Palawan.The last wild refuge.
The crystal lagoons of El Nido. The suspended calm of Port Barton. The Underground River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And four days sailing in a private boat among deserted islands, sleeping under the stars with the world at your feet. Seventeen days to experience the last frontier of the Philippines.
An expedition. One date only.
December in Palawan means dry, calm and crystal clear waters. It is the ideal window for the great expedition between El Nido and Coron sailing 4 days through remote islands. For this reason, there is only one trip per year.
December - 2026
Palawanthe last frontier
December 1 to 17
All you will find in these 17 days.
- Duration17 days / 14 nights at destination
- Group6 to 13 + Rakel/Toni
- Expedition4 days private boat + chef
- LodgingBoutique hotels + native cabins
- AccompanimentRakel or Toni 24/7
From Puerto Princesa to the Bacuit archipelago.
We start in the south with the UNESCO Underground River. We go up the west coast to Port Barton. We navigate the crystal lagoons of El Nido. And we crossed the Calamianes archipelago by private boat for 4 days.
- 01.Days 2-4 - Southern Palawan
Puerto Princesa
The capital city. Acclimatization and contact with the group. Door to the UNESCO Underground River.
- 02.Day 4 - UNESCO
Subterranean River
One of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Navigation through millenary caves in the jungle.
- 03.Days 5-6 - West Coast
Port Barton
Suspended time. Virgin beaches, kayaking, Pamuayan waterfalls and island hopping in bangka.
- 04.Days 7-9 - North
El Nido
The crystal lagoons. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Taraw Cliff, Hidden Beach and Helicopter Island.
- ⚓Days 10-13 - Archipelago
Expedition 4D/3N
Four days by private boat with chef on board, crossing the most remote islands between El Nido and Coron.
- 05.Days 14-15 - Calamianes Archipelago
Coron
Mount Tapyas at sunset, Maquinit Hot Springs, Malcapuya and Banana Island. The clasp of the sea.
- 06.Day 16 - Luzon
Manila
Spanish colonial intramurals and farewell dinner. The last embrace before returning home.
Palawan is not visited. It brings back your amazement.
There are beach destinations. And there are destinations that shake up the way you look at the world. Palawan belongs to the second group.
It is the last frontier of the Philippines. An archipelago where the limestone rocks are stuck in an impossibly turquoise sea, where there are beaches that no one stepped on yesterday and where the night falls on nameless islands. We do not come to photograph postcards. We come to inhabit a paradise that still exists.
Because the real magic doesn't happen in the crowded resort, but when the archipelago surprises you: the silence of a secret lagoon at dawn, the taste of the kinilaw freshly prepared in the sand, or the live coral of a corner that does not appear on tourist maps.
There will be conversations that start 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. Y four nights sleeping under the cleanest blanket of stars you have ever seen in your life.
To discover Palawan is to feel that you are really alive. To let yourself be surprised, to improvise, to throw yourself into every moment without knowing what comes next. This is not a journey. It is an expedition for those who are no longer satisfied.
An island. Three souls.
Palawan has an elongated and sharp shape - almost 450 km long. From north to south it changes landscape, pace and energy. To cross the entire archipelago is to discover that there are three worlds in a single archipelago.
The South primordial.
Where the river penetrates the land and the jungle speaks softly.
The trip starts at Puerto Princesa, We will visit the quiet capital of Palawan. Acclimatization with the tropical humidity, first conversations of the group and a stroll through the city to feel the local pulse.
But the big day comes on the Subterranean River, stated UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World. We will navigate through more than a kilometer of millenary caves, with stalactites hanging over the black water and a subway ecosystem unique on the planet. It is an experience that cleanses you.
- Puerto Princesa: acclimatization, walking and Balayong People's Park
- Subterranean River UNESCO: one of the 7 Natural Wonders
- Boat trip through millenary caves with local guide
- First contact with the wild essence of the archipelago
The lagoons glass.
Where time stands still in Port Barton and the limestone rock walls plunge into the turquoise sea.
From the south we go up the west coast to Port Barton, A hidden gem that very few travelers know about. Beaches of sand flour, We will visit wooden bangkas, Pamuayan waterfalls hidden in the jungle and kayak among palm trees. Time does not pass here - is the perfect antidote before adrenaline.
And it arrives El Nido. The famous limestone walls of the Bacuit archipelago, the hand-painted lagoons and the hidden beaches only accessible by boat. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island, Secret Lagoon - names you will never forget. And the optional challenge of the Taraw Cliff, with breathtaking views.
