Philippines Small Group Tours
Swimming alongside whale sharks or meeting the world's smallest primates? Yes please! The Philippines brings everything from Bohol's Chocolate Hills to Moalboal's sardine runs, the Loboc River's cruises to Apo Island's sea turtles. Try island hopping and perfect beaches throughout this tropical paradise. Your Philippines adventure begins now.
10 best Philippines small group tours
Compiled by
MelissaPhilippines travel expert at TourRadar
- 12 Days Best of Philippines Small Group Tour (Max 8)
- 7 Days Classic Philippines With Boracay Small Group Tour (Max 8)
- 16 Days Philippines Adventure with El Nido to Coron Island expedition (Independent Tour)
- North Philippines Explorer + Bohol Beach Extension
- Enchanting Palawan Island
- The Philippines: Mountains & Islands
- 9 Days Panoramic Palawan Small Group Tour (Max 8)
- 6 Days Amazing Philippines Small Group Tour (Max 8)
- 7 Days Best of Palawan Small Group Tour (Max 8)
- 9 Days Philippines Highlights Small Group Tour (Max 8)
12 Days Best of Philippines Small Group Tour (Max 8)
“My time in the Philippines felt absolutely unforgettable. The days were packed from morning to night, but honestly, every moment was so worth it.”
Graham, traveled in November
Duration 12 days Destinations El Nido, Coron, Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguete Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $2,377
5% Off- US$2,258You save $119
With just 8 guests max, this intimate tour provides focused attention from English-speaking guides across Boracay, Cebu City, and Bohol. You'll share moments like the sardine run at Napaling Reef with GoPro footage, early dolphin watching near Balicasag Island, and buffet dining on the Loboc River cruise.
Duration 7 days Destinations Boracay, Cebu City, Bohol Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,667
5% Off- US$1,584You save $83
16 Days Philippines Adventure with El Nido to Coron Island expedition (Independent Tour)
52 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Zip lining, kawasan falls, and island hopping in El Nido were the highlights of my fantastic experience.”
Nicola, traveled in January
Small groups of 12-15 travelers, with 90% solo adventurers aged 18-60, form close bonds through beach camping in Port Barton and island-hopping expeditions. The intimate setting allows for meaningful local interactions and adaptable scheduling across Philippines' highlights.
Duration 16 days Destinations Manila, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Port Barton, El Nido, Coron, Cebu City, Oslob, Moalboal, Siargao Island Age Range Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type PrivatePersonalized Operator Do You Travel From
5% Off- US$2,772
North Philippines Explorer + Bohol Beach Extension
5 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Loved the trip, the group and the guide. A great package!”
Lindsey, traveled in December
Duration 16 days Destinations Manila, Laoag, Vigan, Sagada, Bontoc, Banaue, Mabalacat, Mount Pinatubo, Bohol Age Range Ages 16+ Group Size Max Group Size 16 Group Type Group Operator Explore! From
5% Off- US$4,400
Duration 9 days Destinations Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type GroupPersonalized Operator Expeditions Gateways From $3,999
50% Off- US$2,000You save $2,000
The Philippines: Mountains & Islands
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Fantastic combination of hiking in the rice terraces and mountains, unique experiences like camping in an active volcano.”
LauraGeissendoerfer, traveled in January
Small groups of 12-16 travelers make their way through remote villages like Tarukan. The intimate size allows for meaningful interactions with Ifugao communities in Banaue, participation in local cooking demonstrations in Baguio, and easy navigation through El Nido's island networks.
Duration 17 days Destinations Manila, Mount Pinatubo, Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada, Baguio, Puerto Princesa, El Nido Age Range Ages 15+ Group Size Max Group Size 12 Group Type Group Operator Intrepid Travel From $5,290
15% Off- US$4,497You save $794
Small groups of up to 8 travelers kayak through Big Lagoon's turquoise waters and swim into Secret Beach through a tight cliff passage. You'll share boats with others for island hopping to Helicopter Island and Hidden Beach, then relax over beachside lunches on Cowrie Island and 7 Commando Beach.
Duration 9 days Destinations Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,303
5% Off- US$1,238You save $65
Groups max out at 8 travelers so you'll receive focused attention from your English-speaking guide while watching for dolphins near Balicasag Island and swimming with sea turtles at Apo Island's Coral Garden, home to 650+ fish species and 400+ coral types. GoPro captures your underwater moments.
Duration 6 days Destinations Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguete Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,339
5% Off- US$1,272You save $67
Groups of up to 8 travelers get focused attention during island hopping to Secret Beach's hidden cove and the Lusong Gunboat wreck at 10 meters. English-speaking guides lead kayaking through Big Lagoon's limestone formations and snorkeling at Malwawey Coral Garden's rainbow coral, plus 4-5 hour ferries help you connect.
