Philippines West

ARRIVE IN MANILA
Hop off the plane at MNL, That's Manila airport code (In case you didn't know) and take advantage of airport pick up. If you fancy meeting us directly at the hotel, that's cool too. Check in, relax, put your feet up and wind down before meeting up with your new TruFam and travel ninja. (That's what we call our tour guides, not someone who will continuously karate chop your dinner up for you every single night of your trip... I mean they might if you ask nicely) We grab some dinner before heading for a night on the town of Makati! One of Manila's liveliest cities, we'll show you to some of the best bars. Although we can't promise we won't bring some outrageous dad dancing, we can promise you'll have a sick time!

TRANSPORT:

TRAVEL TO PALAWAN & LOCAL LUNCH WITH FAMILY
Welcome to Palawan, formerly known as the gateway to heaven. Maybe we made that part up but if you're looking for paradise then look no further, my friend! We start the day by jumping aboard a short flight to Puerto Princesa before getting picked up in our very own private minivans. Look up the word "unspoilt" in the dictionary, and you'll see a picture of Port Barton as the definition. The small, idyllic, fishing town is where we spend the next few days off the tour. We stop to have lunch with a local family, try out some delicious Filipino grub and chat about the workings of life in paradise. Check in to our beachfront hotel, yeah we're fancy. Watch the sun go down bev in hand, before venturing out to grab dinner and maybe even a sex on the beach! We mean the drink obviously…

PORT BARTON ISLAND HOPPING
Island Hopping the Philippines is an experience like no other. We hop on a long tail boat and sail the day away. If you think you've seen beauty, wait till you see Palawan's rainbow-coloured reefs, beautiful majestic turtles and the crystal clear colour of the waves. Great Barrier what? Head to golden sand beaches and reenact your best Baywatch scene whilst jogging out the water in slow motion. You've built up an appetite after a 'Shell of a good time' did you see what we did there? Because we saw turtles? No? Ok. We have lunch in a small fishing village. Have a few hours free time to chill, whether you prefer attempting to form a human pyramid on the beach with your TruFam or top up those tan lines whilst sunbathing in ya speedo. The time is yours to spend however you like! Sailing in the Philippines is 10 outta 10! We cruise back to Port Barton where we freshen up and check out the best bars and restaurants in town!

WE'RE OFF TO EL NIDO!
That's right, we're going to El Nido, the star attraction of Palawan, the George Clooney of the Philippines if you will. If you're looking for good vibes, good times and good beer, El Nido is the place to be. Roam around the town and do some shopping before settling into our accommodation, putting on a bit of lippy and grabbing dinner with your now inseparable TruFam. El Nido is known for producing one of the best sunsets in the world, so hold your TruFam, ice-cold beer in each hand and savour this moment forever. It really is bloody magical.

EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING
We're jumping on our famous traditional Banca boats and heading out to island hop to some of the best locations the island has to offer. Think, crystal clear blue lagoons, kayaking with your new BFF in what can only be described as paradise. It's been scientifically PROVEN that jumping in the sea can cure pretty much any hangover. I mean maybe not scientifically but it's defo a long-living Tru theory we stand by. Grab your snorkel and dive under to see the magic of the Philippine Sea or re-energise sunbathing on the golden sands. We stop for a local style lunch before heading back to the hotel around sunset. There's some time to chill out before we meet up for dinner with the TruFam.

NACPAN BEACH & ZIPLINING
Time to explore El Nido by land! We start our day with a Mission Impossible-style zipline experience. We'll zoom from beach to beach taking in these incredible views sure to get your blood pumping. After an adrenaline-filled morning, we head to Nacpan Beach, one of the Philippines most famously pristine beaches lined with palm trees so lush you might question reality. Beach time messing will surely ensue.



*This itinerary's accomodation is active from tours departing from 3rd October*

SNORKELLING, LOCAL VILLAGE TOUR & COOKING CLASS
Ready for a Tru-ly unique experience? After a jam packed day, we head to Daracotan Island, a TruExclusive, as you begin your castaway Isla Experience! We don't want to give too much away but trust us when we say it'll be way more fun than being your own dentist with an ice skate like poor Tom Hanks in Castaway (we encourage frequent cries of WILSON during your stay). It's time to explore some shipwrecks before taking a guided tour of Daracotan Island, home to 88 full-time residents (including a pig or two). Hear fascinating tales of their heritage, meet a local family and learn how tourism positively impacts their lives today. In the evening we take part in a traditional local cooking demonstration where you'll learn how to eat Filipino style! We dine together, devouring the local delicacies we prepared shortly before and make a mental note to add "world renowned chef" to the CV when we get back home. Now it's time to wind down round the bonfire with a few beers!

ACTIVITY:

SNORKELLING & TRAVEL TO CORON
Have a relaxed morning taking in our last few hours on the magical island we called home for the past few days. Grab a snorkel or just simply lay out on the beach and top up ya tan before we leave to catch the ferry to Coron. After living our ultimate beach babe life, we head to Coron. Spend the afternoon relaxing or checking out the local shops. TIP - Grab a smoothie they're delicious. Recharge those batteries before a night on the town. Unpack that shit shirt, your favourite floral dress or those linen trousers you've been dying to wear as we're heading OUT OUT. Let's hear you say it! CO-RON! CO-RON! CO-RON! We thought it was catchy?

CORON BOAT TRIP
After a wild night on the town, we're up and out to sail around Coron. We've pulled out all the stops for you guys. Don't worry, the days just keep getting better and better. We land on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world whilst sailing through turquoise lagoons. After an afternoon of fun, bury the most hungover TruTraveller 7ft deep in the sand, snap those insta beach shots or do competitive handstands on the ocean bed floor we sail back to Coron to freshen up for dinner.

CHILLED CHECK OUT

Today we check out of the hotel, and it's time to say goodbye. The TruFamily you've become over the past ten days will live on longer than the turtle you saw on Day 3 (remember him?). Whether you were the naughty child of the group, the mum making sure everyone wears suncream or the exuberant auntie that gets pissed every night. We will miss you! If your adventure's continuing, our TruNinjas will be there to give you a hand with any onward travels plans you have, if you're heading home...It's emotional, it's been a life-changer but most of all it's been our absolute pleasure to have shown you around the Philippines. This isn't goodbye, it's see you soon!

ACTIVITY: Your trusty travel ninja is on hand to assist you.