Palawan Island Hopping and Explore East Timor Combo

DESCRIPTION

Join us for our 6^th annual trip to Palawan, which has been voted the best island of the year for the last two years as we explore the amazing Bacuit Archipelago on our private party outrigger, and for only the second time join us as we go on via Bali to Explore East Timor!

The trip begins with the group meeting in Ermita, Manila where we head out to see the sites of this bustling metropolis before we take the flight to Puerto Princessa the capital of Palawan. Here we check into our amazing private villa with a pool for a day relaxing to get the party started.

We then head to El Nido in the north of the island for 4 days of island hopping (party) adventures to hidden lagoons and secret beaches, as well as a free day where we can arrange extras such as diving, or a motorcycle tour. On our last night we finish in style with a party and camping on a deserted island beach before one last night at the villa and our return to Manila.

Whilst Palawan might not strike as a classic YPT destination this trip is not only one of our favourites, but always extremely popular.

And in contrast join YPT for a week exploring the history and of course the beaches in one of the newest and least visited countries in South East Asia.

East Timor, or Timor-Leste was a Portuguese colony that proclaimed it’s independence in the 1970s before being occupied by Indonesia until the late 1990s and then becoming fully independent in 2002. We’ll be exploring the far regions of Baucau and Lospalos as well as of course the capital Dili, checking out the markets, catching the sunsets and getting our fill of local food.

There will be beaches and diving opportunities, and this tour will start and finish in Bali, Indonesia, an island about which not much else needs to be said!

As the only predominantly Christian country in SE Asia along with the Philippines, you can explore both these countries in one go!

ITINERARY

Wednesday 30^th September

Guests arrive at their own leisure to the Ermita area of Manila, where you will check into The Lotus Garden Hotel for your private room
We head out for dinner and drinks at the legendary Hobbit House, a great bar and restaurant staffed by midgets no less! Before having drinks around the many bars of bustling Ermita
Overnight in Manila

Thursday 1st October

Up early for the journey to Manila airport for our 9.30 am flight to Puerto Princessa
TRIP HIGHLIGHT On arrival in PP we immediately transfer to and one of the new wonders of the world the Palawan Underground River Tour, which includes lunch.
Following the Palawan Underground River Tour, we transfer to what can only be described as another trip highlight, our high-end private villa with a pool for an afternoon drinking and sitting by the pool
As we only get one night in Puerto Princessa we head out to the best restaurant where we have booked a table to sample the local cuisine. For the adventurous of the group you can try the “tamilok challenge”. Tamilok is the specialty of woodworm kinilaw (ceviche) of Palawan
Drinks and overnight at the villa

Friday 2^nd October

You leave the villa at 10 am for the 6 hour drive through beautiful island scenery to El Nido,
We stop at the legendary lunch stop halfway to El Nido for Filippino food.
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
Overnight in beachside accommodation

Saturday 3^rd October

The 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.
At night we head out in El Nido
Overnight in beachside accommodation

Sunday 4^th October

Island hopping to Snake Island, Cathedral Cave and Codugnon Caves. Fresh BBQ lunch by our boat crew. Evening at our hotel in El Nido.
At night we head out in El Nido
Overnight in beachside accommodation

Monday 5^th October

We take a rest from island hopping for a day, with us offering a number of other optional activities, such as scuba diving, motorbike tour, and zip-lining
At night we head out in El Nido
Overnight in beachside accommodation

Tuesday 6^th October

Island hopping to the furthest afield islands including Hidden Beach, Star Beach and Helicopter Island. Fresh BBQ lunch by our boat crew.
At night we head out in El Nido
Overnight in beachside accommodation

Wednesday 7^th October

Free time in the morning, and lunch at own expense
In the afternoon, we check out of our beachside accommodation and travel an hour away to a secluded beach where we check into our huts for our last night party in Palawan
For dinner, we sample lechon, which is spit-roasted suckling pig before partying the night away on the secluded beach
Overnight in beach huts

Thursday 8^th October

We get up early for the transfer to the new El Nido airport for the 10.40 flight back to Manila.
11.55 arrival in Manila, where we wish a fond farewell to those not joining us in East Timor. For those who have time to kill, bags can be left at our hotel.
We transfer directly to our hotel in Ermita, where we offer a free day, or an optional “Manila Slum Tour” (extra charge)
After the slum tour, we take things up a notch somewhat by heading next door to the Manila Hotel, for the best cocktails Manila has to offer.
Dinner and overnight in Ermita