Duration 7 days Destinations El Nido, Coron Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,036
5% Off- US$984You save $52
Groups of up to 8 travelers island-hop across Coron, Bohol, and Dumaguete with focused attention at each snorkeling spot. The intimate size helps when spotting dolphins on early morning trips and viewing tarsiers at the conservation area, plus you'll have extra room during five island tours.
Duration 9 days Destinations Coron, Bohol, Siquijor, Dumaguete Age Range All Ages Welcome Group Size Max Group Size 8 Group Type Group Operator UME Travel Co. Ltd From $1,704
5% Off- US$1,619You save $85
Reviews of Small Group tours to Philippines
I decided to book this trip last minute and don't regret it one bit, everything was well planned and took all the stress out of travelling. This itinerary allows you to see all the best bits of the Philippines you get a good mix of experiencing local culture alongside the top tourists spots. The whale shark encounter and canyoneering had to be my highlight, the accomodation provided in the El Nido island hopping is nothing short of mind blowing too I'm not sure there's anywhere else you could experience this, a private island get away with the most delicious food and waking up on the beach is a once in a lifetime experience. I'd recommended this trip for anyone wanting value for money seeing the best bits of the Philippines, and if you have a sense of adventure.
16 Days Philippines Adventure with El Nido to Coron Island expedition (Independent Tour)
- West Philippines Classic 10 Day - One Life Adventures
Really nice tour. A lot of activities and a perfect tour guide ! Best vibes ever and a lot of new friends !
- A Week In Palawan, Philippines
One Week in Palawan comprises three cities: Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron, in that order. Hopping from one city to another means joining different sets of tourists for that occasion only. Be ready to mingle, particularly the long road trip of 5 hours from Puerto Princesa to El Nido in a medium-sized van. This is not a private tour; you are at once mingled with whomever at the discretion of your tour operator. And be ready to spend because vendors of all shades pop out of nowhere offering useful and not-so-useful items. Tips to your guides/helpers are encouraged as they serve you as best they could to a fault, as they are integral to a decent means of livelihood. The Palawan tour is well-organized, the accommodations superb, the experience memorable. Value-for-money package tour, airfare, shipfare (El Nido to Coron) included. Two-thumbs up!!
What our customers ask about Philippines Small Group Tours
What is the best time of year for small group tours in Philippines?
The dry season from November to April provides the most reliable weather for small group tours in the Philippines making it easier to visit places like El Nido and the Chocolate Hills in Bohol. Hotels like Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel in Cebu and City Garden Grand Hotel in Manila welcome guests throughout the year with consistent service quality. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We chose March for our small group tour and had perfect weather for exploring both the beaches and cultural sites."
What unique experiences are available on small group tours in Philippines?
Small groups can access more personal experiences that larger tours often miss such as nighttime firefly watching on the Iwahig River private lagoon tours in El Nido and close-up visits to the Corella Tarsier Sanctuary. Smaller accommodations like Atlantis Dive Resorts in Dumaguete or El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island add to the local connection. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Our small group size allowed us to visit local villages and markets that larger tours simply can't access making the cultural immersion much more meaningful."
What accommodations can I expect on a small group tour in the Philippines?
Accommodations range from boutique hotels to upscale resorts including Seda Bonifacio Global City in Manila Fairways & Bluewater in Boracay and Four Points by Sheraton in Palawan. Each property offers private rooms with modern conveniences while keeping Filipino hospitality at the forefront. According to TourRadar travelers: "the intimate properties selected for small groups provide a perfect balance of comfort and local character."
How does transportation work on small group tours in Philippines?
Private minivans and boats transport small groups to destinations like the Chocolate Hills and secluded El Nido beaches. Properties such as Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel in Cebu arrange direct transfers for convenient travel. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Having our own dedicated van meant we could stop at scenic spots along the way from Manila to Banaue something impossible with larger groups."
What is the average length of small group tours in the Philippines?
Tours typically span 7-16 days with popular options like the 12-day North Philippines Explorer and 16-day Do The Philippines adventure. These timeframes allow thorough exploration of key spots like Palawan Cebu and Bohol while keeping group dynamics comfortable. A TourRadar traveler shares: "Our 16-day small group tour was perfect - long enough to really experience each destination but not so long that group dynamics became challenging."
What kind of dining experiences are available on small group tours?
Small groups can eat at family-run restaurants and enjoy intimate settings from beachside seafood in Boracay to traditional Ifugao cuisine in Banaue. Local spots like Tops of Cebu and Balay sa Busay welcome smaller parties creating more authentic dining experiences. One TourRadar traveler noted: "Our small group size meant we could eat at authentic local restaurants and even join families for home-cooked meals - something impossible with bigger groups."
How does accommodation differ between small and large group tours in the Philippines?
Small group tours access boutique properties like The District Boracay and Bluewater Maribago in Cebu rather than large chain hotels. These smaller venues offer closer connections to local culture and more personal attention. A TourRadar traveler shares: "Staying at smaller hotels meant we could interact more with local staff and get insider tips. The Amorita Resort in Bohol was particularly special - something impossible with a large group."