El Nido Luxury Resorts, Philippines...

The El Nido group of Luxury Resorts are all situated around Palawan - three, Lagen, Miniloc, and Pangulasian, near to El Nido town itself, and a fourth, Apulit Island, closer to Taytay on the opposite coast.

Guests of all four resorts have the advantage of being able to fly into, and out of, the small El Nido airport, as they have preference, and advance booking, with the airline ITI, is part of the service.

Here's a little about the four resorts

Lagen Island Resort, El Nido, Palawan

Lagen Island Resort is built around a cove, and has fifty rooms of various accommodation types including the popular water cottages which are built on stilts. There are also Beachfront Cottages, giving great views across the water, plus Forest Rooms and Forest Suites built on the edge of the surrounding tropical forest.

Timber and furnishings for the various accommodation types are all much created from material reclaimed from old Filipino houses.

Philippine Trails can look after all your arrangements for a holiday to Lagen Island*

Miniloc Resort, El Nido, Palawan

Accommodation at Miniloc Island Resort consists of fifty rooms, again in a variety of styles, including Water Cottages, and Waterside Cottages, plus other Seaview and Deluxe Seaview Rooms, many of which are built on stilts.

Garden Cottages, and Cliff Cottages nestled in the hillside, and  surrounded by tropical plants, as well as Beachside Rooms complete the styles of accommodation on offer at the resort. Miniloc's cottages and rooms are built with native Filipino materials, and have thatched roofs.

Philippine Trails can look after all your arrangements for a holiday to Miniloc Island*

Pangulasian Island, El Nido, Palawan

Pangulasian Island has a special appeal to the traveler seeking exclusivity and bespoke pampering. Here, pampered guests can take a private sunset cruise, enjoy a romantic dinner by the beach, or simply relax at the spa where a choice of luxurious treatments are on offer.

Pangulasian Island has forty-two deluxe villas, all built in a Filipino architectural style. Eight Canopy Villas sit on stilts above the forest, and thirty Beach, or Pool Villas, are situated by the water.

Philippine Trails can look after all your arrangements for a holiday to Pangulasian Island*

Apulit Island, Taytay, Palawan

Apulit Island Resort has fifty Water Cottages and Deluxe water Cottages, again, constructed in a traditional Filipino style, but with an up-to-date design. The cottages are built on stilts and give wonderful views of Taytay Bay, and its surrounding islands, and limestone cliffs.
Each room is further enhanced with bespoke custom-made furniture.

Philippine Trails can look after all your arrangements for a holiday to Apulit Island*

*Book with Philippine Trails...

Guests wishing to enjoy a holiday or vacation at one of the El Nido Luxury Resorts can book with us at Philippine Trails, knowing that every aspect of their stay in the Philippines will be taken care of, including airport meet-and-greet, luxury accommodation in Manila, if required, plus internal flights and transfers. Contact us if you wish to find out more, or to book!

Read more about the Luxury Resorts we Offer to guests HERE >>

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The Famous Philippines Rice Terraces...

Batad Rice Terraces

One of the most popular destinations for tourists in the Philippines is the Rice Terraces, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, north of Manila, in the Cordillera Mountains.

These 2,000 year-old terraces were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by the ancestors of the region's indigenous people - an amazing feat considering how little equipment they would have had, with most of the work done by hand.  Indeed, many Filipinos refer to the terraces as being the "Eighth Wonder of the World". 

The Banaue Rice Terraces are the most well known in the region, but there are four other terraces worth exploring. These are the Batad Rice Terraces, the Mayoyao Rice Terraces of Mayoyao, the Hapao Rice Terraces, and the Kiangan Rice Terraces.

Other Rice Terraces...

Batad. Unlike Banaue, the rice terraces of Batad have stone walls which were created from rocks taken from the river bed - quite a feat in itself. These terraces form an impressive amphitheatre and are well worth seeing. To reach the village of Batad you have to hike down from "the Saddle". Keen trekkers can take a 2 hour hike to see the spectacle that is the Tappiya Falls

Native Ifugao

Bangaan. Bangaan is an alternative to Batad and easier to get to as it is just a fairly short walk from the main road. Like Batad, Bangaan has an amphitheatre shaped slope, though to a lesser degree.

The Mayoyao Rice Terraces are around 3 hours journey by road from Banaue. Its terraces, like those of Batad, have stone walls. 

Hapao is another half-day excursion from Banaue with yet more terraces. Near Hapao there is a hot spring which is a 45 minute hike from the road. This is a spot where many choose to swim.

Bontoc and Sagada...

Bontoc is a relatively busy town and one place well worth visiting is its museum of Ifugao culture. As well as seeing old black-and-white photos, there are items on display including Kalinga headhunter axes, together with baskets that were once used for carrying severed heads! Numerous other fascinating items are also on display, such as decorated nose flutes, traditional headdresses, and woven loincloths, etc.

