ABOUT PHILIPPINES

The Republic of the Philippines, an island nation located in the Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia, comprising of 7,107 islands, collectively known as Philippine Archipelago, has a total area of nearly 300,000 square kilometres to its credit. The country, named "Las Islas Filipinas" after King Philip II of Spain, fell prey to Spanish colonialism in 1565. The colonial rule lasted for three long centuries and ended after Philippine Revolution of 1896. But independence, the most prized political ambition of modern times, was not forthcoming for it yet. It was ceded to the US in 1898 in the wake of the Spanish-American War, and it was only in 1946 that they saw the run of independence rise after Japanese occupation in World War II. However, it was as late as in 1992 that the US finally closed its last military bases on the islands and left the Philippine soil for good. Manila is now the capital of Philippines.

CLIMATE

Tropical climate tempered by constant sea breezes. There are three distinct seasons: the rainy season (June to September), cool and dry (October to February), and hot and mainly dry (March to May). Evenings are cooler. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September.

Average Temperatures

Time Difference: 2½ hours ahead of IST

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 01: ARRIVE MANILA
Arrival at Manila, meet our local representative and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon you can opt for a shopping tour of SM Mall of Asia, considered the third largest mall of Asia. Overnight in Manila

Day 02: MANILA (B)
After breakfast, proceed for half-day Manila city tour-The tour starts with a visit to San Agustin Church and monastery where in one can see an extensive collection of religious artifacts. Stop at the Fort Santiago, the country’s foremost cultural relic where key moments in Philippine history have occurred. See several memorials and stop for a short break for a visit to a local handicrafts store or photo shop. Drive along Roxas Boulevard, a ten-kilometer promenade that has been reclaimed from Manila Bay, and is a favorite place for people to return in the evenings to see the sunset.Visit the Rizal Park, which was the site of a native community called Bagumbayan that lived outside the Spanish walls of Intramuros. See the famous Rizal Monument, the execution site of national hero, Jose P Rizal. Brief stop at the National museum where we view finds of archaeological diggings and national treasures before returning to port Overnight in Manila.

Day 03: MANILA (B)
Today after breakfast, the day is free for you to explore the city on your own or opt for the Tagaytay city tour. Drive 2 hours south of Manila passing small towns, orchards, fruit stalls, magnificent scenery, and coconut plantations to reach Tagaytay. Admire the magnificent view offered by the smallest and deadliest Taal Volcano, a volcano whose crater houses another volcano, and lies on an island in the center of Taal Lake. Visit the Las Pinas bamboo organ of St Joseph Parish church, a nineteenth century church organ made entirely of bamboo, only the trumpet sounds are made of metal. Overnight in Manila.

Day 04: DEPART MANILA (B)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to international airport to take a flight to your onward destination.