Kayak Calamian Archipelago During Special Group Trip To Philippines With Expert Guide, Joe Toback

Experience undisturbed tropical wilderness, secluded sandy coves and unique limestone formations in the Calamian Archipelago with California-based Mountain Travel Sobek’s 11-day Kayaking the Calamian Archipelago package, avalible for only two departure dates: April 6 and April 20, 2008.

Starting at $3,745 per person (for a group of eight to ten), based on double occupancy, travelers will receive six nights of camping and four nights of resort accommodations; seven days moderate sea kayaking (some previous experience recommended), snorkeling, swimming, easy hiking and touring, as well as all meals.

Lead by expert kayaking guide and world traveler, Joe Toback, highlights of the trip include:

Busuanga Island

Spend the first night at the Busuanga Island Paradise, a small inland resort set within a private nature reserve. Enjoy amenities including comfortable air-conditioned casitas, swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Meet the trip leader and guides over welcome drinks and dinner.

Coron Island

Kayak for three days in and around Coron Island, one of the world’s great limestone islands, camping at a secluded beach on the eastern coast amidst the sounds of birds, monkeys and the starry night. Explore the spiritual hub of the local Tagbanua people, the Calamian sea gypsies who gather swallows’ nests from the island’s famous limestone caves.

Sangat Island

Arrive at Sangat Island Reserve and stay in a native-style eco-resort set near a fine white-sand beach and beautiful coral gardens ideal for snorkeling. Certified scuba divers can opt to spend the afternoon exploring some Japanese wrecks from World War II.

Pass Island Camp

Explore the town of Culion, a former leper colony, visiting its impressive museum. Snorkel at historic Dynamite Point, Calambuyan Island and the Pamilican Islands, observing fascinating sea life and exquisite beaches.

Depart Pass Island Camp, passing through pearl farms, over coral gardens and through extensive mangrove forests along Galoc Island and enjoy a beach picnic lunch surrounded by wildlife, including monkeys and monitor lizards. Time permitting, the group will stop at Coral Bay to visit “Kalipayan,” an exquisite traditional Philippine beach house.

Busuanga Island

Arrive at Black Island (named for its dark color) and spend the day exploring a cave and circumnavigating the limestone island by kayak. Enjoy a mid-afternoon paddle along Busuanga River through a diverse environment filled with nipa palm, mangroves, farmland and forests. Paddle back to the mouth of the Busuanga River to Busuanga Island for one-night resort accommodations at Rio Playa Beach Resort.

Calauit and Wildlife Sanctuary – Maquinit Hot Springs

Depart in the early morning for the Calauit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary to view native animals like the Palawan Bearcat as well as some protected African wildlife species. In the late afternoon, visit Maquinit Hot Springs to enjoy floating in the salty volcanic, salt-water springs. A farewell feast follows.

Mountain Travel Sobek is responsible for all arrangements in the field, including camp meals, group gear and kayaking equipment; airport transfers; ground transportation; and basic medical and evacuation insurance.

“While unspoiled wilderness is at the heart of most Philippines’ vacations, this special tour from Mountain Travel Sobek is so ‘off the beaten path,’ one needs a kayak to transverse it,” said Rene de los Santos, Director of the Philippines Department of Tourism in San Francisco.

Starting at $3,745 per person (for a group of eight to ten) based on double occupancy, the Kayaking the Calamian Archipelago is avalible for travel April 6 and April 20, 2008.

For more information or to book Kayaking the Calamian Archipelago, contact Mountain Travel Sobek at 888-MTSOBEK (687-6235), e-mail info@mtsobek.com or visit www.mtsobek.com

For more information on the Philippines, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph  or contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco at 415-956-4060; Los Angeles at 213-487-4525; New York at 212-575-7915 or Chicago at 312-782-2475.

Philippine Department of Tourism

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is one of the Executive Departments of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for the promotion of travel to the Philippines, tourism investments, and enhancement and preservation of tourism products in the country. Field offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco provide the following services free of charge on a selective basis: dissemination of tourism information, maps, brochures and posters; lending out of videos, CDs and other tourism-related materials; recommendations on places to visit; endorsement of relevant entities; and assistance to those traveling to the Philippines. These offices also engage in a number of promotional activities: presentations to travel organizations, travel trade shows, media inserts and joint marketing arrangements.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with offices in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph or www.wowphilippines.com.ph

Kahn Travel Communications (KTC) is the appointed publicist for the Philippine Department of Tourism, covering North America. Media may contact KTC at (516) 594-4100, or via e-mail at j.kahn@ktcpr.com

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