Sagada is a town worth visiting. It is famous for the impressive Lumiang and Sumaguing limestone caves, although it is probably better known today for its local tradition of "burying" the dead in hanging coffins! Coffins can also be found in the Lumiang caves.

Getting There...
Getting to the Rice Terraces is a long journey of around 9-10 hours by road from Manila. You can travel during daylight hours by car, or opt for public transport, which runs during the night. Air-conditioned buses leave Manila during the course of the evening, and arrive in Banaue early the next morning. These buses can be cool and it is therefore recommended that you take a sweater to keep warm.

Philippine Trails can take you to the Rice Terraces. See more on our page HERE >>

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Are You Thinking of Retiring to the Philippines?

The Philippines is fast becoming a popular destination for many retirees. It has a low cost of living, and Manila is a great base for exploring the rest of the country, or for venturing further afield to the surrounding countries of South East Asia - all within a couple of hours by plane.

The world-renowned Filipino hospitality, diversity of the country's culture, and reasonable standard of living are all reasons that existing retirees have given for choosing the Philippines as their new home.


A largely English-speaking population and tropical climate are further plus points that retirees should consider.

If you're considering retiring to the Philippines, Philippine Trails can help! Maybe try a tour first, or we'll accommodate you in a modern condominium (apartment), in one of the fast developing areas of Manila, where all amenities are to hand, so you can "try before you decide". We can show you properties that are being planned, are under construction, or have been newly built. 

See more about retiring to the Philippines on our specialist page >>

Rent or Buy Property in the Philippines >>

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Planning a Conference in the Philippines...

Conference facilities at Two Seasons Resort

Are you planning a Conference, or Special Event?

Would you like to maybe combine it with a tour or holiday?

Then why not consider the Philippines as the venue!

We will help arrange every aspect of your event planning, with suitable locations on offer all around the country, from the capital of Manila, to other primary destinations such as Cebu and Boracay, and even some "away-from-it-all" tropical island resorts.

Combine the business side of your gathering, with a round of golf, or extend your stay in the country with a luxury coach tour around some of the tourist highlights of north Luzon.

The Philippines is largely English-speaking, and will make an ideal choice for your conference or special event, and Philippine Trails will look after you and your party, every step of the way!

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Enjoy a Motorcycling Tour of North Luzon, in the Philippines...

Take a motorcycle tour along some of the best roads in Luzon, travelling through the Cordillera mountains and enjoying spectacular scenery.

Whether you're alone, or travelling with friends, we'll arrange your tour, together with an experienced guide, who'll accompany you on your amazing journey. 

Accommodation along the way is included, and there are a number of different bikes from which to select.

Tours can be adjusted to suit your dates, but the popular pre-planned itineraries are as follows:

North Luzon - 13 Days - More >>

North Luzon - 9 Days - More >>

Mountains of Luzon - 6 Days - More >>

Se a summary of all the tours on offer, plus useful advice, on our dedicated Motorcycling Page HERE >>

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Enjoy a Golfing Holiday in the Philippines!

Fairways & Bluewater Golf Course, Boracay, Philippines

There are a number of excellent Golf Courses within easy reach of Manila.

We have arranged packages for numerous Golfers wishing to enjoy the sport, based in accommodation in the capital, so that the activities of the day can be combined with enjoyable nightlife.

Our arrangements include accommodation, chauffeured transport between the hotels and golf courses, tee-off reservations, non-member endorsements, as well as caddies and golf carts.

Outside of Manila, there are some fine golf courses on the island of Cebu, and on Boracay, there is the attractive Fairways and Bluewater Golf Course, where golfers can combine their love of the sport, with the fun of a lively island, boasting fabulous beaches, that many consider to be the jewel in the Philippines' crown!

See more on our our website's Golf page >>

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Help with Planning a Tour of the Philippines...

The pretty town of Vigan, Ilocos, Philippines

It's a comment we often hear...

"There is so much to see and do in the Philippines, we don't know where to start!"

To help make the process of deciding what to include in an itinerary, we've created a page on our website that will help anyone looking to plan a holiday touring the Philippines.

We list the most popular regions, and also the highlights and special characteristics for each area.

We also briefly give additional information on how to get there. Certain regions, such as the Central Visayas, have islands that interlink easily. Many other tourist areas are linked via Manila, the Philippines capital. In that respect, think of Manila as being the hub of a wheel.

If, after reading the information, you are still flummoxed, simply let us know your interests, the time you have available, number in your party, and budget if you have one, and we'll send you our suggestion, built on our knowledge and experience!

Take a look at  our new page HERE >>

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