Manila and Palawan Beaches

Welcome to Manila. After the border and customs procedures, an assistant (normally Spanish-speaking, although sometimes English) will be waiting for you after the baggage claim to take you to your hotel. Manila, capital of the Philippines and located on the island of Luzon. The city was called the “Pearl of the East” as a result of its location at the centre of the vital sea trade routes across the Pacific.  
The hotel we normally use is very close to the “Mall of Asia”, the largest shopping centre in the city, with avant-garde architectural shapes and where we can find a large number of shops and restaurants. Dinner included and accommodation. 

Note: Depending on the arrival times of most of the participants, the dinner may be included the next day.

09.30 hrs.- We start our visit by including a  city tour  to get to know our surroundings. First of all we will discover the Manila inside the walls, the Spanish walled city founded by Legazpi in 1571, or what remains of it, especially after the destruction wrought by the Second World War. We will visit the Bonifacio Fortress to see the life of our national hero, José Rizal, and how the person who, according to literature, cause the people’s revolution, fought for the freedom of the Philippines. We will also visit Manila Cathedral . Free time for lunch before going on our way to visit the Church of St Augustine . We will have the chance for a ride on horse and carriage through the city. In the afternoon, we will go to  the city of Aseana , a new shopping district and the modern side of Manila, where there will be free time for shopping. Return to the hotel and accommodation.

Distance by road: 150 km  
Scenery: Pretty island inland scenery with some spectacular rocky areas.  
Note: Flight times may be changed and your route may be altered as a consequence (maintaining all of the planned visits). During the whole of the stay on Palawan Island, we will include the boat trips; take sun cream and we also recommend footwear for walking in the sea (these beautiful waters are also dwelling to jellyfish, sea urchins and other species that can sting). If after Palawan Island you return to Manila, we recommend that you do not take all your luggage with you, only the luggage you might need.  

Transfer to the airport after breakfast. We have planned a flight leaving Manila at 09.50 hrs.- (modifications possible). Approximate flight time of one half hours 

11.15 hrs.- Puerto Princesa – Arrival -. As soon as we arrive, we will travel to the 
13.30 hrs.- National Park of the Sabang Underground River , to the north of Puerto Princesa, UNESCO World Heritage. Lunch included. Where you have lunch, you can also change and put on your swimwear! After this we include a beautiful boat trip … First along the spectacular coastline with its beautiful beaches and then a short ride to see the underground cave. You will be impressed by its stalactites and stalagmites that took thousands of years to form.  
17.30 hrs.- Underground River – Departure.
19.15 hrs.- Puerto Princesa – Arrival. This is the capital of the island, a city with a lot of life. Dinner included -.

Distance by road: 60 km 
Note: The glow worm activity might not be able to be done in the high season when demand is too high and long waits are expected. If this activity were not possible, we would make a visit to the Palawan wildlife conservation centre, where we will have the chance to see its large crocodiles.  

A day to enjoy. At around 09.30 hrs.-, we leave to take a boat trip from island to island around the Bahía de Honda. We will visit Starfish Island which has the largest population of starfish in the whole of Palawan. Then to Luli Island , an island that rises and sinks at low and high tide.  Lunch included in one of the cabins on the island. Then a chance to relax on Pandan Island before returning to the hotel in Puerto Princesa. After the dinner included we will go out to the outskirts of Puerto Princesa where we will find a magic place: enjoy watching the glow worms along the river Ihawig. Return to hotel and accommodation. 

Total distance: 275 km 
Scenery: Pretty scenery travelling to the north of the island and some great views over the sea, mountainous areas. 
Note: If our group is of under four participants, the trip to El Nido will be done on regular transport. In this case there would be no stop at the Fortress of Santa Isabel.

08.30 hrs.- Puerto Princesa – Departure -. Trip northwards. 
12.15 hrs.- TAYTAY – Arrival - the former capital of the island where we will see the FORTRESS OF SANTA ISABEL , built in Spanish times to defend the city from the Pirate and Muslim incursions. Lunch included . 
14.30 hrs.- Taytay – Departure -. Spectacular scenery, views of the sea.  
16.00 hrs.- EL NIDO – Arrival -. Free time to explore this beautiful place and rest. Its busy port of fishermen with their bangkas in the mornings is the main base where the excursions leave for the enigmatic islands of the eastern archipelago.  Dinner included and accommodation.

Today you will have one of the most beautiful boat trips that can be done on our planet to see one of the prettiest beaches in the world. We include a tour from island to island. We will visit the Large and Small Lagoon , as well as the Secret Lagoon , where you can take a canoe to one of the most majestic creations of nature, full of chalk cliffs and crystalline waters. Then have a moment’s peace on Shimizu Island , to snorkel and explore the coral, and Commando Beach  for a rest.  Lunch included and Dinner included this day. Return to the hotel and accommodation

After breakfast,  transfer to the airport  at the time when you have your flight -. End of our services.