Day 1: Arrival in Puerto Princesa: Visit Wildlife Rescue Center, Mitra’s Ranch, and Baker’s Hill
Welcome to Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan! Upon your arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport, your guide and driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel. After a short rest at your hotel, let’s start your private Palawan tours.
For many travelers around the world, Palawan is the symbol of the Philippines, with fascinating islands, vibrant tropical animals and plants, and rural fishing villages. First, we’ll visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Here, you can see a specimen of the world’s largest crocodile, reportedly taking about 100 people 3 weeks to catch after it attacked villagers and livestock. As it focuses primarily on crocodile farming and the rescue of endangered crocodiles, you’ll also see many crocodiles, from palm-sized babies to giant ones several decades old. It will be interesting to see them bask in the sun with their mouths wide open after a good meal.
Next, let’s head to Mitra’s Ranch to enjoy panoramic views of Puerto Princesa in a tranquil natural vibe. The ranch also provides adventurous activities, such as a giant slide, skywalk, zipline, and giant swings, which you can experience at your own expense if interested. After that, we’ll visit the nearby Baker’s Hill, a theme park derived from a bakery that makes Hopia, the most well-known Filipino snack. Adorned with lovely statues of Shrek, Bugs Bunny, Teletubbies, and other beloved cartoon characters, along with humorous slogans, the park is perfect for taking creative photos. Then, we’ll delve into the local religious culture in the serene and sacred Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Accommodation: Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 2: Puerto Princesa: Subterranean River National Park Adventure
This morning, accompanied by your private guide and driver, you’ll enjoy a 1.5-hour ride to Subterranean River National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the road conditions of such a journey are always excellent, if you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking medication in advance. After arriving at Sabang Village near the park, let’s transfer to a local crab-like boat for 20 minutes to the entrance of the subterranean river.
As we slowly go deeper into the cave, with the light fading and the air growing damper, it will be hard not to be captivated by this hidden world. Looking around with your headlight, you’ll find surprises awaiting you in every corner: massive stalactites and stalagmites, bats huddled together, sleeping or squeaking, and cave fish swimming swiftly yet silently, together making up a fantastic world. We kindly remind you that, no matter how amazed you are, please try to refrain from making a sound, as any noise can disturb the cave’s delicate ecosystem. Just enjoy your adventure in the gentle sound of water and your guide’s explanation through your headphones.
Leaving the cave, we’ll return by boat through the mangroves, where you’ll have the opportunity to spot wildlife like monkeys and monitor lizards. Finally, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 3: Puerto Princesa: Honda Bay Island Hopping with Starfish Island & Cowrie Island
Today, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and accompany you on the Honda Bay island-hopping tour. We have specially scheduled it for the morning so you can enjoy better sea views without enduring the afternoon heat.
Our first stop is Starfish Island, home to a large number of beautiful starfish, especially during the breeding season in February and March. You can enjoy swimming and snorkeling to admire the brown staghorn corals and discover adorable orange starfish, immersing yourself in the wondrous world of fish. If you’re lucky enough, you might even spot whale sharks and dugongs. Then, let’s head to Cowrie Island, famous for its abundant shells and offering a variety of water sports, including paddleboarding, banana boating, and kayaking. If interested, you can have a try at your own expense.
Afterward, we’ll visit Luli Island with a fine sandy beach. The mysterious, long and narrow sandbar of Luli Island is an interesting natural wonder that only appears at low tide. You can swim and relax here, surrounded by lush trees and crashing waves. After enjoying a seafood barbecue lunch, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
► Suggested Things to Bring
1. Aqua shoes or fins
2. Water bottle, towel, and dry clothes
3. Sun protection products like sunglasses, sun hats, sunscreen, etc.
4. Waterproof bags for your belongings
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hue Hotels and Resorts Puerto Princesa (4 stars) or similar
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Day 4: Private Transfer from Puerto Princesa to San Vicente
Today, let’s head northwest to San Vicente to prepare for tomorrow’s Port Barton boat tour. Your driver will pick you up and escort you to your hotel in San Vicente in about 4 hours. For the rest of the day, you’re free to explore the pristine white beach adjacent to your hotel, stroll through the verdant coconut groves, or watch the sunset by the sea on your own. For dinner, you may have it at the beachside Barton Bistro. The average cost per person is about USD 15.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Holiday Suites Port Barton (3 stars) or similar
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Day 5: Port Barton Boat Tour to Explore Iconic Reefs & Islands
Port Barton is a tranquil, less-developed island with few visitors, offering a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere. This morning, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel, and let’s start our Port Barton island-hopping tour! We will snorkel at Twin Reef and Fantastic Reef to see colorful fish and unique green coral reefs, enjoying the vibrant scene in the clear emerald waters. Next, let’s chase after swimming or foraging turtles at the Turtle Watching Spot near Maxima Island, then take a short break at Exotic Island, which is connected to Maxima Island by a reef. After that, take a stroll on Starfish Island Sandbar, searching for starfish scattered on the seabed or hiding in the sand.
