1-Week Palawan Island Beaches & Scenic Mt. Pinatubo Tour Package from Manila City

On the second day of your tour of the Philippines, you will be heading up north to the province of Tarlac. The distance between Manila and Tarlac is about 130km. You will be visiting Mount Pinatubo, an active volcano that had an infamous eruption in the early 90s. It was the 20th century’s second-biggest eruption. Since then, Mount Pinatubo has become a popular tourist attraction. 

The terrain has become rough as a consequence of the eruption. Roads are craggy and filled with lahar, that’s why during your trip, you will be riding a 4x4 vehicle. It’s best to gear up for the day as it will involve a bit of hiking to reach the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo. You will be walking through an open space, so dress accordingly. There won’t be any shade in the immediate vicinity. The climb is fairly easy and can be done by beginners. At the very end of your journey, you will come upon Mount Pinatubo’s crater lake. It’s quite a sight at the very end that is well worth the hike. Once your trip to Mt. Pinatubo is completed, you will return to the base camp. Your van will take you back to your accommodations in Manila.

On your third day, you will leave Manila and head to Palawan. Your driver will bring you to Ninoy Aquino International Airport. From there, it’s a short flight to the Puerto Princesa International Airport. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Today is your last day in Puerto Princesa, but before you leave for El Nido, you may choose between visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Puerto Princesa’s Underground River. It is a protected national park and about 8 kilometers long and is home to interesting fauna and flora. It also has one of the world’s largest cave rooms. During your tour, you will also be able to see stunning stalactites and stalagmites in the caves. Meanwhile, you may also enjoy island-hopping in Honda Bay. This bay is mainly used for tourism but is also a fishing site for the locals. It has several small islands, and you’ll get to visit two of them. The first island you will go to is Cowrie Island, where you will find tourist facilities, such as showers, bathrooms, and a dining area. It also has a safe swimming area, and it has a net to keep jellyfish away. This island is the largest among those in Honda Bay. It’s also shaped like a seashell, hence its name. You will also visit Pandan Island, a great spot for snorkeling, where you may chance upon a sea turtle or two. 

On day 5 of your tour, you will be doing one of the most popular activities in El Nido, island-hopping at Bacuit Bay. Expect to see pristine beaches, wonderful islands, and picture-perfect backdrops. The first stop of the day is the Big Lagoon. This amazing El Nido spot starts with a narrow entrance that will open up to an amazing view. It is surrounded by limestone cliffs and boasts rich, blue waters. After enjoying the sites of the Big Lagoon, you will go to Shimizu Island, where you can go snorkeling. This is your chance to spot colorful corals and fish.

The next destination is not quite a secret anymore. The Secret Lagoon is a favorite site among tourists. This hidden lagoon has a very small entrance, so small that boats can’t enter, and visitors have to crawl through it. Outside the Secret Lagoon is a beautiful beach you can relax in. It’s not a bad spot if you have to wait in line to enter the lagoon. Your last destination, the serene Seven Commandos Beach, has white sand and is lined with palm trees. It is surrounded by lush mountains, a perfect site for travel photos.

On your last full day of this vacation package, you have the option to book any of the following island-hopping tours: the Snake Island & Caves tour (Tour B), the Hidden Beach tour (Tour C), or the Small Lagoon tour (Tour D).

If you choose El Nido Tour B, you will visit Snake Island, which is known for its S-shaped sandbar that gives it its name, and Popolcan Island, one of the top snorkeling spots in El Nido. You will also visit Cudognon Cave and Cathedral Cave. El Nido Tour C will take you to Hidden Beach, Matinloc Island, and Secret Beach, all of which boast stunning tropical views. You will also visit Helicopter Island, a popular snorkeling spot. Choose El Nido Tour D if you want to avoid large crowds. The tour will take you to Small Lagoon, Paradise Beach, Cadlao Lagoon, and Pasandingan Beach. These spots, while equally beautiful, usually see fewer visitors compared to other tourist attractions.

Your 7-day Palawan tour has come to an end. Before you head back to Manila, you can explore the areas near your accommodations in El Nido and shop for souvenirs. Once you have checked out of your accommodations, your driver will pick you up. From Palawan, you will ride a plane back to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.