It's
off to the beautiful islands of The Philippines. We have been
working with an experienced in-bound tour operator to set up the
very best island hopping tour taking in the very best the Philippines
has to offer.
We'll
start off with the island of Palawan. Palawan was voted #1 island
in the world in 2014 by Conde Naste. We will be staying in the
area of Puerto Princesa. It is the most biodiverse islands in
the Philippines. Palawan is an archipelago with 1,780 islands
on the western part. Due to amazing landscapes and high bio-diversity,
Palawan island is known as “The Last Ecological Frontier of the
Philippines”. The northern part is characterized by incredible
clear waters, white beaches, and many species of flora and fauna.
Palawan is a sliver of an island that teems with exotic wildlife,
quaint fishing villages, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The
capital, Puerto Princesa, is known for the biodiverse Puerto Princesa
Subterranean River National Park, where boats run along an underground
river through vast caves. Off the east coast, Honda Bay’s islands
are dotted with resorts. Farther out in the Sulu Sea, Tubbataha
Reefs Natural Park has reefs teeming with marine life.
THE
TOURS
THURSDAY,
MAY 1st
Today we will take the underground
river tour where we will take a motorised Banka to the entrance,
a beautiful forest area home to a number of endemic species, including
a troop of naughty Macaque's. The canoe tour in to the Cave itself
lasts approximately 45 minutes, and takes you into the first 1.5
kilometres of the Underground River cave. Experience the beauty
of Stalagmites and Stalactites, which took thousands of years
to form, and the Swift and Bat populations that inhabit the cave.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is one of the top natural wonders
of the world. At nearly five miles in length, Puerto Princesa
is the second longest subterranean river in the world. Includes
lunch.
FRIDAY,
MAY 2nd
Today
we have an
island hopping tour from here to visit several of the nearby
stunning islands with white sand beaches and pristine waters.
Each island at Honda Bay offers different thrills but Luli Island,
Starfish Island, Panden Island and Cowrie Island are all great
for swimming and snorkeling. Dive sites abound here, as the entire
area is studded with patches of coral and sand. Submerged reefs
may be found close to the surface down to 24 meters. Small reef
and aquarium fish can also be found here. Includes lunch. Snorkel
gear can be rented.
SATURDAY,
MAY 3rd
Our next stop will be to El Nido. It's a bit of a drive
(about 5 hours) but I'm sure you will agree it's a must visit.
It’s known for white-sand beaches, coral reefs and as the gateway
to the Bacuit archipelago, a group of islands with steep karst
cliffs. Miniloc Island is famed for the clear waters of its Small
and Big lagoons. Nearby Shimizu Island has fish-filled waters.
The area has many dive sites, including Dilumacad Island’s long
tunnel leading to an underwater cavern. El Nido is renowned as
the "Heaven on Earth", and it comprises 45 islands and
islets (Bacuit Archipelago), many of which are uninhabited. Enjoy
your days in El Nido is with the crystal clear waters, white sand
beaches, stunning lagoons, amazing limestone cliffs, magical marine
life, rocky islets, and perfect weather! You will love our 5-star
hotel that we've booked!
SUNDAY,
MAY 4th
We'll
start the world-class island hopping tour with Miniloc Island,
where you can visit its breathtaking lagoons, including the Big
Lagoon and Secret Lagoon. The Big Lagoon is a must-visit destination
of El Nido in Bacuit Bay. Once inside the lagoon, you will be
awestruck by the stunning natural swimming hole with emerald green
waters, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs. The Secret Lagoon
may not be a secret anymore but it remains one of the most photographed
attractions in El Nido. After that, you may have a lunch stop
at Payong-Payong Beach, one of the picturesque white sand beaches
on Miniloc Island.
The
next stop will be Shimizu Island, which is renowned as one of
the top snorkeling spots in El Nido. Here, you'll have the opportunity
to encounter a diverse range of beautiful corals and other marine
life. Typically, you will enjoy a delicious grilled lunch on the
beach, featuring grilled meat and seafood, vegetables, rice, and
fresh fruits for dessert. Finally, you will move to Seven Commando
Beach, which has a fascinating story to tell. According to one
account, seven soldiers got stranded here during World War II.
The beach features a long stretch of white sand lined with coconut
trees, providing the perfect spot to have a sunbath and relax.
You can also enjoy refreshing drinks while taking in the beautiful
ocean scenery. While snorkeling, you may be lucky enough to encounter
a few sea turtles, so keep your eyes peeled. Snorkel gear included
MONDAY,
MAY 5th
After
breakfast, it is time to begin your El Nido Island Hopping Tour
to witness some of Palawan's best islands and caves. This tour
would covers the highlights of Snake Island, Pinagbuyutan Island,
Cudugnon Cave, Cathedral Cave, Entalula Island, and Papaya Beach
(if time permit). It is an amazing journey that combines sandbars,
caves, and uniquely-shaped islands.
