Philippines New Year
Paradise Islands and Whale Sharks
12 DAYS
24 PEOPLE
3890 EURO
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12 days
28.12.2025 — 08.01.2026
The Philippines — it’s paradise. Close your eyes and imagine stunningly beautiful islands with hidden lagoons invisible from the ocean, white-sand beaches, coconut palms, and magnificent coral reefs. Feel like a character from the novel “The Beach” on the islands of Coron and El Nido — swim alongside the largest fish on Earth: whale sharks, reaching up to 12 meters in length!
The Republic of the Philippines consists of more than 7,500 islands, about 5,000 of which have no permanent residents — or even names! When Magellan first visited these islands, he declared that if paradise exists on Earth, it must be here. So he stayed — in paradise — and died on Cebu Island at the hands of a local chieftain. But don’t worry: modern Filipinos are incredibly warm and welcoming.
We’ll begin our journey on Busuanga Island and in the town of Coron — because, frankly, there’s nothing to do in the capital, Manila. And if anyone still wants to see the most densely populated city in the world, they can do so after our expedition.
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The most exciting adventures await us on the islands of Coron and El Nido. Yes, you will find yourself in a true tropical paradise!
For example, the El Nido archipelago consists of 40 islands and is rightly considered the crown jewel of the Philippines. After visiting this place, writer Alex Garland was inspired to write his novel “The Beach.”
Just imagine: lagoons hidden from view by towering, curved cliffs; beaches of powdery white sand; and coral reefs untouched by fishing nets. On these islands, covered with three-tiered leafy canopies and unspoiled vegetation, exotic birds flutter through the air and monkeys play in the trees.
Amidst all this beauty, we’ll spend two days exploring the most stunning islands and lagoons by boat. We’ll watch breathtaking sunsets from the shore, and during the day, we’ll swim with sea turtles and colorful tropical fish. On New Year’s, we’ll discover incredible snorkeling spots, lagoons, and crystal-clear lakes not far from Coron’s shores.
We’ll also go in search of rare marine mammals — dugongs, also known as sea cows. And at the African Safari Park on Calauit Island, we’ll feed giraffes and zebras right from our hands!
To finish our journey, on Cebu Island we’ll swim alongside 5–8 meter whale sharks — the largest fish species in the world today. Here, we’ll also experience canyoning and leap into the waterfalls of a mountain river.
And after this journey, even if you decide to spend a few days relaxing on Boracay Island — often ranked among the top 10 beaches in the world — you’ll find that nothing can impress you anymore. You’ve already seen it all.
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Domestic flight Palawan – Cebu
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Sea ferry between the islands Coron – El Nido
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Accommodation in 4–5 star level hotels
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All transfers mentioned in the program
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Boat rentals
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Motorboat rides
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Meals as indicated in the program
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Permits and permissions along the route
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Entrance tickets to nature reserves and private protected areas
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Snorkeling with whale sharks
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Safari with giraffes and zebras
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Canyoning
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Services of local guides (as per the program)
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Services of expedition leaders from the Paganel Studio team
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International flight to the Philippines (arrival at Coron Airport, Busuanga Island)
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Return flight from Cebu (international or to Manila)
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Visa
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Travel insurance
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Meals not listed in the program
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Optional activities and excursions
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Tips for local guides — $50 per person
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New Year’s Eve dinner
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Price for Ukrainian citizens — $40 USD (self-submitted)
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Application details: via agents in Kyiv or self-submission
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Visa-free countries: Kazakhstan, USA, EU, Israel
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Visa-required countries: Moldova
ITINERARY
Day 1
28.12.2025
Arrival at Coron Airport (Busuanga Island). Meeting of expedition participants at the airport, transfer to the hotel. Check-in at a 4-star hotel, free time, rest, and welcome evening.
Day 2
29.12.2025
Our amazing day begins at the port of Coron Island. We'll board a boat and, just 15 minutes later, go snorkeling at Balinsasayaw Reef. There, along the coral wall, we'll encounter butterflyfish and clownfish
Next, we’ll head by boat to Kayangan Lake. It’s truly incredible: the freshwater is crystal-clear, offering unbelievable visibility. If you swim away from the shore into waters over 20 meters deep — with an endless blue abyss beneath you — a strange sense of calm and silence takes over. We’ll also take a short trek to enjoy a postcard-perfect view of the Philippine islands.
