Day 1
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!
Day 2
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…
Flight to Puerto Princesa & Van to Port Barton
Day 3
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!
Island Hopping & snorkelling
Day 4
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.
Day 5
EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING
Day 5 and what a day it is! 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.
Island hopping & snorkelling
Day 6
NACPAN BEACH, ZIPLINING & CASTAWAY EXPERIENCE
Time to explore El Nido by land! But first we're heading high! We start our day with a Mission Impossible-style zipline experience! We'll zoom across from beach to beach taking in the jaw-dropping views. An experience like no other. After taking in some fresh air and marvelling at aqua blue oceans from above. We spend the afternoon at the famous Nacpan beach. Sip on a Blue Lagoon (it’s a cocktail btw, we're not expecting you to drink sea water...eurgh) or laze the day away swinging blissfully in a hammock before we head off to our ultimate Castaway 'Isla Experience'. This is a TruExclusive on one of the tour highlights! We head to Daracotan Island, where we'll stay for 2 nights. Lay on the beach and gaze into the night's sky. With little to no light pollution, you'll be reciting star constellations like it's the alphabet! Head to bed content from a perfect day or perhaps just a little too merry from the 6 rum punches you had earlier. Fall asleep to the sounds of the waves to-ing and fro-ing as we stay in traditional Filipino beach huts…Magical.
Day 7
SNORKELLING, LOCAL VILLAGE TOUR & COOKING CLASS
Wake up, rub your eyes, rub them again no this isn't a mirage. You really have woken up in paradise again and today we're headed to... the beach! Swim in the warm waters, squeal with excitement as you walk alongside your one Tru spirit animal or relax under the rays of what has already been a perfect morning. Board our private chauffeur service (our Banca boat) and head to explore the local shipwrecks. Filled with an abundance of marine life, you're set to see all those Nemo's and Dories. In the afternoon we take a guided tour around the local village, home to just 88 residents! (Including a pig or two). We hear fascinating tales of their heritage, meet a local family and learn how tourism positively impacts every aspect of their lifestyle. We help with a beach clean up on this tiny island, encouraging a sustainable lifestyle both for tourists and locals. Prepare your tastebuds, because this evening is going to be out of this world as we take part in a cooking class on the beach. Whether you think you'll be leaving with a Michelin star to add to your CV or you're just happy to learn some new skills. It's a fun evening so enjoy it! Wind down round the bonfire with a few beers. We can't promise someone won't bring out a guitar and start singing Kumbaya, but hey you're on holiday join in ;)
1x Breafkast, 1x Lunch, 1x Dinner
Beaches, shipwrecks & culture
Day 8
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?
Snorkelling, travel to Coron
Day 9
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.
Day 10
FLY TO CEBU
TO THE WESTTTTTT TO THE EASSSTT
*Sang to the tune of from to the window to the wall* NEXT STOP CEBU. We catch a short flight over to Cebu. Relax in the hotel, unwind from a crazy few days and use some good wifi to shoot across your photos from the past few days. Enough to make any group chat jealous. In the evening we head out to grab some drinks!
Day 11
MOALBOAL & Simala church
We pack up and head to the seaside town of MoalBoal! Hope youve brought your appetite as we will be having lunch with the locals - lechon style! (for those of you brave enough to try the local delicacy). Bellies full, energy buzzing and spirits high we'll make our way to the stunning Simala Church! Think Disney castle on steroids. It's astonishingly beautiful and one thing you literally HAVE to see in person. The Simala Church has a long-standing myth that miracles happen here, so if you're looking for the next big Facebook to invest in or you just really want your crush to text you back, then here's the place to be. As we said, miracles can happen here. After a walking tour and short history lesson, we continue on to Moalboal where we have some free time to enjoy the afternoon! Grab a coffee, spend far too much money on keyrings and fridge magnets or treat yourself to a massage. You're on holiday after all.
