Posted by geemiz | Posted in Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Byahe Pilipinas, Davao, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Sur | Posted on 09-11-2014
Tags: Bislig City, Butuan City, Cagayan de Oro City, Hinatuan
I always wanted to visit the second largest major island of the Philippines, Mindanao. Recently together with 2 cousins and a friend we went to a 5 day backpacking land trip in the southeastern part of Mindanao.
How about an 8 Day Northern Luzon Land Trip?
Our trail was plane ride from Cebu to Davao City. From Davao City, bus ride going to Surigao Del Sur particularly heading to Bislig City and Hinatuan, then another bus ride going to Agusan del Sur and visit Butuan City, then next stop is Misamis Oriental’s capital Cagayan De Oro City with a side trip in Bukidnon.
Travel Itinerary for Southeastern Mindanao
Day 1 – Davao City
The city known, not just for Durian but for their very admirable mayor.
Time | Particulars | Cost | Notes |
| 8:00am | Arrival in Davao City | ||
| 8:30am | Davao City Tour | 500 | We rented a L300 for the tour |
| Crocodile Farm | 200 | ||
| Japanese Tunnel | 50 | ||
| Philippine Eagle Center | 105 | 5 entrance to the Park | |
| Lunch | 20 | Ate Chubs treat us/Lechon Manok | |
| Malagos Garden Resort | 100 | ||
| Eden Nature Park | 200 | Include 1 set of snacks | |
| Time’s Beach – David Statue | |||
| Jack’s Ridge | |||
| 7:00pm | GV Hotel | 300 | Not Recommended Hotel |
| Dinner/ Eat All You Can | 140 | ||
| People’s Park | Walking Distance from Dining place | ||
| Blugre Cafe | 165 | Durian Coffee | |
| 12:00am | Matina Square to GV Hotel | 20 | Taxi shared by 4 |
| 12:15am | Prepare for check out | ||
| 1:15am | Check out head to ECO Land Terminal | 20 | Taxi Shared by 4 |
| TOTAL | 1,820 |
You can also visit D’Bone Collector Museum, Lon Wa Buddhist Temple, T’Boli Weaving Center, and many more. FYI Davao City has colorful taxi’s, signifying the different franchise owners. The place also offers lots of low price fruits and vegetables.
ECO Land Terminal has folding beds for rent for only 20php if you feel like sleeping. Going to Bislig City from Davao, ride a bus going to Mangagoy. 1st trip is at 2:30am with a fare of 300php.
Check out My Manila to Cebu Land Trip – Side Trip in Biri Island
Day 2 – Surigao Del Sur – Bislig City and Hinatuan
We visited the city in the middle of nowhere. Davao City to Bislig City is 223 Km. with a travel time of 7 hours by victory liner bus from ECO Land Terminal Davao City.
Time | Particulars | Cost | Notes |
| 2:30am | Bus left from ECO Land | 300 | Non-aircon bus |
| 3:30am | Bus broke for 30 minutes | Waited for the replacement bus | |
| 4:30am | Heading to destination w/ new bus | ||
| 9:45am | Arrive at Bislig City | ||
| Bislig Tour | 925 | Rented a Van (3500php + 200 tip) | |
| 11:00am | Arrival at Enchanted River | ||
| Entrance | 30 | ||
| Cottage | 100 | ||
| Ordered Food | 172.50 | 690php for 4 hungry ladies | |
| Life Jacket | 20 | ||
| Gadget Charge | 30 | ||
| 1:00pm | Went to Tinuy-an Falls | 45 minutes from Bislig Proper | |
| Entrance | 50 | ||
| Life jacket | 30 | We did not even use it | |
| Guide | 300 | Not necessary, but we need to take photos of us. hahahaha | |
| 5:30pm | Check inn Paper Country Inn | 375 | |
| 5:45pm | International Doll House | 20 | Last Stop of Our Tour with Van |
| 6:30pm | Trike to Bislig Proper | 8 | |
| Dinner | 66.25 | Barbeque and Puso | |
| 8:00pm | Public Market walk to Inn | 20 minute walk only | |
| 9:00pm | Rest | ||
| TOTAL | 2,426.75 |
Another starting point to Bislig City is via Butuan City. In the Enchanted River, it is always packed with many tourists so make sure to be there early – it is open at 9:00am and closes at 5:00pm. The Tinuy-an Falls opens at 7:00am and closes at 5:00pm. While the International Doll House is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00am to 7:00pm.
Day 3 – Butuan City, Agusan Del Sur
I learned that the longest zipline in the Philippines is located in Butuan City, so I did not hesitate to include Butuan City in our itinerary, even missing out the Island Hopping at Britania Group of Isalands in Surigao Del Sur, the tour in Butuan is worth it. Bislig City to Butuan City is 144 Km and around 5 hours bus travel.
Obligatory Jump Shot
Time | Particulars | Cost | Notes |
| 12:30am | Wake up / bath and prepare | ||
| 1:00am | Trike to Bus Terminal | 12.50 | We gave 50 to driver/fair only 8php |
| 2:00am | Bislig City to Butuan City | 252 | 144km / 5 hour non-aircon bus ride |
| 7:00am | Arrival at Butuan City | Fetch by a Friend – Buboy | |
| Breakfast | 66.25 | Carenderia near Buboy’s place | |
| Butuan City Tour | 375 | Rented a Multicab for 1,500php | |
| Balangay Museum | 20 | ||
| Snacks | 38.75 | 155 worth of street food | |
| Butuan Museum | 20 | ||
| Bood Promontory & ECO Park | |||
| Ruins of Banza | |||
| Balangay Shrine | |||
| 12:00pm | Lunch | 372.50 | Margies -1,490php for 6 people |
| 1:00pm | Buy Pasalubong | ||
| 1:30pm | Delta Discovery Park | 650 | 1.3km zipline |
| Zorbe | 105 | ||
| Delta Tip to camera Man | 50 | ||
| 4:00pm | Butuan City Bridge | ||
| 4:30pm | Snacks and freshen up | Buboy’s place. Thank You Nurse | |
| 6:00pm | Butuan to Cagayan Aircon Bus | 350 | 203 km/ |
| TOTAL | 2,312 |
Butuan City is a culture rich place that is not visited by most travelers. The place is just always a starting point going to other parts of Mindanao or to Surigao in particular. If you happen to remember your Philippine History Butuan is where you can find the great Balangay – a plank boat used by our ancestors in traveling and trading. So if you happen to be in the area kindly give Butuan a day in your itinerary.
Day 4 – Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
This day is allotted for a sugar rush activity that nearly got postponed due to some unfortunate events.SO, Butuan City to Cagayan City is 203 Km. with a 6 hour bus ride. Cagayan also is a good place for thrift lovers. Our good find includes 2 Toms for 200 and my new fave sneakers for 50php.
Time | Particulars | Cost | Notes |
| 12:00am | Arrival in Cagayan de Oro City | ||
| 12:15am | Ride a taxi to our Inn | 37.50 | Our first plan place is fully booked, so have to look for another one |
| 12:45am | Check in at Rosario’s Hotel | 500 | 2 nights accomodation |
| 1:00am | Rest | ||
| 6:30am | Breakfast at Rosario’s Hotel | 105 | |
| 7:30am | Picked Up for Water Rafting | ||
| 8:30am | Water Rafting | 800 | This include meal and photos |
| 11:00am | Back at the Hotel | ||
| 11:30am | Lunch | We ate the food from rafting | |
| Rest/sleep | |||
| 3:00pm | Stroll Around Cagayan | ||
| Total Trike fares | 38.75 | Ayala, Kitkai, Cogon to Dinner Place | |
| 7:00pm | Dinner | 251.25 | Lokal Grill because near the Hotel |
| 8:00pm | Went to Stroll | ||
| Capitol | |||
| City Hall | |||
| Plaza | |||
| Total Fare | 22.50 | Fare up to Rosario’s hotel | |
| 11:00pm | Rest | ||
| TOTAL | 1,755 |
We decided after rafting to visit the Maria Cristina Falls, but then we woke up late in the afternoon so opted to stroll the malls of Cagayan and went to Cogon for ukayukay.
Day 5 – Bukidnon
Before our flight back to Cebu in the afternoon we decided to have a side trip at Dahilayan Adventure Park for a major goal of trying the Drop Zone, a 120 ft. pendulum like drop. The Park is located at Dahilayan, Bukidnon. I personally love the trip going there were we pass the pineapple plantation.
Time | Particulars | Cost | Notes |
| 6:00am | Bath and Prepare | ||
| 7:00am | Fetch by our rented SUV | 750 | can accommodate 8-10 persons |
| 9:00am | Arrive at Dahilayan Adventure Park | We have several stop for photo ops | |
| Luge + Mini Golf | 650 | ||
| Drop Zone Double (2 persons) | 375 | 700php for double/500 single | |
| Lunch at Delta Restaurant | 337.50 | ||
| 11:00am | Travel Back to Cagayan | ||
| 1:15pm | Arrived at Airport | ||
| 1:45pm | Flight Back to Cebu | ||
| Taxi to SM | 75 | ||
| V-hire SM to Danao | 50 | ||
| TOTAL | 2,237.50 |
There are many things you can do in Dahilayan Adventure Park and Forest Park aside from the things mentioned above. We decided to rent a car because we have a very tight schedule.
My total expenses for this 5 day land trip in Southeastern Mindanao is 8,551.25php. Initial budget for this trip is 11,500php, so almost 3,000php less, so I spent the extra on pasalubong and some items for myself so I spent my 11,500php still 🙂 .
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Luv luv luv…I like this ate
Super duper like it! Luv u next destinatiob please
I would never realized how fun it could be! I should do this sometime.
Hi Aisha 🙂
Yes, I’m full support with that 🙂
Wow I love that it's super detailed! I wish I can do backpacking too but since I have kids now, I couldn't leave them behind.
Thank you Renz 🙂
Perhaps when you’re kids get older then the whole family can go for a backpacking trip. 🙂
I will visit davao so soon. Thank you for giving your insight in the place. Madami akong natutunan and what I can do when i visit it.
You’re welcome. Davao is so big and you will enjoy for sure 🙂
I love seeing posts about fun trips to Mindanao! My family is originally from there, and I’ve traveled around the island several times myself. It’s gorgeous, right? And safe naman also. I wish everyone would try and visit the place.
Mindanao is such a lovely place, its just sad how media over shows how dangerous the island is, though there are parts na a bit dangerous but there are still areas that can be very much enjoyed by tourist. I hope to visit Mindanao again 🙂
Wow! I can’t wait for my daughter to get a little older so we can travel with her . you have such detailed itinerary, I think we can skip one tour guide. Thanks for sharing.
Traveling with family members is just a great pleasure :). Can’t wait to read your post when you travel with your daughter.
That was a really fun trip. And you got great photos out of it too. 🙂 My only trip to Mindanao was a very short trip to Davao. There’s still a lot left for me to explore there!
The best pictures have ever seen in a while. Cute flying people.
Wow! This trip looks a bit hectic, but am sure you guys had a lot of fun
so many fun things to do in Mindanao! I have never been outside Luzon but Mindanao is on our list if ever 🙂
death by envy!
Save up and come with us next time.