Let the wind and your paddle strokes take you to the remote corners of the Calamianes group of islands, home to the seafaring Tagbanua, Kagayanen and other tribespeople.
This 9-day expedition is special: we use a luxury motorised sailing catamaran with sea kayaks atop to knock on the door of the unique native cultures of the Calamian Islands — billed as the “Last Frontier” by Jacques Cousteau.
With sea kayaks, we open the door to the intriguing maritime cultures of the seafaring Tagbanua and the Kagayanen. We do what they’ve done for centuries — paddle, getting closer to nature and their gods. It’s no accident their deities are a giant octopus and barracuda. Nor is it by chance they live by the sea in makeshift bamboo huts for just 6 months until the prevailing wind switches. And, it’s axiomatic their dugouts and small outrigger paddle and Briggs & Stratton 2-stroke bancas are the means to tap the richness of the sea to bring up their catch of lobster, fish, trepang, shells and seaweed.
It’s their catch our cook will turn into a feast!
Yes, we bring on board a cook who prepares three meals a day and two meriendas (native snacks)
A range of drinks are available including quality wine on this Tribal Adventures’ 9-day exploration of the remoter and quieter corners of Coron, Busuanga and Culion, and their satellite islands which together make up the Calamianes.
Each trip is tailored according to the time of year and participants’ interests. Do reach out at tours@tribaladventures.com for more information or to schedule your Sail & Kayak the Calamian.
- 1 night at Palawan SandCastles
- 6 nights aboard, tent or hut
- 1 night at deluxe hotel
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | Palawan SandCastles | |
| DEPARTURE TIME |
|
|
| HIGHLIGHTS |
|
|
| ACCOMMODATION |
|
Day 1
Pick up and transfer 1 hour by 4×4 to Palawan SandCastles, base of Tribal Adventures and jump-off point for your kayak sea safari of the remote Calamianes. Check into comfortable, native-style fan-cooled seaside pavilion with mini-plunge pool and private bathroom. Tour orientation, gear check, kayak and snorkel/mask try-out, L, D
Day 2
Check out after breakfast, boarding loaded banca for start of sea safari. Stop near south-east Calauit and kayak through long mangrove estuary and across a bay to Calauit Reception Centre: Walking wildlife safari commences, lasting some 2 hours until lunch. Kayaking resumes, paddlers shadowed by banca Arrive at Black island by kayak (or banca). As the crew sets up camp, you can explore a cave behind the camp site which was once the scene for a Survivor series—Czech actually. Dinner on the beach under the stars. B,L,D
Day 3
Breakfast. Snorkel while crew breaks camp. Paddle out of camp by circling the island if conditions permit. Hitch a ride on the banca for an hour or so, stopping to paddle, dropping paddle to visit idyllic sand-ringed and palm-fringed islands and snorkel their reefs. After lunch we’re back on board to scout for our next camp site: a beach on or off Popopotan would appear as remote as we can get and stay to our schedule. Dinner in camp under the stars. B,L,D
Day 4
Paddle out of camp while crew decamps. Explore the Coral Bay-Galoc area by kayak. Late morning pick up by banca. Cruise to Lusong reef for wondrous reef snorkel. Lunch. Then it is off to what we have come to call Nemo Reef, off Culion. Try to locate the cuties! Mid-afternoon we arrive at the town of Culion, checking in to Maya Hotel. Crew resupplies expedition. Town exploration follows, opening our minds to issues surrounding leprosy, though long since gone from this which was once the world’s largest leper colony. B,L,D
Day 5
Having charged batteries, taken breakfast and checked out of Maya Hotel, we hug the coast in our kayaks to get a true feeling for this picturesque place and its residents before finding a mangrove channel and shortcut to our next destination: Malcapuya. We check the place out before getting on the boat and crossing to Ditaytayan Island, paddling it and arriving at a camping spot. The one our guests most favour has a sunrise and sunset vantage point! B,L,D
Day 6
Breakfast and break camp. Cruise to Coron Island where we kayak its lagoons, eventually finding a camp site, which acts as a base for us to do some personal exploration by sea kayak and snorkel. B,L,D
Day 7
After breakfast and as the crew breaks camp, more superlative paddling awaits—kayaking undercut cliffs, penetrating caves and lagoon, and also dropping paddle at secluded beaches. With hammocks at the ready, we’re ready to intersperse some intense activity with siestas, stringing up our hammocks between palm trees, in the undercuts themselves allowing the water to lap on our sleepy bodies. As always, the boat will be close by and the crew at ready to serve lunch and merienda. Camp on another Coron Island beach. A good bye feast under the stars. B,L,D
Day 8
Day 9
| COST PER PERSON | |
| 2 PERSONS | PHP 270,112 |
| 1 PERSON | PHP 429,000 |
| INCLUDED |
|
| All-inclusive expedition from pick up from airport to check-in at airport: Nothing to pay: wine, beer and local spirits also included. Palawan SandCastles & Corto del mar 4+ star hotel or similar. Optional camping under a million heavenly stars.
Unlike Tribal Adventures’ other expeditions, this deluxe expedition includes an expedition menu inclusive of locally-sourced fresh crabs, prawns, bugs and lobster |
