Philippines: 9-Day Philippines Highlights Plus — El Nido to Sabang

9-Day Philippines Highlights Plus — El Nido to Sabang

Take your Philippine adventure to the next level with this 9-day Highlights Plus itinerary that adds depth, flexibility, and extra island time to the classic Palawan route. With two additional days compared to the 7-day version, you’ll enjoy a free day in El Nido for optional adventures (Taraw Cliff scramble, Nacpan Beach, or scuba diving), plus an extended Puerto Princesa stay featuring Honda Bay island hopping and the Sabang mangrove ecosystem. This is the perfect itinerary for travelers who want the complete Palawan experience without rushing. Operated by Intertrips via TourRadar at 50% off.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Manila — Colonial Capital

Arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Your driver meets you and transfers you to your hotel in the Malate or Makati district. After settling in, embark on a guided afternoon tour of Intramuros, the Walled City — the historic heart of Spanish colonial Manila, built beginning in 1571. Walk cobblestone streets past 400-year-old churches, Spanish colonial houses, and massive stone fortifications. Visit Fort Santiago — the citadel where Dr. José Rizal was imprisoned before his execution, with bronze footprints in the pavement tracing his final walk to martyrdom. The fort’s dungeons, ramparts, and the Rizal Shrine museum tell the story of the Philippine revolution and independence. Continue to San Agustin Church (UNESCO World Heritage, completed 1607) — the oldest stone church in the Philippines and a survivor of the catastrophic 1945 Battle of Manila that leveled most of Intramuros. Its Baroque interior, with a magnificent trompe l’oeil ceiling, carved choir stalls, and a 17th-century pipe organ, is one of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture in Asia. Walk through Rizal Park to the Rizal Monument, stroll along the Manila Baywalk at sunset, and enjoy a welcome dinner of Filipino specialties: crispy pata (deep-fried pork knuckle), kare-kare (oxtail and vegetables in peanut sauce), and halo-halo for dessert. Overnight in Manila.

Day 2: Fly to El Nido — Arrival in Paradise

Morning flight from Manila to El Nido (Lio Airport, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes). As you descend toward northern Palawan, the view from the plane window is your first glimpse of paradise: limestone islands scattered across turquoise water, white sand beaches fringed by coconut palms, and the dramatic cliffs of Bacuit Bay. Lio Airport’s open-air terminal means you step off the plane directly into tropical Palawan air. Your guide meets you with a welcome sign and transfers you to your beachfront hotel in El Nido town or the nearby Corong-Corong area. After checking in, take an orientation walk: El Nido’s main street runs parallel to the beach, lined with restaurants, dive shops, souvenir stalls, and tour operator offices. The vibe is relaxed, walkable, and welcoming — flip-flops and swimwear are the uniform. Afternoon: walk or tricycle to Las Cabanas Beach (Marimegmeg Beach). This long stretch of golden sand is the perfect introduction to El Nido — swim in the warm, shallow water, watch the sun set over the South China Sea with Bacuit Bay’s limestone islands silhouetted against the sky, and try the zipline (750 meters from hilltop to island — exhilarating views of the bay). Evening: explore El Nido’s dining scene. A beachfront dinner of grilled fish, garlic rice, and a fresh mango shake while watching the boats bob in the bay is the perfect end to your first day in Palawan. Overnight in El Nido.

Day 3: El Nido Tour A — Big Lagoon & Secret Lagoon

The classic island-hopping day that defines the El Nido experience. After breakfast, board your outrigger boat at El Nido beach and set off into the Bacuit Archipelago. First stop: Big Lagoon on Miniloc Island. The boat enters through a narrow channel between towering limestone cliffs draped in hanging gardens. Inside, the lagoon opens into a vast expanse of emerald-green water — so clear that boats floating 10 meters above the sandy bottom appear to hover in mid-air. Rent a kayak and paddle to the far end where the green water deepens to navy blue, surrounded by 200-meter limestone walls. The acoustics inside the lagoon — paddle strokes echoing off the rock — create an atmosphere of cathedral-like reverence. Second stop: Secret Lagoon. Swim 15 meters from the boat to a tiny opening in the limestone wall. Squeeze through (duck at low tide) and emerge into a perfectly circular natural pool about 30 meters across, surrounded by vertical rock walls with only the sky above. Third stop: Shimizu Island for the best snorkeling on Tour A. Coral gardens host parrotfish in electric colors, butterflyfish, angelfish, and damselfish. Beach barbecue lunch: grilled fish, chicken adobo, pork skewers, steamed rice, and mangoes — the sweetest mangoes you’ll ever taste. Fourth stop: Seven Commandos Beach — a perfect crescent of white sand with coconut palms, the famous beach swing, and shallow turquoise water for swimming. Return to El Nido by late afternoon. Evening at leisure — try a beachfront massage or a cold San Miguel at a waterfront bar. Overnight in El Nido.

