New year 2025!
Paradise islands and whale sharks
11 DAYS
25 PEOPLE
3790 EURO
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The Philippines is a paradise. Close your eyes and imagine amazingly beautiful islands with lagoons that you can see from the ocean side, white sand beaches, coconut palms and incomparable coral reefs. Feel like the hero of the novel "The Beach" on the islands of El Nido and Coron, walk through the Chocolate Hills and swim next to the largest fish on Earth - whale sharks, which reach a length of 12 meters!
The Republic of the Philippines owns more than seven and a half thousand islands, and about five thousand of them do not have permanent residents or even names! At one time, Magellan, visiting these islands for the first time, declared that if there is a paradise on Earth, then it is here! So he remained here, in Paradise, lying on the island of Cebu, having died at the hands of a Filipino leader. But do not worry: Filipinos today are very welcoming and friendly. We will also start our acquaintance with the country from the island of Cebu, because there is not much to do in the capital. Moreover, those who want to see the most densely populated city in the world will be able to do so after the end of our expedition.
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Just imagine, you and I are on the island of Cebu swimming next to 5-8 meter whale sharks, the largest of modern fish! Right here, we will learn what canyoning.
However, the most interesting adventures await us on the uninhabited and uninhabited islands near El Nido. Yes, there you will find yourself in a real tropical paradise! The El Nido archipelago consists of 40 islands and is rightfully the true pearl of the Philippines! It was after the writer Alex Garland saw these places that he gave birth to the idea to write the book "The Beach".
Imagine lagoons that you cannot see from the sea due to the curved ridge of high cliffs, beaches with snow-white sand and coral reefs that have never suffered from fishing nets. On the islands, covered with three-tiered tents of leaves and virgin plants, birds with fancy plumage flutter and monkeys play in the trees.
Among this beauty, through the most beautiful islands and lagoons, we will travel by boat for 2 days. Let's celebrate a bright New Year! We will meet beautiful sunrises and sunsets, during the day we will swim with turtles and bright fish, and at night - under the light of the moon! And at the end of the expedition, stunning places, snorkeling, lagoons and lakes with the clearest water await us not far from the shores of Coron Island.
You will also be able to find yourself walking among real African giraffes and zebras! This is where the plot of the cartoon Madagascar was invented from!
At the end of our trip, even if you fly to Boracay Island for a couple of days to relax, which is among the top 10 best beaches in the world, there will be nothing to surprise you!
- two domestic flights, sea ferry between the islands of Palawan-Coron;
- accommodation in 3 - 4 star hotels;
- all transfers specified in the program;
- rental of boats;
- motor boats;
- meals specified in the program;
- permits and permits along the route;
- entrance tickets to the territory of nature reserves and private sanctuaries;
- snorkeling with whale sharks;
- canyoning;
- services of local guides, according to the program;
- services of expedition leaders of the Paganel Studio team
Route
ITINERARY
Day 1
27.12.2024
Arrival in Cebu Island. Meeting of expedition participants at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Hotel accommodation, free time, rest.
Day 2
28.12.2024
An explosion of emotions and an extreme day await us today! First, you and I go snorkeling for whale sharks in the small village of Tan-Avan near Oslob. The whale shark swims quite slowly, near the surface of the water, usually no faster than 5 km/h, and does not pose any danger to humans. And the most important thing, the whale shark is completely indifferent to divers
Now judge for yourself: according to some data, there are no more than 5-10 thousand whale sharks left on Earth! If this information is true, then the whale shark is one of the rarest fish and is on the verge of extinction! Therefore, you will remember snorkeling with whale sharks as the most vivid adventure in the Philippines.
After snorkeling, another adventure awaits us: canyoning at Kawasan falls. You and I will make our way along a tropical mountain gorge along a river brook with turquoise water and many waterfalls, into which we will often have to jump (if desired).
Therefore, we will pass and swim through 10-12 waterfalls from two to twelve meters high. The descent will take 2 to 3 hours and will end at the foot of Cebu's largest and most famous Kawasan Falls. There we bathe in mountain water, rest and with many emotions closer to the evening we will go back to the hotel. (Meals: breakfast and lunch are included).
Day 3
29.12.2024
Breakfast, then transfer to the airport and departure via Manila to the island of Palawan. Arrival in Puerto Princesa and quick transfer to the hotel. Vacation. (Food: breakfast included)
Day 4
30.12.2024
Today we are going on a journey through the unique underground river of Puerto Princesa, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It flows in a cave on the island of Palawan and it is considered the largest underground river in the world. The walls and ceiling of the cave widen as it moves away from the mouth of the river, reaching 80 meters in height and up to 140 meters in width. Inside the cave, karst outgrowths form whimsical figures on the walls, differing in shape and size.
The length of the underground river is about eight kilometers. However, tourists can take a way of only one and a half kilometers inside the cave, due to narrow passages, access to distant corridors that go to the right and left of the main river is quite difficult. In addition, there is a lack of oxygen in the depths of the cave. Such cave labyrinths are the perfect place to observe bats hanging overhead throughout the journey, as well as the famous stalactites. After returning with many emotions from the cave and swimming in the underground river, you and I will go to the town of El Nido and on the way we will visit the local residents to get to know their way of life and traditions. In the evening, a hotel and well-deserved rest await us in El Nido. (Food: breakfast included)
Day 5
31.12.2024
Today we are going to have a very nice last day of 2024! And we will also start our adventures in the Bay of Biscuit. Get ready to experience the adventures of the characters from the book "The Beach", only we will have this experience for real!
