Pristine Palawan

Travelers begin this luxurious trip in the Philippines capital, with a tour of historic Intramuros, Fort Santiago, Rizal Park and Makati City. From 16th-century architectural relics to the modern business hub of Makati, Manila is a city with myriad faces and we have the entire day to explore a few of them. As part of the day’s activities, we enjoy an authentic Filipino meal in a local restaurant before retreating for the night to a five-star hotel.

As soon as we touch down in Palawan, we enjoy a lunch with local flavor at Badjao restaurant in the capital, Puerto Princesa. After that, take a bicycle tour of the city and take in the Plaza Cuartel and Mendoza Park and Museum. Browse the local markets, then it’s time for dinner meal at Ka Lui’s, the most famous restaurant in the city. Take a cruise on the Iwahig River to see fireflies and bioluminescent plankton, and gaze at the stars before checking into your luxurious hotel for the night. 

Today is all about adventure. You’ll start by embarking on a river cruise through Palawan’s famous subterranean caves. This unforgettable tour showcases one of the Philippines’ most amazing national treasures. After that, it’s a hike up 150-meter high Ugong Rock with knowledgeable guides. This 23-million-year-old limestone karst formation is riddled with natural caves, and once you reach the summit, you can zipline down to your starting point. At night, recuperate at Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort.

Today it’s off to the tropical paradise of El Nido. This small, protected coastal municipality boasts teeming corals and crystal clear waters. The town proper features a long crescent beach with tall karst formations and a small village center. Offshore, a protected marine zone harbors a vast array of tropical fish species and corals, with diving a main attraction of the area. Check into your overwater bungalow at El Nido Apulit. 

To experience some of the world’s best snorkeling, we head out to Imorigue Island in Shark Fin Bay. Snorkel amongst the coral reefs there and watch hundreds of different fish species in their natural habitat. After that, paddle through some of Palawan’s largest mangrove network on kayak and see snakes, birdlife and monkeys. 

There’s more to explore in the waters around Taytay, so today you’ll be brought to nearby reefs. Start the day with a hearty gourmet breakfast in the resort gardens, then snorkel around the clear waters of Nabat Island, then Lopez Reef where you might spot whales and seals. After a full day on snorkeling, enjoy your final night.

Pack your bags for Bacuit Bay, where the house reef sets the scene for the day’s snorkeling adventures. The luxurious El Nido resort hideaway is your home for two nights. Located on Pangulasian Island - the “Island of the Sun” - its spacious villas offer breathtaking forest and beach views. Pangulasian Island Resort offers various romantic settings for dinner, plus a wide range of imported wines.

Today, explore nearby Big Lagoon, paddle around shallow reefs flats and snorkel through coral gardens. Later on, swim in Small Lagoon, a picturesque snorkeling spot of turquoise-colored waters surrounded by immense limestone walls. For lunch, enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch on a small island then in the evening, return to Pangulasian Island Resort for an intimate dinner on the beach, or near the lagoons.

The itinerary today involves more island-hopping around the still, clear waters of El Nido. Visit Pinisil Island and explore the shallow reefs, full of a diverse array of fish and corals. After that, you’ll be transported to the other end of the island to a semi-collapsed cave you can enter by kayak. On nearby Lagen Island you can take a hike through forested limestone mountains before breaking for lunch. After lunch, snorkel around Lagen Island’s corals and caves, alongside soaring limestone cliffs before returning to Pangulasian Island Resort for the final nights of your Palawan adventure.

The waters surrounding Pangulasian Island are home to more than 20 different dive sites teeming with marine life, and you can spend the final few days of your stay here joining dive expeditions from the five-star PADI diving center at the resort.

Onshore, there are eco-treks through the caves and forests of the island, and to really unwind before heading back to Manila, there’s a spa onsite where you can try out traditional Filipino hilot massage.

Take a final dip before your speedboat and plane ride back to Manila.