Day 4: El Nido Tour C — Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine & Helicopter Island

Tour C explores the outer Bacuit Archipelago, revealing El Nido’s most spectacular hidden coves. First stop: Hidden Beach — a crescent of white sand completely enclosed by towering limestone cliffs, accessible only by swimming through a narrow gap in the rock wall. Inside: a natural amphitheater of rock with crystal-clear water. From the sea, there is no visible beach — the sense of discovery is total. Second stop: Matinloc Shrine — an abandoned shrine on Matinloc Island. Climb 200+ steps past crumbling religious statues and empty buildings to reach the Virgin Mary statue platform — the view from here is the best in all of El Nido, with dozens of limestone islands stretching to every horizon. Third stop: Secret Beach — a tiny pocket of sand accessible only by swimming through a keyhole-shaped opening in the limestone, believed to have inspired the beach in Alex Garland’s novel. Only a few people can fit inside — the feeling of exclusivity is profound. Fourth stop: Tapiutan Island (Star Beach) with its long stretch of golden sand and excellent snorkeling. Fifth stop: Helicopter Island (Dilumacad Island) — named for its distinctive shape, with a fringing reef that is a turtle highway. Snorkeling here often yields encounters with green sea turtles. Return to El Nido. Evening: enjoy a relaxed dinner at one of El Nido’s restaurants — perhaps a rooftop spot with bay views. Overnight in El Nido.

Day 5: El Nido Free Day — Optional Taraw Cliff, Nacpan Beach or Scuba Diving

A full free day to explore El Nido at your own pace — this is what makes the Highlights Plus itinerary special. Choose your adventure. Option 1: Climb Taraw Cliff — the limestone peak directly behind El Nido town. This is a serious scramble, requiring a guide, good shoes, a head for heights, and approximately 45 minutes of hand-over-foot climbing on sharp limestone (locally called “karst knives”). The reward: a 360-degree panoramic view of Bacuit Bay that is nothing short of life-changing. Option 2: Visit Nacpan Beach — a 4-kilometer stretch of golden sand, coconut palms, and gentle waves 17 km north of El Nido. Often ranked among the world’s top 10 beaches, Nacpan offers space and solitude. Rent a motorbike, hire a tricycle, or join a shared tour — the journey takes about 45 minutes on partially paved roads. Swim, eat fresh coconuts from a beach stall, and walk the entire 4 km from end to end. Option 3: Take a scuba diving introductory course — El Nido has excellent dive sites including the Dilumacad Tunnel (a 30-meter underwater tunnel through Helicopter Island) and South Miniloc (walls covered in soft corals, teeming with fish). PADI Discover Scuba Diving courses are available from numerous dive shops. Option 4: Simply relax — sleep in, read a book on the beach, take a yoga class, get a massage, and soak in the El Nido vibe. This is your vacation, and the choice is yours. Evening: gather with fellow travelers at one of El Nido’s beach bars for sunset drinks and a final El Nido dinner. Overnight in El Nido.

Day 6: Fly to Puerto Princesa — City & Culture

Morning flight from El Nido to Puerto Princesa (approximately 1 hour) or van transfer for those who prefer the scenic overland route (5-6 hours through Palawan’s interior). After checking into your Puerto Princesa hotel, take an afternoon tour of this clean, green provincial capital. Visit the Immaculate Conception Cathedral — the distinctive blue-and-white church visible from across the bay. Walk through Plaza Cuartel — a serene park that was once a Japanese WWII prison camp, with a memorial to the 150 American POWs killed here in December 1944. Explore the Palawan Heritage Center to learn about Palawan’s indigenous cultures and unique wildlife. Stroll the Puerto Princesa Baywalk — a vibrant waterfront promenade that comes alive at sunset, with families, food stalls, and fishing boats returning with the day’s catch. Evening: seafood dinner on the bay. Try the Palawan specialty crocodile sisig (sizzling chopped crocodile meat — tastes like chicken-fish, surprisingly delicious) or classic Filipino dishes like grilled tuna jaw and sinigang na hipon. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