Day 12
SARDINE RUN, SNORKELLING & TURTLES
We're up early to island hop around Moalboal. We're heading to some of the best snorkelling spots the Philippines has to offer. Suncream up, no one likes a snorkel mask tan line. You get the chance to see a rainbow of coloured coral reefs and marine life swimming around you. Pack the GoPro kids because it's a good’n. TURTLES! If you've ever dreamt of swimming alongside turtles in their natural habitat, then get that pencil ready - WE'RE TICKING IT OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST BABY. There's something magical about swimming with our hard-shelled, old AF, unproblematic green friends that can really bring a happy tear to anyone's eye. Jump back in the sea again later that day, and you are in for a treat! We're taking you to a drop off where this phenomenon only happens in 2 locations in the world. SARDINE RUN. Hundreds of thousands of sardines swimming simultaneously in a giant school. You wouldn't believe it until you've seen it. Jump in and experience this spectacle first hand, live the dream and film your best David Attenborough narration along to this phenomenon. In the evening we head to explore the nightlife and boogie the night away!
ISLAND HOPPING, TURTLES, & SARDINES
Day 13
KICK A$$ CANYONEERING
Wake up we're going canyoneering! Don't know what canyoneering is? WELL LET ME TELL YOU! Imagine picture-perfect, aqua blue waterfalls then throw in some adrenaline junkie, high action jumping off everything and anything vibes. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity really. If parkour 24/7 isn't your thing or you're too hungover from last night's antics, then you can float the headache away bobbing along down the river before reaching the falls to bask in the sun. Whatever your thing, it's a SICK day! We finish the day with a lazy evening to recharge those batteries before we head to our next destination!
Day 14
We’re heading to Boracay!
Today we head to Cebu airport before catching a short flight to Caticlan and then a 15 minute boat road to the idyllic island of Boracay! Buckle up, it is a beauty. Known for it’s incredible nightlife and white sandy beaches, we can’t promise you won’t fall in love with the island and the 10/10 vibes there. If you ever had the urge to pack up and move across the world, well.. Boracay may just convince you too. We check into the hotel for our last 3 nights so unpack your last pair of clean socks, that shirt that's now far too creased that you've been saving to wear and settle in. We arrive late afternoon, so let’s explore! Sunsets in Boracay are next level. We’re talking an ombre of golden oranges blending into lilac’s and deep purples. Yep, I-N-S-A-N-E. So we’ll watch the sun go down over a few beers on the beach or join a sunset cruise for cocktails. Afterwards, we see where the night takes us. Psssttt.. It’ll be one of Boracay’s best cocktail bars!
Day 15
Beach days & Sunset Paraw Sailing!
Today’s a lazy morning, wake up when you like and grab a fruit smoothie nearby. The morning and early afternoon are free to explore, so head to the beach and catch some rays or perhaps hit the shops and grab some souvenirs for back home.. Or a postcard (We did say you might want to move here and never return!) Late afternoon we’re going Paraw sailing as the sun goes down! Never heard of it? Paraw sailing is a local sail boat activity in Boracay which uses two outriggers and two sails and calmly and gently sails you to the very best viewpoints and spots around the island. Thought last night’s sunset was good? Wait till you see this one TruFam! As the sparkling stars replace the sunset, we’ll head out for dinner together and grab a few beers. It’s the penultimate night.. It’s only right! Right?
Day 16
Boat Party
It's our last full day together as the TruFam we've become. We're not crying, you are. As always, we're ending our trip on a high... Did someone say BOAT PARTY?! We'll set sail, dance the day away and take it all in for one last time. We're pretty much all professional beach babes at this point so grab your favourite snorkel & mask and jump straight in those tropical waters or even better, grab yourself a floatie, kayak or paddle board and chillax while reminiscing on what we can only assume has been the best 16 days of your life. To make things even better, we'll have lunch and drinks on the ready for you to enjoy. In the evening we head out for a farewell dinner over sunset cocktails. Our last Hurrah, the final act of the show. One last performance and we're not ending without a standing ovation! Dance on the table, order 2 desserts or simply have 1 too many shots before proceeding to tell every single one of your TruFam how much you love them. Hey, we love ya too!
Day 17
Chilled Check Out
It's departure day and time to check out of the resort and just like any good friend would we'll drop you off at the airport! BRING IT IN YA BLOODY LEGENDS, IT'S BEEN A BLAST. After 17 epic days together it feels more painful than Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake's breakup. We've loved every minute. Goodbye isn't in our vocabulary, we're rubbish at them, and there's nothing good about saying bye. SO WE SAY SEE YOU NEXT TIME! If you're carrying on your wild adventures, our Travel Ninja is on hand to help with anything you heart desires. If you're heading home, they can hitch you a ride to the airport. C'mon then...One last hug for old times sake.