Northern Highlights       Palawan Experience        Cebu and Bohol

Uncover the treasures of Central Visayas in two of its major fast-rising destinations:  Dumaguete, where a marine conservation park located off its coastline ranks itself high in the international dive scene, and Siquijor, an island province whose mysticism lies not only in the preternatural beliefs of its people, but in the sublime beauty of its natural attractions.    

DAY 1 - Manila to Dumaguete / Valencia

You will be met by our representative at your hotel and transferred to the old Manila Domestic Airport for your flight to Dumaguete City.  Upon arrival in Dumaguete, transfer to Forest Camp, a highland resort located in Valencia, at the foothills of Mt. Talinis.   After lunch, proceed to Silliman University Campus, the largest Protestant university in the country that is founded by the American Presbyterian missionaries who came to Dumaguete a century ago.  The campus houses an exhibit of locally excavated artifacts, Sung and Ming porcelain, and an ethnographic collection from various minority tribes in the country.  In its Marine Laboratory, there is an assortment of underwater specimen, an aquaculture for giant clams and groupers, including a breeding program for the Philippine crocodile.  Drive through the busy streets of the city, passing by the public market, the Provincial Capitol Building, and Rizal Boulevard, then make a brief stop at an ice cream parlor to savor a famous local delicacy, the fried ice cream.  Visit the bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria, the city’s most popular architectural landmark which was erected 1776.  Carry on to Negros Oriental Arts and Heritage, a handicraft store and factory that specializes in items made out of red and blue corals, and petrified stones.   Close by is a small abaca-weaving center run by a local cooperative, and Bacong Church, a centuries-old coral church.  Proceed to Atlantis Beach Resort (or similar) for accommodation and overnight.      

DAY 2 - Dumaguete

After breakfast, drive up  north to Capinahan Pier in Bais City where we board an outrigger boat for a short sailing trip to Tanon Strait.  Stop briefly at Talubong Mangrove Island, a 400-hectare protected mangrove forest that serves as a natural habitat for wild birds and crustaceans.  From Talubong, head straight for Campuyo White Sandbar while we scour the sea for dolphins.   When the sea is calm, the deep waters of Tanon Strait become the playground of bottlenose, melon-head and spotted dolphins.  We wait in anticipation for a pod or two to come and swim alongside our boat, until we come to rest on the shallow waters of Campuyo White Sandbar.  Here in this kilometer-long sandbar, find your spot where you can stretch out on the sand or take a dip in its shallow waters.  Sail back to Bais for a sumptuous lunch in a local restaurant.  Wind up the tour with a short visit at the Central Azucarera de Bais, a sugar mill company where, during the milling season, a tour of its facilities introduces one to the manufacture of raw sugar.  Return to the resort for overnight. 

DAY 3- Dumaguete / Malatapay / Apo Island

Breakfast at the resort.    Set off for a visit to the village of Malatapay and witness a colorful tabu that is being held every Wednesday of the week.   On this day, villagers come down from the hills to auction livestock, buy and sell produce and handicrafts and enjoy fresh fish and tuba.    Observe how farm animals are sold off to the highest bidder at one corner of the market area, be amused by the animated banter of market-goers as the haggle for the best price, or simply experience the vividness and ebullient ambience of a typical village market.  Then proceed to the beach located at the end of the market and board an outrigger boat for the 40-minute boat ride to Apo Island.  In Apo Island, enjoy snorkelling in its wide reef flats and coral mounds teeming with an extensive variety of fish.  Have a sumptuous lunch at Apo Island Beach Resort, then more snorkeling before returning to the mainland.    Overnight at your resort in Dumaguete.  

DAY 4- Siquijor

Breakfast at the resort.  Rest of the morning free at leisure until your transfer to the pier to board the 1330h ferry bound for the mystical island of Siquijor.  At the pier in Siquijor, you will be met and transferred to Coco Grove Resort, a cozy resort tucked in a thicket of coconut trees fronting a private white sandy beach.  Rest of the day free at leisure.  Overnight.

DAY 5 - Siquijor

Breakfast.   Spend the whole day exploring this hilly, limestone island, which, after misconstruing masses of glowing fireflies seen from the decks of their ships for volcanic fires, came to be called ‘Isla del Fuego’ by the Spaniards in the 16th century.  Today we will take on Lazi, where the oldest and biggest convent in the Far East is located.  The convento, built in 1884, is a huge structure made out of limestone blocks and its floorings hewn out of molave wood.  Just across the convent is St Isidore Parish Church, another imposing edifice built in 1894.  Then move on to Cambugahay Falls, a three-tiered waterfalls sheltered beneath a canopy of trees and girdled by a thick foliage of flowering shrubs, a picture-perfect setting for nature lovers.   Spend time at the falls before proceeding to Salagdo-ong Beach for lunch and a bit of swimming.  After lunch, embark on a short tour of Siquijor town with brief stops at St. Francis of Assisi Church, an ancient stone church; and San Juan de Capilay Spring Park, a natural spring-fed swimming pool located at the heart of the town plaza.  Finally, before returning to the resort, trek up to Mt. Bandilaan, the highest peak of the island province, for a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area.  Overnight at the resort.

DAY 6 - Siquijor

Breakfast at the resort.  Free day at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort.  Overnight.

DAY 7 - Siquijor - Manila

Early breakfast, then prepare for your transfer to the pier in time for your ferry boat ride back to Dumaguete that will depart at 1000h.  Arriving at Dumaguete 45 minutes later, proceed to the domestic airport for return flight to Manila.

N.B. Extension trips to Cebu or Bohol can be done as ferryboat connections via Ocean Jet are available.

(Note:  Although Tanon Strait is a migratory pathway of dolphins, sightings of dolphins cannot always be guaranteed.  Sightings are more frequent during the months of March till October, when good weather occurs.  Likewise, visit to the sugar central is allowed only during the milling season, between November to April.  During off-milling season, the sugar mill tour will be substituted with a farm tour.)