Friday 9th October

Depart Manila at 4am for the flight to Bali arriving at 7am where we transfer directly to the hotel for a much-needed early check-in. Our hotel is located in Kuta, which makes it easy access to the airport, and has a swimming pool, for those inclined to relax in.
Kuta is somewhat infamous as a party place in Bali, and whilst you might not want to stay here too long, for one night it does the trick.
Overnight in Kuta

Saturday 10th October

We transfer to the airport to board the 09.15 flight to Dili, capital of East Timor Arrival at 12.00 arrange our visas on arrival before transferring to our very centrally placed accommodation
Lunch in town
Optional Scuba dive (at own cost) or free time for some rest
We take a walk down to the pristine beachfront in Dili where we will grab dinner at one of the restaurants overlooking the sea. At dinner we will be joined by a leading politician, former prisoner, and veteran of the independence war with Indonesia, to hear about his experiences in fighting for Timorese independence
Overnight at East Timor Hostel

Sunday 11th October

We go for a city tour of Dili including the parliament, presidential palace and old Portuguese architecture
Visit to the Timor genocide museum, not only a very moving place but essential in understanding the recent history of the nation.
Lunch in a traditional Timorese restaurant
TRIP HIGHLIGHT We head to the HQ of FRETELIN, the former ruling party of Timor-Leste to buy t-shirts, and probably have our photos taken for their propaganda! Expect lots of raised fists, and to be called comrade a lot. All very YPT.
Our local guide continues our driving tour of the city with a visit to the former prison building of the Indonesian army and other sites related to the war of independence.
Back to the hostel for shower and change before we transfer to the beachside barbecue restaurants to sample how the locals get together for drinks and food. This is street food at its best!
Walk down the seafront for nighttime beers overlooking the sea
Overnight at East Timor Hostel

Monday 12th October

We get up nice and early to board our private bus to drive to the second largest and most important city in the country – Baucau
The journey takes around 3 hours with us stopping on the way for pictures opportunities and lunch.
On arrival in Baucau, we check into our bungalows on our very own private beach. This is simple, but also extremely serene.
City tour of Baucau including the old colonial building and government house.
Baucau has a very famous outdoor saltwater swimming pool frequented by the locals so we head here for a morning swim and a relax
In the evening, we enjoy a home cooked meal with our hosts before grabbing some beers and heading down to our very own private beach for a kickback. The sea has bio phosphorescence, with the water lighting up on your every move.
Overnight in beachside bungalows

Tuesday 13th October

We then head to what is quite a surprising highlight of the trip by visiting the local market.
Considering this is the second biggest city the market is surprisingly primitive with foreigners rarely venturing here. This offers a lot of opportunities to observe contemporary life as well as interact and speak with the locals
Lunch at a locally famous restaurant to try the regional specialty Kulu, or for the less adventurous Portuguese cuisine.
If you have your very own private beach, then you should use said very own private beach, so we do what any sensible group would do and have a big BBQ!
Overnight in beachside bungalows

Wednesday 14th October

TRIP HIGHLIGHT We head to a weird but very worth it highlight, where we head to Baucau Airport, a place that looks abandoned but is in fact very much in use, where we will be able to drive around the runway via our vehicle, or for the adventurous by motorbike
We avoid the legendary Timorese roads by boarding our own chartered aircraft for the very quick prop-plane flight from Baucau to Dili. Dual heaven for flight geeks.
On arrival in Dili, we transfer directly to our hotel for a freshen up and lunch before our vehicle arrives back from Baucau to meet us.
In the afternoon we head to the iconic statue of Jesus for a hike and to see the sunset. For those inclined, it is possible to either rent a motorbike to do this, with, or without a driver, or to simply take our regular vehicle.
We sit by the sea to witness the stunning sunset next to a beautiful beach, where we will also have dinner, drinks and a general goodbye for our last night in Timor-Leste

Thursday 15th October

Free morning in Dili to either do some last-minute shopping (yes we will get you fridge magnets), or simply relax by the beach before we head to Dili Airport for our flight back to Bali
We take the 2.15 pm flight to Bali arriving at 15.00 in Bali
Transfer to our hotel in Kuta for a relaxing afternoon
With it being our last night together, and in Bali we head out for one last YPT BBQ and goodbye drinks.

Friday 16th October