Northern Highlights        Secrets of the Visayas    Cebu and Bohol

The island province of Palawan is the largest province in the Philippines , made up of 1,700 islands and islets. Much of the area is hilly and mountainous with wide spreads of jungle and rainforests with natural caves. The coastline and off shore islands have an abundance of deserted beaches and hidden coves , clear coastal waters teeming with aquatic life and coral formations.

Palawan may be divided into three areas , North and South and the Calamian group of islands in the north (between Palawan and Luzon)

The southern area has the following points of interest .  Tabon Caves , Lipuun Point , Brooke's Point - dominated by a black stone spear-like mountain is the jump off point for Rio Tuba , from where bancas may be hired to visit Ursula Island , a bird sanctuary .

In the northern area , the 10 km long Honda Bay is dotted  with several islands , Cowrie , Bat , Snake , Canon and Meara . Further north on the west coast is Port Barton , a fishing village with good snorkelling and scuba sites in the nearby islands . Port Barton is also one of the jump off points for the underground river at St Paul's National Park . Almost at the tip of the mainland is El Nido with its numerous islands of high cliffs and secret coves .

The Calamian group of islands is made up of Busuanga , Coron , Culion and the Linapacan group . Coron has its salt water lakes and there is the game preserve and sanctuary on Calauit Island , norht of Busuanga .

Day 1 - Manila to Puerto Princesa -

Arrival in Puerto Princesa via Philippine Airlines flight. Reception and welcome at the airport.  Transfer to the Legend Palawan Hotel for accommodation. In the afternoon, tour the sights of the city, including the State College museum, the crocodile farm, the pineapple fiber weavers, the market and the Iwahig Penal Colony that is known as the “prison without walls” as this is a village where prisoners on good behaviour live with their families and work in the farms.  Return to the hotel at the end o the tour.

Day 2 - Puerto Princesa

Depart for Saint Paul Subterranean Park where, in an 8-km paddle boat ride in an underground river takes you to a bat-filled cavern of fluted columns and piped walls.   The river is long but  the boat ride is limited only to  that part which has already been explored.  The paddle boats are handled by English-speaking guides who extensively describe this natural wonder, and electric torches are provided so that everyone can see the magnificence of the rock formations in the cave. At the end of the boat ride, picnic lunch will be served in the seaside park just outside the cave.  It is shaded with tall mahogany trees and among them roam large, but harmless and friendly monitor lizards as well as some monkeys.  Return to Puerto Princesa in the afternoon. 

Day 3 - Puerto Princesa

DAY THREEAmerican breakfast.  Transfer to the pier to take motorized boats for a whole day island-hopping excursion at Honda Bay, which has several islands and islets located off the mainland of Puerto Princesa.  There’s Bat Island, home to thousands of bats that live on trees and fly out at night in search of food; Snake Island is so named because of its shape; other islands are Pandan, Starfish, and Luli.  There are ample opportunities for snorkelling, swimming and sunbathing.   Enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the islands before returning back to the mainland. 

Day 4 - Puerto Princesa to Manila

American breakfast at hotel.  Rest of the day free at leisure until your transfer to the airport for your flight back to Manila.