Day 7: Underground River & Sabang Mangrove Paddle Tour

The full-day Sabang experience. Early morning drive 2 hours north to Sabang through Palawan’s jungle interior. At Sabang Wharf, board an outrigger boat for the 20-minute crossing to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park entrance. The approach — white sand beach, limestone cliffs, and the cave’s dark mouth — is breathtaking. Board a paddle boat with your audio guide and boatman, and enter the world’s longest navigable underground river (8.2 km of explored passages). The first chamber is cathedral-like — 65-meter ceiling, massive stalactites, and the echoing paddle strokes of your boatman. Your audio guide identifies formations: the Holy Family, the Cathedral, the Vegetable Garden. Thousands of bats flutter overhead; swiftlets dart through the darkness. The 45-minute journey through total darkness (your boatman’s flashlight the only illumination) reveals extraordinary limestone formations and cave-dwelling wildlife. After the cave tour, enjoy lunch at Sabang Beach. Afternoon: Sabang Mangrove Paddle Tour — a guided kayak or paddle boat journey through the Sabang Mangrove Forest, one of Palawan’s most important ecosystems. Your guide explains the crucial role of mangroves as fish nurseries, coastal protection, and carbon sinks. Spot monitor lizards swimming among the roots, kingfishers diving for fish, and mudskippers (amphibious fish that walk on mud using their pectoral fins) navigating the intertidal zone. The paddle tour is serene and educational — a perfect complement to the adrenaline of the Underground River. Return to Puerto Princesa. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

Day 8: Sheridan Beach Resort & Honda Bay Island Hopping

A day of pure island relaxation. Morning transfer to Honda Bay (approximately 20-30 minutes from Puerto Princesa city center). Board an outrigger boat for a day of island hopping in this beautiful bay dotted with islands and coral reefs. First stop: Pandan Island — a small island with powdery white sand, excellent snorkeling straight from the beach, and a resident population of friendly fish that swim right up to visitors. The coral gardens offshore host clownfish (Nemo fish in their anemone homes), parrotfish, and angelfish. Second stop: Snake Island — named for its distinctive S-shaped sandbar that emerges at low tide, connecting two islands with a curving strip of white sand. Walk the sandbar from end to end, the water ankle-deep on both sides — a photographer’s dream. The surrounding water is shallow and crystal-clear, perfect for swimming. Third stop: Cowrie Island or Starfish Island — a larger island with facilities (restrooms, restaurant, beach chairs), white sand beach, and various water activities available. Lunch on the beach: fresh grilled seafood, rice, and tropical fruits. Afternoon: visit Sheridan Beach Resort & Spa on Sabang Beach (accessible as a day visitor) — one of Palawan’s premier resorts, with a beautiful beachfront, infinity pool, and excellent facilities. Relax by the pool or on the beach, enjoy a cocktail, and soak in the luxury vibe of this award-winning resort. Return to Puerto Princesa in the late afternoon. Evening: farewell dinner at a restaurant on the Baywalk — your last night in the Philippines. Try the local specialty tamilok (woodworm — it’s actually a mollusk, eaten raw with vinegar, and tastes remarkably like fresh oysters) if you’re feeling adventurous, or stick with the classics: grilled seafood, garlic rice, and a final halo-halo for dessert. Overnight in Puerto Princesa.

Day 9: Departure — Farewell to Palawan

Morning at leisure depending on your flight schedule. If you have morning hours, visit the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center to see Philippine crocodiles and endemic wildlife, or browse the Puerto Princesa Public Market for pasalubong (souvenir gifts) — dried mangoes, cashew nuts, and local handicrafts. Transfer to Puerto Princesa International Airport for your departure. As your plane climbs above Palawan, the narrow green island between two blue seas stretches below you — the limestone cliffs of El Nido, the jungle interior, the white sand beaches of Honda Bay, and finally the open ocean. Nine days in the Philippines have given you an experience few travelers achieve: the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, culture, and nature. The Last Frontier will call you back — it always does.

Inclusions

• 8 nights accommodation (Manila 1 night, El Nido 4 nights, Puerto Princesa 3 nights)
• Daily breakfast + 4 lunches
• El Nido Island Hopping Tour A (Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon, Shimizu Island, Seven Commandos Beach) with lunch
• El Nido Island Hopping Tour C (Hidden Beach, Matinloc Shrine, Helicopter Island, Secret Beach) with lunch
• Puerto Princesa Underground River UNESCO tour with boat ride
• Sabang Mangrove Paddle Tour
• Honda Bay island hopping (Pandan Island, Snake Island, Cowrie Island/Starfish Island)
• Manila Intramuros guided tour
• Puerto Princesa city tour
• All internal flights (Manila-El Nido-Puerto Princesa)
• All airport and land transfers
• All environmental fees, entrance fees, and snorkeling equipment

Trip Summary