Siargao Island, Philippines

itinerary made by Kristin 

Siargao in the Philippines is a water-lover and general adventurer’s dream. A surfer’s paradise with a playful soul to it, it’s also a place that evolves a lot as one travels through it.

I spent about a week there, and while I could easily do a month, most of us can’t devote that much time to one place. With that in mind, what I did can be consolidated into just five days if you do an activity every day.

This itinerary begins in General Luna, which is where most people who visit Siargao end up staying. That said, I absolutely loved Pacifico up north, and included a night or two there at the end. It’s much smaller, much more laid back, and a lot quieter.

With this itinerary, you’ll see the best and most beautiful spots on Siargao:

Day One: Sugba Lagoon

In awe of this beauty

Sugba Lagoon is, no joke, what made me want to return to the Philippines. When I saw photos of it my jaw dropped and I was reminded of Raja Ampat in Indonesia.

While more crowded than Raja Ampat, which isn’t surprising considering this is just one lagoon and Raja Ampat is a large area with thousands of islands, it was a gorgeous way to spend a day and yes, the water really is that color:

Be sure to jump off the diving board at the lagoon and paddle around in the aquamarine water.

Not that high- dooo it!

I went on the tour with Kermit which included transport to and from General Luna, a stopover on an island nearby, which was almost as awesome as the lagoon itself. It also included a fresh seafood, fruit, chicken, and veggie lunch served on a banana leaf, drinks, and standup paddle boards. Total cost was 2000 pesos and it’s best booked at least a day in advance. I also recommend staying at Kermit while in General Luna. The food and the vibe are on point!

(By the way I paid out of pocket for the experience and nobody asked me to write a positive review. I just liked those guys!)

Day Two: Island Hopping

So many islands, so little time

Most island hopping excursions will take you to Naked, Daku, and Guyam Islands. You’ll see signs posted all over General Luna advertising the island hopping trips and all of them will take you to the same place. The difference will be the comfort, the lunch included, and the boat you take. I would recommend Kermit for this one too!

Naked Island is actually a sand bar with dazzlingly white sand and gorgeous turquoise water all around. This means you won’t have shade, so make sure that you bring ample sunscreen!

The other two islands do have some trees, and Daku Island has a little fishing village as well. All three have powdery white sand and gorgeous clear water. If you’re a surfer, you can also hire a boat to take you just out to Daku Reef for some nice and uncrowded surfing.

Day Three: Breakfast at Shaka and Sohoton Cove

The green bowl at Shaka, Yum!

While not actually on Siargao island itself, Sohoton Cove is one of the most loved things to do while visiting Siargao, though it does take several hours to get there, including a couple just in a boat. However it looks just as stunning, if not more-so, than Sugba Lagoon and includes a cave excursion as well.

I was dying to do this but sadly the trip didn’t have enough signups on the day that I wanted to go. I take this to mean that it’s not as crowded as some of the other options, so make this one a priority to sign up for early in your trip, either with Kermit or Bravo (also a good place to stay and eat!), or if you have enough people (8 or so) you can get your own boat over. There are plenty of signs in town for boat rentals.

Day Four: Learn to Surf

Cloud 9 surf area, just north of General Luna

Siargao is the surf capital of the Philippines and there’s a wave on the island for every level. The best part is plenty of the surf areas are uncrowded, especially if you’re willing to hire a boat to take you out past the reefs or to one of the islands mentioned above.

If you want to take a lesson, the guys at Kermit are great. You can also wander around General Luna and pop into the surf shops and go for one that you jive with. If you don’t want to take a lesson and just want to rent a board, check out Fat Lips in General Luna or head north to Pacifico if you want even less crowded surf spots.

I’m not an expert surfer by any means but I do think it’s tons of fun. Based on conversations I had with others and some firsthand research, here are some of the best spots:

G1: Where most beginner’s classes take place. It can be a bit crowded but it’s a nice long wave perfect for learning on.

Cloud 9: One of the most popular surf spots though it’s a reef break and best for advanced surfers.

Daku Reef: I heard great things about this one, including that the crowds are much smaller or nonexistent. This requires a boat ride and you can easily ask a local to take you out from the beach in General Luna.

Pansukian Reef: Near Naked Island, this is another one that isn’t too crowded and well suited to intermediate surfers.

