Philippines Island Gateway

13 Day Group Trip

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Boasting pristine white beaches, majestic emerald cliffs and rich cultural heritage, the Philippines is a tropical haven to entice every sun seeker, culture lover and adventure junkie. The Philippines Island Gateway is our 13 day adventure that will have you snorkelling turquoise waters, visiting local villages, hanging out at waterfalls, discovering untouched islands on a multi-day boat expedition, and much more! Oh, and did we mention that you’ll be doing this with an experienced group leader and instant crew of new friends? Get ready for the trip of a lifetime exploring this island paradise.

LOW DEPOSIT

FREE CHANGES

OPEN DATED BOOKINGS

100% CARBON NEUTRAL

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive and Meet the Group

Welcome to Manila! We’ll meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Once you’ve checked in you’ll then have plenty of time to recover from your flight and relax before you meet everyone in your group!

Day 2: Travel to Moalboal

Today we travel to the stunning island of Cebu via a short internal flight and ferry, stopping at some of the Islands best waterfalls along the way. Get ready to capture the best insta pics whilst feeling like you're in paradise!

Day 3: Kawasan Falls Canyoneering

Today we’ll stop for a thrilling canyoneering adventure at Kawasan Falls that’ll have us leaping into bright blue pools and exploring the magical rainforest surroundings.

Day 4: Sardine Run & Snorkelling

This morning we’re off on a snorkelling trip to observe the Sardine Run that Moalboal is famous for. A phenomenon worthy of a David Attenborough documentary, we’ll have the chance to snorkel amongst countless sardines in amazingly clear water - an experience like nothing else! The afternoon is yours to check out more of Moalboal town or relax by the beach or pool under the tropical sun. 

Day 5: Simala Church & Coron

Today we’ll stop at Simala Church, a castle-like monastery where we can learn about the Spanish colonisation of the Philippines. From Cebu City we’ll take our second internal flight to Busuanga Island where we will check into our accommodation.

Day 6: Snorkelling in Coron

It’s time to whip out the snorkel goggles and underwater camera as we go snorkelling in the Sulu Sea. Visiting some of Coron’s most iconic snorkel spots, we’ll be sure to spot some beautiful creatures! Tonight we’ll experience Coron’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 7: Explore Coron

This morning you can choose to wander Coron Town or just chill by the pool. Later that day, we’ll hike up Mount Tapyas for beautiful views of the bay. After some exercise we’ll travel to Maquinit Hot Springs to relax our bodies and be rewarded with a golden sunset as we soak in the hot saltwater pools.

Day 8: Boat Expedition Begins

Today we set off on a spectacular 3-day island-hopping expedition from Coron to El Nido. Sailing on a traditional Banca boat we’ll go off the beaten track to explore untouched islands, pristine oceans, meet local tribes and sleep on the beach. Our Filipino huts and facilities are simple, but with very few tourists, loads of fresh food and marvellous vistas everywhere you turn, we think the trade off is absolutely worth it. 

Day 9: Coron to El Nido Boat Expedition Continues

Continuing our trip to Palawan we’ll pass more white beaches and swim with fish in some of the world’s most colourful snorkelling spots. Completely off the grid we’ll be able to fully immerse in the heavenly beauty of our surroundings. With nothing else to worry about, all we have on the agenda is swim, snorkel, sunbathe, repeat! Tonight, we stay on the beach in a traditional camp, dozing off to the sounds of the waves under the stars.

Day 10: El Nido

Today our island hopping expedition comes to an end as we arrive on the island of Palawan. After a few days of swimming and sailing today is ours to relax on the beach, sip cold drinks and discover El Nido. Tonight we’ll get to experience the island’s nightlife! 

Day 11: Canopy Walk & Massages

This morning we’ll head off to see the town from above on a walk through the lush jungle canopy. You'll then get to ease your muscles with an included Filipino massage, the ultimate way to chill after so much adventure. Tonight you’ll choose how you want to spend your evening. A sunset bar or perhaps a chilled dinner, the options are endless!