After taking photos, we’ll head back down and have time for a swim and more snorkeling in the ocean.
Then we’ll head to a beach for lunch, rest, and a siesta. Later, we’ll dive and explore the remains of a sunken Japanese warship — a relic from when it was bombed by American forces. After that, another snorkeling session awaits us at the coral reef. If we’re lucky, we might spot moray eels and sea turtles today as well!
To end the day, we’ll visit the stunning Twin Lagoon — two lagoons connected by a tunnel through the rock. During low tide, you can swim through the tunnel without diving. At other times, you can dive and swim about five meters, or climb over the rocks using a ladder on one side and descend on the other. If you swim close to the cliffs, mask on, and look down where the coral clings to the rock walls, it will feel like you're floating above a bottomless drop — the seafloor suddenly falls away into the deep.
After such a rich and adventure-filled day, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and rest.
(Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
Day 3
30.12.2025
Early in the morning, we take a bus toward Calauit Island — the drive takes about 1.5 hours. Then we transfer to a boat and head to the most remote shores of Calauit. In a hidden bay, we’ll be waiting to meet one of the rarest marine mammals — the dugong, or sea cow. It is the only marine mammal that grazes on underwater meadows, feeding on seagrass.
Dugongs are the mythical mermaids! Even their name in Malagasy hints at it: “dugong” means “sea maiden.” The chances of spotting one are very high! We’ll divide into teams and take turns swimming for 10–15 minutes so that everyone gets a chance to see them.
After that, we’ll visit a small island nearby, home to two species of sea turtles — the green turtle and the hawksbill turtle. Snorkeling around the island, then return by boat to Calauit. On the way, near the mangroves, the guides may joke not to dangle your feet in the water — “too many crocodiles here!” They’re just kidding, though long ago crocodiles really did live here.
We’ll step into a true wildlife sanctuary — Calauit Island Reserve, covering 3,700 hectares. In the late 1970s, several species of herbivorous African animals were introduced here. So we’ll be walking among zebras and the famous giraffes — there are 23 of them now, and they love to be fed (and don’t mind selfies in return!).
Afterwards, we’ll take a bus transfer back to the hotel. Rest.
(Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
Day 4
31.12.2025
Today we say goodbye to the Old Year and welcome in the New — 2026! We’ll sleep in and then go on a light tour with snorkeling over coral reefs and sunken Japanese warships from World War II.
After that, lunch awaits on one of the sandy beaches. Then we return to the hotel and prepare to celebrate the New Year!
(Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
New Year’s Eve dinner — not included in the price.
Day 5
01.01.2026
Today is a free day — a day of rest! You can sunbathe, swim in the pool, go shopping in town, or of course — embark on a new ocean adventure! Book a tour or rent a kayak!
(Meals: breakfast included)
Day 6
02.01.2026
In the morning, we transfer to the port in the town of Coron. We say farewell to the magical world of paradise islands and board a sea ferry to another stunning world of turquoise waters and white beaches — a place straight out of the movie “The Beach” — El Nido. (The ferry is comfortable, and the crossing takes about 4 hours.)
First, we’ll transfer to the hotel. After check-in — our first stroll through the town of El Nido.
Day 7
03.01.2026
Today we begin our sea adventure in Bacuit Bay. Get ready to live out the adventures of the characters from “The Beach” — only for us, it will be real!
Early in the morning, after breakfast, we’ll head to the stunning island of Miniloc, where we’ll visit two hidden gems: Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon. We’ll climb into a cave, dive near vertical cliffs, and squeeze through the Tunnel of Love. Then we’ll visit Secret Lagoon, accessible through a cave that opens only during low tide.
Next, we’ll relax and swim at Shimizu Island, where we’ll have lunch and enjoy snorkeling for the day. In the evening, we’ll stop at Seven Commando Beach on Palawan Island for one more swim. Return to the hotel and rest.
(Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
Day 8
04.01.2026
In the morning, we’ll head to the hidden paradise of Hidden Beach. There, you can snorkel or simply enjoy the beauty of this lost tropical world.
After that, we’ll pass by Matinloc Island, admire its breathtaking views, and swim along a coral wall. If we’re lucky — we might even spot a sea turtle!