Your
first stop will be Snake Island (Vigan Island). Known for its
winding sandbar visible only at low tide, Snake Island is one
of the most unique spots in El Nido to experience the feeling
of walking in the middle of the sea. The island gets its name
from its S-shaped sandbar, which connects it to the mainland (Bacuit
Archipelago). At low tide, you can walk on the sand stripe between
the two islands and admire the crystal-clear waters and white-sand
beaches. At high tide, the sandbar is two feet underwater, creating
a beautiful sight. Snake Island also offers a quick hike up to
a stunning viewing point at the top where you can take in a bird's
eye view of the sandbar. Enjoy the views of the white sand stretching
out like a long snake, winding its way along the island.
Next, you'll hop to
Pinagbuyutan Island (Ellis Island), where you'll marvel at the
dramatic towering limestone cliffs that shoot straight up from
the sea, topped off with lush jungle vegetation. This gumdrop-shaped
island is a favorite destination in El Nido. Pinagbuyutan Island
is also known as Survivor Island due to its appearance on the
popular reality TV show, Survivor, and it is said to be the inspiration
for the movie "The Beach", along with other beautiful
attractions in El Nido like the Big Lagoon and Secret Lagoon.
Pinagbuyutan Island is perfect for swimming and snorkeling, as
there are some excellent reefs to explore just offshore. Take
in 
the
colorful underwater life beneath the emerald-colored water. It's
also the perfect place for a lunch break, where you can relax
on the long beach and enjoy the breeze under the coconut trees.
After lunch, you'll
head to Cudugnon Cave which offers a unique perspective of El
Nido's islands through an enormous cavern hidden behind an inconspicuous
hole in the limestone wall. During World War II, locals used the
cave as a hiding place from invaders. It is also believed to be
a Neolithic burial site for ancient Palawenos and settlers from
Borneo. Experts have discovered artifacts such as jewelry, pottery,
and human bones dating back to the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279
A.D.). To enter Cudugnon Cave, you'll need to squeeze through
a small rocky hole before reaching the well-lit cave with a high
ceiling. Take your time exploring the beautiful limestone and
marble walls inside the cave, and don't forget to search the crevices
of the cave's roof where swallows (swiftlets) and bats reside.
If time permits, you
can make a photo stop at the Cathedral Cave on Pinasil Island.
As your boat approaches the cave, you'll be amazed by the huge
cavern with an opening even higher than the Puerto Princesa Underground
River. This stunning shallow cave features towering walls shaped
like cathedral spires.
You'll also have the
opportunity to visit picturesque Entalula Island, which boasts
a pristine beach and perfect snorkeling and swimming opportunities.
Take in the beauty of the crystal-clear waters and the amazing
rock formations, including the free-standing diamond-shaped rock.
Enjoy the serene and peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful island
before concluding your El Nido Tour. Snorkel gear included
TUESDAY,
MAY 6th
Are
you keen to explore the most beautiful beaches in El Nido? If
so, you'll absolutely love today's tour which takes you to the
world-famous beaches of El Nido in Bacuit Bay, Palawan.
Departing from El Nido
Pier, you'll first arrive at Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island),
named for its rock formations that resemble a helicopter from
a distance. Although some visitors may find it challenging to
see the similarity, the island's towering limestone cliffs covered
in lush vegetation and pristine beaches are a sight to behold.
The island boasts excellent snorkeling spots and underwater tunnels
that advanced divers will appreciate. Viewing the colorful corals
and small fish in the clear waters is a super enjoyable experience.
The island is also one of the nesting grounds for sea turtles
living near the province, so if you visit during the right season,
you might get the chance to see the release of baby turtles into
the waters. With 300 meters of white sand beach, it's an excellent
place to swim, relax, and enjoy the beautiful beachscape.
The next stop will
be Matinloc Island, home to the unique Matinloc Shrine since 1982.
Known as the Shine of Our Lady of Matinloc, this spiritual oasis
provides a stunning panoramic view of Tapiutan Island, which lies
opposite Matinloc Island. These two neighboring islands form the
narrow Tapiutan Strait, home to some of the best snorkeling spots
in the area, such as Talisay Beach and Star Beach (with starfish),
which are fantastic spots to see the beauty of the coral reefs.
After admiring the clear sea and the limestone landscapes and
learning the stories behind the Matinloc Shrine, you may enjoy
a delicious barbecued lunch before heading off to Secret Beach.
Accessing Secret Beach can be a bit of a challenge as you need
to swim through a cave to enter, but your guide help you enter
this little paradise. Once inside, you can relax on the small
beach or snorkel and see some pretty fish at the entrance. It
is said that Alex Garland, author of the novel-turned-film "The
Beach", lived and wrote his bestseller in El Nido, likely
inspired by the Secret Beach's beauty.