Pacifico: Known for bigger waves. This break looked super powerful to me while I was there and is probably only for more advanced surfers.

Day Five: Magpupungko Rock Pools/Adventure to the North

No wonder this is so loved

One of the best things to do in Siargao is to just rent a motorbike and go for a drive. If you’re island hopping the other days, that really only leaves day five to explore on your own. Wake up early and make the most of it!

Be forewarned, most scooter and motorbike rentals in Siargao don’t come with a helmet. I was pretty resistant at first and finally accepted that’s just how it is if you want a pair of wheels when in Siargao. Rentals cost anywhere from 400 to 500 pesos per day, usually. You can refill the petrol on the side of the road whenever you see the red bottles lined up. It usually costs 50 pesos per bottle and two will fill up the tank.

First, check the tide forecast and head to Magpupungko Rock Pools during low tide. Entrance is only 50 pesos and it’s easy to reach, so I’m of the opinion that a tour is not necessary.

So lovely

Initially, it’ll look crowded, but explore beyond the main pool and you’ll find little sections that aren’t as packed. The beach is also a lovely place to chill and eat lunch or buy a coconut (or three if you’re like me).

NOTE: There’s a lot of theft at the pools. I highly recommend putting your things in a dry bag and taking them with you to enjoy the pools fully. Never leave anything of value in the motorbike seat.

You’ll find these coconut tree forests everywhere

As you head north, you’ll pass by mangroves as well as Pacifico Beach, followed by Alegria Beach, finishing with the sunset at Santa Monica Pier. From there it’s only a 20km ride back to Pacifico Beach, where I recommend staying for the night (Jafe’s is awesome and quirky).

Things to Know

• Book ahead: In high season, expect things like accommodation, tours, and motorbikes to be booked out, and try to book ahead!
• Cash: I wish I’d known before I landed in Siargao that there aren’t any ATMs on the island that will take foreign cards. I got past this by downloading the World Remit app and sending myself money, then picking it up at the M Lhuillier in General Luna. It was pretty quick and easy and only cost $3.99 but it would have been even easier had I just brought ample cash with me from Cebu.
• Pacifico: I liked General Luna and Cloud 9, but I LOVED Pacifico. If you’re willing to wake up earlier to get south for some of the tours, consider staying there if you like a more laid back atmosphere like I do.
• Refill your bottle: I was so delighted to find that almost every restaurant and guesthouse in Siargo has a water tank and it’s free to refill your bottle! I don’t really like drinking out of the same plastic bottle over and over so if you have a refillable one, bring it with! There’s also the SEA Movement who actively go and clean the beaches and would certainly love to have you along. Due to these two things Siargao had some of the cleanest beaches I’ve seen in Southeast Asia.

Those are some of the best things to do when on Siargao, especially if you only have a few days.

Pin me!

Personally, I found leaving painful and plan to go back and explore more of Siargao Island, one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines.

Mt. Daraitan + Tinipak River: Day Hike Travel Guide, Budget, Tips and Itinerary

We got to the summit of Mt. Daraitan right after sunrise, that magical golden hour when early morning daylight bathes the landscape in a soft glow. The rays cast a hazy orange hue on one side of the jagged limestone rock formations. As I clambered to the top of one rock facing the East, I got a silhouette view of mountain peaks in the distance. The view of the snaking river below was obscured by a sea of clouds blanketing the rest of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.

I couldn’t help but think of the long travel time I endured just to see a “sea of clouds” view during two previous attempts to climb Mt. Pulag in Benguet. The first time I climbed, I made it to the summit but it was raining the whole time. The second time I attempted, our climb got cancelled at 3 am when a sudden typhoon hit and we all had to go home early. And while mountaineers will agree that the exhaustion and hardships of the journey is the true essence of climbing mountains, it’s always great to be rewarded with a stunning view once you get to the top. In that aspect, Mt. Daraitan does not disappoint.

I’ve been wanting to hike up Mt. Daraitan ever since I first visited the beautiful riverside town located in the foothills of Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon. Standing at an elevation of 739+ MASL, this mountain is classified as a minor climb, with a 4/9 difficulty level and the jump-off is only a couple of hours away from Manila by private vehicle. For those who are just starting to get into hiking, the view from the top is worth the effort you’ll need to exert to get there.

