Miked's Travel PH

Extreme and exciting activities, majestic waterfalls and lovely natural attractions. That awaits you for a Northern Mindanao trip! Let me share with you a travel guide to help you prepare your Iligan, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro adventure!

Iligan-Camiguin-Bukidnon-CDO Travel Guide

How To Get There

Northern Mindanao comprises five provinces: Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon and Misamis Occidental. The main entry point going here is via Misamis Oriental. Laguindingan International Airport gives access to Northern Mindanao via air travel.

Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental

FROM MANILA/CEBU- CDO
There are direct flights coming from NAIA and Mactan-Cebu Internation Airport to Laguindingan International Airport. Ferries from Manila port and Cebu to Cagayan de Oro are also available. The flight takes around an hour while traveling by ferries is around 33 hours from Manila and 8 hours from Cebu.

By air, PAL, Cebu Pacific, CebGo and AirAsia have Manila/Cebu to CDO (Laguindingan Airport) flights. Cebu Pacific and AirAsia usually have promo flights that are cheaper.
Once in Laguindingan Airport, you can either take a bus going to the city proper for PhP 50.00 (non-AC) and 85.00 (AC) or a shuttle that ranges from PhP 100-200.
Alternatively, you can rent a car/van with driver for a day for PhP 1000-1800. (Kuya Jerry +63 936 451-1937)
By sea, you can check 2Go Travel or Cokaliong Shipping for ferries from Manila and Cebu for pricing and schedules.
There are also provincial buses from Cubao that can take you to Cagayan de Oro City.

We <3 CDO

FROM MANILA/CEBU- ILIGAN
Iligan City is geographically part of within the province of Lanao del Norte. Laguindigan Airport is still the access point when going to Iligan since there are no airports in Lanao del Norte.

By air, Take flights from airlines mentioned above.
At the airport, ride a shuttle van going to Laguindingan Intersection. The fare is PhP 50.00
In the intersection, ride a bus bound to Iligan City. The fare is PhP 145.00 and travel time is around an hour and a half.
By sea, You can also check ferry lines mentioned above.

Shuttles in Laguindingan Airport

FROM CDO - CAMIGUIN
Camiguin is an island in Northern Mindanao. Air and sea travel are options but air travel is limited since its airport only serves flight coming from Cebu City.

Van routes in Agora Terminal

From the city proper, ride a jeep going to Agora Market Terminal

Ride a bus or van bound to Balingoan Port. The fare is around PhP 150++ and travel time is 2-3 hours.

In Balingoan Port, take a ferry or RoRo vessel going to Benoni Port in Camiguin. The fare is around PhP 150-170 and travel time is a max of 2 hours.

At Benoni Port, there are motorbikes that you can rent or multi-cabs you can hire to get you around the island.

Waiting area in Balingoan Port

Where To Stay

Cagayan de Oro City is highly urbanized so finding a place to stay here is not a problem. Same goes for Iligan City. While you can stay in beach resorts in Camiguin.

CAGAYAN DE ORO

Win Min Transient Inn (Agora): +63 088 856-8043 (Recommended)

D’Morvie (Yacapin Street): +63 088 856-7197

Park View Hotel (Triso Neri Street): +63 088 857-1197 / +63 088 857-1198

Executive Pension (Mabini Street): +63 088 856-4360

Victoria Suites (Tirso Neri Street): +63 088 309-2222 / +63 088 22-72-2222 / +63 088 857-4447

Win Min Transient Inn at Agora Terminal

ILIGAN

Famous Pension House (Tibanga/San Miguel): +63 063 225-3968 / +63 922 8919636 / +63 063 225-3966

Jasmine Penssione Home (Tibanga): +63 063 222-1362

Alya Vista Lodge (Poblacion):+63 063 223-3915

CAMIGUIN

Casa Absuelo (Catarman):+63 088 387-8020 / +63 949 362-7760 / +63 928 706-3640

JJE Pension House (Poblacion):+63 088 387-2094

Chumz Travelodge (Mambajao):+63 088 387-9549/ +63 917 303-7305

Paras Beach Resort (Mambajao): +63 088 387-9008 / +63 917 715-2285

Ardent Hot Spring Resort (Mambajao): +63 088 387-0948

Ardent Hibok-Hibok Spring Resort

Attractions and Activities

Here's a list of places to visit and see and activities that you should definitely try!