- Port Barton: island hopping, Coconut Beach, Pamuayan Waterfalls
- El Nido: Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Taraw Cliff
- Hidden Beach y Helicopter Island: snorkeling in virgin reefs
- Legendary sunsets at Las Cabañas Beach
The archipelago wild.
Where four days on a private boat change forever your concept of paradise.
And it arrives the jewel of the trip: the 4-day, 3-night expedition by private boat crossing the Calamianes archipelago between El Nido and Coron. This is not a ferry, it is a premium expedition.chef on board cooking fresh meals, snorkeling in pristine reefs, kayaking and paddle surfing in crystal clear waters, and nights sleeping on native cabins or camping on deserted islands under the stars.
Upon disembarking at Coron, the last chapter. Climb Mount Tapyas to see one of the best sunsets in the Philippines., a restorative bath in the hot springs of Maquinit Hot Springs and a day of pure sea on the whitest beaches you have ever set foot on: Malcapuya and Banana Island. Perfect closure before returning to Manila.
- Expedition 4D/3N: private boat + chef + snorkeling + native cabins
- Nights under the stars on remote islands without electric light
- Mount Tapyas + hot springs of Maquinit Hot Springs
- Malcapuya and Banana Island: high quality sand flour and snorkel
This is our Palawan. The last real frontier.
There are destinations that you sell. And there are destinations that leave you marked. Palawan belongs to the second group. It is the destination we are most hesitant to open to the group - because here every place we deliver means sharing a secret we have been keeping for years.
That is why this itinerary does not run. We have put 3 nights in El Nido to live the lagoons without haste. We have opted for the 4-day private boat expedition when most cross by fast ferry. We have included Port Barton, The hidden jewel that few know, when the easy circuit is to skip it. And we have closed with two days in Coron for the sea to bring you back home in one piece.
It is not the Palawan of tours. It is the one we discovered, the one that is still wild and the one we want to share with you. - before the world ends up finding it.
- Rakel and Toni, SunZen.
Four pillars that make it unique.
It is not an itinerary. It is a way to cross Palawan. Four axes that are repeated every day and make the difference between «seeing the archipelago» and really living it.
The group and laughter.
You don't come to see people, you come to be part of something. Sunset toasts on the deck of the ship, impromptu 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.
Blue that heals.
Places that impose and force you to be present. Forget the filters. Here you will feel the vibration of the clearest waters on the planet and the weight of a nature that has been intact for centuries. Beauty that can be felt on the skin, not just in the camera.
Local flavor and roots.
Palawan is energy and mix. From fresh seafood and kinilaw - authentic Filipino ceviche - on the beach, to the traces of Spanish colonial history in Intramuros. Every bite is a celebration of being far away from the routine.
The embrace of the wild.
We leave the asphalt behind. Whether paddling in 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 is life in its purest form.
What no one forgets.
There are activities you can do on any trip to the Philippines. And there are four that are the reason this trip is told for years after returning. These are those four.
The Underground River UNESCO.
One of the 7 New Natural Wonders of the World. We will navigate through more than a kilometer of millenary caves, with stalactites hanging over the black water and a subway ecosystem unique on the planet. It's not a visit, it's an experience that shakes you. A World Heritage Site that cleans you from the inside out.
The crystal lagoons of Bacuit.
The icon of the Philippines. Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, Hidden Beach, Helicopter Island - framed by imposing limestone walls over impossibly turquoise waters. A sacred place where the echo of nature invites you to reflect about the greatness of what cannot be explained with words.
The expedition 4 days El Nido-Coron.
The jewel of the trip. Four days and three nights by private boat with chef on board crossing the most remote islands of the archipelago. It is not a ferry, it is a conscious luxury expedition.Snorkeling in virgin reefs, kayaking, paddle surfing, dinners in front of the bonfire and nights in native cabins under the stars. What you will remember all your life.
Mount Tapyas at sunset.
We will climb the 700 steps of the Mount Tapyas under a golden light to see how the archipelago of Calamianes surrenders to the night. One of the best sunsets in the Philippines, with the sea stretching infinitely. And to relax the muscles afterwards, a restorative bath in the natural hot springs at Maquinit Hot Springs.
This is how it feels a day on the boat.
A glimpse of what no one can explain to you without having lived it. A real day of the private expedition between El Nido and Coron.
