| Cost From: | $4495 |
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| Length: | 13 days |
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| Activity: | Snorkeling, Wildlife & Natural History, Sea Kayaking |
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| Difficulty: |
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The snorkeling was fantastic and we did just the right amount of sea kayaking.V. Gutgesell—Oakland CA
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Enjoy challenging hiking in an aery realm of grand glacial cirques, crystalline lakes, snow-capped summits, mighty waterfalls, and magnificent beech forests. Along the way we fuel our hikes with hearty mountain fare from cassoulet to Roquefort cheeses.
Isolated in the southwestern Philippine Archipelago is Palawan, a stunning island-province surrounded by the crystalline waters of the Indo-Pacific Coral Triangle. With its amazing biodiversity, including 232 endemic species, Palawan has been recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. World-class snorkeling, sea kayaking, and the unforgettable experience of swimming with whale sharks and endangered dugongs await us here. As we explore amid soaring limestone cliffs and spectacular coral reefs teeming with jewel-bright fish, Trip Leader and marine biologist Lee Goldman will offer an ongoing—and fascinating—natural history class through informal talks on marine biology and coral reef conservation. Our accommodations are in beach lodges and delightful tented camps in the El Nido Marine Reserve, with its majestic karst islands and secret lagoons.
$4495 (7-9 members)
$4795 (6 members)
$4995 (4-5 members)
Single supplement: $750
Internal airfare: $595 (subject to change)
Prices are for 2010 dates
Mar 14-26, 2010 Lee Goldman
Apr 18-30, 2010 Lee Goldman
May 4-16, 2010 Lee Goldman
Mar 14-26, 2011 Lee Goldman
Apr 1-13, 2011 Lee Goldman
Reading list, click here.
Encounters From Manila, we head to the fishing village of Donsol. Sometimes called the whale shark capital of the world, it has the largest numbers of recorded sightings of whale sharks anywhere in the world. The highest concentrations are in spring, at the time of our trip. From our beachside resort, we snorkel among shallow coral gardens in Donsol Bay, then head out by outrigger boat for a chance to see—and swim among—these gentle giants as they congregate in the shallow waters to feed on plankton. We also enjoy hikes on the lush slopes of Mt. Mayon (8,077'), the world’s most perfect stratovolcano.
The vast El Nido Marine Reserve is a little-known ecological wonderland on the northwestern tip of Palawan. Flying to Bacuit Bay on Palawan Island, we explore by sea kayak at Pinagbuyutan Island, snorkel along glorious white-sand beaches, and marvel at sheer-walled karst islands. The green sea turtle, hawksbill turtle, and olive ridley turtle all inhabit these waters.
From a series of lovely tented camps in ethereal settings, we hike to island summits and mysterious caves and snorkel in pristine aquamarine waters that are a virtual aquarium of tropical fish, corals, and sea turtles. This is also an ideal venue for sea kayaking, and we paddle among the islands to discover hidden lagoons and fantastic reefs. Our tented camps have wonderful amenities, including an airy screened tent for dining. Delicious meals, beautiful Pacific sunsets, and star-gazing under a brilliant tropical sky are among our delights here. On some nights, we may try a night snorkel to search for nocturnal reef creatures.
A coral jewel set in emerald seas, Dimakya Island is a lovely hideaway and a wonderful place for our grand finale. Dimakya’s rich, grassy seabed is an ideal feeding ground for the endangered dugong (a cousin of the manatee), and here we can swim with these mysterious, nine-foot-long creatures in the wild. Crystal-clear waters allow for great visibility on our snorkeling outings, with a biodiversity including stingrays, manta rays, and swirling clouds of multi-colored tropical fish. Overnights are in cottages at the island’s tranquil resort. Depart Day 13 via Manila.
This is the Itinerary-at-a-Glance. For the complete trip description, Download Full Trip Brochure
