Manila and Palawan: Jungle Trekking, Local Eats & Epic Beaches

Arrive at anytime and dive right into the bustling city life of Manila. There's nothing planned today until your Welcome Meeting this evening, so spend the day how you'd like. Manila is the biggest, brightest and liveliest city in the Philippines so start your adventure off on a high note by exploring the neighborhood near your hostel.

ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

After breakfast in Manila, travel with your group to Mount Purro Nature Reserve, a G for Good project. You'll be greeted by your loca hosts for the next 2 days before heading out on an afternoon jungle waterfall hike and swim. In the evening, join the local Dumagat people to cook over the bonfire. Together, learn to make rice and Filipino tom yum soup over the fire in bamboo before sitting down to dig in to the meal together.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

ACTIVITY: Grab your water bottle, a snack and a hiking stick and head out into the jungle. Hike to a beautiful waterfall and swim in the lagoon at the foot of the falls.

ACTIVITY: Join the members of the indigenous community you are staying with, the Calawis people, for a cooking demonstration. Make traditional sinigang, a filipino tom yum soup cooked in bamboo. Then sit down together to enjoy your creation hearing stories from the Calawis members.

ACTIVITY: Join the Mount Purro Nature Reserve and learn about the reforestation efforts of the community. This reforestation organization was formed to protect the greater Manila area from future natural disasters like flash flooding. Immerse yourself with the local community, learn about their initiatives, hike to a waterfall and join a local cooking demonstration.

We know it's early but you don't want to miss this. Wake while it's still dark for a hike up to the peak of Mount Purro for an amazing view of the sunrise. Take it all in, maybe a selfie or two, before hiking back down. Enjoy breakfast at the reserve and enjoy your final jungle moments. Late morning, we'll drive back to Manila and enjoy some free time in the city.

ACTIVITY: Awaken in the dark to hike up Mount Purro. Reach the peak just in time for a perfect sunrise view.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

FREE TIME: Spend the evening free in Manila.

In the morning, choose to join your CEO and visit many must see points around the city like Fort Santiago, Manila Cathedral and Postigo del Palacio. Or just take it easy and have a wander around Makati. In the afternoon, hop in a legendary Filipino jeepney and eat your way through Chinatown. It's known as the culinary center of the Philippines, so try their street food - a blend of typical Chinese and Filipino food.

FREE TIME: MORNING Spend the morning exploring Manila.

ACTIVITY: Take a guided tour to explore the historic centre of Manila known as Intramuros (“Within the Walls”). Founded by the Spanish in the late 16th century, the city was enclosed by thick stone walls which still stand today. At the height of its power, Intramuros was feared by Spain’s enemies as the only true European powerhouse in the whole of Asia, but after holding strong against Chinese pirates, Dutch forces, British, American and Japanese occupations, the large majority of the city was destroyed during the month-long brutal Battle of Manila fought between the Japanese and the Allies in the closing days of WWII, a battle which also claimed the lives of 100,000 Filipino civilians. A walk through this area, despite the devastation (or maybe because of it) truly gives you a sense of the history of this area.

ACTIVITY: Ride through Manila's Chinatown in a colorful jeepney. Stop along the way and sample the local street food.

This morning, we'll head to the airport and catch a flight to Puerto Princesa. After arriving in the early afternoon, spend a free afternoon in this seaside paradise. Opt to go on the Puerto Princesa City Tour and visit notable spots like Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Baker's Hill.

TRANSPORT: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.

FREE TIME: Spend the rest of the day how you'd like in Puerto Princesa.

This morning, put on your adventure hat, grab your camera and visit the famed underground river on a boat ride through Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. In the afternoon, we'll drive to El Nido. Great ready for the next few days: forecast calls for crystal blue water, karst cliffs, and perfect island life. Not too shabby.

ACTIVITY: Take a boat ride through the famous subterranean river. The underground ecosystem is over 8km (5 mi) long with amazing rock formations, cave systems, wildlife and old growth forest. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park was voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in 2011.

TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

If you came to the Philippines for island life, today will be your day. Hop aboard for our very own private island hopping tour. Epic right? We'll cruise, swim and snorkel our way through perfectly clear water, stopping at iconic beaches like Hidden Beach and Secret Beach. A pretty dreamy day if you ask us.

ACTIVITY: Jump on a boat and cruise through some of the most beautiful water in the world. Stop at world class beaches like Secret Beach and Hidden Beach while swimming and snorkeling in the beautiful sea along the way. Gaze at the impressive limestone karsts and view of the sparkling water. Enjoy lunch on board while listening to stories and the history of El Nido.

Spend your last day in El Nido doing exactly what you want! There are so many things to do to make for your perfect day! You could hike to the top of Taraw Peak for a gorgeous view or visit Kuyawyaw Falls. Looking for more of a beachy vibe? Opt to kayak through the crystal clear water or relax on the white sand and enjoy a beach day.

FREE TIME: FULL DAY Enjoy a free day in this island paradise.

Say goodbye to your fellow Roamies and depart at any time.