You open your eyes in your native bamboo hut in front of the sea. No WiFi, no electricity, no noise. Only the sound of the waves breaking softly and the first ray of light sneaking through the boards of the hut. You step barefoot onto the sand. You are the first person to set foot on that beach today.
Philippine coffee barako freshly made, tropical fruit cut by the crew - mango, pineapple, papaya, banana - and hot bread. You have breakfast on deck while the boat starts engines and cast off. Someone from the group is already with the camera out. Someone else passes you a hot tea. Start the slowest and most beautiful day of your life.
We stopped at a unnamed bay with waters so crystal clear that you can see the bottom 10 meters away. You put on your goggles and dive in. Green turtles, clown fish, corals of impossible colors. There are no other boats. No other people. Just your group, the captain waiting above and an ecosystem that no one has touched.
The ship's chef serves the dish that changes your life: freshly caught grilled fish, jasmine rice, green mango salad and kinilaw - the Filipino ceviche. You eat with your hands while the boat rocks gently. Drinks included, unhurried after-dinner conversation. Someone suggests taking a nap. You all agree.
We take down kayaks and paddle surf. The boat anchors in a closed lagoon with limestone walls. You paddle in on your own. Turquoise water, stone walls 30 meters high, absolute silence. You stop. You put down the paddle. And you realize that you are exactly where you always wanted to be, even if until today you didn't know this place existed.
The captain stops the engine. The ship stands still in front of the horizon. Cold beer or rum with fresh coconut in hand, all on deck. The sky turns from blue to orange, from orange to pink, from pink to purple. No one speaks for a few minutes. Then, without knowing who started it, the conversation flows by itself. You talk to someone in the group and discover that you carry the same vital wound. You laugh.
We arrive at the island where we will sleep. The crew has already lit the bonfire in the sand. Fresh dinner around the fire, music OPM Filipina in the background, someone pulls out a guitar, laughter, stories. You look up: the Milky Way visible to the naked eye, something you never remembered seeing before.
You go back to your cabin. You leave the door open because you don't need to close it. You lie down and listen to the sea. You think about the routine you left behind 11 days ago. It seems like years have passed. Tomorrow is another day like this one. And the day after. And the day after that.
This is not a trip. It's a whole chapter of your life that does not fit in the memory of the cell phone.
The route of the energy.
Seventeen days designed to cross the last frontier with calm, depth and authenticity. Balanced rhythm: adventure when it's time, rest when it's needed, expedition when the sea asks for it.
Takeoff to the other side.
Meeting at Madrid airport (or connection from Valencia). This is where the magic beginsWe leave the routine behind and fly to the most remote archipelago in Asia. Overnight on board.
The leap to the island.
Landing in Manila around 18h. Connection with the internal flight to Puerto Princesa (included) and transfer to the hotel. Quiet dinner and strategic rest. Paradise is already under your feet. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.
The pulse of the capital.
Free day in Puerto Princesa for acclimatize ourselves to the rhythm of the Philippines and make contact with the group. A walk through the city, local corners, first shared coffees and that initial energy that turns 13 strangers into a pinecone. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.
The heart of the land.
Early in the morning to visit the Subterranean River, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Navigation through millenary caves with stalactites hanging over the black water. Dinner at the hotel and optional night walk by the Balayong People's Park. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.
Rumbo to calm down.
Breakfast at the hotel and departure by road for Port Barton (3 hours trip, approx. 8:30h to 12:30h). A place where time stands still. In the afternoon, first island hopping in bangka - the traditional Philippine boat. Closing of the day with the sunset on Itaytay Beach. Overnight in Port Barton.
The privilege of the jungle and the sea.
We will explore Coconut Beach, White Beach, the Pamuayan waterfalls and Pamuayan Beach. You will have the option of touring the coastline by kayaking at your own pace, paddling among palm trees. It is the perfect day for connect with untouched nature without haste. Overnight in Port Barton.
The lagoons glass.
Departure by road to El Nido (arrival around 11:30 am). First contact with the imposing limestone walls of the Bacuit archipelago. We enter the mythical Big Lagoon. Sunset on the Las Cabañas Beach. Overnight at El Nido.
The challenge of the Taraw Cliff.
Hiking and panoramic views. 10 km guided tour (ascent + coastal walk) along the Taraw Cliff to see El Nido from the heights. An effort that is rewarded with the best sunset at Las Cabañas. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight at El Nido.