Chasing the Majestic Waterfalls of Iligan City - Around 23 waterfalls are located in Iligan City. You can have a day trip to the city to visit some of the accessible ones like the Maria Cristina Falls, Mimbalut Falls, and the ever beautiful Tinago Falls.

The majestic Tinago Falls

Buy Pasalubong from Iligan - Take home Cheding's Toasted Peanuts for pasalubong.

Iligan's pride, Cheding's Toasted Peanuts

Explore Camiguin Island - Visit the most popular landmark in Camiguin, the Sunken Cemetery and take a selfie at the Guiob Old Church ruins then hike the Walkway to the Old Volcano. You can also just take a dip in Sto Niño Cold Spring, Bura Soda Water Park, and Ardent Hot Spring or continue the chasing waterfalls adventure in Katibawasan Falls and Tuasan Falls.

Sunken Cemetery Marker in Camiguin

White Island and Mantigue Island in Camiguin - Take a million selfie in White Island with Mt. Vulcan and Hibok-Hibok Volcano at the background and go beach bumming in Mantigue Island.

White Island with Mt.Vulcan and Hibok-Hibok

Taste the Lanzones of Camiguin - Be sure to buy Lanzones that just costs around PhP 15-30 per kilo! Camiguin also celebrates Lanzones Festival every third week of October.

The sweetest Lanzones!

Extreme activities in Bukidnon - Try out some adrenaline pumping activities in Dahilayan Adventure Park like the 840-meter zipline, the drop zone, and sky tower base jump!

The 840 meter zip line in Dahilayan Adventure Park, Bukidnon

Whitewater rafting in Cagayan de Oro river - Continue the extreme activities by white water rafting in Cagayan de Oro River!

High Five!

Mapawa Nature Park - Another destination for extreme seeking travelers. Mapawa Nature Park offers extreme activities like zip-lining, rappelling, and canyoneering.

Eat local/Explore the City - Go to Cogon Market to have some humba (somewhat like adobo) in Humba ni Aling Violy then sikwati and putomaya for dessert.

Puto maya and hot chocolate or "sikwati" (top left) with Humba (top right) in Cogon Market

Buy some pastel for pasalubong - Aside from Cheding's Roasted Peanuts, be sure to also take home some pastel, a famous bread from Camiguin that you can also buy in Cagayan de Oro

Pastel from Missy Bon Bon and Vjandep

Visit the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador City - Have a little side trip in El Salvador City to visit the Divine Mercy Shrine that has a 50-foot statue of the Divine Mercy Christ.

Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador

Itinerary

This is our 5-days, 4-nights itinerary for our Iligan, Camiguin, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro Trip.

Day 1 - Chasing Waterfalls in Iligan City

07:00 AM - ETA Laguindingan Airport
07:30 AM - ETD Iligan City
09:30 AM - Start of tour/ETA Maria Cristina Falls/Mimbalut Falls
12:00 NN - Lunchtime (Ihaw-ihaw eateries along Linamon Highway)
12:00 NN - Sidetrip Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House
01:30 PM - Tinago Falls
05:00 PM - Back to CDO/Stay in inns at Agora Terminal

Day 2 - Camiguin Island Day 1

05:30 AM - Wake up call/Breakfast
06:00 AM - ETD Agora Terminal to Balingoan Port (2-hour bus ride)
09:00 AM - ETD Balingoan Port to Benoni Port in Camiguin (2-hour ferry ride)
11:00 AM - ETA Camiguin/Check-in to accommodation
12:00 NN - Lunchtime
01:00 PM - Start exploring the island:
--:00 PM - Katibawasan Falls, Soda Water Park, Tuasan Falls, Sto Niño Cold Spring, Ardent Hotspring
--:00 PM - Back to accommodation/Dinner/Rest

Day 3 - Camiguin Island Day 2

06:00 AM - Wake up call/breakfast
06:00 AM - Continue island exploration: Walkway to Old Volcano, Sunken Cemetery, Guiob Church Ruins
07:00 AM - White Island
09:00 AM - Mantigue Island
01:30 PM - Late lunch/Checkout
03:00 PM - ETD Benoni Port to Balingoan Port (2-hour ferry ride)
05:00 PM - ETD Balingoan Port to Agora Terminal, CDO (2-hour bus ride)
07:00 PM - Check-in to hotel/accommodation then dinner

