Guides/Assistance

Our tours could be organized in two different ways:

A- Self-guided version, with English assistance

We'll organize your trip, then you and your companions will travel by yourself, supported (in English language) by experienced local operators in each destination. Before the start of the tour, you will received a Travel Handbook with your itinerary in full detail along with travel documents and tickets, passes and vouchers, so you'll be able to travel around the Philippines in a smooth and organized way. This solution is advised for those that have some travel experience and can communicate using the English language (a bit, at least!). Of course, it's also a good solution for those who want privacy or choose a rather simpler / not too complex tour. See how our self-guided version works here.

B- Fully guided version, with an English-speaking tour leader

Alternatively you could choose to have a private tour escort appointed by Tropical Experience, who will coordinate all your activities and transfer, to offer the most comfortable way to travel around. We offer privacy and a professional approach. This option is ideal for bigger groups, people who are not comfortable speaking in English and/or have too little or zero travel experience. It can also be an advised solution for certain destinations that may have complicated logistics. Surely, it is also a service that fits those who need prime-level guide services.

 

Other "combinations" or different options can be discussed by E-mail.

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General Description

This tour is concentrated on Palawan, the biggest province in the Philippines composed of thousands of islands and islets. Dubbed as the country's last ecological frontier, is a very special destination to satiate your whole trip. Palawan was named by Conde Nast Traveler as the world's best island in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Its small islands with white beaches, the natural beauties and a tropical flora and fauna make it a really special destination. Palawan has managed to preserve its fascinatingly natural habitat and is still a not so crowded Ecotourism destination of the Philippines.  No wonder that the name "Palawan" means "The Land of Beautiful Safe Harbor". Safeguarding this frontier are the hospitable Palaweños who are deeply committed to the principles of environmental conservation and protection. 

 

You will start the exploration of Palawan in Puerto Princesa, where you will discover the famous Underground River (one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and an UNESCO Heritage Site). This river flows from the sea inside a cave for more than 8 kilometers, half of which can be explored with small boats in a primordial atmosphere rich of biodiversity like rare bats, fishes, amphibious species, among others.. In Puerto Princesa you will also have the evocative experience of firefly watching by night paddling on a river surrounded by lush mangroves.

 

The trip continues to the extraordinary seas and the majestic nature of El Nido, perfect as the last destination of this tour. El Nido is a small fishing town in the north of Palawan, that is gaining a world-celebrity status thanks to the exceptional local seas, making it an ideal destination for ecotourism enthusiasts. With day tours in the bay of El Nido you will discover a marvelous sea, small and big hidden beaches,  dramatic volcanic limestone cliffs tower over magnificent lagoons, picturesque rock formations and other great shows made up for you by a generous and abundant nature.

 

Last but not least, you’ll be heading to Coron, at the northern tip of the province. In Coron you will find also amazing hot springs to get energized and ready for more adventures! From this simple and genuine town you will have daily boat trips that will take you cruising around wild and beautiful islands, lagoons and volcanic lakes. You will have time to swim, relax and observe nature and its majestic spontaneity.

 

You will then go back to Manila, where you will spend an afternoon in the historic old Spanish citadel of Intramuros. Here in the country’s capital you’ll commence a trip that left you with great memories.

 

What Kind of Tour

This tour is designed for travellers with strong interests in Ecotourism, wanting to discover the beauties of nature and outdoors with activities mainly on the sea. It is a tour ideal and is enjoyable to everyone who wants to discover the wonders of what is considered the most pristine and genuinely green, peaceful and clean province of the Philippines. Palawan was once a safe harbour intended for merchant ships sailing through the centuries, is now a land of beautiful haven for every traveller who seeks refuge and oneness in nature.  The tour can be organized with different levels of accommodations and budgets.

 

Transfers

In this tour, aside from the flights Puerto Princesa-El Nido, El Nido-Coron and Coron-Manila, there's a 5-hour land travel from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. This is probably the fastest transfer solution.

All airport / seaport to hotel (and vice versa) transfers will be provided. Transportation for tours will  be in vans and short distance trips in small towns will be in tricycles (motorbike with passenger cabin).

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Meals and Filipino Cuisine

You will be having barbecue picnics or packed lunch during your day tours, and in other times, you will have chances to try in restaurants and eateries other specialties of the tasty local cuisine. The local cuisine is quite varied comprising of fish and other seafood, meat (especially pork and chicken), some choice of vegetables, rice and plenty of tasty and fresh tropical fruits and juices. The Filipino cuisine is tasty but not spicy or complicated and generally matches with the Western taste. The meals that are incorporated in the price are the ones specified as "included". We left some “not included” autonomous meals like dinners in El Nido, where it is easy for you to choose a restaurant that you prefer and also for your privacy. If you desire different meal arrangements, please let us know and we’ll try to resolve it for you.

 

Tour Program​

Day 1 – Arrival in Manila, time to rest

• Arrival at the airport, transfer to hotel

• Check in at the hotel, rest

 

Day 2 – To Puerto Princesa, to start the discovery of Palawan Province. Night adventure with fireflies.

• Transfer from the hotel to the airport, take flight to Puerto Princesa

• Arrival in Puerto Princesa by late morning. Lunch follows (not included)

• Free afternoon: optional exploration of Puerto Princesa City, massage or rest

• In the evening, dinner (included). Fireflies watching later on at night, then return to the hotel

 

Day 3 – Underground River: a trip into the heart of nature

• Day trip to the Underground River, a UNESCO site (biggest underground river in the world), and its park. Lunch is included

• Evening: return to the hotel and dinner with local food (included)

 

Day 4 – From Puerto Princesa to El Nido, to explore the incredible sea of Palawan

• After breakfast, travel to El Nido with van. Expected arrival in El Nido by early afternoon

• Lunch in one of the rest stops (not included)

• Accommodation in cottages or local bed and breakfast

• Free afternoon: enjoy of El Nido and its beach

• Night: autonomous dinner (not included) for the guests choosing one of the many restaurants in El Nido

 

Day 5 – First Day Tour in El Nido: the most iconic attractions of Bacuit Bay

• Tour by boat discovering the beauties around the spectacular bay of El Nido, with included barbecue lunch in one of the island stops (visit of Big Lagoon, Miniloc Island, Simisu Island, 7 Commandos Beach and other destinations).

• Arrival at the town of El Nido will be by late afternoon.

• Free evening. Dinner not included.

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Day 6 – The secrets of El Nido: island hopping around the most hidden beautiful spots

• Second tour discovering more beauties around El Nido, with included barbecue lunch (visit of Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island and other destinations).

• Arrival at the town of El Nido will be at late afternoon.

• Free evening. Dinner not included.

 

Day 7 – El Nido to Coron: discovering new majestic sceneries

• Transfer to El Nido airport. Flight El Nido-Coron.

• Arrival in Coron and tranfer to the hotel.

• In the afternoon, you'll first walk the 700 steps necessary to reach the top of the small Mount Tapyas. From there, you will have a breathtaking view of the bay you'll explore on the next days. Then, it will be time for a relaxing and rejuvenating dip in the outdoor spring thermae (open-air, natural hot volcanic water pools known for health benefits)

• Back to the hotel in the evening. Free time. Dinner not included.

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Day 8 – Island-Hopping and Snorkeling in Coron's most famous spots

• Day tour in the Coron loop of islands, relaxing on small islands and their beaches and discovering the majestic lakes and lagoons of the area. You will explore the famous Twin Lagoons, the coral gardens of Siete Pecados and the Kayangan Lake among others (with barbecue lunch, included)

• Back to the hotel, free evening. Dinner not included.

 

Day 9 – A trip to paradise: the beautiful islets of Coron Bay

• Second day tour in Coron, with new destinations to go swimming and snorkeling in the coral reef, relax on small islands and their beaches (with barbecue lunch, included). You will visit Malcapuya Island and Banana Island.

• Back to the hotel, free time. Dinner not included.

 

Day 10 – From Coron to Manila, Visit of Intramuros (optional)

• In the morning, take flight to Manila and transfer to the hotel. Lunch is autonomous and not included

• In the afternoon, visit of Intramuros, the ancient Spanish colonial part of Manila. You will walk around the ancient walls and will visit San Augustin Church (UNESCO Heritage) and its museum, as well as Casa Manila (another museum of local traditions and domestic practices). Time for souvenir and local crafts shopping, if you like.

• Dinner in Intramuros in a classic heritage restaurant, with live cultural performances

 

Day 11 – Bye bye

• Transfer to Manila airport. It’s time to say bye-bye to the Philippines.​

 

Price

For a free quotation, write an e-mail to experiencetropical@gmail.com​​

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Available hotel options

Generally,  we propose the following hotel levels (consider that available levels may also change depending on the chosen destinations)

• Basic Level: overnight in small guesthouse-type budget hotels, with no frills but providing the basic comforts and services (private room, private toilet and bath, hot/cold shower, air-conditioning , cleaning service, breakfast, Wi-Fi at least in common areas)

• Comfort Level: pleasantly - selected medium-level establishments with good level of services and typical/local atmosphere and personality. Generally preferring good hotels of medium-small size.

• Superior Level: medium-high budget hotels with great level of services, for travelers who want to be sure to have all the modern comforts and convenience but not necessarily luxurious.

Luxury level accommodation is also available for those who prefer it.

 

How To Modify or Extend This Trip

You can extend this trip by adding more exploration tours or free days to your present destinations. If you haven’t got enough and still want more of the sea, we can take you to the Visyan islands of Bohol, Siquijor  or Cebu. You can also go experience a different face of the Philippines, going up the mountains in the north of Luzon and explore the Rice terraces in Banaue. If you want beach relaxation, you can simply fly to Boracay with its famous White Beach stretch, go unwind and have fun in a classic tropical paradise with all the services you need.

 

Terms and Conditions

Before booking this tour, please read and understand the page Terms and Conditions on our website. The itinerary presented above should be considered as broad and just for a general idea. It may vary due to weather, obstacles, booking availability or other uncontrollable variables. If one or any of the guests has allergies or other issues linked to food, please let us know in advance. Inform us, too, if there’d be any physical obstacles or a particular health status or conditions that we should be made aware of.