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A sweeping aerial perspective of El Nido reveals its sheltered bay, emerald waters and surrounding limestone peaks. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
A sweeping aerial perspective of El Nido reveals its sheltered bay, emerald waters and surrounding limestone peaks.  | Eibner Saliba
Explore the spectacular seascapes of El Nido, where emerald waters and limestone formations create an unforgettable tropical setting. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Explore the spectacular seascapes of El Nido, where emerald waters and limestone formations create an unforgettable tropical setting.  | Rommel paras
Filipino Street Food - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Filipino Street Food  | alessandra sio
El Nido Hidden Island Paradise - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
El Nido Hidden Island Paradise  | mario von rotz
Caption: Fresh seafood cooked over hot coals showcases the rich and authentic culinary traditions of the Philippines. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Caption: Fresh seafood cooked over hot coals showcases the rich and authentic culinary traditions of the Philippines.  | Jan Ledermann
Chef Mattew Astorga - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Chef Mattew Astorga
Caption: Swim alongside graceful sea turtles in their natural habitat during a memorable snorkeling experience in the Philippines. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Caption: Swim alongside graceful sea turtles in their natural habitat during a memorable snorkeling experience in the Philippines.  | Olga ga
A peaceful cove bordered by forested limestone hills showcases the raw natural beauty of Palawan’s coastline. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
A peaceful cove bordered by forested limestone hills showcases the raw natural beauty of Palawan’s coastline.  | Jonathan Ramalho
White sand, swaying palms and calm turquoise waters capture the relaxed beauty of the Philippine islands. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
White sand, swaying palms and calm turquoise waters capture the relaxed beauty of the Philippine islands.  | Cris Tagupa
Authentic Filipino Feast - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Authentic Filipino Feast  | paul placino
Cebu beauty - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Cebu beauty  | Ken Suarez
A quiet sandy shoreline looks out toward El Nido’s striking offshore limestone islands and calm coastal waters. - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
A quiet sandy shoreline looks out toward El Nido’s striking offshore limestone islands and calm coastal waters.  | Lorenz nabs
Classic Filipino Flavours - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Classic Filipino Flavours  | Eiliv aceron
Kayangan Lake on Coron Island - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Kayangan Lake on Coron Island
Authentic Filipino Feast - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Authentic Filipino Feast  | paul placino
Freshly Baked Pandesal - A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga, Philippines
Freshly Baked Pandesal  | Jem SAHAGUN

A Culinary Expedition Through the Philippineswith Chef Matthew Astorga

Explore the Philippines with Chef Matthew Astorga through authentic food, local traditions, and unforgettable island experiences.

Philippines

12 Days from

$5350 USD

Trip Code: SOG9559
View dates to Book
Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single supplement
$1700 USD
Duration
  • 12 Days
Activities
  • 12 day touring , island hopping , cooking and beach activities
Accommodation
  • 11 nights in carefully selected boutique hotels and beachfront resorts
Meals
  • 6 Lunches
  • 11 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

(294kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Hosted throughout by Chef Matthew Astorga
  • Organic farm tour and hands-on Filipino cooking class
  • Traditional fishing experience with local fishermen
  • Seafood market visit followed by a "Paluto" feast where your selections are cooked fresh
  • Swim with the famous Sardine Run in Moalboal
  • Snorkel with sea turtles
  • Kawasan Falls adventure
  • Island hopping in Port Barton
  • Explore the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Underground River
  • Relax in boutique beachfront resorts

Overview

Join Chef Matthew Astorga on an unforgettable culinary journey through the Philippines. Explore vibrant local markets, cook with organic farmers, fish alongside local communities, feast on freshly prepared seafood, and discover the spectacular islands of Cebu and Palawan through authentic food experiences, breathtaking landscapes and meaningful cultural connections.

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Upon arrival at Cebu-Mactan International Airport, meet your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel. 1500H: Standard hotel check-in time. Check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight: Bai Hotel Cebu

Meals: Nil

Breakfast at the hotel. 1000H: Pick-up from the hotel lobby. Depart Cebu and travel approximately 3–4 hours to Moalboal and Dolphin House Resort. Upon arrival, check in, freshen up and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure by the beach. Overnight: Dolphin house resort

Meals: B

Breakfast at the resort. 0700H: Pick-up from the resort lobby to begin today’s excursion. Travel to spectacular Kawasan Falls in Badian, one of Cebu’s best-known natural attractions. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, the falls consist of three main cascades with clear turquoise pools. The first waterfall rises more than 40 metres above a deep swimming basin, while the second is broader and approximately 20 metres high. The smaller third tier offers another scenic setting along the river. Enjoy the Kawasan Falls canyoneering experience, followed by a family-style Filipino home-cooked lunch featuring traditional local dishes and fresh native ingredients. After the tour, transfer back to the resort. Overnight Stay: Dolphin House Resort or similar

