Young Pioneer Tours
Ultimate Palawan Island Hopping Adventure
YPT have been coming to Palawan for over 10 years now, Covid notwithstanding and we are constantly looking for ways to add adventure and intrigue into this extremely popular trip.
And for 2025 we take this theory into overdrive by not only visiting the island hopping Metropolis that is El Nido, but also visiting a UNESCO site, camping on an island, eating woodworm, and even going to one of the most untouched and best kept secrets of Palawan.
Our tour opens in Manila, where we have time to relax by the pool, as well as sample some nightlife before we head off on the adventure. Our first port of call is Puerto Princesa where we visit the Underground River, as well as try Tamilok, before we head to El Nido.
El Nido is most famous for its island hopping, which is what we do, but also for its booming nightlife which we make the most of.
This tour though is all about adventure, so that is what we do next by heading out to Port Barton, the best kept secret of Palawan and perhaps the next El Nido. Here we enjoy R&R motorbiking, as well as camping on an island, before touching base in the capital and then dropping you in Manila.
Due to boat sizes this trip is capped at 10 people.
Friday 26th September – Manila
- Guests arrive at their own leisure to the Ermita area of Manila, where you will check into The Selah Garden Resort, which offers a great pool, as well as street food options and live music at night.
- We head out for dinner, drinks before finishing back at our hotel by the pool.
- Overnight in Manila.
Saturday 27th September – Puerto Princesa
- Up early for the journey to Manila airport for our 7.30am flight to Puerto Princesa.
- Arrive at our hotel with pool nice and early for check in, before we head out for the first adventure: the Underground River.
- The Underground River, or rather the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, has been recognized by UNESCO for its qualities and is a must when you visit Palawan.
- Lunch near the underground river before heading back to the hotel.
- At night we head to Kinbucks Restaurant for the Tamilok Challenge, where you eat woodworm. Don’t worry they do have other food too.
- Drinks by the pool and overnight in Puerto Princesa.
Sunday 28th September – El Nido
- Leisurely breakfast in hotel.
- Leave the villa at 10am for the 5 hour drive through beautiful island scenery to El Nido.
- We stop for lunch on the way at a truly beautiful scenic spot!
- On arrival we check into our beachside accommodation (single rooms) for a quick rest before heading out to check out the nightlife of El Nido.
- There are numerous bars, restaurants and the like to suit every palate in El Nido.
- Overnight in beachside accommodation in El Nido.
Monday 29th September – Bacuit Archipelago
- First day of our private island hopping in the Bacuit Archipelago with visits to Big and Small Lagoons, Commando beach and Secret Lagoon.
- Fresh BBQ lunch by our boat crew – which of course includes a fair share of fresh fish!
- At night we head out in El Nido for a good time.
- Overnight in beachside accommodation in El Nido.
Tuesday 30th October – El Nido
- Island hopping to Snake Island, Cathedral Cave and Cudugnon Cave.
- Lunch as always is had on island and is prepared by our boat crew in a “boodle fight” fashion – again with a fresh catch of the day.
- At night we head to one of our favourite restaurants which offers great seafood, as well as a great view of the ocean.
- Overnight in beachside accommodation in El Nido.
Wednesday 1st October – El Nido to Port Barton
- We take a day off from island hopping with optional morning activities including zip lining, as well as a motorbike tour, which will take us to the north of Palawan.
- Quick lunch in El Nido,
- We now head off for there 3 hours journey to Port Barton, the hidden gem of the Philippines.
- On arrival to our beachside accommodation we are greeted to a welcome BBQ on the beach, before drinks by the sea and optional Karaoke.
- Overnight in Port Barton.
Thursday 2nd October – Port Barton
- We mix up our island hopping by doing it in Port Barton – Island hopping in Port Barton is much less commercial, so we have fun with the itinerary and make the most of the sheer lack of tourists.
- Lunch cooked and prepared by our crew on a deserted island!
- Evening return to Port Barton.
- We head out to one of the many beachside restaurants for dinner and drinks.
- Overnight in Port Barton.
Friday 3rd October – Port Barton and camping
- We offer a free morning to explore the large beachfront.
- In the afternoon we head back out for some island hopping and to our destinations or the evening, a private island.
- On arrival we make a camp and then prepare for the evening, which will include relaxing, drinks, and the serenity of a private island.
- Overnight on private island.
Saturday 4th October – Puerto Princesa
- Up early and transfer back to the Port Barton mainland.
- Here we all have change for breakfast and a well earned shower before embarking on the next part of our journey.
- 3 hour drive to Puerto Princesa where we will check in and grab lunch.
- For dinner on our last night we have booked the Kalui Seafood Restaurant, the most prestigious yet extremely well priced restaurants in the capital of Palawan.
Sunday 5th October
- We head back to Manila on the early morning flight.
- End of trip with YPT able to arrange additional transport, or accommodation.
Port Barton Guide Palawan – The Next Big Thing
At Young Pioneer Tours we love discovering the “next big thing”, be it a new country, city, or even beachside getaway. In fact that is what we did with El Nido ten years ago and what now do with Port Barton, Palawan. What the Port Barton? A coastal tow …
Read MoreTanduay Rum – Best selling liquors of the world
If you’re a frequent reader of our blog you have seen the article where we listed the 10 best selling liquor brands in the world. Amazingly Tanduay Rum/Rhum of the Philippines not only made it into the top ten, but is in actual fact the top selling rum …
Read MoreWhat to do in the Jewel of the Philippines: Palawan
Constantly rated as one of the best islands in the world, Palawan, in the South West of the Philippines, has it all. Beaches, snorkeling, island hopping, scuba diving, hiking, and amazing local and international food. Puerto Princesa Most people start …
Read More5 of the World’s Weirdest Celebrations
Ah, holidays. A time most people prefer to celebrate the simple way: hopefully, a few days off work to kick back, get sloshed and spend some time with friends or family. But – with countless holidays, festivals, and various other celebrations tak …
Read MoreCulture or Cruelty? Cock Fighting in the Philippines
Cock fighting in the Philippines is controversial to some…I know that what I’m about to say will disgust and anger some of my friends, but I’m going to say it anyway — I love cock fighting. My first experience of this frantic, fascinating and sometim …
Read MoreTour Extensions
Want to extend your YPT adventure? Join one of our great tour extensions
