Experience Overview
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.
Highlights
- 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.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2756
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Boat,Jeepney,Private Minibus,Plane
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: TOSH
Starts: Manila, Philippines
Finishes: El Nido, Philippines
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (2),Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights),Beach chalet (2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) $2,434 ($304 /day)
Itinerary
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).
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Puerto Princesa - Iwahig River Firefly Boat trip with dinner
- Puerto Princesa - local farm visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Sabang - Puerto Princesa Subterranean River boat trip
Optional Activities:
- Sabang - Mangrove River Tour (250 PHP)
Accommodation:
- Beach Chalet (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Sabang - Batak tribe hike
Accommodation:
- Beach Chalet (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- El Nido - Island hopping boat trip & snorkelling
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Optional Activities:
- El Nido - Kayak Hire (700 PHP)
- El Nido - Bike hire (500 PHP)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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).
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Anderson - Traveled, February 2024
If your thinking about going to Philippines do it don’t think twice.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/25/2024
Amarnath - Traveled, February 2024
Very enjoyable trip that was very well planned and executed. Kudos to our tour leader Donna for making this so memorable!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/28/2024
Steven - Traveled, February 2024
This trip is a great way to see and experience the beauty of Palawan Island. Our tour leader, Elisa, was fantastic - knowledgeable, well-organized, fun, and she allowed all of the travelers to enjoy a stress free trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/12/2024
Heather - Traveled, February 2024
This was a wonderful trip, our guide Eliza was excellent! There was a great mix of activities with local guides. No issues or dramas at all Lifetime memories shared with a wonderful group. Highly recommend!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/12/2024
Kirsten - Traveled, January 2024
This was a fantastic trip. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and meeting lovely people and learning about the culture. There is a good mix of adventure with relaxation. I would highly recommend this trip
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/28/2024
Richard - Traveled, January 2024
I signed up for this trip as it was the only one that I could find in the Philippines in early January. It was an enjoyable trip with a good bunch of travellers. But I wonder why we met in Manila at 6.00 pm only to fly out the next morning without discovering Manila. Overall a good trip but thanks mainly to our leader.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/16/2024
Silvia - Traveled, December 2023
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/09/2024
Nicki - Traveled, December 2023
This was our first intrepid trip and we were not disappointed. Our guide Donna Gunn was amazing and we simply had the most awesome island holiday experience in the Philippines. Do your self a favour and explore this amazing country with all the thousands of islands and postcard beaches, just wow.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/10/2024
Tejinder - Traveled, December 2023
This trip was so fun and well planned. We saw and did so many cool things like trekking, island hopping, snorkeling, and hitting the beach. Plus our group got pretty close as friends over the period.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/18/2024
Nigel - Traveled, December 2023
The trip was excellent, the physical rating is a bit inaccurate it is a bit more physical than was said especially on the waterfall walk.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/04/2024
Melissa - Traveled, December 2023
This was my fourth Intrepid trip, and it won't be my last. I had an absolutely wonderful time. I loved the cave experience, swimming at San Rafael beach, Olangoan falls and the highlight was the boat trip at El Nido. Donna was an excellent leader, and we were lucky to have a great group that got along really well. I had such a great roomie and I feel that I have left the trip with new friends.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/01/2024
Joanne - Traveled, December 2023
Experience in the Philippines was amazing. I love the people and most of all Donna our guide. We had a great bunch of people in my group that could be forever friends. Fantastic tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/26/2023
MaryAnn - Traveled, December 2023
Review to follow separately
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/16/2023
Olivia - Traveled, March 2023
Our guide Ian made sure we had everything we needed to make this trip wonderful. He regularly imparted local knowledge that enabled us to have a greater appreciation of our destinations. He always recommended the best food and was accomodating of my allergy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2023
Lucas - Traveled, March 2023
A fantastic little trip, perfect for unplugging from your daily grind. Just relax on the beach, or do your own thing, eat, drink - and repeat!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/29/2023
Kaye - Traveled, March 2023
If you love to chill and hang out with like minded people of all ages then Intrepid is for you. And Palawan - what a destination ! So many different experiences in such a short amount of time - subterranean rivers , snorkeling , kayaking , cool bars , beach bonfires , Jeepney rides and sunset cocktails . All expertly and enthusiastically coordinated by our awesome leader -Ian . Thanks for the memories Ian and the March23 crew xx
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/10/2023
Nicholas - Traveled, March 2023
This trip was amazing and a big part of that was because of my amazing tour guide Ian, such a great friendly person I cannot recommend this enough. He was also amazing at managing peanut allergy needs. 10/10
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/13/2023
Matthew - Traveled, February 2023
I found this trip a great way to experience the Philippines. I enjoyed the mix of the city and relaxing on the islands. The tour guide was great and overall I really enjoyed the experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/01/2023
Debra - Traveled, May 2024
If you've ever wanted to visit the Philippines, book this trip. Everything is managed for you, the guide is fabulous, the accommodation is great, the food is delicious, the sights stunning and the activities so much fun! LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/11/2024
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