Travel Guide: DIY Central Mindanao Backpacking Trip

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Posted by geemiz | Posted in Byahe Pilipinas, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, North Cotabato, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat | Posted on 17-03-2014

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This article is a guest post from a good friend who also loves to go backpacking. We have traveled twice together last year, first in the Thailand – Cambodia Trip and second in the Manila to Cebu Land Trip. Andrew is a Chemist who loves to climb mountains and travel.

Seven provinces, 600 kilometers, five days.

Western Mindanao Backpacking Route

Stepped on (A) GenSan, Sarangani (B) Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (C) Surallah, South Cotabato (D) Isulan, Sultan Kudarat (E) Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat (F) Matalam, North Cotabato (G) Libungan, North Cotabato (H) Alamada, North Cotabato (I) Cotabato City (J) Marawi, Lanao del Sur (K) Iligan, Lanao del Norte (L) Ozamis, Misamis Occidental

As my second solo backpacking trip, I chose this area for one reason: to see the unspoilt beauty of this part of the country, which is spoiled by a “DANGEROUS” stereotype. And in fact, locals were generally very friendly and happy to assist, LIKE any other place in the PH. Just use a bit more of common sense though.

I will not forget them ๐Ÿ™‚ย 

I intentionally did not research everything in detail, as I learned it spoils the challenge. Only thing I researched are the routes and places to stay (para mapilian jud ang pinakabarato). I realized during the trip though that the time frame is too ambitious and tight, and that I seriously don’t know anything about the Maguindanao leg that I have to pass through and incidentally is the tensest part of the trip–for obvious reasons (FYI, the Narciso Ramos highway is MILF’s lair for years until the war in 2000; it is still notorious for lawlessness, unfriendly locals, and outrageous but true stories). But that leg for me was more wrought of mental fear than actual danger, and I was thankful I emerged in one piece through common sense, a bit (or oodles) of luck, and the kindness of strangers.

Although I actually got a weird sense of accomplishment to finally see the places only mentioned in the news and witness firsthand the normal lives and culture of our Muslim brothers and sisters, the lands have sadly not yet healed. As advised by someone suhito anang lugara (READ: army), kinahanglan ko magpamisa isip pasalamat.

Reckless? Maybe.

But. Lake Sebu and Asik-asik Falls. They’re safe and outside the conflict areas. Lake Sebu is very cheap and eco-touristic; the 7 falls are a breathtaking backdrop for a hike, the zipline is cheap but offers the best views in the country, and the lake–the center of T’boli tribal culture–is a cultural gem.

Asikasik Falls in Alamada, North Cotabato

On the way to Asik-asik Falls in Alamada, Cotabato, an ignorance on travel routes turned to misadventure and then into the best adventure I had: spending the night with the locals by myself in the middle of nowhere like a proper backpacker.

Expenses and Itinerary

Day 1

Cebu โ€“ General Santos City

Time

Particulars

Cost

Note

9:00am

Taxi to Mactan Cebu Airport

250

ETA GES Airport. Taxi to SM Gensan

80

Multican is 50 but takes too long to fill up. Shared taxi with Cebuana visitor.

12NN

Lunch SM food court, tuna sinigang

120

Imit shades

195

Trike to Pioneer Ave.

8

Minimum fare

Fan room at Residencia Heneral

250

Shared bathroom, not very clean, but has good WIFI at lobby.

load

100

Snacks of pastil and drinks

30

Roam around Oval Plaza, Freedom Park, Watch Kalilangan festivities, watch Manny Pacquiao play basketball.

free

Souvenirs โ€“ burloloys, Tโ€™nalak coin purse

55

Chicken skin street food

5

Water

18

1 liter bottle, then just refill anywhere thereโ€™s a free water para tipid.