Hidden beaches and snorkeling.
Full day of sailing with the Tour C: Hidden Beach, Secret Beach, Helicopter Island. Snorkeling in virgin reefs and total relaxation. SunZen Surprise: if time allows, we will organize a restorative massage at the spa to reset your body before the big expedition. Night in El Nido.
Boarding. The great journey begins.
We set sail from El Nido to start the jewel of the journey: 4 days and 3 nights on a private boat crossing the most remote islands of Palawan.. Expert crew, chef on board cooking fresh meals, drinks included. First stop: snorkeling in virgin reef. First dinner under the starry sky. Night 1 in a native hut or desert island camp.
Between islands unnamed.
Full day sailing between hidden lagoons, pristine beaches and living reefs. Snorkeling, kayaking, paddle surfing, or simply read a book on the cover. The chef serves a fresh lunch on board. Sunset at sea. Arrival to a new island to spend the night. Bonfires, boodle fights, karaoke and stars. Night 2 in camp.
The real disconnection.
Third day of navigation. You have already lost track of time. You wake up with the sun, you eat when the chef calls you, you swim when the captain anchors.. Exploration of more islands, unique reefs and bays than ever before. not listed on Google Maps. Night 3 on a remote island without electricity - the Milky Way will be your ceiling.
Landing in Coron.
Last day of sailing. With the heart full of sea, we arrived at the port of Coron. We disembarked, showered for the first time in 4 days at our hotel and looked in the mirror: we are not the same. Free dinner in Coron Town to continue celebrating. Overnight in Coron.
The last sigh of the sun.
In the afternoon, we will climb the 700 steps of Mount Tapyas to see one of the best sunsets in the Philippines. To relax the muscles, we will finish the day immersed in the natural hot springs of Maquinit Hot Springs, a geothermal wonder by the sea. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Coron.
Beaches sand flour.
Last day at sea in the spectacular Malcapuya and Banana Island. A day dedicated to high quality snorkel and enjoy the whitest sand you have ever seen. Lunch included on board. The perfect finishing touch before returning to the real world. Overnight in Coron.
Manila and the farewell dinner.
Transfer from Coron to Manila. In the afternoon, free stroll through the historic district of Intramuros to know the Spanish colonial roots - walls, Fort Santiago, churches of the XVI century. Celebration of the Farewell Dinner and Party to toast to all that we have experienced. Night in Manila.
The last good-bye.
Transfer to the airport for the return international flight. Landing in Madrid the following day. We come back with a full suitcase, but also with a new family. The journey ends here, but the sound of the waves in the native hut, the taste of kinilaw in the sand and the Milky Way over the island with no name will be with you long after you've unpacked.
The eight moments that are engraved forever.
There are trips that can be summed up in moments. These are the eight that make the difference between knowing Palawan and living there.
The awakening of the last frontier.
Calmness in the flour sand.
Walls of Bacuit crystal.
The summit and the infinite sea.
Nights that do not fit in the chamber.
Dancing with the stars on remote islands.
The sunset from Mount Tapyas.
The sand whitest in the world.
Each hotel fulfills a function on the trip.
What brings the most to the trip - Whether it's a boutique hotel with a pool, a native hut on an island without electricity or a private boat with a chef on board. Because where you sleep is part of the journey.
From design-designed shelters in Puerto Princesa and El Nido to the luxury of sleeping on a remote island under the stars.
Five lodges. A private boat expedition. A single promise: that sleep will also be part of the journey.
What it includes -
and what will never include.
No surprises in the final bill. This is exactly what goes into the price of your expedition to Palawan. And this is what, as a matter of principle, we will never put in.
All that makes the trip.
- Boutique lodging: 11 nights in selected hotels (Puerto Princesa - Port Barton - El Nido - Coron - Manila) in superior double room.
- Private expedition El Nido → Coron: 4 days and 3 nights in private boat with chef on board, drinks included (alcohol included) and daily activities.
- 3 nights in native cabins or camping on remote islands during the expedition. Feeling of absolute exclusivity.
- 1 internal flight included: Manila → Puerto Princesa (day 2) in economy class, without any arrangements.
- Spanish-speaking local guide during scheduled excursions in Puerto Princesa, Port Barton, El Nido and Coron.
- 24/7 SunZen accompaniment: Rakel or Toni with the group from Madrid to Madrid.
- All transfers in private air-conditioned van and sea transfers in private bangkas.
