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Philippines Itinerary: 5 Days (2026)

This 5-day Philippines itinerary covers Manila, Palawan, Boracay, El Nido, Siargao — the sweet spot for a comfortable first visit, day by day with honest costs.

Estimated cost: ₹23,000–₹64,500 (≈ $265–$750) per person for 5 days, excluding international flights.

Best months for this route: Nov – Apr

A day-by-day itinerary covering the best of Philippines — designed for Indian travellers with honest costs, visa tips, and the right cities in the right order.

5 days Nov – Apr Visa on arrival for 30 days PHP (Peso)

Your Route at a Glance

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Manila

Day 1

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Palawan

Day 2

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Boracay

Day 3

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El Nido

Day 4

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Siargao

Day 5

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day

1

Manila — Day 1
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Manila

Full guide

Bay City

✓Intramuros — The walled Spanish colonial old city, with cobbled streets, horse-drawn carriage…
✓Fort Santiago — A citadel within Intramuros where national hero Jose Rizal was imprisoned before…
✓National Museum Complex — A cluster of free museums covering Philippine art, natural history, and anthropo…
Dec - Apr PHP 2500-7000/day/day

Day

2

Palawan — Day 2
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Palawan

Full guide

Island Frontier

✓Puerto Princesa Underground River — A UNESCO World Heritage subterranean river navigable by paddle boat through a li…
✓Honda Bay Island Hopping — A day of hopping between small sandbar islands near Puerto Princesa for snorkell…
✓Coron Wreck Diving — World-class wreck diving among sunken WWII Japanese ships in the clear waters ar…
Nov - May PHP 3000-9000/day/day

Day

3

Boracay — Day 3
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Boracay

Full guide

White Beach Icon

✓White Beach — A 4-kilometre stretch of powder-fine white sand lined with resorts, restaurants,…
✓Paraw Sunset Sailing — A traditional double-outrigger sailboat trip along the coast, timed for sunset v…
✓Puka Shell Beach — A quieter beach on the island's north tip, named for the puka shells that used t…
Nov - May PHP 3500-10000/day/day

Day

4

El Nido — Day 4
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El Nido

Full guide

Limestone Lagoons

✓Big Lagoon — A vast turquoise lagoon enclosed by towering limestone cliffs, paddled by kayak …
✓Small Lagoon — A narrower, more intimate lagoon reached by kayak through a small opening in the…
✓Secret Beach — A hidden cove accessible only by swimming through a small gap in the limestone r…
Nov - May PHP 3500-9000/day/day

Day

5

Siargao — Day 5
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Siargao

Full guide

Surf Island

✓Cloud 9 Surf Break — One of the world's best right-hand barrel waves, with a wooden boardwalk where s…
✓Sugba Lagoon — A calm turquoise lagoon enclosed by limestone cliffs, with a floating bamboo raf…
✓Magpupungko Rock Pools — Natural tidal pools formed among volcanic rock formations, swimmable only at low…
Mar - Oct PHP 3000-8500/day/day

More Philippines Itineraries

Philippines Itinerary FAQ

How many days do you need in Philippines?

Most first-time visitors need 5–7 days in Philippines to see the highlights at a comfortable pace. This 5-day plan covers Manila, Palawan, Boracay, El Nido, Siargao. With more time, slow the pace or add day trips; with less, focus on Manila and skip the longer transfers.

How much does a 5-day Philippines trip cost from India?

Budget roughly ₹23,000–₹64,500 (about $265–$750) per person for 5 days on the ground in Philippines — covering accommodation, food, local transport and activities at a budget-to-mid-range level. International flights and visa fees are extra. Travelling in Nov – Apr (peak season) sits at the higher end of that range.

What is the best route for 5 days in Philippines?

The most efficient 5-day route is Manila (Day 1), then Palawan (Day 2), then Boracay (Day 3), then El Nido (Day 4), then Siargao (Day 5). This order keeps travel legs short and one-directional, so you never backtrack. Each stop's day count matches how much there genuinely is to see — the day-by-day plan below breaks down exactly what to do in each.

Is 5 days enough for Philippines?

5 days is enough for a focused first look at Philippines — this plan covers Manila, Palawan, Boracay, El Nido, Siargao without feeling rushed. For the full experience, the 7-day version adds more depth. The best months to do this route are Nov – Apr.