Philippines Palawan Island Getaway

Trip Type: Explorer
Philippines | 8 Days | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,957.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

Be mesmerised by the nature and people of the Philippines on this eight-day adventure from Manila to Palawan. Explore one of the greenest cities in...

Philippines Palawan Island Getaway

Be mesmerised by the nature and people of the Philippines on this eight-day adventure from Manila to Palawan. Explore one of the greenest cities in the country, trek to the Batak tribe to meet some locals, stroll white-sand beaches and island hop around El Nido. Snorkel in the sapphire waters, discover the limestone caves of Sabang and see fireflies dancing at dusk at the Iwahig River. With plenty of free time to travel your own way, this is a beach getaway abounding with natural beauty, stunning landscapes and vibrant culture.

Maligayang pagdating! Welcome to Manila, Philippines. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. If you arrive early, Manila is an intriguing city with surprises around every corner. Packed full of things to see, do, taste and experience, you might like to head out and take a self-guided walking tour. After your meeting, perhaps head out with the group in the evening to sample foods like lechon (whole roasted pig) and longganisa (Philippine sausage).

In the morning, take the short flight from Manila to Puerto Princesa. When you arrive, you'll instantly see the slower pace of this island compared to the busy capital. Puerto, as the locals call it, is the capital of Palawan and has been internationally recognised as the cleanest and greenest of all cities in the Philippines. Head onto a local community eco farm where you'll get to learn how local snacks are prepared with herbs and spices, and enjoy a delicious farm-to-table lunch. Later, travel out of Puerto Princesa to the Iwahig River, where you'll see fireflies glowing among the mangroves by the river. It's a truly magical experience and the perfect way to spend an evening.

Head out this morning in a private minivan and drive to Sabang. Sabang is most famous for its Subterranean River that's 8 km in length and passes through a limestone cave that opens onto the ocean. Jump into a boat with a local guide and explore this great cave complex. After lunch, you may want to embark on an optional mangrove boat trip which gets you into the heart of the thick mangrove forests. You'll travel in small traditional boats down the river with plenty of opportunity for wildlife spotting. Tonight, drive to your private beach for the next two nights.

This morning you meet up with your local guide who'll be walking with the group to meet the Batak Tribe – one of about 70 indigenous communities of the Philippines. If you're lucky enough to be there in the right season, you may be able to eat the fruit directly from the cashew trees. After finishing the hike, drive back to the beach chalets in San Rafael Beach. There's plenty of free time for a swim or to read a good book and relax into the evening.

Say farewell to San Rafael Beach today and travel to El Nido in a private minivan. With a backdrop of marble cliffs and white sandy beaches, El Nido is the base for many island adventures. There are over 50 beaches to discover that are all accessible by the boats docked. It's easy to pick an isolated beach, book a local boat, pack some food and drinks and head out on your own adventure. The afternoon is free for you to wander around town, have a drink at one of the many beachside restaurants, do a spot of shopping or count how many different coloured tricycles you can spot on the streets.

This morning, head off on a full-day snorkelling trip, island hopping off El Nido. Pass by jagged limestone islands, rocky coves, virgin rainforest and white sandy beaches. The snorkelling is just as spectacular, with beautiful coral and many different species of colourful fish. After an included lunch, venture out on various trips to lagoons throughout the afternoon. Your evening is then free to do as you wish.

You'll have plenty of free time today in El Nido for beach activities. If you feel like some more adventure, maybe hire a kayak from El Nido town or jump on a boat out to one of the lagoons. You'll kayak on turquoise waters and lagoons with dramatic cliffs, surrounded by a plethora of tropical fish. If you want to see a picture-perfect beach, take an optional trip to Nacpan Beach. White sand and lined with palm trees, this is another beach in paradise and worth the drive out of town. Your leader can help you organise transport here if you are interested. Otherwise, hire a bike and get pedalling around El Nido town.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time. This doesn’t mean your Philippines adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in El Nido, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(s),

Transport
Boat , Jeepney , Private Minibus , Plane

Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Beach chalet (2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Puerto Princesa - Iwahig River Firefly Boat trip with dinner
  • Puerto Princesa - local farm visit
  • Sabang - Puerto Princesa Subterranean River boat trip
  • Sabang - Batak tribe hike
  • El Nido - Island hopping boat trip & snorkelling
  • Contrast the chaos and bustle of city life in Manila with the relaxed way of life in Palawan. With an option to extend your trip on either end, you can focus on the stuff you want.
  • Take an evening adventure to the Iwahig River where you’ll see swarms of fireflies dancing at dusk. The natural beauty of the Philippines continues to shine, whatever time of day.
  • Enjoy a full day of island hopping and snorkelling off the coast of El Nido. Look to the bottom of these clear waters and glide among the coral and tropical fish.
  • Have plenty of free time beachside to choose your own adventure – daytrip to the pristine Nacpan Beach, self-guided kayaking adventure or a spot of shopping? You choose!
  • Experience a unique meeting with one of Palawan's great indigenous groups – the Batak tribe. Interact with the locals of the village and witness daily life as it is today.
  • The Island of Palawan is less developed than other South East Asian countries, so you might experience delays when ordering food at local restaurants and major festival periods can cause a hold-up in travel journeys. Despite the possibilities of delays, the laidback nature of this destination is well worth the wait.

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NZD 3,415.00 NZD 3,073.00

Price:
NZD 3,415.00 NZD 3,073.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
TOSH
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Manila, Philippines
Trip Finishes:
El Nido, Philippines
Countries Visited:
Philippines
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Destination Details
Philippines | 8 Days | 1 - 12 People

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