Related Blog Post: TAO EXPEDITION: How @TaoPhilippines Ruined the Island Hopping Experience Anywhere Else (A Review)
Are you an adventurous spirit searching for the warm breeze of the sea?
Go completely off-the-grid at this secluded beach hideaway! If you’ve heard of Tao Expedition, Camp Ngey Ngey offers the same Tao experience but set on the remote island of Manguengey in Busuanga, Northern Palawan.
This three-day and two-night Neverland island escape is not for everyone. Tao is a sustainable travel gem where you can go back to nature by enjoying the simple things in life. Here you sleep in Tao’s signature open-air bamboo hut, enjoy healthy meals cooked using the local vegetation and the fresh catch of the day, discover the magical snorkeling and shipwreck diving sites of Coron, and even find wildlife within the island’s shores, from turtles and dugongs, to glowing plankton and even baby sharks! When the sun sets, the camp guides make sure to entertain and keep the party going for everyone. The best part? You get to experience all of this with new friends from all over the world!
Tao Philippines Expedition is a social enterprise founded by Eddie Agamos Brock and Jack Foottit that immerses participants in the authentic Filipino island life while, at the same time, helping the remote island communities of Northern Palawan.
Here’s what I think about the tours, the accommodations, the activities, and the food in the camp…
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/
HOW TO GET THERE
The assembly time starts at 9 am at the Tao Office in Coron Town.
(Scheduled departure for 3 Day Safari to Camp Ngey Ngey only)
There’s a 40-min tricycle ride to the village of Sagrada followed by 40-min boat ride.
THE ISLAND TOUR
The trip begins with an adventure! There is no itinerary. The only destination that is fixed is the departure port and Camp Ngey Ngey island!
The best spot on the boat is on top of the boat (honeymoon suite), where you can just lie down and chill.
Did you know Coron is also known as the “Shipwreck Capital of the Philippines“? It was my 4th day in Coron, and I was happy to find out that I’m finally gonna see one! There are tons of snorkeling and diving spots in Coron where you’ll find sunken Japanese warships from WWII. Makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time, doesn’t it?
The Lusong Shipwreck is a very easy (free) diving or snorkeling spot! The wreck is very shallow. With a depth of 5-15m, you can just effortlessly dive and view the gunboat up close.
If you can’t swim, don’t worry. You can just float around and you’ll already spot the Japanese Navy Ship!
Tip: Snorkeling gear and life vest are included. We brought our own fins and masks.
Say hello to my group! There were 11 of us, a mix of Filipino, Chinese, British, and Australian friends!
Dining is part of the package. Lunch is usually a home-cooked Filipino meal of fresh catch of the day and vegetables from an organic farm.
More snorkeling at our second stop at Coral Gardens.
Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and reapply after every swim, or after 2 hours to avoid sunburn.
The water is clear, and the coral garden is beautiful and long.
CAMP NGEY NGEY ISLAND
Ngey Ngey means “crazy” or “noisy” and Tao means “people” in Filipino and is pronounced as Ta-O (not as the single syllable, tao).
From the moment you arrive by the wooden bangka (boat), you’ll want to lose yourself for days in the stunning surroundings in this remote, local-run paradise!
You’ll get a warm, loud welcome from the local camp guides and their cute trained Jack Russell Terriers.
Fun fact: You can go kayaking around the island and finish within an hour.
The camp is on the main beach with jungle trails to trek to the other 3 wild beaches and windswept cliffs and hidden caves. The island is encompassed by crystal blue waters, with preserved reefs teeming with life.
The Rules: No room service, no WiFi, no worries!
Camp Ngey Ngey has a strict digital detox policy. That means as much as possible you’re off your phone and cameras. Giving you more time to socialize with the group and enjoy nature.
I just realized, I barely took any photos on this trip.
Tao employs more than 250 people. Majority are part of the remote community in Northern Palawan. The employees are trained to be camp guides, ship crew, cooks, and guards of the camp.
THE ACCOMMODATIONS
The mornings are magical! Spend every day waking up in your own open-sided bamboo ‘Tuka‘ hut. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a view of the sea, and with just a step down from your humble hut you can already feel the sand on your toes. The crystal clear waters even look perfect for a morning dip.
The camp is built using remains of the old resort after Typhoon Yolanda, mixed with native materials endemic to Palawan. The architecture is close to nature, and instead of concrete, they use mostly bamboo structures.
I love the iconic shape of the “Tuka Hut”. The rooms are very simple. It’s open-air so you get the fresh breeze from the sea. It comes with a mattress, beddings, mosquito net (though there were none during our stay), electric fan, and charging ports.