Because of its proximity to Manila, it’s become one of the more popular day hikes and camping sites near the metro. I’ve heard accounts of long lines of people snaking up the trail and group hiking tour participants crowding and trying to get photos at the summit at the same time during peak hiking season. So it was a pleasant surprise to have this beautiful mountain peak all to ourselves early on a Saturday morning. Or at least for a few minutes.

It’s always better to schedule hikes during weekdays, but it’s not always possible because of work schedules. Art and I decided to stay overnight in the village on a ride and hike trip on a Friday and start early on a Saturday just to get ahead of other hikers. The motorcycle ride through rough roads to the village was a large part of what made the whole hiking experience so fun.

By private vehicle, it takes about 2-2.5 hours to get to the village center in Tanay. Add an hour or two if you’re taking public transport. Most day trip hikers will start their trek from the barangay hall and traverse a steep and challenging ascent early on. The normal hike can last anywhere from 3-4 hours depending on your group’s pace and the number of hikers that day.

Aside from Mt. Daraitan, one of the main attractions here is Tinipak River, one of the country’s cleanest, free-flowing rivers, surrounded by large marble rocks that are great for bouldering. After descending from the summit, hikers usually continue the trek to Tinipak Rocks and walk to the river on the other side of the village. The river’s sparkling waters and majestic white rocks and cliffs that border it are almost surreal. Visitors can choose to swim in the river or if they have time, visit the cave pool for a swim. Because of the beautiful sights in the area and travel time to and from Manila, it’s really best to allot a whole day for this hiking trip.

Hiker friends were telling me that the start of the trail going up Mt. Daraitan was really steep and challenging. But the trail starting from Kuta Bungliw Eco-Lodge in Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar wasn’t as difficult as I was expecting it to be. As part of our arrangement for our overnight stay, a guide from the General Nakar Cablao Outdoor Guides Association (GENACOGA) was provided, as well as two meals (dinner and breakfast) for a rate of P950/person.

Our alarm failed to go off, so we started our hike a little past 4 am. It was still dark when we started the hike through mostly shaded forests and dirt trails, but it was a relatively leisurely trek on gradually sloping terrain. We passed a few streams and small waterfalls along the route. Despite the cool morning air, the exertion of climbing had me sweating early on.

Two guide dogs from Kuta Bungliw, Pogi and Chichi joined us and our guide Ronald, making our group a small party of five. The dogs would stop and wait during our photo ops and quick break stops and would happily overtake us on the singletrack, nearly tripping us over when we resumed hiking.

We eventually reached a grassy open field with the last tip of the summit seemingly within our reach. From there, we entered the last part of the forested trail, passing a small rock formation as the sun was starting to rise. I thought we were already near the summit, but the trail seemed to wind around a bit more taking us around to a different side of the mountain before the final slightly vertical ascent.

After about two hours of steady walking, we reached the summit covered with beautiful limestone rock formations at around 6 am. Of course, I had to clamber over the rocks for the best view. From the top of the rocks, I could see the mountain ranges in the distance obscured by the sea of clouds all around. It may sound cliche, but rewarding views like these always make hikes worthwhile.

As we were taking photos, a group of hikers coming from another trail arrived and seemed surprised to see us since they were the first group that registered that day. We told them we had stayed overnight and come from another trail. We took turns taking photos in the different spots and vantage points.

Times like these, you just want to stay in one spot and enjoy the view. I wouldn’t have minded staying there all morning. But as we heard the chattering of another group approaching, we decided to start our descent to give them the others a chance to enjoy the mountain. Since we had already trekked to Tinipak Rocks during a previous trip, we decided to hike to a lesser-known site: the Atburan Rockies in General Nakar.

NEXT POST: Hike to Atburan Rockies.

LOCATION:

Major jumpoff: Brgy. Daraitan (village centre), Tanay. Minor jumpoff: Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar. LLA: 14°36′48.5′′N 121°26′19.5′′ E, 739 MASL (+600)

HOW TO GET THERE:

Via private transportation/car/motorcycle:

• Make your way to the Tanay-Infanta Road via the Tanay-Sampaloc Road or Marcos Highway/Marilaque
• Drive along the Tanay-Infanta Road and take a left turn on the Makaira-Daraitan dirt road with a sign that leads to Mt. Daraitan.
• Follow the road until you reach the river crossing and wooden bridge.
• You need to pay P20 for motorcycle or P50 per car to cross the bridge.
• Follow the road and turn left to get to the Brgy. Hall.
• The last stretch going to Kuta Bungliw is not accessible to motorcycles or cars. You can park your vehicles in one of the houses in the poblacion (secure parking is available for P20/motorcycles per day or P100 for cars if overnight)
• From Brgy. Hall to Kuta Bungliw jump off/Irid, ride trike (P25/person) or walk for 25-30 mins. You can also bring mountain bikes but you will have to push your bikes up in some sections.
• Travel time is roughly 2 to 3 hours depending on the traffic and your pace.