Meals: B,L

Breakfast at the resort. 0800H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Set out on a snorkeling adventure in Moalboal, one of Cebu’s best-known marine areas. Experience the famous Sardine Run, where millions of sardines move together in enormous formations just offshore, before continuing in search of sea turtles in their natural habitat. Enjoy the colourful reefs and abundant marine life before returning to the resort. Later, freshen up and visit the local market. Afterwards, continue to a seafood “Paluto” restaurant, where fresh ingredients can be selected and prepared to order. Paluto is a Filipino dining tradition meaning “to have it cooked" Later on, transfer back to the resort. Overnight: Dolphin house resort or similar

Meals: B,L

Breakfast at the resort. 0700H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Depart Moalboal and travel to Simala Church in Sibonga, also known as the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist. Founded in 1997 by the Marian Monks of Eucharistic Adoration, the shrine is an important place of pilgrimage and prayer in Cebu. Following the visit, continue to Cebu Airport for your flight to El Nido, Palawan. 1850H: Flight from Cebu to El Nido via Cebu Pacific. 2035H: Arrive in El Nido. Meet your resort representative on arrival and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight: Charlie’s El Nido or similar

Meals: B

Breakfast at the hotel. 0900H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Proceed to the Local Organic Farm Tour & Cooking Class, with approximately 4–6 hours allowed for the excursion. Explore a 100% organic farm in El Nido, taste fresh tropical fruits, meet farm animals and experience traditional farming practices, including working with a carabao. Continue with a hands-on Filipino cooking class using fresh produce from the farm. Prepare local dishes before sitting down to enjoy your meal accompanied by fresh coconut juice. The farm and cooking experience itself lasts approximately three hours, including around one hour touring the farm and two hours cooking and dining. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Overnight: Charlie’s El Nido or similar

Meals: B,L

Breakfast at the hotel. 0730H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Set out on an approximately 5–6 hour fishing experience with local fishermen. Learn traditional fishing techniques used by Palawan’s coastal communities and try your hand at catching local species such as grouper, snapper and sea bream. Lunch will be served either onboard the boat or on one of El Nido’s beautiful beaches, depending on the day’s arrangements. After the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Overnight: Charlie’s El Nido or similar

Meals: B,L

Breakfast at the resort. 1000H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Depart El Nido and travel approximately 3–4 hours to Port Barton. Upon arrival, check in and take some time to freshen up. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax at the resort or explore Port Barton independently. Overnight: Holiday Suites port Barton or similar.

Meals: B

Breakfast at the resort. 0800H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Set out on Port Barton Island Hopping Tour A for a full day exploring some of the area's most beautiful marine sites. Snorkel at Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef, known for colourful coral and tropical fish. Continue to Exotic Island and Turtle Spot, where there may be opportunities to swim alongside sea turtles in their natural environment. Visit Peña Plata or Giligan’s Island, before continuing to a sandbar/starfish site to see starfish resting in the shallow waters. The day combines snorkeling, swimming and time relaxing amongst Port Barton’s islands. After the tour, transfer back to the resort. Overnight: Holiday Suites port Barton or similar.

Meals: B,L

Breakfast at the resort. 0900H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Depart Port Barton and travel approximately 3–4 hours to Puerto Princesa. 1500H: Standard hotel check-in time. After check-in, freshen up and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or explore independently. Overnight: The funny lion puerto princesa or similar

Meals: B

Breakfast at the resort. 0800H: Pick-up from the resort lobby. Proceed to the Puerto Princesa Underground River for your cruise and lunch. Journey by boat through the remarkable subterranean river and cave system, surrounded by dramatic limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites. During the cruise, learn about the cave’s geology, ecosystem and wildlife, including the bats and swiftlets that inhabit the area. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Following the tour, transfer back to the hotel. Overnight:The Funny Lion Puerto Princesa or similar.

Meals: B,L

Breakfast at the hotel. 1200H: Standard check-out time. TBA: Pick-up from the hotel lobby and transfer to Puerto Princesa Airport. 1245H: Flight from Puerto Princesa to Manila via Cebu Pacific. 1425H: Arrive in Manila. Upon arrival, transfer to the international airport for your onward flight home. End of the trip to the Philippines.

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

1 scheduled departure between 1 Dec 2027 and 1 Dec 2027.

  • Departs 1 Dec 2027 – ends 12 Dec 2027 (12 days)
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 11 nights boutique accommodation
  • Group airport transfer on day 1 and day 12
  • Services of Chef Matthew Astorga throughout the journey
  • Private transportation throughout
  • Daily breakfast
  • Selected lunches
  • English-speaking local guides
  • Organic farm experience
  • Entrance fees to all included activities
  • Filipino cooking class
  • Fishing experience with local fishermen
  • Seafood market visit & Paluto dining experience
  • Kawasan Falls adventure
  • Sardine Run & Turtle snorkeling
  • Port Barton island hopping
  • UNESCO Underground River tour

Not included

  • Domestic flights: Cebu - El Nido and Puerto Princesa - Manila
  • International flights
  • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls etc.
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Tips
  • Airport and departure taxes
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas

Responsible Travel

Extra trip info

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings. 

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run. 

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route. 

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

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