Pinnacle mountains carpeted in forests that trill with the sound of parrots; caves cut by clear-water rivers and coconut coves covered with peppery sands. The Philippines is quintessential Southeast Asia and it comes with a burgeoning commitment to conservation, minimal crowds and a warm welcome. Plus, there are more than 7,000 islands to visit, so you're spoilt for choice. Here's a pick of some of the best and what to expect...
1 PALAWAN
El Nido, on northern Palawan island, is a place of pristine limestone jungle mountains rising from a turquoise sea. Explore them for yourself by kayaking over coral gardens and into lagoons as still as can be. For a bird's eye view of the ocean and its sprinkling of islets, hike to Taraw peak. Next, head south to Puerto Princesa for rainforest hikes on Mount Sakalot where you can cool off with waterfall swims. Beneath the mountains here, you can even drift on an underground river through the stalactite-studded Natuturingan cave.
For the ultimate adventure, explore one of Southeast Asia's most jaw-droppingly beautiful wilds on a five-day trek up Mantalingajan mountain, which sits within a wilderness so large that it's home to Indigenous communities and one of Asia's greatest concentrations of rare and endemic plants and animals.
2 CEBU
This story is from the December 2022 / January 2023 edition of Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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This story is from the December 2022 / January 2023 edition of Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Vermont, USA
The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup
Unique North America
See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips
The call of the Rockies
From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?
Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens
