HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonPalawanEl Nido and Puerto Princesa Underground River Itinerary 8 days By Marcos Detourist on May 17, 2012During the last week of November to first week of December, I traveled back to Palawan to revisit Puerto Princesa Underground River and El Nido found at the northern half of the mainland. During the first half of the trip, I traveled with my travel mates. We hired a travel agency (packaged tour) to take us to the PP Underground River and then three full days of beach/island hopping tours in El Nido.On the second half of my 8-day itinerary in Northern Palawan, I traveled solo (DIY) in El Nido town proper and then back to Puerto Princesa to kick start my exploration of Tabon Caves in Southern Palawan. Route map of 8-day El Nido and PP Underground River itineraryHad to travel by plane from Iloilo to Manila and then Manila to Puerto Princesa City. Arrived a day earlier than travel mates to account for flying from Iloilo and air connection in Manila.Met travel mates on the 2nd day and had a day tour of the Puerto Princesa Underground River. Headed straight to El Nido and arrived there at nightfall. Spent the next three days on full-day island/beach hopping tours.I traveled solo again from the 6th to 8th day. I stayed at Hostel Banane, probably the first to offer dorm beds in El Nido. Conquered Taraw Peak and had long photo walks of El Nido town proper before moving on to exploring the southern part of Palawan Island.Day 1 (November 29, 2011; Tuesday)Iloilo to Puerto Princesa, Palawan Flight via ManilaTransport: Iloilo to Manila5:00am – Iloilo City to Iloilo Airport via own transport (20 minutes)5:20am – Arrive in Iloilo AirportCheck in for “Iloilo to Manila” flight via Airphil Express flight # 2P946 – P200 terminal feeEat at Iloilo Airport2 tuna waffles at Waffletime – P40Bottled Iced Tea at Marlboro Lounge – P506:00am – Board Airphil Express flight # 2P9466:20am – Depart from Iloilo AirportIloilo to Manila flight (1 hour)7:20am – Arrive in Manila International Airport (NAIA) – Terminal 3 (T3)Detour: Hidalgo St., Quiapo to buy camera accessories8:00am – Airport shuttle from Terminal 3 to Pasay Rotonda (pick-up station of the airport shuttle is located at the far end of terminal; turn right after the exit) – P20 fareWalk to LRT 1 (yellow line) “EDSA” stationPasay Rotonda to Quiapo LRT ride – P15 fareWalk to Hidalgo St.Buy camera stuff at “Avenue Photo” shopBreakfast at Jollibee (near Quiapo Church) – P100Taxi from Quiapo Church are to NAIA – P300 + P35 STAR skyway toll (via STAR skyway is a faster more convenient way to avoid horrible traffic in Metro Manila when getting to NAIA Terminal 3)11:15am – Arrival at NAIA T3Transport: Manila to Puerto Princesa flightCheck-in for “Manila to Puerto Princesa” flight via AirPhil Express flight# 2P 953 – did not have to pay for terminal fee when on a “connecting flight” (on the same day and on the same airline)Bottled water at NAIA – P4012:00nn – Departure from ManilaManila to Puerto Princesa City, Palawan flight (1 hour and 10 minutes)1:10pm – Arrival in Puerto Princesa City AirportBanwa Art Pension House; find hostel in Puerto Princesa City, PalawanWalk to highway (just outside the passenger terminal)Airport to Palawan Capitol tricycle ride – P10Walk to Dallas Inn (#11 Carandang St. Mangahan, Puerto Princesa City) – fully bookedAlso possible to ride the jeepney from Palawan Capitol to Mendoza Park and take shorter walk to Dallas Inn. Or charter the tricycle direct to any point in the city proper.Mendoza Park to Banwa Pension House tricycle ride – P20Check-in at Banwa Pension Art House (Liwanag Street, Puerto Princessa City; see map) – P350 dorm bed (paid upon check-out)Late Lunch at BanwaTuna ala Pobre (with rice) – P140Iced Tea – P35WIFI at Banwa – P40 for entire stayTour: Photo walk around Puerto Princesa CityDinner at Filviet Cuisine (Carandang St.; near Dallas Inn)Bowl of beef strips noodle soup – P60, French bread with garlic – P22, Coke 8oz – P12Grocery stop at local supermarketBottled water, bread, snacks etc.