Datu Harana & Ariara Island Palawan Expedition Coron to El Nido 4 Days

Datu Harana Luxury Expeditions is owned and operated by The Luxe Guide Limited, a registered and licensed travel agency in Hong Kong, operating under The Luxe Guide Group.

Any individual making a reservation does so on behalf of all participants in the booking party, accepting full financial responsibility. Specific trip terms published at the time of booking supersede these general provisions where inconsistent.

Advance booking timelines require minimum notice: three (3) business days for day tours, several weeks for travel packages, and several months for private group charters.

Booking process & terms

1. Upon receipt of booking details, a pro-forma invoice will be issued via email.
2. Travel vouchers, e-tickets and official itineraries will be issued upon clearance of full payment and must be presented during travel.
3. If requested arrangements are unavailable, suitable alternatives will be proposed.
4. Bookings are restricted to individuals aged 18 and older possessing full legal capacity. Minimum age for standard departure participants is 10 years, and all minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
5. Individuals booking on behalf of third parties warrant that they possess legal authority to bind all members of the party to these terms.

• Quotations remain valid for two (2) calendar days from issuance. Invoiced prices are locked except where government levies, tax changes or currency fluctuations increase base costs by 5% or more.
• A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to confirm bookings made more than 180 days prior to departure; the remaining balance is due at 180 days. Bookings made within 180 days require full payment at reservation.
• Accepted payment methods include bank transfer, PayPal, online credit card or cash (all transactions in USD). Online credit card payments via Stripe or PayPal incur a 5% surcharge.

All wire transfer fees and bank charges are the sole responsibility of the remitter. Net payments received by The Luxe Guide Limited must equal the total invoiced amount. Confirmation occurs exclusively upon receipt of cleared funds.

3.1 Peak Season

Peak season surcharges may apply to the Ariara Private Island portion of the package during the following peak travel periods:

• Christmas & New Year19 Dec 2026 – 03 Jan 2027
• Chinese New Year05 – 14 Feb 2027
• Black Saturday27 Mar 2027
• Day of Valour / Araw ng Kagitingan09 – 11 Apr 2027
• Easter / Holy Week17 – 27 Apr 2027
• Eid’l Adha / Feast of Sacrifice26 – 27 May 2027
• Bonifacio Day27 – 29 Nov 2027

Any applicable peak season surcharge will be communicated and confirmed at the time of booking.

4.1 Cancellations by Guests

Cancellations by guests must be submitted in writing. Refunds are strictly limited to the percentages below, with no secondary costs covered:

• Approved refunds will be processed within fourteen (14) calendar days.
• Rescheduling requests submitted more than 90 days prior to departure incur no penalty fee, subject to availability.
• Unused tour elements, non-arrivals (no-shows) or early departures are non-refundable.
• Flight cancellations and changes are subject exclusively to carrier fare rules and regulations.

4.2 Cancellations by The Luxe Guide Limited

In the unlikely event that The Luxe Guide Limited must cancel an expedition due to operational constraints, minimum participant requirements not being met, or unforeseen company issues, guests will be offered the choice of a full refund of all amounts paid to the company or credit towards a rescheduled departure. The company is not liable for indirect costs such as independent travel arrangements or visa fees.

If Datu Harana becomes unavailable for any reason, guests may decline a replacement vessel, alternative date or other arrangement and receive a 100% refund of all amounts paid to LXV, with no deductions. This will not be treated as a guest cancellation and takes precedence over any conflicting general terms and conditions.

4.3 Weather, Force Majeure or Unruly Conduct

Cancellations or alterations caused by force majeure, severe weather conditions, natural disasters or coast guard travel advisories remain subject to supplier refund policies, with company liability limited strictly to refundable portions received from third-party suppliers. Cancellations resulting from guest breach of conduct rules or unruly behaviour will result in immediate termination of services without refund or compensation.

The expedition departs from Coron Town, Palawan (Busuanga Airport – USU) and ends at Dipnay Pier near El Nido Town (El Nido Airport – ENI). Passengers are solely responsible for securing valid passports, visas and health documentation required by destination authorities.

Same-day transit & flight policy

Same-day transit connections on arrival or departure dates are strongly discouraged due to variable sea conditions and fixed operational schedules.

• Departure date: Scheduled vessel departures cannot be delayed for late arrivals. Private transfer arrangements required due to missed departures are at the client's sole expense.
• Return date: Arrival times at disembarkation ports depend on sea conditions and cannot be guaranteed. Overnight mainland accommodation prior to onward flights is strongly advised.

Transfer arrangements

Hotel-to-pier transfer in Coron on embarkation day and pier-to-hotel transfer in El Nido upon arrival are included. Airport-to-hotel transfers before embarkation are not included and should be arranged directly with your hotel.

Vessel access involves tenders, ladders and uneven terrain. Physical limitations, mobility issues or pre-existing medical conditions must be declared prior to booking. The company reserves the right to decline bookings if safety requirements cannot be satisfied.

Guests must comply with environmental protection rules: zero disturbance to marine ecosystems, exclusive use of reef-safe sunscreen, proper waste containment, and respectful engagement with local communities.

Abusive behaviour, harassment or discrimination will result in immediate service termination without refund. Onboard quiet hours are observed from 23:00 to 07:00, and personal audio amplification in shared areas is prohibited.

Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory and not included in expedition fees. Policies must cover trip cancellation, medical evacuation, repatriation and loss of personal baggage. Uninsured guests assume all financial liability for expenses or losses incurred.

The Luxe Guide Limited disclaims liability for disruptions resulting from events beyond reasonable control (force majeure), severe weather, mechanical failures or airline schedule changes. Onboard medical capabilities constitute standard first-aid provisions and do not represent guaranteed medical facilities.

Service issues must be reported immediately to onboard management. Formal claims must be submitted in writing within ten (10) calendar days of trip completion.

This agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Any legal disputes shall fall under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Hong Kong courts.

Official written correspondence must be directed to: The Luxe Guide Limited, 302 DHI Building, Lapu-Lapu St corner EDSA, Magallanes Brgy, Makati City, or via official electronic mail.

Datu Harana is our flagship — a traditional Filipino bangka, purpose-built to reach the parts of Northern Palawan most travellers never see. She's the vessel behind every Datu Harana departure, whether you're aboard for two nights or five.

Life aboard & vessel amenities

Each cabin is private, air-conditioned and fitted with its own en-suite bathroom. WiFi is powered by Starlink. Water toys include kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling gear and, on select departures, underwater cameras/scooters. Showers are lukewarm-water only to conserve electricity and fresh water. Power outlets are 230V/60Hz (high-wattage items over 1000W such as hair dryers are prohibited).

A dedicated chef and kitchen crew handle full-board dining, buffet-style. Daily housekeeping is provided, with bed sheets changed every 3 days.

Exact cabin counts and layouts are refined as the fleet evolves — your booking confirmation will always show the specific room type and capacity.

Air conditioning on Datu Harana

Cabin air-conditioning operates nightly from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM, with the temperature set at 24–25°C. Maintaining a steady electricity supply on board is a challenge, and these settings help keep power running without interruption throughout the voyage. Every cabin also has a fan for use during the day.

Datu Harana is still being completed, and getting the full electrical load and air-conditioning system running reliably has been a genuine engineering challenge. The full AC system has been purchased and we're doing everything possible to keep it running, but guests should go in accepting that it may occasionally be out of service. If this happens, we'll refund 15% of the trip price for a Datu Harana–only booking, or 10% for a combined trip with Ariara. Every room also has a fan installed as a backup.

Itineraries & destinations

Itineraries cover Coron's iconic lakes and lagoons (Kayangan Lake, Pukaway Cave, Twin Lagoon) as well as the Linapacan and West Busuanga island groups (Debotunay, Black Island, Ditaytayan sandbar). Routes, schedules and specific stops remain subject to alteration without prior notice based on weather or maritime conditions.

Inclusions & exclusions