Home ExploreManila Culture and Boracay Shores

Manila Culture and Boracay Shores

6 Days

Manila carries five centuries of colonial sediment — Spanish fortresses, American boulevards, wartime rubble, and the relentless forward energy of a Southeast Asian megalopolis — all compressed into a waterfront basin where the sun sets into Manila Bay with operatic grandeur. Intramuros, the Walled City, is the oldest district in the Philippines: cobbled streets, horse-drawn kalesas, and soot-darkened church walls transport visitors to a colonial past that was beautiful and brutal in equal measure. At Fort Santiago, where José Rizal spent his final night before his 1896 execution, history becomes personal. From Manila the itinerary pivots to Boracay — a 4-kilometre sliver of island rehabilitated into one of Asia's most iconic beach destinations. White Beach remains one of the finest stretches of sand in the world: fine enough to squeak underfoot, white enough to make the sea look painted. Island hopping reveals Crystal Cove's sea caves, Coral Garden's underwater kaleidoscope, and Ilig-Iligan's secluded arc. The Land Tour or Party Boat Cruise offer two entirely different registers of the same island paradise.

6D|5N

2 days in

Manila

1/5

Day01

Day 1

Arrival in Manila

Philippine journey begins the moment you step into arrivals at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where your TRIPGULLAK representative waits with a welcome board and the unhurried warmth that defines Filipino hospitality. Drive to your Makati or Bay Area hotel: Manila's extraordinary contradictions — colonial church spires visible between glass towers, jeepney painted in chrome and devotional imagery threading through six-lane traffic, bay breeze cutting through the city's density. Check in at leisure. Let the evening be unstructured. Manila rewards the curious: the Baywalk promenade at sunset is one of Southeast Asia's underrated spectacles, and Poblacion (just south of Makati) is one of the city's most atmospheric bar districts. Dinner: try kare-kare (oxtail stew in peanut sauce with bagoong) at a traditional Filipino restaurant — an ideal first-night introduction to the cuisine. Meals: None included.

Check In

14:00

1N 🌙

Check Out

11:00

Standard Room

1 Room

Standard Room • CP - Continental Plan

✓ Included

Cityland Tower, 8 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Ave, Makati City, 1230 Metro Manila, Philippines

Private Transportation

Transportation details to be confirmed

Day02

Day 2

Old Manila City Tour + Destileria Limtuaco

3 days in

Boracay

1/7

Day03

Day 3

Flight to Caticlan & Arrival in Boracay

Day04

Day 4

Boracay Island Hopping — Crystal Cove, Coral Garden & Hidden Coves

Day05

Day 5

Land Tour (Ati Village · Bulabog · Lapus-Lapus · Puka Beach) OR Party Boat Cruise

1 day in

Manila

1/3

Day06

Day 6

Departure from Boracay & Return to Manila

What's inside the package?

Inclusions

5 nights hotel accommodation on twin/double sharing
Daily hotel breakfast included throughout
Private airport transfer: Manila International Airport → Manila hotel
Private departure transfer: Manila hotel → Manila Airport
Day 2: Private Old Manila City Tour covering Rizal Park, Intramuros, Fort Santiago, San Agustin Church (UNESCO), Manila Cathedral, Cultural Center of the Philippines + Destileria Limtuaco wine tasting + Indian lunch + shopping at SM Mall of Asia or Greenbelt Makati
Day 3: Boracay transfer via bangka crossing from Caticlan Jetty Port + hotel transfer
Day 4: Shared Boracay Island Hopping Tour (Balinghai Beach, Crystal Cove, Coral Garden, Ilig-Iligan Beach) with local lunch
Day 5: Boracay Land Tour (Ati Village, Bulabog, Lapus-Lapus, Puka Beach) OR optional shared Party Boat Cruise with water activities, DJ, sunset sail & beverages
All applicable entrance fees for tours included
DOT-accredited English-speaking guide on tour days
Daily bottled water during tours
24/7 dedicated TRIPGULLAK WhatsApp coordinator

Exclusions

✕International airfare from country of origin is not included
✕All domestic flights are not included (can be arranged on request)
✕Personal incidental expenses and minibar charges are not included
✕Tips for drivers, guides, boat crew, and coordinators are not included
✕Travel insurance is not included (available on request)
✕5% GST and bank/card transfer charges are not included
✕Any services not explicitly mentioned in inclusions are not included
✕Optional activities beyond the included tours (parasailing, sunset sailing, helmet diving, etc.) are not included
✕Day room in Manila for late international departure is not included (available on request)

Best Time to Visit

DRY SEASON — AMIHAN (Nov–May): Best time. Clear skies, flat seas, consistent sunshine. Ideal for island hopping and beach days. Dec–Apr is peak season: pristine conditions but premium hotel rates, busier beaches. WET SEASON — HABAGAT (Jun–Oct): More clouds, occasional rough water, lower prices. Island hopping possible in light rain but can be cancelled in rough seas. Manila viable year-round; urban flooding from July–September. PEAK PERIODS: Christmas, New Year, Holy Week — maximum crowds and prices across both destinations. TRIPGULLAK RECOMMENDS: November–April. Flexible island-hopping contingencies built into all Habagat-season bookings. Book 60–90 days ahead for peak dates.

What to Pack

Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+ — Boracay enforces marine protection standards | Quick-dry swimwear and beach coverup for White Beach restaurant dining | Modest clothing for Manila church visits — shoulders and knees covered for Intramuros | Waterproof sandals or flip-flops for bangka deck and beach landings | Dry bag or waterproof pouch for phone and valuables during island hopping | Underwater camera or GoPro for Crystal Cove and Coral Garden | Motion sickness tablets for bangka crossing and domestic flight | Light evening layers for air-conditioned Manila restaurants | Insect repellent for Boracay evenings especially near Ati Village | Philippine peso cash — Boracay ATMs limited; withdraw in Manila | Small day bag for the Manila city tour | Universal travel adapter — Philippine outlets use Type A/B (US-style flat pins)

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