Hike among the rice terraces of the Ifuga people in Banaue, enjoy Palawan’s beautiful chalk-white sandy beaches, make tent and boat adventures into small exotic paradise islands along Palawan’s coastlines, long for the beaches of Modessa Island. Finish at El Nido with its picturesque beaches and large rock formations.
The journey begins in lively Manila, a true melting pot of various peoples. Then the course goes north to Banaue, where for the next three days you will trek among the fantastic rice terraces that were carved into the mountains more than 2000 years ago. Know more about geography of Philippines on necessaryhome.
You continue with beach experiences on Palawan, island hopping and tent camping on beautiful paradise islands. Palawan is one of the most beautiful you can experience in Southeast Asia with miles of white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and dramatic rock formations. Also underwater, unique experiences await with beautiful corals and colorful fish.
Continue with flights to cozy Puerto Princesa, the capital of Palawan and known as the greenest and cleanest city in the Philippines. From here on to the beach paradise Port Barton, the starting point for your hiking and tenting adventure to some of the many small palm-filled islands that are scattered along the coast and where you can relax and enjoy the sun and a fantastic atmosphere. On the island of Modessa, which is surrounded by the azure hues of the sea, you can relax in all that is called the other world and in the island’s only place to stay and simply indulge in the most paradisiacal surroundings, in good food and various activities of your choice and wish.
The last stop of the trip is El Nido, which is characterized by the many large rock formations that rise from the sea and by beautiful, chalk-white beaches that appear between the cliffs. Enjoy some genuinely unique moments in this natural paradise and a wonderful beach holiday at and on El Nido. The trip ends in Manila, where you get some time on your own to digest the many impressions (and maybe even have time for some shopping) before the trip goes back to Scandinavia.
Day 1: Departure from Scandinavia
Departure from Scandinavia to the Philippine capital Manila with arrival the next day. Depending on the airline, one or two stopovers will be made along the way.
Day 2: Arrival in Manila
Upon arrival in Manila, you will be picked up at the airport by a driver who will drive you to your hostel. You have the rest of the day on your own.
Day 3: Manila and departure to Banaue by local night bus (approximately 9 hours night drive)
You have the day in Manila at your disposal. You can, for example, visit the Manila Contemporary Art Museum or why not the crazy shoe museum in Marikina, where the former first lady Imelda Marcos has had no less than 749 pairs of shoes on display (all in size 39). You can also visit one of Asia’s largest shopping malls, the Mall of Asia, full of shops and cafes. At about 21:00 in the evening you will be picked up at your hostel in Manila and driven to the bus station, where a representative will help you get off with the night bus to Banaue. The trip is by air-conditioned bus and the seats can be folded back slightly (there is no sleeping bus). You arrive in Banaue in the morning of the following day. ( F )
Day 4: Arrival in Banaue around 07.00 – trekking to Cambulo
Early in the morning, the bus rolls into Banaue, where you will be picked up by your guide for the next few days. Breakfast is served at a small local restaurant and a tricycle driver arrives to drive you up to Kinakin, where the trek to the Ifugao village of Cambulo begins. You walk up small roads through the rice fields and are fascinated by the beautiful views of the mountains and the impressive terraces. Along the way, you have lunch at a small local eatery. In the afternoon you arrive at the small village of Cambulo. Hiking about 4 hours. ( F , L , M )
Day 5: Trekking from Cambulo to Batad
Today you will trek to the beautiful village of Batad which is surrounded by an “amphitheater of rice terraces”. The hike takes about 2.5 hours. In Batad, most people live just as their ancestors did and you can see how the Ifugao people save the bones of the deceased family members and then create colorful, handmade rugs from the knots. After lunch, the trip goes to Tappiyah Falls (an hour’s journey), where there is the opportunity to take a refreshing dip. The evening meal is served on return to Batad and the rest of the evening is at your own disposal. Trekking about 4-5 hours. ( F , L , M )
Day 6: Discover the Ifugao village Batad and Bangaan – hiking – Banaue – Manila
After breakfast, walk towards the small village of Bangaan. Lunch is served in a local restaurant in the village with beautiful views of the area’s many rice terraces. After a visit to Bangaan, you will be picked up by a driver on a tricycle who will drive you back to Banaue, where the rest of the afternoon is on its own. At around 18.00 your guide will come and follow you to the bus station and help you take the night bus to Manila. The journey takes about 9 hours. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. Hiking about 5 hours. ( F , L )
Day 7: Manila on your own
You will arrive at the bus station in Manila early in the morning. A local representative will pick you up and drive you to your hostel. Your room is booked so that you can check in early and get a few hours of sleep in a proper bed. The rest of the day is available to goats in Manila. For example, you can take the opportunity to visit Chinatown and experience life in the small local markets where you may be able to see some foods you did not think existed. ( F )
Day 8: Departure from Manila to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan
This morning you will be picked up at your hostel and driven to Manila Domestic Airport. From here the flight goes to Puerto Princesa on the island of Palawan, The flight takes about two hours. Upon arrival, you will be picked up at the airport and taken to your hotel. During the rest of the day you can explore the picturesque Puerto Princesa, known as the greenest and cleanest city in the Philippines! The city has about 250,000 inhabitants and is the capital of the island of Palawan. The rest of the day is at your own disposal.
