Philippines Ultimate Palawan Escape
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Discover the best of Palawan on this 12-day tour from Manila to Manila. After settling into Manila, home to the historic walled city of Intramuros and Rizal Park, the tour continues to Puerto Princesa, gateway to the UNESCO-listed Underground River and the island-dotted waters of Honda Bay. From here, this continues to El Nido, ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches and the springboard for the limestone cliffs and lagoons of the Bacuit archipelago. The tour then heads to Coron, home to hidden lakes, mangrove-lined waterways and pristine island beaches, before returning to Manila to bring the trip to a close.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Tour Overview
Duration
12 daysHotel Rating
3-4 star hotelsStarts
ManilaEnds
ManilaMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in Philippines that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
NoTour Guide
No - Self-guidedCountry
PhilippinesMeals Included
Breakfast: 11Tour Style
Group Size
Min 2 / Max Private Tour
Min 2 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Travel Style
Private Tours
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
Self-guided
On this tour, all arrangements such as accommodation and transportation are pre-arranged for you. You may enjoy included activities and guided sightseeing, but you will need to navigate your way through the tour by yourself. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
These ratings are a general guide and may vary from tour to tour.
Tour Guide
No - Self-guidedGroup Size
Min 2 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
On this tour, all arrangements such as accommodation and transportation are pre-arranged for you. You may enjoy included activities and guided sightseeing, but you will need to navigate your way through the tour by yourself. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursCan't find a date that works for you?
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Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Day 1 - Manila Arrival
On arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, you are met by a representative who assists with your transfer. A private, air-conditioned vehicle then takes you to your accommodation in Manila City Centre.
Manila blends Filipino heritage with Spanish, Chinese and American influences, and is home to Baroque colonial churches, Buddhist and Taoist temples and the Golden Mosque. At its heart lies Rizal Park, also known as the Luneta, where the Chinese and Japanese Gardens, the National Museum of the Philippines and the monument to national hero Jose Rizal can all be found.
Nearby, the old walled Spanish settlement of Intramuros - meaning "within the walls" - holds many of the city's most interesting museums, ruins and churches, including the Manila Cathedral.
Day 2 - Manila Independent Exploration
Today is yours to spend in Manila, with nothing scheduled. If you'd like some inspiration, Rizal Park and its gardens make a pleasant outing, or you could spend a few hours around Intramuros, taking in its museums, ruins and churches.
Day 3 - Travel to Puerto Princesa
After breakfast, a private, air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your hotel in Manila City Centre at 7:30 am for the transfer to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, ready for your onward flight.
You fly to Puerto Princesa, departing at 10:30 am and landing at 12:00 pm. Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan and home to the Philippines' Western Command headquarters. On arrival, you're met by a representative and driven by private vehicle to your accommodation in Puerto Princesa.
Day 4 - Uncover Puerto Princesa at Leisure
Today is free to spend as you choose in Puerto Princesa. Many head to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO-listed underground river explored by small boat, or to Honda Bay for swimming and island hopping among its scattered islets.
Day 5 - Another Free Day in Puerto Princesa
A second day is yours to enjoy in Puerto Princesa. If you're looking for more to do, the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center and the nearby Butterfly Garden both make for a relaxed outing.
Day 6 - Transfer to El Nido
After breakfast, you travel overland from Puerto Princesa to El Nido, a direct journey of around four and a half hours, departing at 10:00 am and arriving into El Nido at 2:30 pm.
El Nido is a protected municipality in northern Palawan, known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and towering limestone cliffs, and serves as the gateway to the Bacuit archipelago.
Day 7 - El Nido Exploration at Own Pace
El Nido is yours to explore today, ranked among the world's most beautiful beaches by Conde Nast Traveler. You could join an island-hopping trip around the Bacuit archipelago's lagoons and limestone cliffs, or simply spend the day relaxing on the town's beaches.
Day 8 - More Free Time in El Nido
Another day is free in El Nido. The Bacuit archipelago is dotted with around 100 white-sand beaches, jungle and mangrove forest, and prehistoric caves and waterfalls, giving plenty of scope for further island exploring, or you could simply take things slowly around town.
Day 9 - Journey to Coron
After breakfast, a private vehicle collects you from your hotel in El Nido at 10:50 am for the transfer to El Nido Airport, with a maximum waiting time of 60 minutes.
You fly direct with Airswift Transport to Coron, departing at 11:50 am and landing into Busuanga at 12:30 pm. On arrival, you're met by a representative and driven by private vehicle to your accommodation in Coron.
Coron comprises the eastern half of Busuanga Island, all of Coron Island and around 50 smaller islets within the Calamian Archipelago, an area separating the South China Sea from the Sulu Sea
Day 10 - Enjoy a Free Day in Coron
Coron is yours to discover today, an island area known for its hidden lakes and lagoons. Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake are popular spots for a swim amid dramatic limestone scenery, while the mangroves around Coron offer scenic kayak paddling trails.
Day 11 - A Second Day to Relax in Coron
A second day is free in Coron. Twin Lagoon is worth seeking out for its striking mix of fresh and saltwater, while CYC Island - the only free beach in the area - and the picturesque white sands of Banol are popular spots to relax.
Day 12 - Return to Manila for Departure
After breakfast, a shared transfer collects you from your hotel in Coron at 11:10 am for the transfer to Busuanga Airport.
You fly direct with Philippine Airlines to Manila, departing at 12:10 pm and landing at 1:15 pm, bringing your tour of Palawan to a close back in Manila, where the trip began.
Please note: This transfer is a shared service.
Tour Reviews
Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
Prices & Dates
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