Photo above: Palawan, Philippine's last frontier.
Seven thousand and hundred plus islands - shimmering white, golden brown and pink beaches,
powders on your feet!
Hidden lagoons, mangrove forests, stunning landscapes, and one of the most hospitable people.
Explore the Philippines' rich history, its incredibly well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, and the modern metropolitan Manila.
What's Included
Highly Rated Hotel Accommodation
including the posh Shangri-la at the Fort
(9 days, 8 nights)
Hotel Facilities in Palawan - Kayak, Snorkel, Paddleboards, etc.
Daily Buffet Breakfast
Some Lunches, Dinners, including a Family Feast
Tours, Cultural Performances, Tickets, Guides
Transfers and Drivers - Airport to Hotel vv, etc.
Yoga and Hikes
WiFi, Spa (one) and more time for your exploration!
WHAT'S EXCLUDED:
International and Domestic Flights Manila to El Nido RT
Email henna@culturalwanderer.com for travel agent referral
Filipino Hospitality is the
best in the world!
Part of your fee ($20.00) will support or help BUILD LITTLE HOUSES free LIBRARY in Guiuan, E Samar.
Updates will be emailed now and then.
Itinerary, Pricing, Other Details are subject to change.
You may also pay by Venmo, cash, check.
Note: Months advance purchase for local/domestic trip is advised.
Email me if interested in flying with the rest of the group Manila to El Nido Round Trip
Modernity and Urban Life in Perfection:
The tour will start in Manila, a bustling metropolis that showcases the Philippines' stride towards modernity. It's home to skyscrapers, massive shopping malls, historic landmarks, and fast-growing business districts.
Yet, despite its fast-paced urban life, the city retains its historical charm with structures like Intramuros and Fort Santiago to mention.
ITINERARY:
May 8, Friday: ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES
Departure from your city, and country and Arrival at Manila at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL).
United Airlines has a few flights daily from MCI. Philippine Airlines in Los Angeles has few lights daily.
WELCOME!
Airport Pick Up and Hotel Transfer
Check in at the either Shangri-la at the Fort or website: https://www.shangri-la.com/manila/shangrilaatthefort/ or similar.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC), also known as "The Fort,". It is another modern, master-planned urban development in Taguig, Metro Manila, renowned for its upscale residential areas, commercial spaces, and vibrant lifestyle scene.
- Get settled.
- Take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. IT IS SAFE. Take it easy as your body is adjusting to changes in the time change.
- SPA but schedule ahead.
- Dinner at an agreed place - pay your own and optional.
Suggested Restaurant:
The Penthouse at http://www.paseopenthouse.com
The Penthouse 8747 is a classic and chic lounge greatly inspired by the Art Deco period, also recognized as The Great Gatsby era. This rooftop lounge overlooks the Ayala Triangle Gardens with an amazing view of the Makati Skyline and its Central Business District.
May 9-10 Saturday to Sunday:
- Manila Cultural Immersion
- Family Dinner at the Home & Museum of our dear traveler friend - to be confirmed close to date.
- Lunch Visit with Mr. Lane and Hear His Story.
Robert is a dear friend of ours who has lived in the Philippines from New York. He is a successful entrepreneur promoting Philippine crafts and arts and helping the locals.
.
Itinerary:
Intramuros, the Spanish colonial heart of Manila. Take a guided walking tour with local historians who bring the walls to life with stories of conquest, resistance, and resilience
Visit Fort Santiago where national hero José Rizal was imprisoned, and climb the ramparts for sunset views over Manila Bay
Visit museums and galleries like Silverlens or Finale Art File to see cutting-edge Filipino contemporary art.
The world's oldest Chinatown for a food crawl that goes beyond tourist spots - try authentic tikoy, fresh lumpia at Quick snack, and traditional Chinese-Filipino dishes at restaurants where locals actually eat. The cultural fusion here tells the story of centuries of Chinese migration and integration.
Evening at buzzling Malate and Ermita for contemporary Filipino culture.
Catch live music at Saguijo or Route 196 where indie Filipino bands perform. This contrasts beautifully with the historical sites and shows Manila's creative pulse.
Hello El Nido, PALAWAN, the last frontier. All you do is BEACHIN' in paradise.
May 11, Monday:
Note: There are many flights to El Nido (pay your own).
Suggestion: Book with AirSwift Airlines 2:05 pm flight.
Welcome to Palawan!
Motto:
Relax, Refresh, Rejuvenate!
May 11 Monday: Depending on your chosen flight itinerary.
AirSWIFT Airlines has daily flights.
Again, plan of booking the 2:00pm or earlier MNL to ENI flight 90-min duration.
4:00 pm or earlier El Nido Arrival. Airport Pick Up.
Check in at Buko Beach Resort website: https://bukobeachresort.com/ or similar.
WELCOME TO PARADISE! Enjoy the magnificent views.
Lunch on your own.
7:00 pm Dinner at a chosen place perhaps with music.