Day 9: Puerto Princesa – Port Barton
From Puerto Princesa we head towards Port Barton and one of the highlights of the trip – here you will find some of the country’s most beautiful beaches and a number of beautiful and exotic islands along the coast. The journey takes about two hours. You have the rest of the day to explore Port Barton on your own.
Day 10-11: Port Barton – boat adventure and island camping with tents – Port Barton
You will be picked up at your hotel after breakfast by your guide who will take you down to the motorboat from where the tour begins and where you will spend some time over the next few days. On board the boat are your guide, a chef and a captain. Together they make sure you have a good and comfortable trip. In the next few days, the trip goes to various nice starting points for swimming and snorkeling and there will also be stops on various islands / beaches where you can relax and enjoy the sun, get a refreshment and more. The scenery is very beautiful at Barton and in San Vincente and white beaches appear on the many beautiful islands in the area as you cruise across the open sea. There will also be plenty of opportunity to experience the fantastic underwater life here and see local small villages and the Pamuayan waterfall. In the evening you camp and you can relax on the beach. From here you can take an evening cruise in a small local outrigger. You can also snorkel or just sit and enjoy the sunset and the silence of the campfire before it’s time to crawl into the tent for a good night’s sleep. At the accommodation there will be at least one guide present who will take care of all the necessities so that you are always equipped with water, paper, clean towels, candles and more.
Day 12: Boat Adventure – Port Barton
This morning there will be meetings with some of the many turtles of different sizes that live in the area. After three exciting island hopping days, we now return to your hotel in Port Barton in the afternoon and the rest of the day is at your own disposal. ( F , L )
Day 13: Port Barton on your own
The day is at your own disposal in this exotic paradise and can be used to enjoy the beach or to explore the area. Here you can experience the underground river in Sabang which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This unique natural phenomenon is the world’s longest navigable underground river of 8.2 km, which has created beautiful stalactite formations for millions of years. Here you can experience about 1.5 km of the fascinating river that winds through a fantastic stalactite cave and into a large room called “the cathedral”. The name comes from the formations inside the room that show several Christian icons. The day is at your own disposal. ( F )
Day 14: Port Barton – Modessa Island
This morning you travel across the island and to the east coast of Palawan, where the little paradise of Modessa is about an hour’s boat ride from the Palawan coast. There is only one budget class resort on the island and thus plenty of opportunity to relax completely undisturbed – and in absolutely fantastic surroundings. Just outside your bungalow, the whitest sandy beach and the bluest crystal sea await you, so just jump in. Read a book in the hammock, enjoy a refreshment in the sun and enjoy a few days of total relaxation with the best and finest sand (in the world?) between the toes.
Day 15-16: Island experiences on Modessa Island
The days are at your own disposal and on the island you will find a small diving center where you can rent snorkels and other equipment. There are also opportunities for paddle surfing or various boat trips. In the restaurant area, in addition to the good food, you can also enjoy cold drinks and snacks as well as have a game of table tennis or billiards or maybe play some beach volleyball or basketball with the staff or the other guests. There are plenty of opportunities for fun activity either on your own or together. It is not possible to pay by credit card at this budget class resort and there is no ATM on the island so remember cash for various rental equipment as well as payment for drinks. ( F , L , M )
Day 17: Modessa Island – El Nido
After breakfast in your bungalow, you have the rest of the day to get the last of the island before you are picked up at 13.00 by a boat that takes you to the port of Roxas. Upon arrival, a transfer awaits which will then take you to your hotel in El Nido. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. The afternoon can, for example, be used to get acquainted with El Nido and perhaps visit one of the many restaurants or bars that are beautifully situated down by the water. You can also enjoy the beach or perhaps treat yourself to a nice massage. ( F )
Day 18-19: Experience El Nido
El Nido is a magical place with more than 50 white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, tranquil lagoons and beautiful cliffs that stand high above the sea. Island hopping, snorkeling and diving are given activities and there are about 30 different dive sites of varying difficulty for both beginners and experts. You can also climb, kayak, explore waterfalls and caves, windsurf or rent a motorcycle and experience the area on your own. Explore the wonderful surroundings of El Nido above and below the water or relax at one of the wonderful beaches. The days are at your own disposal. ( F )
Day 20: El Nido – Manila
After arriving at the domestic airport outside El Nido yourself, fly back to Manila (takes about an hour). At Manila Airport, a driver is waiting to take you to your hostel in the city. The rest of the day is at your own disposal. ( F )
Day 21: Departure from Manila
After almost three eventful weeks in the Philippines, the journey goes home. You will be picked up at your hostel and driven to the airport in Manila. The time depends on when your international flight departs. ( F )
Day 22: Arrival in Scandinavia
Arrival in Scandinavia.
Overnight stays
Two nights in a double room at a hostel in Manila
Two nights by bus to / from Banue
Three nights in a simple guest house during the hike at Banue
One night in Puerto Princesa at a budget hotel
Three nights at a budget resort in Port Barton
Two nights in a tent on islands at Port Barton
Tre nights on budget travel on Modessa Island
Three nights on budget resort in El Nido on Palawan
