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Trip Overview
Deposit AU$350
Secure your spot with a deposit 60+ days before your tour
Group
Maximum group size 22 people*
Health & Safety
Standards & Protocols
Deposit AU$350
Secure your spot with a deposit 60+ days before your tour
Route
Stays
Meals
Transport
Activities
Crew
Route
Stays
Meals
Transport
Activities
Crew
Palawan looks like a different island depending on which direction you turn. Ten days takes you from Manila to the Underground River in Puerto Princesa, a private beach camp in Port Barton, and island hopping through El Nido’s limestone cliffs and hidden lagoons. Small groups, local guides, and enough downtime that you’re not sprinting between islands.
Most of what makes this trip worth the flight doesn’t show up on a map. A cultural day working alongside a local community. A boat crew who know which cove is empty at sunset. A campsite where the closest thing to a hotel lobby is a hammock and a fire pit.
Previously voted the #1 tour in the Philippines and Asia. Ready for the trip of a lifetime? This is it.

Get picked up from the airport by your guide on Day 1

Explore a secluded paradise by boat with your new One Life family

Enjoy the crystal clear waters as you swim and play during island hopping

Have the luxury of exploring stunning tropical islands and your very own private overnight beach camp

Have time to explore the local towns as you travel through your itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Manila! Let's go!
Touch down in Manila, and we’ve got you covered from the moment you land. You'll be picked up at the airport and takes you through the vibrant streets to your central boutique hostel. Settle into your accommodation and in the evening join the rest of the group for a delicious welcome meal up on the rooftop terrace and enjoy a few drinks overlooking the stunning Manila skyline.
Accommodation: 4 Bed Dorms - Z Hostel (or similar)
Activities: Welcome Dinner
Meals: Dinner
Physical Rating: Low
Day 2 - Palawan here we come!
We are heading to Palawan! Start your day with a leisurely breakfast, then take a short flight to Puerto Princesa. You'll have some free time to enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool, a relaxing massage or simply unwind. In the evening, we will dine at a local restaurant in this charming coastal city.
Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Canvas Boutique Hotel (or similar)
Activities: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Medium
Day 3 - UNESCO Underground River, Port Barton
We have an early start as we head out to the UNESCO Underground River. We explore a portion of the accessible underground river by boat before stopping for lunch. Afterwards, we'll continue on a scenic drive to the remote and stunning Port Barton. Spend the afternoon sipping fresh coconuts on golden sand while listening to some island reggae in the background. Tonight we will sleep in traditional Filipino-style beach bungalows listening to the sound of the ocean.
Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Elsa's Cottages (or similar)
Activities: Underground River
Free Time Suggestions: Massages
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Physical Rating: Medium
Day 4 - Private Beach Camp! Snorkelling, Waterfall & School Visit
For the next 2 days we get to experience the local island way of life, with our Islander Experience. After breakfast, we join our local guides on their boat for 2 days of exploring islands and the surrounding areas of Port Barton.
Your first stop will be making a special visit to one of four local schools, where you'll have the chance to interact with the students and see firsthand the impact of your support. We encourage guests to bring school supplies, which can either be pre-brought or purchased the day before in Puerto Princesa. Guests can also make monetary donations that will go towards things like building kitchens, canteens, and sporting equipment. If the school is on holiday or it's a weekend, we'll visit the local day care center instead.
*Please note the school visit may take place on day 4 or day 5
In the evening we get together around the fire at our very own private beach camp. Perfect! Don’t worry about food either as our local guides will have everything covered with feasts of grilled fish, pork, rice, vegetables and fruit. In the evening you will sleep in tents directly on the beach in paradise.
Accommodation: Private Beach Camp (2 Person Tents) ?Impact Moment
Activities: Island Hopping, Beach Bonfire, Snorkelling, Waterfall Visit, School Visit: Visit a village school and connect with local students (seasonal) ?Purpose Moment
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Physical Rating: Medium/High
Day 5 - Beach Camp, More Snorkelling, Waterfalls & Fun
Today's day two of your island hopping adventures. You'll continue to enjoy snorkelling around coral reefs & alongside turtles, shower in jungle waterfalls, exploring tiny islands and just taking it all in.
*Please note - activities on day 4 and 5 may alternate depending on each departure.
Accommodation: Twin/Double Rooms - Elsa's Cottages (or similar)
Activities: Island Hopping, Beach Bonfire, Snorkelling, Waterfall Visit, School Visit (seasonal)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Physical Rating: Medium/High
Day 6 - To El Nido, Paradise