Bread for breakfast next day

15

Dinner-sinuglaw and pata

75

TOTAL

1,201

Day 2

Gensan โ€“ Lake – Sebu

Time

Particulars

Cost

Note

Hot water and toiletries

8

7:00am

Trike to jumpoff point to tuna fishport

8

Trike to tuna fishport complex

20

30 min. travel to Brgy. Tambler

8:00am

Arrived at fishport. Pants/boots rental

40

20 each. WEAR pants in advance, strict dress code

9:00am

Transpo back to Residencia Heneral

20

Jeepney ride

9:45am

Checkout. Trike to Bulalong terminal

8

10:15am

ย Gensan to Marbel Koronadal

70

AC Van, 1 hr travel

11:15am

Trike to Denmark Terminal

8

You can just also walk because it is just in the highway

Lunch

30

11:30am

Van Marbel to Lake Sebu

55

Non AC, 1 hr travel. You will pass by the seven falls first

12:45pm

Habal-habal pakyaw

500

Originally just around the 7 falls, but figured it would be a hassle to go around the place transferring from one habal-habal to the other. Turns out Allan also is a guide and a very good one. Includes transpo for the next day

1:00pm to 4:00pm

The seven falls (Hikongs) of Lake Sebu. Hiked from 2nd to 7th falls

free

30 entrance but luckily they let me inn for free J

Zipline

300

250 on weekdays and Take you zipline pic for 100

drinks

35

Souvenir ref magnet & accessories

50

4:15pm

Punta Isla Tโ€™boli Museum

0

Not much to see only souvenir shops

4:45pm

Visit Lang Dulayโ€™s Tโ€™boli dreamweaving (tโ€™nalak) school

200

Donation to the school since I cannot afford the 4000 tโ€™nalak cloth

5:30pm

Dorm room at Lemobung Lodge (LGU tourism lodge)

60

Shared bathroom with another room

Fried tilapia for dinner

110

190/kl your choice how the tilapia is cooked. Half reserved for breakfast. 15 brown rice/meal

TOTAL

1527

Day3

Lake Sebu, SoCotabato โ€“ Tacurong City, SK โ€“ Asik-asik Falls, Cotabato

Time

Particulars

Cost

Note

7:00am

Wake up time, coffee, walk along the lake

free

8:00am

Sinigang Tilapia breakfast

110

I think the serving is good for 3

8:30am

Punta Isla Resort

0

Native Tโ€™boli perform cultural show starting at 10:00am everyday

9:30am

Lake Sebu Terminal – Surallah

35

30 minute jeepney travel

10:00am

Surrallah – Isulan

40

1 hour non AC van travel

11:15am

Isulan โ€“ Tacurong City

10

30 minute multicab travel

12:00NN

Tacurong – Matalam

100

2 hrs van. Seems like no direct van to Midsayap due to BIFF fighting

2:00pm

Weena bus Matalam โ€“ Libungan via Pikit

80

1.5 hour bus travel

3:30pm

Rented habal-habal to Asik-asik falls jump off point (Sitio Dulao, Upper Dado, Alamada)

1100

5:30pm

Asik-asik Falls

30

Entrance fee

5:30pm to 8:00am

230

Food 2 meals for 2: 180 native chicken adobo dinner and breakfast, 40 rice, 10 coffee for Rick

120

Drinks

200

Thank you to the awesome, friendly locals who let me sleep in their stall for the night

TOTAL

2055

*Initially expected the habal-habal ride to asik-asik falls as a ripoff, but considering Rick consented to a late 2 hour ride uphill long the worst 40 km road, being stranded for the night up there and return trip next morning; it is justified. If you are a bit early you can haggle to 700php.

Cheaper option to access Asik-asik Falls:

Starting from Davao or Gensan (Davao is nearer), spend the night at Midsayap. Be early to catch jeep from Midsayap to Upper Dado (P75-100, until 10 AM only). Better to have local contacts.Then habal2x P75 to the falls. Later than that, jeep from Midsayap-Alamada town proper or Libungan-Alamada, around that rate still; but habal2x will be around P300 one way already. Much later than that, pakyaw. Road from Dado to Dulao is very bad and damaged by “truck attack” (large trucks with chained wheels) and “wings” (motorcycles with chained wheels). Hardly passable when it rains. Road is gradually fixed, but hope it is done ASAP!