After the tour, your guide and driver will escort you to your hotel, which is right next to St. Vincent’s most famous Long Beach. After settling in, you can have dinner at Cafe Lily at Club Agutaya of the hotel at your own expense and get a good night’s rest to recharge for your upcoming El Nido tours.
► Best Time to Visit El Nido:
Generally, March to May is the best time to visit El Nido, when the hidden paradise of the Philippines is in its dry season, with sunny weather that offers the best views. The lagoons show stunningly distinct shades of blue and green, and the surrounding and underwater stalactites are clearly visible. However, this is also the peak tourist season. If you prefer fewer people and lower accommodation prices, November to February is also a good option. Although there may be occasional light rain during these months, usually falling at night or in the early morning, it will hardly affect your itinerary. Also, the cooler temperatures are more comfortable for outdoor activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Club Agutaya, San Vicente (4 stars) or similar
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Day 6: Private Transfer to El Nido: Tour A with Secret Lagoon & 7 Commandos Beach
Early in the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and accompany you on a 2.5-hour drive to your hotel in El Nido. After checking in, we’ll begin our El Nido island-hopping on Tour A. First, your guide will help you swim through a narrow tunnel to Secret Lagoon, a secluded expanse of water surrounded by steep, rugged limestone cliffs, where you can relax in the cool water or lie on the sun-kissed sandy beach. Then, let’s proceed to Entalula Island. In this serene haven, you can fully immerse yourself in the pristine natural beauty and even see unspoiled coral reefs by taking a short swim in the crystal-clear waters.
Our next stop is Shimizu Island which is dotted with towering black rocks. As we approach, the seawater will gradually turn from green to a mesmerizing deep blue, revealing fish waiting to be discovered. Later, let’s head to 7 Commandos Beach, surrounded by dense coconut trees. Word has it that seven Japanese soldiers were once trapped here, but they survived on the abundant natural resources and even fell in love with the beach, finally choosing to live in seclusion.
► Tip: There may be sharp reefs in the waters around El Nido, so you are advised to wear water shoes to protect your feet, especially when swimming and snorkeling.
After enjoying some leisure time and a seafood barbecue here, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Seda Lio, El Nido (5 stars) or similar
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Day 7: El Nido Tour C: Hidden Beach on Matinloc Island, Secret Beach & Helicopter Island
Today, let’s continue our El Nido adventure! In the morning, your guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Matinloc Island, where we’ll hike to its highest point for panoramic views of the bay and the dreamy blue waters. Here, you can also explore the abandoned buildings of a monastery and a school. Then, go downhill to the island’s stunning Hidden Beach, where you may encounter adorable anemones and clownfish in the shallow waters.
Follow your guide through a cave to the secluded Secret Beach, where you can snorkel and perhaps spot turtles swimming leisurely. As our boat heads toward Helicopter Island, you’ll soon understand the origin of the whimsical name. The island’s limestone formations resemble a “helicopter,” beneath which stretches a golden sandy beach with clear waters teeming with diverse corals, tropical fish, squid, and sea urchins. After lunch on the beach, your guide and driver will escort you back to your hotel. For the rest of the day, you can enjoy your last evening on your own before leaving El Nido.
► Dinner Recommendation (at your own expense)
A 10-minute walk south from your hotel will take you to L’Assiette El Nido, facing Lio Beach. While watching the sunset from the outdoor seating, you can sample French-Filipino fusion dishes, such as the featured chicken adobo and pork sisig, paired with a fresh coconut or a cocktail.
Average Cost per Person: about USD 15
Address: Lio, Beach, El Nido
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Seda Lio, El Nido (5 stars) or similar
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Day 8: Departure from El Nido
This is the last day of your 8-day Palawan tour package. After breakfast, your driver will escort you from your hotel to El Nido Airport. Then you can take your departure flight by yourself. Bon voyage!
► If you’d like to extend your tour to other cities in the Philippines, such as Cebu, with its rich Spanish colonial heritage, or Manila, the capital that blends fashion with history, please contact our travel consultants to customize an itinerary for you!
Meals: Breakfast
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