Via public transportation:

From EDSA-Shaw

• Take a jeep from EDSA-Shaw to Tanay, Rizal (1.5 – 2 hrs; P50)
• Get off at Tanay Public market and go to jeepney terminal; Take a jeep to Sampaloc, Tanay (30 mins)
• Take a tricycle or hire a habal-habal to Brgy. Daraitan (P100/person; 30-45 mins)
• When you arrive at Daraitan River, cross the bridge to the other side and take a trike (P10/person – 5 mins) to the Daraitan Barangay hall
• Allot 3-4 hours travel time because of stops and delays

From Cubao:

• From Cubao Aurora Blvd, ride a jeep to Cogeo Gate 2 (P24) First trip is 5:30 am.
• At the end of the ride, walk to the intersection, turn right to the road up to reach Sampaloc Tanay jeep terminal (that’s after the Wet Market). First trip is 5:30am.
• Ride a jeep (P65) to Sampaloc. From Sampaloc, walk past the intersection towards Shell gas station.
• Across Shell is the Daraitan TODA trike & habal terminal (ride only w/ Daraitan TODA). Trike to Brgy hall is P300/trike/max 5 passengers. Habal habal is P100/habal/max 2 passengers.

WHAT TO WEAR:

Mt. Daraitan is considered a minor hike and is day hikeable, so any type of outdoor clothes/dri-fit shirts, leggings or shorts will do. Wear or bring swimwear underneath if you plan to swim in Tinipak River. For footwear, wear closed shoes with good traction or outdoor sandals. Slippers not recommended. Bring a fresh change of clothes for after the hike. You can take a shower for a small fee in houses near the Brgy. Hall.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Camera and smartphone
• Drinking water (you can buy water in sari-sari stores when you register)
• Light trail snacks (you can eat in the village before or after your hike)
• Shades
• A cap/headware
• Money

FEES as of June 2017: (as listed in the Tanay Brgy. Hall)

• Environmental Fee – P50/pax
• Cultural Fee – P20/pax
• Tourism Fee – P30/pax
• Tour Guide Fee – P500 per group. 1 tour guide = 1-5 pax for mountain climbing; 1 tour guide = 1-10 pax for river trekking and caving
• Tour Guide Fee Overnight – P1,250/group
• Photo shoot (non-commercial deput, prenup, hobbyists with model and equipment) – P1,500
• Headlamp/helmet rent for caving – P30/piece
• Parking Fee – P20-50/vehicle
• Camping site Fee – P200/tent
• Tent Rent – P200/tent
• Picnic Shed – P300/shed
• Floating Shed – P500/shed
• Horseback Riding with Horseman – P500/hour
• Porter Fee – P500/day
• Butterfly Garden Fee – P20/pax
• Location Shoot – P5,000-P10,000
• Event Fee – P10,000-P20,000
• Banchetto / Kiosk rent – P3000
• Tourism Sticker – P1,400
• Research Fee – P200

TRAVEL TIPS & USEFUL INFO:

• For those with their own private transport, it’s possible to climb this DIY. No need to join package tours unless you want the convenience of having a tour group take care of all the logistical arrangements for you.
• Guides are mandatory. You need to register at the Brgy. Hall before your climb.
• For those with private vehicles, parking is available for P20/motorbikes, P50 for 4-wheelers and P100 for overnight parking.
• Comfort rooms are available around the village. They charge P15 for taking a bath and P5-10 for other business.
• It’s much better to schedule your hike on a weekday because weekends can get crowded.
• Bring enough water and light trail food.
• Hikes may be cancelled if weather is bad.
• Read my previous posts on Daraitan and Tinipak River for more information.

