer a refreshing spot to rest or take a dip. Lunch is served at a small restaurant overlooking the rice terraces - a scenic and quiet location surrounded by nature.

Following lunch, continue driving east toward Anda. This final stretch passes through small villages and coastal roads, with glimpses of local life along the way. Anda is markedly different from the resort hubs of Bohol: its unspoilt beaches, traditional fishing communities, and quiet inland forests offer a slower, more grounded pace. Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation set near the coast.

Spend the late afternoon settling in or walking along the beach. Unlike the more commercial areas of Panglao, Anda’s shoreline is rarely crowded and is known for its coral reefs, clean waters, and laid-back atmosphere. This evening, dine on freshly caught seafood or local specialities, and enjoy the peace and quiet that define this corner of the island.

After breakfast, depart for Lamanok Island, located on the eastern edge of Anda. The drive to the starting point is brief - approximately 15 to 20 minutes - followed by a short paddle across mangroves in a traditional outrigger canoe. What follows is a guided walking tour of an area steeped in myth, ritual, and pre-colonial tradition, often referred to as Bohol’s cradle of civilisation.

Lamanok Island is known for its ancient limestone caves, burial grounds, and spiritual significance. Funeral boats, earthen jars, and faint cave paintings remain visible, while large balete trees drape over rock ledges with a sense of quiet reverence. Your guide will explain the island’s use in indigenous rituals, shamanic practices, and its continued place in local folklore. The walk is moderately paced and typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.

The tour is not only about the physical features but also about listening to the oral history passed down through generations. Fossilised giant clams, fossil beds, and naturally formed altars reveal the long-standing connection between the people of Anda and their environment. It’s an experience that blends anthropology, landscape, and legend, making it one of the more unique stops on the itinerary.

Return to your hotel around midday or early afternoon, with time to rest or enjoy a swim. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may wish to explore the surrounding village or spend time along the coast, where the evening light casts long shadows over the reef flats. Dinner tonight is open, but seafood is usually the best choice in this part of the island.

After breakfast, check out and begin your overland journey from Anda to Panglao, located off the southwest coast of Bohol. The total drive covers around 105 kilometres and takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, but you’ll break the journey with a few carefully selected stops to explore the island’s inland terrain and geological features.

Your first stop is San Agustin Church in Panglao town. Though modest in scale, this coral-stone church is one of the oldest in the province and reflects the enduring Spanish influence on local architecture. Continue to Hinagdanan Cave, a subterranean limestone chamber accessible by a short staircase. Inside, sunlight filters through an opening in the ceiling and reflects off a natural underground pool. The rock formations and quiet echo of dripping water create an almost sculptural setting.

Following the visit, arrive at your hotel in Panglao by early afternoon and check in. Panglao has a different energy to both Loboc and Anda - much more developed, with a mix of beach resorts, dive shops, and small coastal communities. You may choose to rest at the hotel, go for a swim, or walk down to the beach to get a feel for the area’s rhythm.

The rest of the afternoon is yours. Panglao offers a good mix of low-key dining spots and relaxed bars, with some venues right on the beach. Dinner is independent tonight, allowing you to explore the island’s more social side or enjoy a quiet evening depending on your preference.

After an early breakfast, set off for a full-day marine excursion to Pamilacan Island, located around 15 kilometres offshore from Panglao. The journey begins with a 45 to 60 minute boat ride across the Bohol Sea, weather permitting. This region is known for its resident dolphin population, and with luck, you’ll spot pods of spinner dolphins breaching and swimming alongside the boat. From February to May, it’s also possible to see seasonal whale species.

Upon arrival, step ashore on the coral-fringed beaches of Pamilacan. Once a hunting community, the island has since become a model for marine conservation. Your guide - often a former hunter turned marine spotter - will share stories of how the community has adapted to protect the species that once sustained them. A picnic lunch is served on the island, followed by time to swim, snorkel, or simply wander through the village at your own pace.

Pamilacan’s shoreline is rocky in places and backed by simple homes, creating a striking contrast to the white sands of Panglao. Snorkelling just off the beach offers glimpses of reef fish and soft corals, and the island’s sense of isolation adds to its appeal. There are no vehicles or shops here: just sea, sky, and the rhythm of island life.

Return to Panglao by mid-afternoon, with time to rest before dinner. This is your final evening in Bohol, and the relaxed pace of the day makes it an ideal time to reflect on the varied terrain you’ve covered. Let the evening unfold slowly, with one last walk along the beach or a final seafood meal as the sun sets over the Bohol Sea.

After breakfast, check out and transfer from your Panglao hotel to the airport in Tagbilaran. The drive takes around 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic and your flight time. From there, board your flight back to Manila, which typically takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival in the capital, you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel.

Back in Manila, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at a relaxed pace. You may choose to remain at the hotel and unwind, or explore one final pocket of the city that you did not visit earlier in the trip. Those staying in central areas such as Makati, BGC or Ermita may find it easy to walk to cafés, galleries, or parks nearby.

If you have energy to spare, consider visiting a local museum or artisan market to pick up handmade goods and souvenirs. Manila’s design scene has grown in recent years, and there are independent shops and concept stores worth browsing. If you prefer something quieter, your hotel concierge can suggest a low-key neighbourhood or a nearby rooftop bar to watch the sunset.

This evening, enjoy a final dinner of your choosing. Manila offers an impressive range of options, from traditional Filipino cuisine to modern international menus. Reflect on the journey that took you deep into Bohol’s backroads and cultural landscapes, far from the country’s well-trodden tourist trail.

Enjoy a final breakfast before checking out. Your representative will collect you from the hotel and assist with your transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport for your onward flight. The journey to the airport usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour, depending on traffic and the time of day.

Allow time to navigate Manila’s busy terminals, which can be crowded and sometimes slow-moving. Your transfer has been arranged with these conditions in mind to ensure a smooth departure process. Be sure to check any flight updates in advance, and have your documents ready for security and immigration.

If your flight is scheduled for later in the day, you may request a late checkout or leave your luggage at the hotel to explore a little more before departure. Even a short walk to a café or park can be a fitting final chapter to the trip, offering one last chance to soak in the mood of the city.

As you leave the Philippines, you take with you impressions of landscapes that few visitors see - hidden valleys, sacred islands, quiet towns, and long coastal roads. This journey through the backroads of Bohol was designed to reveal the country at its most raw and rewarding. Safe travels!