Day 4 - Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro

06:00 AM - Wakeup call/Breakfast
06:00 AM - ETD Agora Terminal to Brgy. Dahilayan, Bukidnon (an hour or more travel time)
08:00 AM - Extreme Activities in Dahilayan Adventure Park
11:00 AM - Go back to CDO
12:30 PM - Lunchtime/Prepare for White Water Rafting
01:00 PM - White Water River Rafting
06:00 PM - Back to hotel/accommodation then dinner

Day 5 - Cagayan de Oro and Going Home :(

07:00 AM - Wakeup call/Breakfast
07:30 AM - Optional: Mapawa Nature Park
07:30 AM - Optional: City Tour
12:00 NN - Lunchtime
03:30 PM - Prepare and pack up
04:00 PM - Visit Divin Mercy Shrine in El Salvador City (on the way to airport)
05:30 PM - ETA Laguindingan Airport

Chilling out in Sto. Niño Cold Spring

Expenses

Here's a breakdown of our expenses (per person in a group of 5 persons) during our trip. This only includes necessary expenses like fares, food, tour guides, entrance fees, and accommodations. Tips and other expenses like "pasalubong" are not included.

Day 1: CDO and Iligan

Fare (Van Rental from CDO-Iligan-CDO with tour): PhP 2900.00 / 5 = PhP 580.00
Entrance Fee (Maria Cristina Falls): PhP 50.00
Food (Lunch at Glorias Ihaw-Ihaw): PhP 160.00
Entrance Fee (Mimbalut Falls): PhP 25.00
Entrance Fee (Donation in Tinago Falls): PhP 20.00
Others (Bamboo raft in Tinago Falls and Life Vest): PhP 10.00 + PhP 20.00
Food (Dinner at Agora Terminal): PhP 70.00
Accommodation (AC Room Win Min) PhP 1260.00 (good for 3) = PhP 420.00
Total: PhP 1355.00

Ihaw-ihaw and puso rice in Gloria's Ihaw-Ihaw, Iligan

Day 2: CDO and Camiguin

Food (Breakfast in Agora Terminal): PhP 100.00
Fare (Van from Agora to Balingoan Port): PhP 100.00
Fare (Terminal Fee in Balingoan Port): PhP 15.00
Fare (Ferry from Balingoan Port to Benoni Port, Camiguin): PhP 170.00
Transport (2 Motorbike Rental for 24 hours): PhP 1200.00 / 5 = PhP 240.00
Transport (Gas for the 2 motorbikes): PhP 200.00 = PhP 40.00
Food (Lunch in Guerrera Asian Restaurant): PhP 175.00
Entrance Fee (Soda Water Park): PhP 30.00
Entrance Fee (Sto Niño Cold Spring): PhP 30.00
Food (Dinner at Luna Ristorante): PhP 700.00 / 5 = PhP 140.00
Accommodation (AC Room near Paras Beach Resort): PhP 1500.00 / 5 = PhP 300.00
Total: PhP 1340.00

Riding in Camiguin

Day 3: Camiguin and CDO

Entrance Fee (Katibawasan Falls): PhP 30.00
Transport (Extra Gas for 2 Motorbikes): PhP 150.00 / 5 = PhP 30.00
Entrance Fee (Ardent Hotspring): PhP 30.00
Food (Lunch at Ardent Hotspring): PhP 130.00
Transport (Boat to White Island): PhP 450.00 / 5 = PhP 90.00
Entrance Fee (Environmental fee for White Island): PhP 40.00
Fare (Terminal Fee in Benoni Port): PhP 15.00
Fare (Ferry from Benoni Port to Balingoan Port): PhP 170.00
Fare (Trike from Balingoan Port to Bus Terminal): PhP 8.00
Fare (Bus going to Agora Terminal): PhP 85.00
Accommodation (AC Room Win Min) PhP 1260.00 (good for 3) = PhP 420.00
Total: PhP 1048.00

Sunset in Balingoan Port

Day 4: Bukidnon and CDO

Food (Breakfast in fast food in Agora Terminal): PhP 100.00
Fare (Van Rental CDO-Bukidnon-CDO): PhP 2500.00 / 5 = PhP 500.00
Activity (Zip Challenge Package in Dahilayan Adventure Park): PhP 1000.00
Food (Lunch in fast food SM CDO) PhP 100.00
Activity (White Water Rafting): PhP 1100.00
Other (Photo and Video CD of the rafting): PhP 500 / 5 = PhP 100.00
Food (Dinner in Divisoria): PhP 100.00
Accommodation (Hotel near Divisoria): PhP 1500.00 / 5 = PhP 300.00
Total: PhP 3300.00

Divisoria in Cagayan de Oro

Day 5: CDO

Fare (Cogon Market): PhP 7.00
Food (Breakfast at Humba ni Aling Violy): PhP 46.00
Food (Sikwati and Puto Maya): PhP 20.00
Fare (Cogon Market to Divisoria): PhP 8.00
Fare (Van Rental CDO to Airport with side trip to Divine Mercy Shrine): PhP 150.00
Total: PhP 231.00

Durian, anyone?

Total Expense: PhP 7274.00

What are you waiting for?

An activity that you should definitely include in your Northern Mindanao itinerary is the extreme activities in Dahilayan Adventure Park in Bukidnon. Here you can find Asia's first longest dual zip line and other extreme rides like the Dropzone and the Python Roller Zipride.

Welcome to Bukidnon!

How to Get There

The adventure park is located in Brgy. Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich in Bukidnon. The nearest airport is the Laguindingan Airport that is 46 kilometers away from Cagayan de Oro.

From Cagayan de Oro

Go to Agora Bus Terminal and take a jeep or van bound to the jump off point which is Camp Philips.

In Camp Philips, hire a "habal-habal" (motorcycle) to get you to Dahilayan Adventure Park.

Camp Phillips

*If you are in a group and wants a convenient way to get there, you can contact Kuya at this number +63 936 451-1937.
*The adventure park also offers round-trip transport from CDO during Saturdays only.

Pineapple Landmark

The Adventure Park

The travel time from CDO to the adventure park is around an hour and a half. You'll be passing by a hectares pineapple plantation and countryside views. The climate on the park is a little cool and you'll see a lot of pine trees around that somewhat reminds you of Baguio.

Road goint to the Adventure Park

Pineapple plantation

Just beside Dahilayan Adventure Park is Dahilayan Forest Park, where there's also a lot of activities to do. The adventure park also offers accommodations which you can check here.

Dahilayan Forest Park

Extreme Activities!

There are several activities you can in the park. One of the most popular here is the 840-meter dual zip line. Aside from that, they have a 320 and 150 meters zip-lines. Another popular ride here is the Dropzone, where you will be dropped 120-feet and swing above a man-made lake.

Skytower Base Jump

320-meter and 150-meter Zip Line

840-meter Zip Line

Drop Zone

Each ride costs differently and there is no ride all you can ticket, but they have a package for some of the rides which you can at their site. My friends got the 'ZipAll Package' for PhP 600.00 (price may be changed) that includes 320-meter, 150-meter, and the 850-meter zip line ride. For me, I wanted to try the dropzone so I choose the 'ZipAll' + Python Zip + Dropzone package for PhP 1000.00.

Rates as of Nov 2015

Tickets

We first did the 320 and 150 meters zip line, followed by the Dropzone. The dropzone really got me a little nervous when I saw someone being dropped LOL, and got a little scared when it's my turn and I need to pull the release rope to be dropped. Yup, you will be the one to release yourself by pulling the rope! But after I pulled the release rope (and screamed a little LOL), it was just awesome and feels like I'm flying.

The 320-meter zip line

Followed by the 150-meter zipline

Also tried the Python Roller

The rail makes you bounce

The Drop Zone

Preparing for the ride

Here we go!

Really getting nervous at this moment

Oh yeah!

After that adrenaline pumping dropzone, we proceed with the 840-meter zip line. A truck picked us up to transfer us to the starting point of the 840-meter zipline. The position in the zip line is in superman position and the ride is almost a minute.

Suit up!

All set and ready to go!

Let's do this!

Woohoo!

Look up in the sky!

The activities, especially the 840m zip line and Dropzone are definitely worth the experience! Be sure to include these activities in your Northern Mindanao adventure! Thanks for reading!