Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Picture-Perfect Philippines Island Life in Palawan
Philippines – Manila – Palawan – Sabang – Flower Island – El Nido
After a speedy stop in Manila – complete with a tour of the city’s oldest district – it’s time to head to Palawan. Kick off your island adventure in Sabang, home to white-sand beaches and coconut palms, and spend a day cruising along the emerald underground river that runs through a maze of limestone formations.
Next, it’s onto Flower Island. This private coral islet off the coast of Palawan is a quintessential desert island, boasting long stretches of fine sand and turquoise waters populated by colourful fish – perfect for switching off and embracing a slower pace of life.
Your final stop is El Nido, where days are spent treating yourself to massages, sampling fresh seafood and sipping cocktails in beach bars. When you’re ready to dust off the sand, jump in a traditional banca canoe and set sail for neighbouring islands, where you can kayak and snorkel past dolphins, whales and turtles. Sounds pretty amazing, but be warned: once you’ve experienced island life, it might be hard to drag yourself away…
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Sunglasses at the ready: your trip to the Philippines begins today. Head to the airport, speed through security and enjoy some nibbles in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight to Manila, the country’s capital. With a quick layover, the flight will take around 17 hours, and you’ll touch down the following day.
When you land, you’ll be met and whisked away to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next two nights. You’ll likely be tired after your journey, so drop your bags and spend the rest of the day settling in, whether you’d rather head out on a preliminary stroll through the city or relax by the pool.
Rise and shine: it’s your first full day in the Philippines. We’ve arranged for you to head out on a private tour of Manila’s colonial district, Intramuros, so fuel up with a hearty breakfast and set off to meet your guide.
Located in the heart of Manila along the southern bank of the Pasig River, this ancient district was established by Spanish colonialists in the 16th century. As you wander, your guide will fill you in on Intramuros’ storied history and point out local landmarks, including San Agustin, complete with a 16th-century corrugated-iron-roofed cloister, the Cathedral and the Chinese Cemetery, which features climate-controlled, ornate tombs.
Suitably wowed, round off your tour with a visit to Quiapo Central Market, where lively crowds weave their way between stalls selling fruit, vegetables and fabrics.
It’s time to leave the city behind this morning in favour of beautiful beaches, sparkling sea and swaying coconut palms. After breakfast, you’ll be privately transferred back to the airport for the one-hour-and-20-minute flight to Puerto Princesa, a pretty city on the island of Palawan.
When you land, it’s another private transfer (lucky you) to Sabang, around two hours away. You’ll be staying here for the next three nights, so check in, unpack and spend the rest of the day soaking in your new surroundings – preferably with a cocktail in hand…
Spend your next two days in Sabang settling into the rhythm of island life.
This wild and wonderful region is known for its natural beauty, so on one of the days, we’ll arrange for you to explore the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. With its spectacular karst landscape and primary forest, it’s home to one of the world’s most impressive cave complexes. Alongside an expert guide, travel along an underground river by traditional banca canoe for five miles, peering at the limestone vaults and dramatic stalactites until you reach the sea.
The rest of your time in Sabang can be spent however you please, whether you’d rather relax on the white sand between mangroves and clear waters or explore the island’s lush forests, cashew plantations and rice fields. Not sure where to start? Just ask our local Concierge – they’re on hand to recommend local hotspots and hidden gems.
Wave goodbye to Sabang today as you journey to Flower Island, a tiny private islet boasting tropical forest and powder-soft sand. This morning, you’ll be collected and privately transferred by boat and car to the island. The journey takes around seven hours in total, but it’s worth it: Flower Island is a quintessential desert island, home to postcard-perfect landscapes and completely detached from the stresses of daily life.
When you arrive, don’t waste any time: beeline to the beach and take a dip in the bath-warm waters, then dry off on the sand as you watch the sunset.
After a leisurely lie-in without the blaring of an alarm, enjoy a lazy morning on the island, drinking in the sea views as you tuck into a breakfast of ultra-fresh fruit.
This afternoon, swap swimwear for sandals for a visit to a local pearl farm. The Philippines may be best known for its rich culture and beautiful landscapes, but the archipelago’s exceptional biodiversity, rich plankton and clean waters mean that it’s also one of the world’s leading natural pearl producers. Led by a local guide, learn all about the pearl farming and grafting process, perhaps picking up a shiny souvenir in the process…
After two dreamy days on Flower Island, it’s time to begin the final leg of your adventure. Today, you’ll be privately transferred by boat and car to El Nido, with the journey taking around three hours in total.
You’ll spend the next four nights here, so you know the drill – drop your bags, slather on some SPF and head straight out to catch some rays. Pure bliss.
Set just north of Palawan, between limestone cliffs and the Bacuit archipelago, El Nido boasts its own kind of magic. Here, clear lagoons and stretches of fine sand meet intense green palm trees and blue skies, while whales, dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles drift through the gentle waters.
After lazy breakfasts and steaming cups of coffee, head down to the beach to try your hand at snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing, stopping only to swing in a hammock or stretch out in a deckchair.
Fancy heading a little further afield? Set sail aboard a banca to the neighbouring islands of Dilumacad, Entalula and Pangulasian, working up a sweat before making the most of their beach bars, deckchairs and white sands. For a little culture, you could also attend a Mass in Tagalog (the local language) in the St. Francis of Assisi church.
Come evening, savour sundowners and tuck into delicious Filipino fare as you toast to a trip well spent.
It’s sadly time for your trip to come to an end. After one last beachfront breakfast, you’ll be transferred by boat back to El Nido airport for the one-hour-and-15-minute flight to Manila.
When you touch down in the capital, enjoy a final moment of relaxation in the lounge before boarding your overnight flight home. With another speedy stopover, the journey will take just over 20 hours, and you’ll arrive in the UK the following day, ready to regale your friends and family with tales of your island adventure.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
DIVE IN THE VISAYAS ARCHIPELAGO
Haven’t quite got your fill of lush landscapes? Spend a day diving Apo Island, a volcanic island in the Visayas archipelago that offers some of the most beautiful seascapes in the Philippines. With a mask and snorkel (or full diving kit), spot everything from pygmy seahorses to hammerhead sharks as you explore these crystalline waters, which contain 80% of Southeast Asia’s marine fauna.
Why visit Philippines with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Philippines
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