Day 4

Asik-asik Falls, Alamada โ€“ Cotabato City โ€“ Marawi – Iligan

Time

Particulars

Cost

Note

5:30am

Sunrise, Asik-asik falls visit and falls massage

15 min walk down to falls; steep at sections. Theyโ€™re quite strict in preserving the falls, so no soap, shampoo and garbage. Waterfalls is very clean and drinkable

8:00am

Breakfast. Socials

9:30am

Asik-asik falls to Libungan Terminal

2 hrs habal-habal

11:30am

Libungan โ€“ Cotabato City Weena Bus

50

45 min travel

12:15pm

Arrived at Weena terminal. Trike to van terminal

7

Speak Tagalog. Be respectful

Lunch, Muslim style beefsteak

40

CR

3

Biscuits

14

1:30pm

Cotabato City โ€“ Marawi City via Narciso Ramos Highway

300

Given the history of the highway, you can take a nap J Be thankful the numerous checkpoints are manned by the army

doldol

30

10 each at the stopover by the highway

5:45pm

Arrived Marawi. Trike to GMA Terminal

20

8 actually but driver asked 20 coz pakyaw daw

6:00pm

Marawi โ€“ Iligan car for hire

100

Last trip! Normal van and jeep are 50. 1 hour travel

7:00pm

Arrived Iligan. Bought Iligan peanuts at Gaisano

151

Jeep to MSU-IIT

8

Cannot stay at their room

Check in Dโ€™Morvie Suites

300

AC double room. WIFI, cable TV. Single room is 250 but unavailable

BBQ Dinner

48

TOTAL

1,071

Day 5

Iligan โ€“Ozamis – Cebu

Time

Particulars

Cost

Note

6:00am

Jeepney to unionbank and Northbound bus terminal

14

Iligan โ€“ Ozamis via Mukas Port

80

At least 1.5 hour bus travel

Mukas โ€“ Ozamis Bridge

25

45 minute

Habal-habal pakayaw to Ozamis Airport

100

Airport Terminal fee

75

Brunch

40

11:30am

Arrived Cebu City

235

Taxi home

Total

569

TOTAL EXPENSES FOR 5 DAYS

Day 1

Php 1,201

Day 2

Php 1,527

Day 3

Php 2,055

Day 4

Php 1,071

Day 5

Php 569

TOTAL

Php 6,423

I’m quite proud of this “super-budget” trip, though it can still be lowered maybe by around 1k if you have super haggling skills. And of course, by not traveling solo ๐Ÿ™‚

Water Lilies in Lake Sebu

I encourage you guys to visit Lake Sebu and Asik-asik Falls. Access to Asik-asik Falls is really a big hassle but hopefully it will be easier later on with spreading word-of-mouth. I think it would be the next big thing in ecotourism. I’ll gladly provide contact numbers of awesome people who can assist you at Asik-asik Falls and cook for you a baboy ramo. It’s great for camping.

And please, don’t bargain too much, especially with the honest, hardworking local folk. They need it and deserve your hard-earned money.

BY: BYAHE NI DREWKOY

Meet geemiz


Geezelle Maningo - A Cebu based travel blogger and the other half of GeeMiz Travel blog. She has been traveling around the Philippines and Asia since 2010 with her husband. A casual trekker/hiker since 2017 and has been blogging since 2008. A digital marketer during workdays and a bookworm on lazy days - she co-founded Cebu Book Club.

Comments (17)

zelle naa bay itinerary from surigao to davao then samal island . moagi sa east coast side. thanks

Hi Kuya

Naa nay way Kuya..
Mag create ko itinerary Davao to Surigao for our land trip This June Davao – Surigao – Butuan – Cagayan – Camiguin – Jagna ๐Ÿ™‚

Thanks zel!

Thank Drew for this great and very informative article.
Suya much ko ani na trip. Pwede ka magda namo sunod.

Geemiz oki salmat zelle sa info. thanks

Awesome travel guide with lots of info. Cheaper option in going to Asik Asik Falls…awesome.

wow!! you have your itinerary! how organized!!!

Itinerary is a must each time I travel. It is very helpful especially if you have a tight schedule.

I want to see Lake Sebu because of it’s beauty and I also want to see the rest of Western Mindanao.

I have family in Iligan and Ozamis, as well as other places in Mindanao. You're right, there are many places there that are safe and quite far from the conflicts in the area. It's nice to see that these places get visited and are appreciated too, coz a lot of people are afraid to do that.

Lets promote Mindanao ๐Ÿ™‚

Woooh! Another destination to add to my travel bucket list ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for the detailed post ๐Ÿ™‚

You’re welcome Kai. Mindanao is such a beautiful place.

Thank you so much for sharing your travel itinerary and expenses.

You are very much welcome Peach ๐Ÿ™‚

hello i just wanna ask abt. tge 500php habal2x, good for whole day tour na yan? o papuntang lake lake lang mismo? abd ano po yan per head?tnx…

Hi

This is a whole day tour na po.

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