Meanwhile, Hidden Beach
is a popular stop perfect for swimming and resting. This small
paradisiac cove concealed by limestone rock and impossible to
see from the open sea. Its powdery white sand and crystal-clear
waters make it a must-visit spot in El Nido. In fact, Hidden Beach
was so beautiful that Survivor Sweden finished their three-month
filming at this beach. The Hidden Beach is also a great spot for
snorkeling, where you can easily see various species of corals
and fish. Snorkel gear included
WEDNESDAY,
MAY 7th
Today we fly to the island of Boracay. Boracay
is a small island known for its resorts and beaches. Along the
west coast, White Beach is backed by palm trees, bars and restaurants.
On the east coast, strong winds make Bulabog Beach a hub for water
sports. Nearby, the observation deck on Mount Luho offers panoramic
views over the island. Offshore, coral reefs and shipwrecks are
home to diverse marine life. In 2020, Boracay retains its Top
10 island status alongside other Philippine Islands as it places
6th in the Top 10 list.
THURSDAY,
MAY 8th
Escape
to the nearby unspoiled islands and beaches from Boracay Island
and spend a fun day swimming in pristine waters on this top-rated
island hopping tour.This highly recommended tour in Boracay Island
includes boat transfers to breathtaking islands and beaches, a
delicious barbecue buffet lunch, the use of a snorkeling mask
to see the vibrant marine life, and the unique kawa hot tub experience.
Some
of the spots that we'll visit on this tour include the beautiful
Puka Beach, perfect for relaxing and getting a tan, and Crocodile
Island, known for its incredible snorkeling spots. This tour includes
a buffet lunch at one of the beach stops, which you can enjoy
with a scenic view of the sea. Don't miss the one-of-a-kind experience
of taking a dip in a kawa hot tub, which makes for a perfect photo
opportunity. We'll also visit Crystal Cove Island, where you can
swim in an enchanting cave pool. You can spend the rest of the
day trying other must-try Boracay Island activities, like enjoying
the scenic sunset view while exploring the souvenir shops and
local restaurants found along the stretch of White Beach.
FRIDAY,
MAY 9th
It's a free day where you can choose to take
another tour on Boracay or just relax or shop before heading
home.
SATURDAY,
MAY 10th
We leave Boracay and fly back to Manila where we will catch our
return flight back to reality.
SCUBA
DIVERS!
We
are contacting dive shops at all 3 of our locations and will have
dives set up with the best companies.
INCLUDES:
SINGLE
SUPPLEMENT: $1,050
SIGN
UP FOR THIS TRIPR
*NON-REFUNDABLE
DEPOSIT TO SIGN UP - $200
*We
will be using your deposit to purchase our domestic flights
immediately upon signing up so as to guarantee space on our
flights. In this case your deposit will be non-refundable.HIS
TRIP
INTERNATIONAL
AIR NOT INCLUDED: Individual
air is hundreds of dollars less than what we were offered as
a group so there will be no international group air offered
on this trip. You will need to book
the following non-stop flight to arrive at 6:25pm
on the April 30th as we're flying out to Puerto Princesa at
9:30pm. The other choice would be to arrive earlier on any other
airline. We will return to Manilla from Boracay at 6:30pm on
May 10th. Philippine
Airlines
Our
"group rate" was $1,300!
*NON-REFUNDABLE
DEPOSIT TO SIGN UP - $200
*We
will be using your deposit to purchase our domestic flights (see
below) immediately upon signing up so as to guarantee space on
our flights. In this case your deposit will be non-refundable.
THESE
FLIGHTS ARE INCLUDED:
APRIL
30th
MAY 10th
- If you are also coming to Japan or your international
air departs earlier, let us know and we can purchase a different
flight
SIGN
UP FOR THIS TRIP
OUR HOTELS
PUERTO
PRINCESA - PALAWAN ISLAND
Funny Lion
Website
- Tripadvisor
Review #1 hotel in Puerto Princesa!
Situated
in the center of the world’s best island, The Funny Lion Puerto
Princesa is a picturesque beachfront resort providing the purr-fect
jump-off point to the natural wonders of Palawan. Just 15 minutes
away from Puerto Princesa International Airport, find yourself
whisked away to a realm where the magnificent roar of the mightly
lion meets the gentle purr of the graceful feline.
The Funny Lion has
77 well-appointed rooms with modern amenities, 2 restaurants,
a swimming pool and easy access to unique destination experiences.
Presenting a tranquil and tropical landscape featuring virgin
mangroves and coconut trees with unparalleled view of Sulu Sea,
The Funny Lion Puerto Princesa is perfect for every lion-hearted
traveler or for curious cats seeking a paw-some vacation.
Discover
the ultimate Boracay experience at Crimson Resort & Spa Boracay,
where pristine beaches meet luxurious comfort. Situated on the
world-famous White Beach, this resort promises a one-of-a-kind
stay that’s tailored to your island dreams.