- All entries: UNESCO Underground River, guided Taraw Cliff, Mount Tapyas, Maquinit Hot Springs, National Parks.
- Selected gastronomy: daily breakfasts, 7 lunches + 5 dinners included (especially the 4 dinners during the expedition with chef on board).
- Complete lunch on the Malcapuya + Banana Island excursion (day 15).
- Island hopping in Port Barton (day 5) in private bangka with snorkeling included.
- Tour C in El Nido (day 9): Hidden Beach, Secret Beach and Helicopter Island.
- Use of kayaks in Port Barton, paddle surfing and kayaking during the expedition.
- Details SunZen: daily mineral water, refreshing towelettes, coordination of international flights with the group.
What we prefer you choose.
- International flights Madrid/Valencia - Manila - Madrid/Valencia. We advise you to choose the best combination (approximately 800-1.000€ depending on season and in advance).
- Ferry Coron → Manila (day 16). We manage it but it is not included in the price - approx. 40€.
- Tourist visa: For Spanish passports, the Philippines allows visa-free entry for up to 30 days tourism (check at time of travel).
- Free lunches and dinners not mentioned in the program, to discover local flavors at your leisure (night markets, boutique cafes in El Nido).
- Travel insurance mandatory. We will give you the contact information for the one we use (IATI, Chapka or Mapfre) - approx. 70-90€.
- Extra drinks outside the expedition (during the 4 days of the boat everything is included, alcohol included).
- Personal extras: additional massages in hotels, laundry, international calls, shopping in markets.
- Voluntary gratuities for guides, drivers, boat crew and hotel staff (customary in the Philippines).
- Optional water activities in Port Barton (extra snorkeling for direct payment if done outside the program).
- Nothing you won't see in the itinerary. No surprises in the final bill.
The reward of the last frontier.
This is how much it costs for an expedition made with criteria. No wholesalers, no massive chains, no fine print - and with the jewel of the expedition 4 days by private boat already solved for you.
+ international flights
Domestic flight Manila-PPS, VAT and taxes included.
What you pay is not the price. That's all there is behind it.
- Total peace of mind: internal flight + all transfers + 4D/3N expedition + entrance fees and safaris. You do not manage anything.
- Double guide: Spanish speaking local guide + Rakel or Toni with you 24/7.
- Exclusivity: group of 13 maximum + one trip per year in December.
- Unique signature experience: 4 days on private boat with chef on board and 3 nights sleeping on remote islands under the stars. You won't find it in any conventional tour.
- Presence: 17 days with a balanced rhythm so that you return refreshed, not exhausted.
Four steps. No surprises.
There are no endless forms or pushy sales calls here. What you find is an honest conversation to find out if this trip is for you, and if it is, a frictionless booking.
Request your place.
Fill in the form or write us directly. We will get back to you in less than 24 hours with a personal email - never a generic message.
Call calibration.
We chat with you for 30 minutes. No obligation. We will tell you the details, solve doubts and we tell you honestly if you fit in with the group.
Reservation with deposit.
If everything fits together, reserve your place with a 800€ deposit. The balance is payable 60 days prior to departure.
Te we prepare.
You receive a complete dossier with everything you need to know: visas, vaccinations, luggage, flights. And see you in Madrid on December 1st.
Those who carry the trip.
You don't go alone. On every SunZen trip, one of us travels with the group from Madrid to Madrid. Double guidance, double care.
Rakel
Co-founder - SunZenThe caring eye of the project. Design itineraries thinking about how you are going to feel each day., not only in what you are going to see. The obsession with the details that change a trip is yours.
Toni
Co-founder - SunZenThe one that opens the way. Direct dealings with local partners and deep logistics design - the one who makes sure that when you arrive, everything is already thought of. That's why you just have to live it.
Honesty, before sales.
Not everyone fits SunZen. And not every trip fits everyone. Here's who this Palawan expedition is for, and who it's not for. If you recognize yourself more in the left column, we are waiting for you.
If you you recognize here.
- Looking for a small group where names are actually known and real complicity is created.
- You want combining adventure with comfort - private boat by day, boutique hotel by night.
- Accept 3 nights sleeping in native cabins without luxury and electric light as part of the magic, not as a sacrifice.
- Valoras the criterion of an agency that has done its homework at every stop.
- You are excited about the idea of disconnect 17 days for real - no office, no meetings, no screens.
- You enjoy the mix of light physical activity (walking, snorkeling, kayaking) with long breaks.