After breakfast, take some time to appreciate your spectacular surroundings before we then hop into a van and head up on our way to El Nido. When we arrive you will see why Palawan was named the most beautiful island in the world. Surrounded by islands and towering cliffs, El Nido is a secret paradise we are lucky enough to share. Once you pick your jaws up off the ground, we will check in to the funkiest hostel in Palawan. This slick hostel looks more like a boutique hotel than a backpackers! Settle in, then head to our favourite beach restaurant in the evening for food and fun with your One Life family.
Accommodation: 4 Bed Dorms - Spin Designer Hostel (or similar)
Activities: N/A
Free Time Suggestions: Massage, Beach Clean-up
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: Low
Day 7 - El Nido: Filipino Cultural Day
Get ready to immerse yourself in unique Filipino culture! We'll take a short jungle hike to learn about the flora and fauna that grow in the lush rainforest before arriving at our exclusive jungle hut for a fun-filled day. Today's activities range from cooking authentic Filipino food, climbing coconut trees, traditional Filipino stick fighting, coconut shaving, learning Filipino dances and children's games, coconut leaf weaving, and more. Afterwards, you can take the optional zipline and enjoy a relaxing time on the stunning Las Cabanas Beach. It's an exhilarating adventure of flying between two islands over the ocean, followed by a day of relaxation that you're not likely to forget!
Accommodation: 4 Bed Dorms - Spin Designer Hostel (or similar)
Activities: Cultural Day: Engage in a day of cultural activities ?Impact Moment
Free Time Suggestions: Zipline (600/800 PhP) SUP
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Physical Rating: Medium/High
Day 8 - El Nido: Island Hopping
This morning we board our boat to take us around all the spectacular, tiny islands in the bay. You will explore the most beautiful islands and the bluest waters you have ever seen. Snorkel with your new friends and feast on the freshly prepared food on board. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Accommodation: 4 Bed Dorms - Spin Designer Hostel (or similar)
Activities: El Nido Island Hopping
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Physical Rating: Medium/High
Day 9 - El Nido Town, Canopy Walk & Massage
Today we do a short canopy walk up to the famous cliffs overlooking El Nido to get the best view of incredible bay and Cadlao Island. After all that exercise, you’ll need some chill-out time! That’s why we include a traditional Filipino massage near the beach to help ease those muscles. Take your time today to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Accommodation: 4 Bed Dorms - Spin Designer Hostel (or similar)
Activities: Canopy Walk, 1hr Massage
Free Time Suggestions: Additional Island Hopping Day, Scuba Diving, Boxing Class, Surfing Lesson *subject to availability
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Physical Rating: Medium/High
Day 10: Depart
Sadly, all good things must come to an end! On the final day of your tour, you will have an included private van transfer back to Puerto Princesa. The van departs from Spin at 7 AM.
Please note, guests flying out of Puerto Princesa should not book a flight before 3 PM to ensure ample time for the transfer.
If you prefer to fly back to Manila from El Nido Airport, you can arrange your flight with Cebu Pacific Air. There are currently no direct flights from El Nido to Manila (NAIA). You can either take a connecting flight via Cebu before continuing to Manila, or opt for a flight to Clark Airport, which is approximately 2 hours from NAIA. Although this option may be slightly more expensive, it allows you to avoid travelling back to Puerto Princesa for your return flight.
Accommodation: N/A
Activities: N/A
Optional Extras: N/A
Meals: Breakfast
Physical Rating: N/A
Inclusions
Our crew comprises of award winning tour guides who will make your trip unforgettable. Expertly trained and prepared for every circumstance – they’ll be your new best mate and a fountain of knowledge all wrapped up in one, and will stop at nothing to make your trip life changing.
We’ve packed a full itinerary so you can see the best in your time. Not only that, we’ve personally tried and tested all of the accommodation, transport and meals included on this trip to be sure you’re receiving a quality experience.
Stays
Jump to more details
Transport
Jeepneys, Filipino trikes, Buses, Boats & more
Meals
Activities
- Overnight Camping On Private Island
- Island Hopping On One Life Exclusive Boat
- Local School Visit
- Waterfall visits & Beach time
- Snorkelling With Turtles
- Unesco Underground River
- Cultural Experiences & Activities
- Cooking Class
- Island Hopping In El Nido
- Massage
- Canopy Walk To Famous View Point
Free Time Suggestions: Yoga, Ziplining, Additonal Island Hopping Day, Scuba Diving, Boxing Class, Surfing Lesson *subject to availability
Health & Safety
The safety and well-being of our guests and staff are our top priority. Here at One Life Adventures, we ensure:
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All guides are trained in First Aid, CPR, and key safety protocols.
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Guides complete ongoing Health & Safety training to uphold top safety standards.
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An on-the-ground and office support for emergencies and guest health is maintained.