Day 12: Jeepney Tour 

Our last full day will see us hopping in a Jeepney to tour El Nido. We'll visit a local organic farm and enjoy lunch on the beach with a traditional Filipino dance performed by the local children. Then we'll visit Nacpan Beach, one of the most beautiful spots on Palawan. Tonight we wrap things up our last dinner and drinks to toast the incredible adventures we’ve had together. 

Day 13: Check Out & Onward Travel

Your amazing 13 day adventure comes to an end. You can either check out and make your way back home, stay on longer in El Nido or continue your travels in the Philippines.

TRIP DETAILS

Duration

Enjoy 13 days / 12 nights of epic activities!

Group Size

Group sizes are a maximum of 20 people and the age range is usually 18-39.

Transport

During the trip you'll travel by minibuses, ferries, tricycles and there will be 2 internal flights, which is all included!

Meals

Included meals: 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners. Your group leader will let you know which meals are included each day!

 

During your trip you'll have options to try delicious Filipino cuisine or western dishes. If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know before you arrive.

Accommodation

12 nights of beautiful accommodation is included in the trip!

  • 1  Night Manila – Twin or Double Share 
  • 3 Nights Moalboal – Twin or Double Share 
  • 3 Nights Coron – Twin or Double Share 
  • 2 Nights Boat Expedition – Twin Share Traditional Huts 
  • 3 Nights El Nido – Twin or Double Share 

If you'd like to arrive early or stay extra nights after your trip, we can book pre or post night accommodation for you - just drop us an email to request the dates! Private rooms in most accmmodation can also be requested for an extra cost - subject to availability.

Inclusions

Included:

  • Airport pickup
  • 12 nights accommodation
  • 20 meals - 12 breakfast, 6 lunch, 2 dinner
  • Internal trip transport including 2 internal flights
  • 13 days of epic activities, including: beach sunsets, snorkelling, sardine run, Kawasan Falls canyoneering, Simala Shrine, hot springs for sunset, Coron viewpoint, 3 day boat expedition, discover deserted paradise islands, cultural activities, Jeepney tour of El Nido and visit Nacpan beach
  • Experienced western Group Leader and local guides
  • Onward Travel Help & Planning
  • 24/7 support after the trip finishes.

Not Included:

  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Some meals

Arrival Information

Philippines Island Gateway starts in Manila. There’s no activities on the first day, so you can arrive at any time. If you do arrive early, we’ll still pick you up from the airport and will book you into our Manila accommodation from the day you arrive. Extra nights can be booked with us on request.

 

It’s also recommended to have onward travel booked out of the Philippines before travelling there, as you may get asked for proof of this before boarding your flight to the Philippines.

Requirements

Travel insurance for the Philippines is compulsory to join the trip. Your group leader will ask for proof of this on the first day of the trip.

 

Most nationalities including the UK, Europe, Australia, NZ, Canada, USA, Scandinavia and most South American countries will generally receive a 30-day visa exemption on arrival for free. Brazilian passport holders can receive a 59-day visa exemption on arrival for free. If you’re unsure of your visa requirements or need any help just contact us.

 

Please also let us know if you have any medical or dietary requirements so we can ensure everything is in place for you before you arrive!

After your Trip

Philippines Island Gateway finishes in El Nido, Palawan. You can choose to stay on longer in El Nido or continue your travels around the Philippines. If you need to get back to Manila or are flying to any of the other islands, the closest airport is El Nido (ENI), which is about a 30-minute drive away but has limited flight options which can be quite expensive. A cheaper option with more regular flights is Puerto Princesa airport (PPS), which takes approx. 5 hours by minibus from El Nido and costs approx. £10/$20 AUD. If you have a flight from Manila on Day 13, you will need to take into consideration the costs and times of getting there from El Nido or Puerto Princesa airport.

 

When booking your flights to the Philippines we recommend comparing your flight cost options versus the options to return to Manila and decide what’s best for your circumstances. If you need any further help please contact us. 

 

Your group leader can help with any other onward travel options within the Philippines.

Secure your spot for only £49!

13 DAYS FROM ONLY £1499

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