If you identify yourself here.
- You are waiting for a trip overcrowded resort all-inclusive and pool entertainers.
- You do not want to sharing moments with a group - you prefer a 100% individual or couple experience in private.
- Looking for Continuous WiFi and services for 17 days. In the expedition there will be 4 days without coverage.
- You need a rigid itinerary with every scheduled minute - here there is flexibility and moments to improvise.
- The budget 2,795 + flights does not fit at this time - we understand it is not for everyone.
- It makes you uncomfortable a certain level of adventure10 km walk, sailing for several hours, sleeping in basic cabins.
Honest doubts we receive.
No one signs up for a 17-day trip without having questions. Here are the ones you ask us the most - and our real answers, without marketing.
«Isn't €2,795 + flights too expensive?»
It is a real investment, not a cheap trip. Compare it with an organized trip to Southeast Asia with private boat: the usual prices start at 3.500€-4.500€ without the quality of accompaniment that we provide.. Here you pay 17 days with double guide, 4D/3N expedition in private boat with chef, internal flight and all entrance fees. No surprises in the final bill.
«Am I going to be able to handle the 4-day boat expedition?»
If you walk, swim a little and feel like adventure, you will be able to perfectly. The expedition does not require any special physical condition. The activities are optional - you can participate in everything or stay on deck reading. The only requirement is that you feel like sleeping under the stars.
«What if I don't fit in with the group?»
That is why we make the calibration call before booking. We chat with you for 30 minutes to see if you're a good fit - and we'll tell you honestly whether we think you are or not. We'd rather lose a sale than ruin a trip for you. In addition, people with very similar profiles travel in SunZen: professionals, couples, friends, curious solo travelers.
«Why only one outing a year in December?»
Because December is the ideal month in PalawanDry season, calm sea and crystal clear waters for the 4-day expedition. At other times the sea may impede safe navigation - and the expedition is the jewel of the journey, we cannot risk it. A single departure also means total care - Rakel or Toni are involved in that particular group.
«I'm going alone/alone - will I feel uncomfortable?»
More from the 40% by SunZen Traveler comes alone. The group is made in 2 days. You have single room (with supplement) or shared with another person of the same gender if you prefer. Group complicity is born alone - the ship's deck is an incubator of friendships.
«What if I have to cancel?»
You have a clear cancellation policy you receive with the contract - it depends on the moment. We recommend taking out the insurance with cancellation coverage that we offer (IATI, Chapka or Mapfre). It covers practically any unforeseen event. No surprises, no fine print.
What usually ask us.
Honest answers to the most common questions about Palawan. If you have any other questions, let us know in the call.
Can you help me with international flights?
Of course. We advise you to choose the best combination to Manila and, if possible, we coordinate the group to fly together from the beginning. It is not mandatory to depart from Madrid: each person chooses his or her airport of origin. The approximate cost of the international flights is between 800€ y 1.000€ according to season and in advance.
The Manila-Puerto Princesa domestic flight is included. in the price of the trip. You manage nothing.
What happens if I travel alone?
It is designed exactly to work well when traveling alone. Many of the people who rely on SunZen come to us alone. - the pre-filter exists so that the group has the right energy before flying.
About the rooms: The basic room is shared with another person of the same gender (no extra charge). If you prefer a single room, it is possible with transparent supplement that we communicate to you before confirming. During the expedition, the native cabins are also organized by gender.
What documentation do I need to travel to the Philippines?
Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and with 2 blank pages. For spanish passports, Philippines allows visa-free entry for up to 30 days as a tourist - nothing needs to be managed beforehand.
When leaving the Philippines there is an airport tax (approximately 15-20€ per person) to be paid on the spot. We will remind you in the WhatsApp group before the trip.
What are the physical fitness requirements?
You don't have to be an athlete. Yes, it is necessary to be able to walk 10 km with moderate gradient (Taraw Cliff in El Nido + Mount Tapyas 700 steps in Coron) and swimming at least 20 meters in a row (for snorkeling). The most demanding activities are the Taraw Cliff, Mount Tapyas and optional kayaking in Port Barton.
If you have any physical limitation or vertigo, let us know on the call and see if the trip fits. Sometimes we adapt some activities, sometimes we propose another route.
What are the nights like in the expedition's native cabins?
They are basic but clean and safe cabinsBed with clean sheets, mosquito net, palm roof, shared bathroom with water for showering. No air conditioning, no electric light (we use flashlights and candles), no WiFi, no electricity (we use candles).. The bathroom is functional and drinking water is always available.