MT. PINATUBO TRAVEL GUIDE 2018

MOUNT PINATUBO TREKKING PACKAGE

Travel to Mount Pinatubo and explore one of the most amazing places in the Philippines. The best deal is to get a daytrip package from Manila or Angeles city / Clark. TRIPinas travel and tour offers a safe Pinatubo tour package including the round trip transportation from Manila (or Angeles) to the base camp with comfortable aircon vehicles. Both service of a local guide and off-road (4x4) ride are included in the package as well as all the fees (nothing to pay on site). Your Mt. Pinatubo tour starts with a 4X4 off road adventure from the base camp to the jump-off with magnificent view of the largest lahar canyon in the world. Your Pinatubo trek is a 2 hour hike going to the crater and another two hours trek on the return. It is usual for trekkers to have their lunch at the shore of the Pinatubo crater lake. You will never forget its pristine blue-green water, the smile of the Aetas and the bright orange color of the rivers!

Preparing for your Pinatubo trek

• Check the weather Mount Pinatubo should only be hiked when the weather is good. In case of rain, the terrain made of lahar becomes unstable. Don't hesitate to postpone your trip in case of bad weather. Safety first!
• Pack light. The regular Pinatubo trek will take around 2 hours going to the crater lake (using the old way trail) and another 2 hour-trek on the return. Do yourself a favor and keep your bag light. Your back will thank you for it.
• Love your skin. The best time to go trekking Pinatubo is during the dry season (From end of October to Mid-June) which means there will be a lot of sun. So slather on that sunscreen and use a cap or hat.
• Sole keepin'. Mount Pinatubo's terrain is rugged so protect your feet by wearing sturdy foot wear. You'll surely get wet as well so bring an extra pair.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The trick on not getting a heat stroke is to drink BEFORE you even feel thirsty. You will be sweating a lot and hydrating is a sure way to battle fatigue. Bring at least 1.5 liter of water for the trek.
• Fuel up. Making your own trail food is a fun and easy way to ensure that you have something to munch on while your hike the tricky terrain of Mt. Pinatubo. No need to go on a hunger strike there. Life is short. Eat.
• Don't worry, be happy. It's not everyday that you get to commune with nature so don't rush - it's not a race. Appreciate the sight and sounds around you.
• Leave no trace while trekking. You probably have heard of this one before but we'll say it again anyway. Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but footprints; Kill nothing but time.

Mt. Pinatubo map

There are two ways to reach the crater lake. The first one, "the old way" takes 1 hour 4x4 ride (orange trail on the map) and will follow the O'donnell river bed + 2 hours trekking (yellow trail on the map) in the breathtaking Crow valley Canyon. The second one, "the new way" takes 1.5 hour 4x4 ride (blue trail on the map) + 30 to 45 minutes trekking (green trail on the map) and is currently closed.

Tips

There are a lot of travel groups based in Manila that organize a Mt. Pinatubo Trek, Travel Factor and TriPinas are among those. The good thing about these organized trek is that you don’t need to worry about most of the stuff, since they take care of almost everything, designed actually for busy people. The package rate ranges from P2,000 – P3,000 from Manila, in exchange you get to trek Mt. Pinatubo less the hassle of organizing it and you gain travel friends from fellow joiners.

Mt. Pinatubo Town Spa on the other hand offers a local rate of P1500.00 from Sta. Juliana for the package, it includes 4×4 rental via Skyway, toll fee, conservation fee, a local guide and a meal. Contact No: +63928 3410402/(63-45) 493-0031.

Meanwhile, Capas Pinatubo Four-Wheelers Club has P6,250.00 Pinatubo package from Sta. Juliana that is good for five person and inclusive of 4×4 rental via Skyway, toll fee, conservation fee, a local guide and a packed lunch. You may contact the President of Capas Pinatubo Four-Wheelers Club, Wendell Mercado at 0919-6084313.

Joyride!

But if you are keen on organizing your own Mt. Pinatubo tour,  a Do-It-Yourself is of course cheaper. Aside from the expenses for foods and transportation cost to and from the jump off point, other expenses are:

• Conservation/Environmental fee – P300 per person
• Guide fee – P500 (for one to five trekkers)
• 4×4 rental – P2500.00 via Skyway (good for five)
• Skyway toll fee – P500.00

Optional Expenses:

• Shower fee – P20.00 at Baranggay Hall/P100.00 at Mt. Pinatubo Town Spa
• Tent rental – P100.00
• If you bring your own 4×4, a P500.00 fee is required