If you speak to anyone that has travelled south east Asia you will often here many people speak highly of their time in the Philippines and for good reason! The beautiful beaches, clear water and delicious cuisine makes this a perfect place for a getaway and the Tao experience was the crown jewel of our time in this country.
This consisted of a 5-day excursion in which we travelled by boat and camped across various islands in the Palawan province in the Philippines. This provided a perfect mix of relaxing escapism as well as water activities which included the best snorkeling we have done in our lives!
The staff was made up of native Filipino’s, known as the ‘lost boys,’ who made us feel very welcome and were a huge part of what made our time so enjoyable as they provided us with a truly unique experience of island culture and hospitality.
The following is a breakdown of our own experience on this once in a lifetime expedition and all the amazing things you can expect before you set sail.
At A Glance
Expedition Routes: Coron To El Nido or El Nido to Coron
Duration: 3, 5, and 6 day tour options available
Accomadation: traditional bamboo huts on the beach with mattress, pillows, and mosquito nets
Food: 3 meals a day prepared fresh each day with locally sourced ingredients
Activities: Snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, cooking with the crew, volleyball
What Is The Tao Expedition?
The Tao Expedition is a multi-day boat journey which takes place in Palawan, Phillipines. A few hours each day will be spent on the traditional Paraw boat as you navigate to a different island all of which have open air bamboo huts to sleep.
There are plenty of incredible snorkeling opportunities along the way with plenty of more activites once you arrive at your camp. Some of these include kayaking, volleyball, learning to cook with the crew, bracelet making, sunset hikes, card games…the options are endless! We had an incredible experience with Tao Expeditions recommend it to anyone visiting the Phillipines!
A Summary Of Our Itinerary
Day 1-3: Depart from the tao base camp in El Nido or Coron and travel 1 hour by bus to arrive at the beach where the boat will depart from. Enjoy a nice breakfast and a few hours at this beach before beginning the voyage. The first 3 days will involve moving to a new campsite on a different island each night where the group are served dinner, drinks, and can hang out before getting some sleep. In between campsites, the boat will periodically stop at various reefs and shorelines where the group can swim and snorkel.
Day 4-5: On the fourth day, the group will arrive at the base camp on a new island and everyone will spend 2 nights there. If you are doing the 5 day experience you will spend 2 nights sleeping at this island (if you do the 3 day experience you will only spend 1). They have plenty of activities to keep you occupied during your time here such as kayaking, playing volleyball, sunset hikes, bracelet making, snorkeling, and plenty more! Our basecamp in Coron even had an outdoor gym.
When Is The Best Time Year To Book The Tao Expedition?
The best time to book your Tao experience is during dry season in the Philippines which runs from October to May. Keep in mind that this is also the busier season so prices will be slightly more expensive and you should book further in advance to secure your spot.
What To Pack For The Tao Expedition?
Before our trip began, we were advised to purchase a dry bag to pack everything that we needed for the next few days to ensure our belongings stayed dry as we travelled between islands.
The rest of our luggage was stored below deck and it would be 3 days until we would have access to them so it is vital that you pack your dry bag well! The following is a list of everything you will need for your time on the Palawan islands;
- 20 or 30L Dry Bag: We did not have much room in our luggage so we decided to purchase one once we got to El Nido. There are plenty of places selling dry bags. Your luggage will be packed away in the boat (but you can access it every other day or so). In your dry bag, you’ll keep everything you need for the island
- Portable chargers: A few of the islands have areas to charge your devices, but we would highly recommend bringing along a portable charger.
- Book/kindle: None of the islands have wifi and a few have scarce service .Take the opportunity to have a digital detox and bring a book for your free time.
- Sunscreen: You’ll spend the majority of each day in the sun, so be sure to pack a high spf sunscreen
- Bug Spray: The islands that you stay on can be quite buggy. Bug spray is a must.
- Clothing: Clothing items that you should have packed in your dry bag include swim suits, cover ups, t-shirts, shorts, and pajamas. We had access to our luggage on day 3 to change out clothes from our dry bags, but this may not be the case for everyone.
What Are The Nightly Accommodations Like?
The different islands that we camped at featured cozy bamboo huts right on the beach for each of us to sleep in which was a fun experience! It was usually two people per hut which suited a lot of the couples in the group but you could request a single hut ahead of time if you need it.
