TAO EXPEDITION: Coron to El Nido Expedition Pre-Departure Photo Essay @TaoPhilippines

01/04/2017 Updated Blog Post: TAO Philippines: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at What Makes @TAOPhilippines Successful?

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TAO PHILIPPINES is an expedition which aims to immerse participants in the authentic Filipino island life. The expedition takes place in the remote islands of Northern Palawan–between El Nido and Coron–for 5 days and 4 nights.

It’s highly recommended to start the Tao expedition in Coron and end it in El Nido, to fully experience the best islands and beaches, not only in Palawan, but also in the world.

Here’s a photo essay of our pre-departure in Coron…

You have to arrive in Coron at least a day before the expedition.

There is a P150 van ride to take you from the Busuanga Airport to the Coron town proper. 

Tao Office is located along Don Pedro St., in the heart of Coron Town (in front of Sea Dive Resort).

Check-in a day before at least, to sign waivers and attend the pre-departure meeting.

You can stay in a fan room for P500/night in an inn, but I decided to stay in the Tao Office for the night.

For P1,000/night (with receipt), you can stay in this decent, air-conditioned private room with WiFi on the 3rd floor.

The restroom is simple and clean, but make sure there is water available.

A view of Coron Town from my third floor room.

We had a pre-departure meeting at 6pm, where I met the other 6 travelers joining our Tao Expedition group.

We toasted to the success of the expedition with Tao Philippine’s signature Tao Sundowner–made from Tanduay Rum and Pineapple Juice.

They have a small shop for your last minute shopping of expedition essentials.

Make sure you have insect repellant (Kwan Loong Medicated Oil is their recommendation), a head lamp or flashlight, and a dry bag to protect your electronic gadgets.

Buy the Tao Expedition shirts, which come in Blue and Yellow colors.

You have to buy your own beer, juice, or soda, but Tao Philippines can buy these for you at wholesale prices. 

There’s a BPI Express Teller in Coron Town. Best to withdraw cash here since there’s no available ATM in El Nido.

Across BPI is Cafe Mos, where you can have dinner before the expedition.

Prices are reasonable. Make sure to go for the fresh catch of the day…

…or order their grilled specialties.

Our Tao Philippines Aurora Una crew, led by our expedition leader, Romy!

To be continued in… TAO EXPEDITION Day 1: From Coron to Patchy (A Photo Essay)

TAO PHILIPPINES

Tao Expeditions has been described as ‘One of the most pioneering cultural eco-tourism projects in the Philippines’. It is a journey to the most remote region in Palawan to discover a tropical archipelago of hundreds of paradise islands, inaccessible to independent travelers through its remoteness and lack of tourist infrastructure.

Email: info@taophilippines.com
Emergency Contact Numbers: +63 908 874 9075 or +63 998 411 3576 
Facebook: Tao Philippines
Instagram: @TaoPhilippines
Twitter: @TaoPhilippines
Website: http://www.taophilippines.com/

Coron Tao Office: Don Pedro St. Coron town (in front of Sea Dive resort). 
El Nido Tao Office: Serena St. El Nido town. 

Tao Expedition Fee (2015 Season): P25,000 for regular 5 days/4 nights per person 

50% Deposit due to secure booking : 12, 500PHP

What’s included?

• The journey with us onboard.
• All meals, snacks, and refreshments.
• Your overnight accommodation at Tao base-camps or in the islands.
• Fees and environmental tax in islands and nature reserve.
• Equipment: Mask and Snorkel (no Fins).
• Local fishing gears (drop line and line trawling).
• Kayaks. 

Not included: 

• Accommodation before or after the trip with us.
• Transportation to and from meeting point.
• Towels.
• Alcoholic drinks.
• Fins for snorkeling.
• El Nido Tourism Development Tax (P200) in your stay in El Nido.

Click here to check the ‘Open Group Expedition’ schedule.

Must Read: IMPORTANT TRAVEL TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR ALL TAO TRAVELERS

Here’s the map of the expedition: Tao Expedition Map

Live an Awesome Life,

Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com 

Disclosure: I paid for my Tao Philippines Expedition and I’m not connected in any way with Tao Philippines. I wrote this article with my own biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.  

P.S. It’s a good idea to fly to Coron a few days before the expedition if you have not explored Coron yet.