- P94Tricycle to Banwa – P8Sleep: Banwa Pension Art HouseDay 2 (November 30, 2011; Wednesday)Meet travel mates at Puerto Princesa AirportRide tricycle from Banwa to Puerto Princesa Airport – P20 fare9:31am – Arrival at Puerto Princesa Airport9:40am – Met up with travel matesPay 4-day “Puerto Princesa Underground River – El Nido” packaged tour – P4,905 (9 persons in our travel group)Tour was inclusive of:Puerto Princesa Airport to Sabang (gateway to PPUR) van transportUnderground River packaged tour including buffet lunch, permit fees and boat transfers)Sabang to El Nido van transportEl Nido Island Hopping Tour A + B (including lunch; customized combination tour)El Nido Island Hopping Tour C + D (including lunch; customized combination tour)Nacpan and Calintang twin beaches land tour (including lunch)Two nights at Hadefe’s Beach Cottages, two nights at Rico’s Beach cottages (both in El Nido Town Proper)Tour company contact:Hadefe Travel and Tours (http://hadefetravel.athost.net/)Tour: Puerto Princesa Underground River day trip10:30am – Departure from Puerto Princesa AirportPuerto Princesa Airport to El Nido aircon van/shuttle ride (1 hour and 20 minutes)11:50am – Arrival at Sabang BeachBuffet lunch at Sabang BeachWalk to Sabang Pier. Travel agency took care of arranging the permits and boat transfers1:05pm – Sabang Pier to Puerto Princesa Underground River beach pumboat / motorized outrigger ride (20 minutes)Maximum of 6 people per boat1:25pm – Arrival at PP Underground River beachWalk through monkey trail to paddle boat dock near the mouth of the PP underground river (5 minutes)1:45pm to 2:30pm – Puerto Princesa Underground River guided tour on a paddle boat (45 minutes to 1 hour)2:45pm – Boat transfer back to Sabang Pier (20 minutes)Transport: Sabang to El Nido3:20pm – Departure from Sabang BeachSabang Beach to El Nido van ride (5 hours and 30 minutes)8:00pm – Arrival in El Nido, PalawanCheck-in at Hadefe’s Beach CottagesWalk to Hadefe’s from El Nido town proper (20 minutes)Dinner at Hadefe’s (shared meal) – P560 total bill (P80 per person)Sleep: Hadefe’s Beach CottagesDay 3 (December 1, 2011; Thursday)Breakfast at Calaan Beach6:16am – Photo walk at Calaan Beach (a bit too late for sunrise)7:35am – Complimentary breakfast at Hadefe’s Beach cottagesEl Nido Island Hopping Tour A + B (customized combination tour)9:20am to 5:00pm – start island hopping tour A + B Beautiful Lagoons of Miniloc Island in El Nido, Palawan9:55am – Miniloc Island Small Lagoon11:24am – Miniloc Big LagoonEntalula Island Lunch and fish feeding at Shimizu in El Nido12:08nn – Picnic Lunch at Entalula Beach2:07pm – Fish feeding at Shimizu Island2:48pm – Snake Island3:58pm – Cudugnon Cave4:44pm – Sunset at 7 Commando Beach8:41pm – Dinner at Squido’s (shared meal by 7 persons) – almost P300 share per personWaiting time to a very long while. The stuffed squid did not taste as good as last time.Karaoke session at the bar across the street from Squido’sSleep: Hadefe’s Beach CottagesDay 4 (December 2, 2011; Friday)Complimentary breakfast at Hadefe’sEl Nido Island Hoppig Tour C + D (customized combination tour)9:15am to 5:00pm – start island hopping tour C + D10:11am – Matinloc Island Secret Beach11:18am – Snorkelling off the coast of Tapiutan Island near Star