At about 7:30 a.m., we will head to the beautiful Miniloc Island, where we will visit two lagoons hidden from prying eyes: Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon. Here we will climb into a cave, dive near steep cliffs, and make our way to the Tunnel of Love. Then we will visit the Secret Lagoon, which is accessed through a cave that opens at low tide.
And finally, we will rest and swim at Shimizu Island, where we will have lunch and snorkeling time for the day. Unfortunately, with the warming of the oceans, corals are gradually dying, so unfortunately the Philippines is also experiencing this.
In the late afternoon we will stop at Seven Commando Beach on the island of Palawan, where we will swim again. Return to the hotel around 17-18 hours, preparing to celebrate the New Year 2025! Super vacation and New Year's Eve by the ocean. (Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
New Year's Eve dinner at the hotel or at the El Nido restaurant is extra.
Day 6
1.01.2025
Today is a free day, a day of rest. You can sunbathe, swim, or, of course, go on a sea adventure! Book a tour or rent a kayak!
(Meals: breakfast is included)
Day 7
2.01.2025
Today, after breakfast, at about 7:30 a.m., we are going on another sea adventure! We will take a boat to the Hidden Beach. Here you can swim and enjoy the beauty of a lost tropical paradise.
Then we will pass by Matinloc Island, enjoy the beautiful scenery and swim next to an incredible coral wall.
After that, we will visit another secret beach, Secret Beach. To do this, we will have to wait for low tide and prop ourselves up in the grotto. There, behind the stonewall, a completely different world will open up to us. A world of beauty and harmony. After that, we will have lunch on the boat and return to El Nido. On the way, we will stop at Dilumacad Island, also called Helicopter Island. This is where we finally dig in. Return to the hotel, rest, relaxation. (Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
Day 8
3.01.2025
In the morning we will be transferred to the port of El Nido. We say goodbye to the wonderful world of the paradise islands and take a ferry to another amazing world with turquoise water and white beaches, to the island of Coron (Isla de Corón). The boat trip lasts on average 4-5 hours. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to the hotel. After checking in, we will have our first acquaintance with the town of Coron, if we have time before dawn.
(Харчування: сніданок включений)
Day 9
4.01.2025
In the morning, we leave for the village of Salvasion, where we have breakfast and after another hour, we go to the town of Macalachao. Then we transfer to a boat and ten minutes later, we land on the island of Calauit. During a boat trip near the mangroves, the guides do not advise you to put your feet in the water, because there are many crocodiles.
You and we will step into a real wildlife reserve, Calauit Island. Its size is 3,700 hectares. In the late seventies, several species of herbivorous African animals were introduced into the park. Here you and I will walk among zebras and famous giraffes, now there are 23 of them, and they love to be fed, for that, they do not mind even taking a selfie with you.
Then we will be transferred by bus again for about an hour, and also about 40 minutes by boat and disembarkation on one of the two islands. It will be either North Cay with its gorgeous beach and white sand or Pamalikan/Maltatayok Island, where you can swim, sunbathe and snorkel in the crystal clear water.
In the evening, return to the hotel on Coron Island. (Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
Day 10
5.01.2025
Our day today will start from the Port of Coron Island. We will get into the boat and after 15 minutes, we will drop off at Balinsasayaw reef. Here is a very picturesque coral wall; we will meet butterfly fish and clown fish. Then a boat trip to Kayangan Lake awaits us. Amazing: its fresh, crystal-clear water gives incredible visibility. If you swim away from the shore to a place where the depth exceeds 20 meters and the bottomless blue is below you, a strange feeling of peace arises. Here we will do a light trekking to admire the view of the Philippine Islands.
After the photo, we will go down, swim, and snorkel in the water, which is more like an aquarium!
Next, you and we will go to beach 91, where we will have lunch, rest and a siesta. Then we dive and look at the remains of the Japanese warship sunk by the Americans! After that, we will have another snorkeling trip near the Mulvaway Coral Garden.
Finally, we will visit the amazing Twin Lagoon. These are two lagoons connected by a tunnel in the rock. At low tide, you can swim through the tunnel without diving. At other times, you can dive and swim 5 meters or climb the stairs on one side and descend on the other. If, while swimming, you keep close to the rocks, where there are many beautiful corals, and look down with a mask, you get the feeling that you are hanging over an abyss, because the bottom drops off sharply from the narrow ledge of the rock. After such a busy day, we will return to the hotel, have dinner and rest (Meals: breakfast and lunch are included)
Day 11
6.01.2025
Today we say goodbye to the pearl of the Philippine Islands - Coron Island. In the morning, we will be transferred to the airport and fly to the capital Manila. And then - a big hug at the airport and a flight home. If someone wants to or has a lot of free time before departure, they can put their belongings in the luggage room at the airport, take a taxi to go to the city, or go to the mall for shopping (Meals: breakfast included)
Of course, you can extend the tour on your own for a few more days, for example, to relax on Boracay or other islands.
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for organizing a trip – air tickets and travel documents for other modes of transportation, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. – are made by us in advance, long before the trip, the prepayment or payment for the trip is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
Please note that this itinerary is tentative. The weather always has the last word. The itinerary is designed to allow sufficient time at the end of the Expedition in case of any weather-related delays. If necessary, the captain can change the expedition route depending on external conditions!
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