It is the most authentic part of the trip - and also the most loved by those who travel with us. The feeling of sleeping on an island without noise or artificial light is something you can't get in any resort in the world. The captain and crew are with you all the time.
Is there a risk of typhoons or bad weather in December?
December is one of the best months to visit Palawan. The official typhoon season in the Philippines runs from June to November - December is the beginning of the dry season, with calm waters and clear skies. That is why we chose this date.
The sea is fundamental for the expedition, and in December the conditions are optimal. In the years we have been operating this trip, we have never had to cancel a day's sailing due to weather. In exceptional cases, the captain adapts the day's plan to ensure safety.
What do I need to bring on the trip?
We send you a detailed baggage guide before flying: light clothing for tropical climate (high humidity), 1-2 swimsuits, light trekking shoes, modest clothing for visiting Intramuros, strong mosquito repellent, high biodegradable sunscreen (a must for the reefs), plug adaptor, snorkeling goggles of your own if you have them, head flashlight and a small waterproof backpack for expedition.
Tip: During the expedition you only carry a small backpack on the boat. The large luggage is kept at the hotel in El Nido and you pick it up when you disembark in Coron.
Can I depart from another airport?
Yes, the group is usually coordinated from Madrid, but you can depart from Valencia, Barcelona or any European airport.. We help you to coordinate the connection with the arrival flight to Manila so that you can meet the group without complications.
Do I need travel insurance?
It is mandatory. Traveling 17 days to the Philippines without insurance is crazy. We will give you the contact information of the insurance we use (IATI, Chapka or Mapfre depending on the case), with coverage adjusted to what you are going to do: trekking, kayaking, snorkeling, sea voyage, etc. It costs approximately 70-90€ for the dates of the trip.
Important: make sure that your insurance covers water activities and boating, not all standard insurances include them by default.
Is there a minimum number of travelers for the group to depart?
Yes, 6 persons minimum. Below that, we cancel the departure and refund the 100% of the deposit. As Palawan is one-time annual departure in December, If you prefer not to wait, we can also offer you to go to Bali, Thailand, Vietnam or Sri Lanka. You'll never get stuck by our decision.
Can I bring a companion?
Of course. You can come with a partner, friend or family member. The previous filter would be done with both people (a joint conversation). All we ask is that everyone has their own criteria for coming here - we don't want someone to come «dragged». That doesn't go well in any group, let alone in 17 shared days, 3 of which are sleeping in cabins without WiFi.
Is there an age limit?
We set no formal limits. Our trips attract people between 30 and 65 years old mostly, but we have had people outside that range. It's the attitude, the way you travel and the desire to experience adventure that matters - not the age on your passport. Palawan in particular requires some mobility because of the steps and kayaking, but if you're feeling energetic, age is the least important.
Why travel in a group?
Because there are destinations that are best enjoyed accompanied. Palawan is one of them. Dinner at the campfire on the remote island, toasts at sunset on the ship's deck, conversations under the Milky Way. - those things don't happen the same way traveling alone. And because we take care of the logistics, you just take care of living.
In addition, organizing Palawan on your own is complicatedCoordinating internal flights, the Coron ferry, the excursions, the Underground River permits, the 4D/3N expedition... It's more expensive and more stressful. We do it for you.
Can I find a similar proposal in the market?
Honestly, finding something identical is very difficult. Yes there are organized tours to the Philippines - but with groups of 30+ people, without the private 4D/3N expedition (or with fast commercial ferry instead), without Port Barton (which they skip), with basic hotels. What we do (group of 13, private boat with chef on board, 4★ hotels, double-guided, 17 full days) is a intermediate category between backpack and classic luxury. That's where we live.
What is the profile of my travel companions like?
People who are looking for exactly what you are looking for when you read this page.Travel with criteria, with human rhythm and with the desire to experience Palawan from the inside. They are usually professionals, people who travel alone or as a couple, curious, with previous travel culture. The website is in 5 languages - who knows where your companions on this expedition will come from.
Travel to Palawan in particular appeals to people with desire to disconnect strongly - those who book 4 nights without WiFi are actively looking for it.
Your place in Palawan is waiting for you.
Only 13 seats, one trip per year in December. The first thing is the conversation - no commitment, no salesmanship, no fine print.
The expedition begins the moment you decide to take the plunge.
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