Tip: The time-limited generator is available from 6pm to 10pm.
It’s a new experience for me to ask the camp guides to refill water for the shower. Expect it to be chilly.
The toilet is western style, but you have to manually flush the toilet using a “tabo.”
Remember to bring a flashlight or a headlamp so your hand is free to do things. There’s no electricity so better do your thing before lights out.
Massage beds for anyone wanting to pamper.
Fun Fact: They train the non-working moms from the neighboring island to be masseurs to help them earn extra income. It’s only p300 for an hour so please be generous and leave a tip.
The re-used reclaimed typhoon-wrecked buildings and old furniture make a playful mix of private and social spaces.
THE FOOD
It’s a paradise for the adventurous foodie! Each meal is different and is usually based on the freshly caught seafood, organic vegetables from the farm, bananas, coconuts, rice, and fruits!
It’s a little exotic journey for the taste buds, complete with a breathtaking view of the sea!
My favorite part is when the food arrives, everyone is gathered eating together family-style. No mobile phones are allowed in the dining area, so we basically just hung around and talked for hours.
The breakfast was amazingly delicious and healthy!
Banana rosti made from chopped banana flower mixed with onion, garlic, eggs, and flour.
Sunny side egg fried in turmeric oil on top of toasted wheat bread.
Fresh pineapple and watermelon.
Refreshing Sunshine Salad made with turnips, tomatoes, cucumber, bok choy leaves drenched in dressing made of annatto oil, cashew vinegar, and honey.
Patakon (green banana fried twice to get that crispiness), served with salsa on top.
Yummy curry crab in pumpkin sauce that’s finger licking good.
Freshly caught grilled jack fish!
THE ISLAND ACTIVITIES
Plenty of time was spent on the island, but boredom was never an issue. We spent our hours idly chatting, drinking, sunbathing, reading a book, swimming, snorkeling, or simply losing ourselves in the stunning surroundings.
Volleyball game with the Tao crew.
The island was teeming with wildlife! We saw baby turtles hatch, a dugong, glowing planktons, and even a baby shark!
On our first night, we were treated to a fantastic fire dance performance by the camp guides themselves!
Followed by a chill drink session along with some singing and guitar tunes from Kuya Jim Boy.
Tip: Make sure to bring cash and top-up for booze.
On our last night, we had a party!
We took a quick hike for a sunset drinking sesh with the cliffs as our view.
Tao Sundowner: Tanduay rum + Del Monte Pineapple Juice + Kalamansi (Philippine lemon)! Very simple, but yummy and strong!
We spent the night playing drinking games, dancing, and talking until the sun came up.
Camp Ngey Ngey is a unique adventure that should be on your bucket list!
It’s for travelers who are willing to journey without any luxury (no hot shower, no air-condition, no WiFi) and be fully immersed in nature. Staying on the island makes you want to forget the responsibilities in life and cure your social media addictions.
The best part is it’s set in Coron, Palawan, one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines, blessed with precious beaches, limestone cliffs, freshwater lakes, and spectacular diving spots filled with WWII sunken warships. It’s no wonder Travel+Leisure declared Coron part of the world’s best islands.
In Camp Ngey Ngey, everyone arrives as strangers, but end up going home as friends. Cheers!
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/
Related Blog Post: TAO EXPEDITION: How @TaoPhilippines Ruined the Island Hopping Experience Anywhere Else (A Review)
Live an Awesome Life,
ABI of Team Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: We were media guests of Tao Expedition. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. Minimum stay on the island is 2 nights.
Island Safari at Camp Ngey Ngey! (3day/2nights)
Rate per person: USD 340 | PHP 16,425
Rate per person (Peak Season): USD 450 | PHP 21,880
Peak Season Departure Dates:
Dec 20 – Jan 10 – Pre Xmas, Xmas/NY, Post NY
Feb 12 – Feb 18 – Lunar NY
Mar 25 – Mar 31 – Easter
INCLUSIONS:
» Journey to and from the island [Coron town returning to Coron town] – (departing 9/10am, returning before 5pm)
» 2 nights ‘tuka’ hut accommodation on the island camp
» Shared toilet and shower facilities
» All freshly prepared meals, drinks and snacks
» Kayaks, Masks and Snorkels
» Snorkeling Activities
NOT INCLUDED:
» Fins, towels, alcoholic drinks, and other drinks from the bar
» All payment/bank fees (including corresponding bank fees)
*Drinks available from the bar so bring some pocket money.