Duration
12 days / 11 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Romance, Beaches, Post-Covid Wellness
Destinations
Philippines

The Philippines is home to some of the world’s best snorkeling and diving, and this luxurious 12-day itinerary tours the best shallow coral reefs in Palawan. After seeing the sights in Manila, travelers head to Puerto Princesa, the site of breathtaking limestone caves and cliffs. In the protected waters of the El Nido area, you’ll see countless species of tropical fish and corals and enjoy calm, clear waters by boat and kayak. At the end of each day, fall asleep in the luxurious surrounds of your five-star resort.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Subterranean River: The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its five-mile-long stretch is the longest navigable cave-river in the world.
  • Diving: Home to more than 20 different dive sites teeming with marine life, travelers can learn about the underwater world of Palawan with seasoned dive experts on Pangulasian, then visit Pinisil Island to explore the shallow reefs.
  • Luxury Beach Resort: Palawan has become one of the most impressive beach destinations in Southeast Asia, and travelers can explore the best island wonders in the Philippines from the plush surrounds of a luxury resort perched on a white sand beach.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Manila

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.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Outstanding Service: Guests rave about the staff at Fairmont Makati, from the front desk, concierge, and housekeeping professionals to the expert bartenders and chefs.

Fitness Forward: The hotel’s fitness and spa facilities are especially well-equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and creatively planned classes. The spacious fitness center alone occupies some 928 square feet.

Indulgent Cuisine: Fairmont Makati’s culinary offerings include “live culinary theater,” handcrafted pastries, and artisan cocktails.

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Fairmont Makati Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Peninsula Manila is the most centrally located five-star hotel in Manila.

Dining: Four world-class dining and drinking options including a modern French restaurant, a restaurant serving exotic Asian fare, a 1930s Shanghai mansion style bar and an ostentatious lobby lounge.

Health and Fitness: The Peninsula Manila boasts a host of luxury well-being facilities including a spa, swimming pool, gym, steam and sauna rooms.

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The Peninsula Manila Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Puerto Princesa

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. 

Hotel Options
About

Located in the heart of Puerto Princesa, the main city of the secluded Palawan island in the western Philippines, the newly-built Hotel Centro exudes modern-classic elegance on a sprawling slab of landscaped property. The expansive honeymoon suite has its own private receiving lounge furnished with dining and entertainment amenities.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Puerto Princesa
Puerto Princesa

Day 3

Puerto Princesa

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.

Day 4

El Nido

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. 

El Nido
El Nido

Day 5

El Nido

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. 

Day 6

El Nido

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.

Day 7

El Nido

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.

El Nido
El Nido

Day 8

El Nido

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.

Day 9

El Nido

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.

Day 10

El Nido

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.

El Nido
El Nido

Day 11

El Nido

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.

Day 12

Departure

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

Suggested Hotels For Day 1

Fairmont Makati
Preferred Hotel

Fairmont Makati

Manila’s Fairmont Makati is located at the heart of the Philippines’ premier art and business district of Makati, which ranks among the world’s busiest centers of commerce and culture. Although directly connected to Manila, Makati is typically considered a highly modernized, cosmopolitan city of its own thanks to its dense population, as well as its ample concentration of multinational and local businesses. Fairmont Makati has cemented a place among the capital’s finest five-star hotels thanks to its classy amenities and top-flight hospitality team. In terms of dining, the hotel’s unique offerings promise to satisfy the gastronomic desires of even the most discerning guests. And what’s more, the hotel is located within walking distance of some of Manila’s most sought-after attractions, including the Zuellig Building, 6750, Ayala Museum, the Glorietta Shopping Complex, and Greenbelt – one of the country’s most fashionable shopping malls. The sprawling metropolis of Manila beckons with a little bit of something for everyone, from culturally immersive explorations into the city’s music and art scenes to day trips adventuring among the country’s 7,100 islands. Whatever the journey, Fairmont Makati welcomes guests with a safe haven of five-star luxury and relaxation amid the urban landscape of the capital city.
The Peninsula Manila
Preferred Hotel

The Peninsula Manila

Strategically placed on the corners of Ayala and Makati Avenues, The Peninsula Manila is close to premier shopping facilities and within easy access of Manila's numerous attractions. The hotel is a nine kilometers drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and just six kilometers from Manila's domestic airport. Elegantly furnished in classic style, the hotel's 351 rooms and suites provide modern, technologically advanced conveniences, including complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. The Gallery Club Lounge is available 24 hours a day, providing live musical entertainment and all-day refreshments and nibbles, including a breakfast buffet, The Peninsula Afternoon Tea, gourmet canapés and an open bar with a curated selection of spirits and sommelier-selected wines. The thoughtfully-designed private lounge is enhanced with custom-designed tables and soft furnishings arranged in an intimate lounge setting. Continental and Pan-Asian cuisine is served at The Peninsula's many restaurants, including Old Manila and Spices, which are two of the top restaurants in the city. Salon de Ning, the hotel's quirky lounge, features musical entertainment on most evenings.

Suggested Hotel For Days 2–3

Hotel Centro

Hotel Centro

Located in the heart of Puerto Princesa, the main city of the secluded Palawan island in the western Philippines, the newly-built Hotel Centro exudes modern-classic elegance on a sprawling slab of landscaped property. The expansive honeymoon suite has its own private receiving lounge furnished with dining and entertainment amenities. The hotel’s Expressions Cafe serves up a tempting mix of Western and Filipino favorites, and an outdoor pool, complete with poolside loungers, is provided for guests’ enjoyment. Group holidays and events are easily catered-to with the hotel’s extensive meeting facilities, which include a grand ballroom, and more. Past guests have raved about the hotel’s friendly staff, who provide excellent service and exude that warm, Filipino hospitality.

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–11

El Nido Pangulasian
Preferred Hotel

El Nido Pangulasian

Located on a private island with breathtaking scenery comparable to Vietnam's spectacular Halong Bay, Pangulasian Island is the first and only luxury accommodation available in this pristine hideaway setting. Known as the “Island of the Sun”, guests at Pangulasian can enjoy stunning views of the sunrise and sunset from the expansive white sandy beach stretching over 2400 foot. The resort has 42 select palm-thatched beach villas built with a contemporary Filipino flair. The high-end amenities include an infinity pool, restaurant, a private dining area, beach bar, poolside grill, boutique, library, gym, spa, hiking trail with viewing deck, five-star dive center and a marine sports center. The deluxe abodes rest either on stilts above the lush flora and fauna or beside the beach or pool, all just a stones throw from warm inviting water. The villas, decorated with a neutral palate and natural materials, are spacious with their own private balcony (some have private pools and bath tubs), complimentary Wi-Fi, international TV channels, iPod dock, tea and coffee making facilities and mini-bar.

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