El Nido: Beaches, Island Hopping, Snorkeling, Surfing & UNESCO sites | All in the Philippines

Hosted by

Maria

Guided trip
What's special?
special Natural beauty
special Accommodation
special Meditations (guided by TripLeader)
😎 It took me over 250 days backpacking in Southeast Asia to discover the country with the most beautiful beaches! 🌴 Here's the itinerary I propose: 1. Arrival at Puerto Princesa 2. Day trip to Subterranean River National Park, UNESCO site 3. Stay in Port Barton; snorkeling trip 4. Stay in El Nido center; island hopping trip 5. Stay in El Nido north; surf lesson 6. Stop at "secret" spot; kayaking

💁🏽 A little about me. In the beginning of 2023, I started a 9-month solo adventure through Southeast Asia. I covered 26 745 km and stayed in each country for at least one month, crossing off my bucket list Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines. 💙 I want to share with you what made me such a fulfilled long-term backpacker: friendly locals, lush jungles and majestic mountain ranges, idyllic beaches with countless coconut trees, mystical landscapes, delicious traditional food... This is also my attempt to give back to the places, people & communities that rendered me so many wonderful memories! And hopefully raise awareness around some of the challenges faced, namely environmental, inspiring others to venture to this part of the world in a conscious manner, as there is much to be appreciated & preserved. Will you join me in a beach clean-up? 🤗 I want to find TripMates who are open-minded, adaptable, curious, adventurous, mindful and foodies (I'm vegetarian but I will accommodate all diets)!

🏕️There will be 3 types of accommodation during our trip: A. Private TENT in Puerto Princesa + El Nido north We will be right by the beach in contact with nature, waking up to the sunrise and falling asleep to the waves coming ashore. B. Private BUNGALLOW in Port Barton We will have a bit more comfort and privacy. C. Shared DORM with our fellow TripMates in El Nido center. As for the "secret" spot, if you decide to stay the night there, you can choose from a private bungalow, a private tent or a shared tent. 🚽Note: you will have access to bathrooms & showers in all accommodations, including the campsites; the tents have mattresses; breakfasts aren't included in any accommodation. P.S. All pictures shown were taken by me during the backpacking trip!

What's included?
Accommodation
Transportation
Tour to UNESCO Underground River
Snorkeling trip
Island hopping trip
Surfing lesson
Kayak rental
Meditation sessions
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25 Countries
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Backpacker Soul searching in Southeast Asia. Nature admirer, mindfulness facilitator, connection junkie & environmental activist.

You can chat with Maria once you reserve your spot.
Trip Itinerary
1

Puerto Princesa

Day 1-2
Puerto Princesa is the capital of the Province of Palawan with the main airport, so I advise you fly here for convenience to start our adventure. For many people like ourselves, it is only a one-night destination before heading north. Contrary to other cities, Puerto Princesa has retained a certain modest charm. Maybe muddy roads in between jungle, wooden houses, pimped up tricycles & jeepneys, and stalls with fresh fish & greens by the roads aren’t exactly selling points for many of us, but bearing witness to settings like these, where daily life unfolds, allows one to get a real glimpse of the life of locals. While you can experience a certain cultural shock at first, hopefully you will see beauty in it too! ☝️ arrival day: we will rest and prepare for a day trip the following day.
2

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

Day 2
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was named as UNESCO world heritage site in 1999 and it is also listed in the new Seven Wonders of the World. Today, it is one of best attraction spots in Palawan. Known for its distinctive biodiversity & ecosystem (certain species of bats can only be found here), pristine water and limestone surroundings, I was in awe when immersed in heavy darkness, only getting glimpses of how the chambers where so wide and high, and the stalactites & stalagmites so intricate in detail, as the headlamp of the guide lit the way.  ☝️ 1st [full] day in Puerto Princesa: we will explore by boat 4 kilometers of this limestone natural wonder, heading North, with a shared van, at the end of the afternoon.
3

Port Barton

Day 2-4
The coastal village of Port Barton is currently a relatively undiscovered gem of the Philippines. Here we can still find nearly deserted beaches, go on snorkeling trips away from tourist masses and enjoy local cuisine at a very affordable price in the so-called "cantinas" (imagine someone's front porch and several big pans with simple yet tasty home cooked food sold for as little as 2 EUR). - arrival and rest - ☝️ 1st [full] day: we will join a snorkeling tour that includes lunch, gear, island entrances and conservation fees. ✌️ 2nd [full] day: we will enjoy a chill day at the beach. 🍻 There will also be the possibility to party for the most energetic and social of our TripMates. - packing to leave the day after -
4

El Nido

Day 4-6
El Nido is a very popular destination known for its majestic limestone cliffs and beautiful hidden lagoons. On our day trip, we will kayak to enjoy the scenery, swim in crystal clear turquoise waters, visit idyllic beaches with countless coconut trees and enjoy the company of our crew. - arrival and rest - ☝️ 1st [full] day: we will join an island hopping tour that includes lunch, kayaking, snorkeling equipment, conservation fees and a lot of fun! ✌️ 2nd day: we will wonder around town before heading north to our next spot after lunch; it's also a good opportunity to buy some souvenirs. 🍻 There will also be the possibility to party for the most energetic and social of our TripMates.
5

Bucana

Day 6-9
We will be surrounded by beautiful beaches offering unforgettable sunsets & sunrises (and occasional tropical thunderstorms!). Famous Nacpan beach is perfect for swimming, and Duli beach is a great spot for surfers! We will be camping in the beach in between, hosted by very friendly locals, in a very peaceful stretch of sand close to a local village worth wondering around. - arrival and rest - ☝️ 1st [full] day: we will chill at the beach and walk in the village. ✌️ 2nd [full] day: we will go to Nacpac beach or Duli beach for a surf lesson. - packing to leave the day after -
6

El Nido

Day 9
On our last stop we will rent a kayak to discover a limestone island in an unexplored area; no tour boats, only fisherman ensuring their daily subsistence. If the tide is low, we can get to a beautiful sandbank and spent there enough time in contemplation to see it slowly being swallowed by the ocean! We can also reach a deserted island with an abandoned cabin and boat, and venture to a cave, all within 1h of kayaking. - arrival - ☝️ We will go kayaking and exploring. - end of guided trip; van back to Porto Princesa; P.S. If you have more days to spare, I suggest you book a night here to soak in the beauty for longer, and/or I can recommend where to go next!
Trip Summary
Accommodation
Camping & Hostel
9 days trip
Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park & 4 more
Transportation
Car
What's excluded?
International flights
Food
Visa
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