The huts were elevated from the sand and included a mosquito net, mattress, pillows, sheets, and a blanket. There was no air conditioning of course, however one of the islands that we stayed at included a light, a fan, and a power outlet in our hut.
There were outdoor showers for us to use at most of our camp sites with only one temperature… cold. However, this was no problem given the warm air temperature but the showers were open so you will want to keep your swimsuit on when washing. On our first night we did not have showers and we bathed at a designated bucket of water that was shielded by a bamboo wall for privacy, it did the job!
But honestly, the simple nature of our accommodation added to the escapism that we were seeking on this trip and it allowed us to appreciate the basics a little more.
What Activites Are Offered By The Tao Expedition?
Incredible Snorkeling:
Snorkeling has always been one of our favorite water activities and this was a prominent feature over the course of our 5-day tour. Each island we stayed at was home to some of the most amazing coral and tropical fish that we have enjoyed in all our travels so far. We even had the opportunity to snorkel a ship wreck.
We also stopped the boat at many locations as we travelled in between islands. Our educated guides recommended some beautiful spots to explore and they did not disappoint us once!
The fact that we were the only group at each stop was another huge positive as it ensured that the water never felt overcrowded which can hinder the snorkel experience. Throughout the week we felt spoiled for choice with the amount of underwater scenery we enjoyed so if you enjoy snorkeling or want to try it then the Tao experience will be right up your alley!
Kayaking:
Many of the islands that we stayed at had kayaks on the beach that were available for the whole group to use as we pleased. We usually kayaked early in the morning or late in the afternoon which offered us a nice piece of alone time to take in the beauty of the beach and its surroundings from a different view.
Beach Volleyball:
Most of the beaches we camped at had a volleyball court set up in the sand which was equipped with a proper net. This was a fun way for us to interact with others in the group as well as the staff who were keen to join our games. We often played in the afternoon and evening before dinner and was also a good way to work up a sweat before a refreshing dip in the nearby ocean.
Sunset Hike:
On day 3 of our itinerary, we hiked to a view point for an incredible sunset. This was a very easy “hike” and only took around 15-20 minutes. Happy hour drinks were passed out as we took in the incredible views.
Lounging By The Beach:
While there are plenty of activites to keep you occupied, one of our favorite things to do after a day filled with swimming and snorkeling was lounge by the beach. The majority of the campsites had plenty of lounging areas like hammocks and beach chairs.
What Kind Of Food Is Served On The Tao Expedition?
The food that we were served was spectacular throughout the week and we left feeling as though we got to try a lot of authentic Filipino cuisine! Cold water and hot coffee were available each day with alcoholic drinks served in the evening.
Our breakfast and dinner were prepared on land in an outdoor kitchen right in front of us at the campsite. Our lunch was expertly prepared and served on the boat as we travelled between islands which ensured we got to dine with a view each day.
The food itself was extremely tasty and consisted of a lot of freshly caught fish, rice, eggs, grilled vegetables, spring rolls and fruit. This was also some of the healthiest food we ate during our stay in the Philippines, and we definitely felt better for it at the end of the week!
We also got a taste of some Filipino desserts in the evening with the traditional ‘mango float’ being our favorite! The kitchen staff were even kind enough to give the group a demonstration on how to make it so we can try it ourselves at home. We were very impressed with how the staff were able to cater to a group of over 20 people with such basic resources. The simple life.
What Is The Boat Like?
The boat we boarded each day was basic in terms of luxuries which was fine by us as it was a very decent size for our group of 20 people. It featured a top deck and lower deck and each floor had plenty of space to hang out on.
The top floor had some loungers which were perfect for reading a book or taking a nap on. The refreshing sea breeze on the boat meant that there was no need for any air conditioning and there was plenty of shade on the top deck due to the canopies hanging above. The bottom deck featured benches to hang out on and could get a little wet as the choppy water splashed into the boat.
However, there was an indoor section here too where you can stay dry throughout your travels. The boat featured bathrooms and a kitchen at the back where the crew prepared our lunch and/or breakfast each day.
How To Book The Tao Expedition?
Bookings can only be made directly through the Tao website: www.taophillipines.com. Once on their website, select the “find a trip” button on the top of the page where you can browse availability. If you have any questions before booking, they are very responsive via their whats app number: +63 908 890 8033 or their email: info@taophilippines.com.