Beach11:43am – Picnic lunch at Talisay Island, Matinloc Island1:28am – Matinloc Shrine2:25pm – Matinloc Hidden Beach3:26pm – Helicopter (Dilumacad) Island4:05pm – Cadlao Lagoon5:00pm – Back to El Nido Town ProperDinner at El Nido Corner Restaurant and Bar (shared meal among 7 persons) – P400 share per personOrdered Tuna Pasta and Mango Shake. Pricey but the pasta was tasted great, so, no complaints :)Day 5 (December 3, 2011; Saturday)8:19am – Breakfast at El Nido Skyline GrillNido Soup – P200 (P100 shared the soup)Longsilog – P120Quick stopover at El Nido ChurchTour: Nacpan and Calintang twin beaches at mainland El Nido9:45am – El Nido Town Proper to Nacpan / Calintang Beach van ride (45 minutes)9:45am to 4:30pm – Nacpan and Calintang twin beaches tour10:30am – Arrival in Nacpan / Calintang BeachPhoto walk around the areaRocky area where the two beaches intersect was a great photo stop12:00nn – Picnic lunch at the beach3:50pm – Arrival in Nacpan / Calintang Beach4:30pm – arrived in El Nido Town properDinner at Sea Slugs – approx P300 spentOrdered Calamares. Very good!Day 6 (December 4, 2011; Sunday)6:00pm – Bid goodbye to travel mates. Start solo travel in El NidoTour: Taraw Peak hikeMet my two guides, whom I met the day before at El Nido town proper. My guides were highschool students doing part time guiding on the weekends – P300 guide fee (+P40 tip)Walk from Rico’s cottages to jump-off point for Taraw Peak7:20am to 10:09am – Taraw Peak trek (1 hour to reach summit from jump-off point)Bring footwear with thick sole since the trail traverses razor sharp limestone rock formations8:22am – reached summitRained heavily on our descent.10:09am – back to ground zeroFind hostel in El NidoCheck-out at Rico’s cottagesCheck-in at Hostel Banane – P350 per night dorm bedContact: Same management with El Toro restobar; +639199591722; [email protected]; www.eltoroelnido.comDinner at Skyline HotelKaraoke and rhum coke night with hostel matesSleep: Hostel BananeDay 7 (December 5, 2011; Monday)8:11am – Breakfast at SeaslugsHam omelette – around P170. Excellent food and large servingBum around El Nido town proper and sunset walk at Calaan Beach2:33pm – bowl of La Paz B Batchoy at the batchoyan infront of the El Nido Church. Batchoy was not good at all.P25 burger at sidestreet stall infront of Squidoo’sExplore El Nido town proper on foot4:30pm – sunset photos at the northern end of El Nido Beach near the guard houseDinner at 24-hour Bulalo eatery near Hostel BananeP160 for a bowl of Bulalo soup. They said it was good for two but it was actually filling enough for one.Sleep: Hostel BananeDay 8 (December 6, 2011; Tuesday)Transport: El Nido to Puerto Princesa City8:00am – Tricycle ride from Hostel Banane to El Nido bus/van terminal (5 minutes) – P10Board regular nonaircon bus to Puerto Princesa9:00 – Departure from Puerto PrincesaEl Nido to Puerto Princesa bus ride (7 hours) – P300Long stopover at Taytay townLong stopover at Roxas townBought casuy (1 small pack) – P604:00pm – Arrival in Puerto Princesa City San Jose TerminalNext upTabon Caves & Puerto Princesa Itinerary 6 days DIYDon’t leave yet. There’s more!Survivor Palawan: A Solo Backpacker’s TravelogueSurvived Palawan, the Philippines’ Last FrontierRediscover Palawan - 13 days in Tabon Caves, El Nido…My First Solo Backpacking Trip and First Time to PalawanPP Subterranean River National Park Tour Palawan;…Breakfast at Calaan Beach. Planning an epic 3-day El…Comments Ramzkie saysJuly 1, 2012 at 5:08 pmHow much is the package you availed for this tour? tnx a lot. Marcos saysJuly 6, 2012 at 6:39 pmP4,905 … details are included in the post.Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam