Palawan: The Last Wild Refuge.
Our expedition of trip to Palawan in December is designed to explore the last frontier of the Philippines in 16 days: crystal lagoons among millenary rocks, deserted beaches and the authentic pulse of Port Barton. A tour to connect with the energy of paradise and your own.
DECEMBER
From December 01 to 16
SMALL GROUPS
Minimum group size: 6 Travelers
Maximum group size: 13 travelers
Invisible logistics SunZen
Before you read on, there is something important you need to know.
Palawan is the place where paradise meets land and sea; it is the last refuge of unspoiled beauty.
We're not going to avoid that wild pulse. We're going to teach you how to live it. Because the real magic does not happen in the overcrowded resort, but when the archipelago surprises you: the silence of a secret lagoon at dawn, the taste of a kinilaw freshly prepared on the beach or a corner of live coral that did not appear on tourist maps. There will be imposing limestone formations, lagoons that seem hand-painted and the infinite blue of the Bacuit archipelago.
Because there are places that simply restore your capacity for amazement. And there will also be connection. Conversations that begin between strangers on the deck of a bangka and end up being the best souvenir of the trip. Sunsets in Port Barton where time seems to stand still.
To discover the Philippines is to feel that you are really alive: to let yourself be surprised, to improvise and to throw yourself into each moment without knowing what comes next.
If you are looking for this, this is NOT the trip for you
- A tour of 5 temples a day and quick photos.
- An overcrowded and superficial trip.
- Pay the minimum even if you lose the experience.
If you are looking for this, WELCOME
- Real adventure, but with calm and awareness.
- High-quality hotels, elegant aesthetics and private rest. Forget the crowded rooms; here we prioritize your space and your own bathroom.
- Space to connect with the immensity of the landscape, the strength of the sea and the energy of the group.
«We are looking for 13 people. Not one more. Because true connection on the Island of the Gods only happens when the group has room to breathe.»
Must-see places to experience in Palawan
El Nido: Crystal Lagoons
Navigating among Stone Giants You will stand in front of imposing limestone rock walls framing impossible turquoise waters. A sacred place where the echo of nature invites you to reflect on the greatness of what cannot be explained with words.
Port Barton: Time Suspended
The Architecture of Philippine Calm You will walk along floury sand beaches that look as if they were hand-painted. To kayak through palm trees and emerald blue is to understand why Palawan is the last refuge of unspoiled beauty.
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
Immersion in the bowels of the Earth It is not a visit, it is an experience that shakes you. You will sail through this World Heritage Site, one of the Seven New Natural Wonders, feeling how the force of the earth cleanses and renews you.
Expedition from El Nido to Coron
Dancing with the Stars in Remote Islands 4 days and 3 nights sailing what no one else sees. Sleeping in native cabins, dinners in front of the campfire and the privilege of waking up on a desert island with the world at your feet. A moment you will remember forever.
Mount Tapyas in Coron
The Last Sigh of the Sun We will climb to the top under a golden light to see how the archipelago surrenders to the night. A picture of absolute serenity where time seems to stop at last.
Maquinit Hot Springs
The Embrace of the Hot Springs We will get away from routine to seek the warmth of natural hot springs by the sea. Places where the body relaxes and nature reminds you, with each bubble, that you are alive.
What you will experience in Palawan
- Connecting with the force of nature exploring the Underground River, one of the seven wonders of the world.
- Discovering secret lagoons and floury sandy beaches on our four-day private expedition between El Nido and Coron.
- Enjoy our shelters with class; accommodations selected for their design and comfort to make your rest sacred.
- Feeling absolute freedom kayaking the waters of Port Barton and the limestone formations of El Nido.
- Activities that balance wild adventure with moments of deep disconnection, restorative massages and silence in front of the sea.
The group and laughter
You don't come to see people, you come to be part of something. Toasts at sunset on the deck of the ship, improvised dinners on the sand of Port Barton and that complicity that is born when you share the extraordinary. You don't come back with contacts, you come back with friends on the road.
The blue that heals
Places that impose and force you to be present. Forget the filters; here you will feel the vibration of the most crystalline waters of the planet and the weight of a nature that has been intact for centuries. It is beauty that you can feel on your skin, not just in the camera.
Local flavor and roots
Palawan is energy and mixture. From fresh seafood and kinilaw (authentic Filipino ceviche) on the beach, to the traces of our history in the colonial architecture. Here every bite and every aroma is a celebration that you are far away from routine.
The embrace of the wild
We left the asphalt behind. Whether paddling a kayak through hidden lagoons or under the blanket of stars on a remote island, you will feel how Palawan's nature gives you back the energy that the city has stolen from you. It's life at its purest.
You have not come to watch. You came to vibrate.
Forget the viewpoints from the bus. This is the jump into the lagoon, the amazement of the bonfires under the stars and the adrenaline of hiking trails that seem to be from another planet. Comfort when it's time, but adventure whenever we can. Because to come back refreshed, you first have to feel very much alive.
Travel is not just about getting around.
There are trips that you forget when you land. And there are trips that stay with you.
It is not for the monuments or for the photos. It is for what happens between one place and the next: that conversation in the van crossing the jungle, the silence that assaults you in front of a temple or the moment when the sea forces you, finally, to breathe slowly.
This trip is designed for that.
So that for 16 days you not only change your scenery, but also your rhythm and energy. So that routine fades effortlessly and you remember, at last, what it feels like to be exactly where you want to be:
Sea. Jungle. Energy. And you, finally, in your place.
We are not a travel agency. We are your travel companions.
SunZen was not born in an office or a travel agency.
It was born out of a very simple need: to breathe again.
Behind SunZen we are Rakel and Toni.
Two people who one day decided to stop, get out of the routine and create the way of traveling that we had always missed.
We don't come from the world of tourism. We come from the real world: rigid schedules, weeks that go by too fast and that feeling of needing to really disconnect when a few days off finally arrive.
The mountains, the beach, nature and animals have always been our refuge. And one day we understood that we wanted to share that feeling with other people.
Because every time we looked for group travel we felt that something was missing.
We wanted adventure, yes.
But also comfort.
A space of its own.
A trip where you share moments with the group... but also have your own corner to disconnect.
From that idea SunZen was born.
We organize trips where the adventure is still present, but the rest is private, comfortable and at your own pace. Where everything is taken care of so that the trip flows: from the route of the day to the hot shower at the end of the day.
Because vacations are not for suffering or for following rigid schedules.
They are there to live, breathe and come back different.
If you've had enough impersonal travel, maybe it's time to try something different.
You don't come to see Palawan. You come to live it
Palawan is not a destination to look at from the outside; it is the «last frontier» with a force that shakes you. We've designed this trip to get you down on the sand, into the lagoons and feel the true wild essence of the place. If you're looking for more than the typical tourist photo, you're where you need to be.
You don't come here just to move: you come to test yourself, to break the mold, to discover a world that works at a different pace and to go back home a different person. And you will not do it alone; you will go with a group of people who share your values and your desire to squeeze life. Traveling with like-minded people is what makes a good route unforgettable.
This is not your typical organized trip. It is the exact combination of pure adventure, real connection and a different way of biting the Philippines from the inside.
The Energy Route: Total Immersion in Palawan
16 days among crystal lagoons and wild nature
DAY 1 - Takeoff begins Flight Madrid - Manila. We all meet at the airport. It's time to meet in person and have our first hug. Tomorrow you will wake up on the other side of the world. Night on board.
DAY 2 - Island Hopping Arrival in Manila and connection with the flight to Puerto Princesa. Transfer to our hotel. Quiet dinner and strategic rest. Paradise is already under your feet.
DAY 3 - The Pulse of the Capital City Free day in Puerto Princesa to acclimatize and make contact with the group. We will stroll around the city, visit the local spots and start creating the expedition's pineapple.
DAY 4 - The Heart of the Earth Excursion to the Subterranean River. We get up early to visit one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. We will navigate through its millenary caves. On our way back, optional night walk through the Balayong People's Park.
DAY 5 - Heading for Calm: Port Barton We head north towards Port Barton. A place where time stands still. We will enjoy the first island hopping and we will close the day watching the sunset at Itaytay Beach.
DAY 6 - The Privilege of the Forest and the Sea We will explore Coconut Beach and the waterfalls of Pamuayan. You will have the option of touring the coastline by kayak at your own pace. It is the perfect day to connect with untouched nature without rushing.
DAY 6 - The Privilege of the Forest and the Sea We will explore Coconut Beach and the waterfalls of Pamuayan. You will have the option of touring the coastline by kayak at your own pace. It is the perfect day to connect with untouched nature without rushing.
DAY 7 - El Nido: Las Lagunas de Cristal (Crystal Lagoons) Transfer to El Nido. We will arrive to see for the first time the imposing limestone walls. First contact with the mythical Big Lagoon and sunset at Las Cabañas Beach.
DAY 8 - The Taraw Cliff Challenge Hiking and Panoramic Views. Guided 10km route (ascent + coastal walk) to see El Nido from the heights. An effort that is rewarded with the best sunset in Las Cabañas.
DAY 9 - The Secret of the Hidden Beaches Sailing day: Hidden Beach y Helicopter Island. Snorkeling and total relaxation. SunZen Surprise: Weather permitting, we will organize a restorative massage at the spa to reset your body.
DAYS 10 to 13 - The Great Expedition: From El Nido to Coron 4 days sailing on a private boat the most remote islands of Palawan. Places where time seems to have stopped.
- Snorkeling in virgin reefs, kayaking and paddle surfing in crystal clear waters.
- Fresh meals prepared by our chef on board (drinks included).
- You will spend the night under the stars, either in a cozy native cabin or in a camp on the beach. A total disconnection to connect with the purest essence of the archipelago.
DAY 14 - Coron Hot Springs Arrival in Coron. We will climb the steps of the Mount Tapyas to see the best sunset in the Philippines. To relax the muscles, we will finish the day immersed in the hot springs of Maquinit Hot Springs.
DAY 15 - Flour and Coral Beaches Last day at sea in the spectacular Malcapuya y Banana Island. A day dedicated to high quality snorkeling and enjoying the whitest sand you have ever seen.
DAY 16 - Last Farewell in Manila Flight to Manila. Walk through the historic district of Intramuros to see the Spanish roots. We will celebrate our Farewell Dinner and Party to toast to all that we have experienced.
DAY 17 - Return Home Transfer to the airport for the flight back to Spain. Landing in Madrid (Day +1). We return with our hearts pounding in Filipino. End of the SunZen expedition.
The adventure does not end at the airport
You will return home with a full suitcase, but also with a new family. This trip is the beginning of many more routes together, are you coming to the next one?
Living in a Design Oasis
We have selected each accommodation so that your stay is an extension of the adventure itself. We look for the balance between the adrenaline of the route and the sophistication of private relaxation.
Your private oasis: After the intensity of the expedition, your refuge is not an extra: it is a priority. Spacious, comfortable rooms designed to make disconnecting at the end of the day as important as the adventure itself.
Inviting spaces: Rooms with noble materials, careful lighting and an atmosphere that invites calm. A space designed not only to rest, but to enjoy the intimacy and pleasure of being in an exclusive place.
You decide if this trip remains a wish... or becomes your next great experience.
Step 1: First Contact (2 min)
Fill in the application form.
It does not commit you to anything.
It helps us to better understand your expectations, your way of traveling and to ensure that this trip fits you.
Step 2: The Human Connection (10 min)
We will schedule a short video call to get to know each other.
We will answer your questions and see if there is a good fit with the type of group we are creating.
Our goal is not to fill seats, but to create a group of people with the same way of traveling.
Step 3: Now the good stuff starts.
If we both feel it is the right time, we will formalize your place. From then on, we stop being organizers and become your companions on the road. We help you with the flights and start building the team in the WhatsApp group.
Completing the form does not imply any reservation.
Only 13 places available. The adventure begins the moment you decide to take the step.
What YES is included in your SunZen experience
✅ 24h accompaniment: We will be with you from the first minute. We are your companions on the road, managing every detail so that the logistics flow and you just enjoy.
✅ Classy accommodations: 14 nights in selected rooms along the route (villas, boutique hotels and the charm of native cabins on the expedition).
✅ Private transportation: All ground transfers in exclusive air-conditioned vehicles. Forget about haggling and waiting.
✅ Maritime Logistics: Ferry ride from El Nido to Coron and all transfers by private boats for the Island Hopping.
✅ Selected Gastronomy: All breakfasts, 7 meals y 5 dinners included (especially during the expedition, with chef on board and beverages).
✅ Tickets and Experiences: Access to the Underground River, use of kayaks in Port Barton, snorkeling in pristine reefs and guided hiking.
✅ Human Resources: We filter the group so that you share the route with like-minded people and we create the team in the WhatsApp group long before take-off.
What NOT included (for total clarity)
❌ International flights: Madrid - Palawan round trip (we help you to choose the best combination, approx. between 800€ and 1.000€).
❌ Travel insurance: It is mandatory to travel protected (approx. 70 €, we pass you the contact of the one we use).
❌ Lunches and dinners not specified: Total freedom to discover the local flavors at your leisure.
❌ Personal extras: Additional massages, tips or your purchases in the markets.
Trip to Palawan
Unspoiled beaches and nature
2.595 €
+Flights (taxes and VAT included)
We don't compete on price. We compete on care, authenticity and the value of your time.
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