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Guides carry local clinic contacts and know the medical network along each route.
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Practical advice to help you stay safe while travelling is provided.
See our Health & Safety processes and considerations
Night Stays
On our 10-day Philippines West group tour, your accommodation is just as epic as the destinations. We’ve personally handpicked every stay to match the vibe of our trips and the kind of travellers who join us. So you can trust that every spot has been tried, tested, and loved by our team.
And when we say hostel, we don’t mean creaky bunk beds and crowded dorms. Our boutique hostels are a whole different vibe! Think spacious, comfy beds, aircon, modern design, and personal lights and charging sockets. You’ll share with a max of 4 people per room (or upgrade if you want your own space). Did we mention you’ll also get to camp on a secluded beach? Just another unforgettable highlight on your Philippines West group tour.
Customer Reviews
Philippines Classic – 10 Days with One Life Adventures
From AU$2395
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FAQs
Before you set out with us on the trip of a lifetime, we want to go over a few things. The Philippines is an amazing country with so much to offer, but like with most Southeast Asian countries things sometimes don’t go according to plan. This is why we may have to slightly alter the itinerary if we need to. One Life is committed to giving you the best possible experience, so if we need to change something we’ll make sure we’ll replace it with something equally awesome!
Does the tour take us back to Manila?
The tour finishes in El Nido on Day 10. You can either fly directly out of El Nido with the airline Cebu Pacific Air. Otherwise, we do cover your public transportation back to Puerto Princesa which is a 6 hour journey. If you would like to fly from Puerto, please make sure that you have booked a flight after 3pm, so that we can get you there in time for check in.
How much spending money do you recommend for this tour?
Can you get private rooms on this tour instead of dorms?
Can I bring a 25kg suitcase?
I want to go diving in El Nido, is there the option to do it while on the tour?
Does it matter what time I arrive on day 1 in order to be picked up from the airport?
You can arrive at any time on day 1, but if you arrive after 3pm your tour guide won’t be able to personally collect you. Instead they will arrange your car and meet you at the hostel for your first night.
Can you cater for my dietary requirements on this trip?
Yes, we can cater for most dietary requirements. Please notify us prior to arriving on day 1 so we can arrange this for you.
I haven’t ever camped before. Can you tell me more about the beach camping?
Sleeping in a tent on the beach will be one of the most unique and incredible things you will get to experience. It is a private beach with a purpose-built shelter to protect you from the weather. Each tent comes with a mattress, pillow & sheet and can fit 2 people. There is nothing like waking up on a deserted island, watching the sunrise and going for a morning swim.
Can I get picked up from the airport if I arrive before day 1?
Unfortunately we only offer airport pick ups on day 1 of the tour, but we include very easy and straightforward instructions in your welcome pack to help you on getting from the airport to the first hostel.
I want to bring some camera equipment on tour, are there safe places like lockers in the accommodation?
There are lockers/safes in most locations but not all, we recommend bringing a padlock for your bag like you would when travelling in a normal situation anyway for that extra peace of mind.
Should I bring hiking shoes?
There is a little walking involved in the Philippines but not much. Sandals and some trainers/running shoes would be fine.
Can we swim with whale sharks on the tour?
The main opportunity to swim with whale sharks in the Philippines is located in Cebu which is a different island to Palawan where we visit on tour. While we don’t support or include whale shark swimming on tour, there are ethical opportunities within the Philippines & should you travel further around the country once the tour has finished your guide can help advise you on the best places to do so.
Where do we spend the first night of the tour?
We stay at the award winning Z Hostel in Makati.
Where should I fly into?
Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL).
What time can I fly out on the last day?
On the last day, we recommend that the earliest flight departure be after 11:00 AM from El Nido Airport or after 3:00 PM from Puerto Princesa Airport. Please allow 30-45 minutes to travel to the El Nido Airport and 6 hours to Puerto Princesa Airport.
Visas & General FAQs
For more information about your visa requirements as well as the answers to more general frequently asked questions, visit Visas & General FAQs
*Group Size Disclaimer: Our standard maximum group size is 22 people for an optimal tour experience. However, on very rare occasions, we may accept up to 24 people due to logistical considerations.
Secure your place now and pay later
Reserve your spot with a deposit when booking 60+ days out from your departure date.
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