Next, we’ll visit another secret spot — Secret Beach. To get there, we’ll need to wait for low tide and dive into a small grotto. Beyond the stone wall, a completely different world will open before us — a world of harmony and beauty.
After that, lunch awaits us on the boat and a return trip to El Nido. On the way, we’ll make a stop at Dilumacad Island, also known as Helicopter Island. There, we’ll enjoy one last swim. Then back to the hotel for rest and relaxation.
(Meals: breakfast and lunch included)
Day 9
05.01.2026
Breakfast, then a long transfer by minivan across the island to the Astoria Palawan hotel (approx. 3–3.5 hours). Arrival at the hotel on the oceanfront. Rest.
(Meals: breakfast included)
Day 10
06.01.2026
Today we are going on a journey through the unique underground river of Puerto Princesa, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It flows in a cave on the island of Palawan and it is considered the largest underground river in the world. The walls and ceiling of the cave widen as it moves away from the mouth of the river, reaching 80 meters in height and up to 140 meters in width. Inside the cave, karst outgrowths form whimsical figures on the walls, differing in shape and size.
The underground river stretches for about eight kilometers. However, tourists are only allowed to travel about one kilometer inside the cave. Due to the narrow passageways, access to the deeper corridors branching off to the left and right of the main flow is limited. In addition, oxygen levels drop noticeably the deeper you go into the cave.
These cave labyrinths are an ideal place to observe bats hanging right above your head throughout the journey, as well as the famous stalactites.
After this emotional experience of cave exploration and underground river boating, we’ll head to Puerto Princesa Airport (Palawan Island). From there, we’ll fly to Cebu Island (Mactan). In the evening, a new hotel and well-deserved rest await us.
(Meals: breakfast included)
Day 11
07.01.2026
An explosion of emotions and an extreme day await us today! First, you and I go snorkeling for whale sharks in the small village of Tan-Avan near Oslob. The whale shark swims quite slowly, near the surface of the water, usually no faster than 5 km/h, and does not pose any danger to humans. And the most important thing, the whale shark is completely indifferent to divers
Now judge for yourself: according to some data, there are no more than 5-10 thousand whale sharks left on Earth! If this information is true, then the whale shark is one of the rarest fish and is on the verge of extinction! Therefore, you will remember snorkeling with whale sharks as the most vivid adventure in the Philippines.
After snorkeling, another adventure awaits us: canyoning at Kawasan falls. You and I will make our way along a tropical mountain gorge along a river brook with turquoise water and many waterfalls, into which we will often have to jump (if desired).
We will hike and swim through 10–12 waterfalls ranging in height from 2 to 12 meters. The descent takes 2 to 3 hours and ends at the base of the largest and most famous waterfall in Cebu — Kawasan Falls. There, we’ll swim in the mountain river, relax, and later, full of emotions, head back to the hotel in the evening.
(Meals: breakfast and lunch included).
Day 12
08.01.2026
Today we say goodbye to each other. A transfer to the airport awaits you, followed by your flight — either home or to the capital, Manila. Or perhaps you’ll choose to extend your journey for a few more days and head to Bohol or other nearby islands.
(Meals: breakfast included)
WHY WITH PAGANEL?
We are unique
For many years, we have been traveling the world to our small planet's most remote and unusual places. We do not use the services of domestic travel agencies. The trips we invent and carry out are always unique and have their unique zest, charm, and adventurous spirit.
Creation
The first thing that interests us is creativity in everything. During the expeditions, we shoot a lot of videos, take pictures, write stories, draw pictures. If you are interested in a creative approach to life and travel, then WELCOME... we are very happy to meet you!
Interest
By joining our team, you join a kind of club family, which already consists of several hundred people who are interested in discovering the world with us.
Since most of the expenses for organizing a trip – air tickets and travel documents for other modes of transportation, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. – are made by us in advance, long before the trip, the prepayment or payment for the trip is non-refundable in the event of cancellation.
Since most of the expenses for the organization of the trip are air tickets and travel documents for other types of transport, accommodation, excursions, services of local companies and guides, etc. are not refundable in case of your cancellation of the trip. We simply have no way to return it.
Please note that this itinerary is tentative. The weather always has the last word. The itinerary is designed to allow sufficient time at the end of the Expedition in case of any weather-related delays. If necessary, the captain can change the expedition route depending on external conditions!
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