Palawan's Best Kept Secrets

Palawan is often – and deservingly – cited as the most beautiful island in the Philippines. To call the 14,650 sq. kilometer (5,656 sq. miles) province an island, however, is not quite apt. Palawan has hundreds of islands surrounding the 450 kilometer (280 mile) long strip that is the mainland. It is referred to as the country's last frontier because of the magnitude of its area that remains undiscovered and pristine.

This adventure takes you to the Palawan that most resort-going tourists never see. You will hike through rainforests of unbelievable biodiversity, enter the alien landscape of a cave system and visit the community of an indigenous tribe. We take you to secluded beaches, an awe-inspiring series of waterfalls, and an island inhabited by white cockatoos. We also visit the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River which is a natural wonder of the world and a must-see, but that is the only part of this adventure that can be found in regular Palawan tours. This is a unique trip that takes you away from crowds and lets you experience Palawan's nature at its best.

Highlights and activities

• Snorkel rich coral reefs in Ulugan Bay.
• Hike the rainforests of Cleopatra's Needle, home to 85% of Palawan's endemic flora and fauna and the indigenous Batak people.
• Visit Rasa Island, habitat of the katala or red-vented cockatoo.
• Explore the "Hundred Caves" of Tagabinet.
• Trek through a forest reserve, cross clear streams and jump into waterfall pools in Dumangueña 
• Soak in nature at a hideaway in Maruyugon and enjoy a quiet beach facing Honda Bay.
• Visit the St. Paul Subterranean River.

• caving / spelunking
• hiking / trekking
• snorkeling

1. 

   Day 1: Maruyugon nature hideaway

   Our adventure begins at the Puerto Princesa airport. From there we travel north and soon are driving through Palawan's wilderness. In less than two hours we arrive at Maruyugon where our accommodations are at a farmhouse surrounded by ponds with fish (we can catch our dinner!) and turtles, rice fields, gardens and a small forest. Nearby is a beautiful beach facing Honda bay. We spend the day exploring the area and try our luck at spotting Maruyugon's residents: flying lizards, river otters and various exotic birds.

2. 

   Day 2: Cleopatra's Needle and the Batak people

   Today we trek through the wilderness of Cleopatra's Needle, the most bio-diverse mountain in Palawan. We hike to the village of the Batak, passing through scenic rivers and rich forests. The Batak live in harmony with their rich natural environment. We see this special relationship up close and learn about the people's culture. We spend the night back at our hideaway in Maruyugon.

3. 

   Day 3: Ulugan Bay and Tagabinet caves

   We get up early and drive an hour to the magnificent Ulugan bay. A 30-minute boat ride then takes us to an island with white sandy beaches and surrounded by vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. We spend the morning snorkeling and enjoying the beach (the island’s resident sea eagle might even join us!).

   In the afternoon we explore the limestone caves of Tagabinet. In the so-called "Hundred Caves" we discover the strange but fascinating world of mineral formations and delicate cave ecosystems.

   We spend the night in Sabang, a beach town that is the jump-off point to the famous Underground River.

4. 

   Day 4: Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

   In the morning we take an outrigger boat to the entrance of the Underground River (officially named the St. Paul Subterranean River) then take a paddleboat deep into the river's tunnel, marveling at the unique environment and its many interesting formations. Then we hike through a jungle trail and try to spot monitor lizards. We take a paddle boat through a mangrove to learn about this rich ecosystem. After having our fill of seeing monkeys, tree snakes and various birds we walk to an ocean-side waterfall and, if we're lucky, watch sea turtles surfing waves.

5. 

   Day 5: Dumangueña and the Waterfalls Where Eagles Drink

   Today we travel to Narra and trek to the spectacular Inuman Banog Falls. The name means "eagles' drinking place" in the indigenous language, because it was an eagle that led people to discover the falls.  To get to falls we hike through the Dumangueña forest reserve, cross shallow streams with crystalline waters, and scramble down the three tiers of the waterfalls. At the bottom are beautiful pools carved out of rock that are perfect for taking a dip.  

   In the afternoon we travel to our beachside accommodations in Narra where we can swim, explore a mangrove and enjoy the beach.

6. 

   Day 6: White cockatoos of Rasa island

   It's another early start on our last day as we try to catch sight of Philippine cockatoos, locally known as katala, as they make their daily migration from Rasa Island to the mainland. The katala or red-vented cockatoo (Cacatua haematuropygia) is a critically endangered species that is endemic to the Philippines. On the island we also try to find the roosting and nesting birds that decided to take the day off. Rasa island also has coral reefs and mangroves and we spend the day snorkeling and walking through the island.

   In the afternoon we make our way back to Puerto Princesa where our adventure ends at the airport.

This adventure is offered throughout the year. Contact us to schedule your Private Tour.

Includes

• All land and sea transportation for the duration of the trip
• Five (5) nights accommodations with breakfast
• Three (3) lunches
• All fees associated with the specified activities
• Guiding service

Excludes

• Airfare to Puerto Princesa.
• Food and beverage other than those specified above. For meals not included we will dine at inns and restaurants that your trip leader has pre-selected for their quality, and he will suggest local specialties. To give you the most flexibility however, we will let you order and pay for what you wish to eat. Allocate around PHP5,000 (about $90 USD – don't forget to change your money beforehand!) per person for food and drinks for the entire trip.
• Travel insurance.
• Tipping. Tips to restaurant waiters, local guides, etc. are not expected but appreciated. Your trip leader can suggest an appropriate amount. Also, if you are happy with the service of your Trip Leader, a tip at the end of your adventure will be greatly appreciated.

• This adventure involves some hiking and a lot of time in the water. You need not be in great physical shape, but you should be able to hike for two (2) hours on moderate terrain. We can teach you the basics of skin diving (also known as snorkeling) but you should be comfortable in the water for you to enjoy this trip fully.
• You will need a large bag (preferably a backpack) that can hold all of your things for the duration of the trip. You will also need a good pair of hiking shoes, boots or sandals and another smaller pack (backpack, shoulder pack or lumber pack). Details on gear requirements and packing recommendations will be sent to you after you have booked your tour.
• Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to the Philippines if you are coming from a yellow-fever infected country; if you are not, this vaccination is unnecessary. The following vaccinations are recommended:
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Typhoid
  • Japanese encephalitis
  • Measles, mumps and rubella