We will walk to the venue with music such as OZ Pooltop Bar with magnificent views.
May 12 - 13 Tuesday to Wednesday: FULL DAY TOURS
May 14 Thursday is Yours with Dinner at Piece of Sky
Shared Appetizers, Entree, Shared Desserts included. Drinks are yours.
Island Hopping, Small, and Big Lagoons, Caves
Beach Sports, Nature Adventures
6:00 - 8:30 am Breakfast.
8:45 am Tour Pick Up. Lunch included.
Awesome beaches, great snorkeling spots, diving spots, speedboats, beautiful places to relax, even play volleyball, and of course 'store stands' selling cold beer!
More activities to book: zip line, cliff jumping, rock climbing, village tour, and hikes
Amazing lagoons! As you kayak in the Big Lagoon, you’ll see how blue and clear the water is as you are submerged between beautiful limestone cliffs. There is also a cave you can kayak to and you might spot some turtles.
And, the secret lagoon! You have to “queue” to get through the little rock into the secret lagoon. Be aware the water is filled with little stinging jellyfish. It just feels like little shocks and it’s not painful - but a discomfort.
Pinagbuyutan Island - considered to be one of the most picturesque spots in El Nido...and the Philippines, so definitely worth a visit!
Snake Island - a sand bank that stretches in the water and you can walk on the sand during low tide.
Cudugnon Cave - enter this huge cave through a narrow opening and inside you’ll be greeted with unique rock formations and bats!
And more idyllic islands and beaches, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach.
Lunches are included and water.
Dinners are yours.
Bye Palawan. Hello Manila.
May 15 Friday:
Breakfast, Check-out, Airport Pick Up
The suggested flight itinerary is with AirSwift at 11:55 am (or earlier) El Nido flight to Manila.
Estimate Arrival in Manila at 1:25 pm.
Airport Transfer. Check in at one of Newport World Resort hotels (across Terminal 3). website: https://www.newportworldresorts.com/
Bye PHILIPPINES! Hello HOME!
May 16 Saturday:
Depending on your flight itinerary:
Breakfast. Hotel Check Out. Airport Transfer.
HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SPECIFICS, INCLUSIONS, EXCLUSIONS, etc.
Includes:
Hotel Accommodation 8 days, 7 nights
Daily Breakfast, Lunches & Dinners as stated
Tours, Tickets, Drivers, Tour Guides and Assistants, as stated in itinerary
Airport to Hotel vv Transfers, Tour Transfers
WiFi, Yoga, Hikes, Other Hotel or Beach Facilities as stated
Excludes:
- International and Domestic Airfares unless stated and purchased at least 45 days prior to departure.
- Passport, Visa, Health and Documents that maybe required
- Transfers and Accommodation not stated in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance - YOU MUST PROVIDE ONE before departure date
- Gratuities, Tips that may be required.
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Tours, Excursions, Events, not stated in the itinerary
- Spa, Massages, etc. unless stated.
Double Occupancy Shared Room: $4,140.00 including tax and deposits.
Each Person Pays $2,070.00
You must provide your own roommate if you want to share a room. Cultural Wanderer can't promise to provide you with one.
DOUBLE Occupancy means there are two people maximum in the room.
- The two people are sharing the cost of the room for 8 nights, 9 days. They can share a King, Queen, or Twin Bed.
- These TWO are sharing in paying the entire cost of breakfast included for 9 days.
- EACH person is charged (individually charged) for every tour or event, for the transportation, for tickets to museums, and, or events.
Single / Solo (One) Occupancy Room: $2,720.00
SINGLE Occupancy means there’s only one person in the room, whether the bed is King, Queen, etc.
- He / She is paying the entire cost of the room for 8 nights, 9 days with breakfast included.
- He / She is paying for the cost of transportation for one person, e.g. airport pick up, domestic transfers, etc.
- He / She is paying for tours, events for one person.
Please note:
Non Refundable Deposit of $1,000.00 per participant.
Full or remaining balance is required on March 30, 2026, and non-refundable.
Non-Refundable Full Payment is required on March 30, 2026.
If cancellation takes place on or after February 28, 2026 One Hundred Percent (100%) of the trip price will be forfeited.
You may also pay Henna Fuller by cash, check, money order, Venmo @Henna-Fuller or PayPal to mahenna_2000@yahoo.com
Email henna@culturalwanderer.com for inquiries or Call / Text 816.591.3642
CULTURAL WANDERER / Hegina A Fuller reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary by the team, trip leaders, guides, travel agents, partners, etc. In the rare case of a cancellation on our part, we will offer a refund deemed necessary.
You will receive weeks before the scheduled trip the Participant's Waiver, Release, Indemnification Agreement.
Please read it, sign, and return by email or mail to HENNA A FULLER 4030 NW Claymont Dr. Kansas City, MO 64116 USA, a few days at least before the trip.
Questions to henna@cultural wanderer.com, Tel: 816.591.3642