Mindanao Tour Itinerary

☆ My 5-Day Mindanao Tour Itinerary ☆

☆ 7 Provinces na PakNaPak!

Provinces Covered:

• Davao del Sur
• Davao del Norte
• Sultan Kudarat
• South Cotabato
• Sarangani
• North Cotabato
• Maguindanao

Introduction

Mga kaDIY, tatlo po kami magkakasama kaya masaya. To begin with, pakicheck nalang po yung mga prices ng lodging and food sa baba. For solo travelers, simply add up all nalang po, including the lodging, kasi sa expenses ko po, I divided it by three. As a result, malaki po natipid namin sobra kasi tatlo kami! Hopefully, makatulong ito sa mga trip ng barkada sa ratratang gala sa Mindanao. Our Mindanao Tour Itinerary made the most out of every destination.

Additionally, hindi ko na po isasama ang value ng RT ticket. Just the value nalang ng lahat ng mga activities, lodges, at food.

Travel Dates: Jan. 31 ~ February 4

DAY 1: Arrival and Samal Island Exploration

• 1:00 PM: Departure from Manila
• 2:50 PM: Arrival at Davao Airport
• 3:00 PM: Went to SM Lanang to meet my travel buddies.

Transportation:

• Jeepney Fare ~ 18 PHP
• From SM Lanang to Samal Island: Jeepney Fare ~ 12 PHP, Bus Fare ~ 35 PHP
• Arrival at Peñaplata Terminal
• Habal-habal Fare ~ 50 PHP each to your desired resort

Accommodation:

• 5:45 PM: Arrival at Kostal Beach Resort
  • Overnight Stay cost is 1.5k PHP (500 PHP each, since 3 kami)
  • Dinner: Tuna 90 PHP, Half Chicken 85 PHP (~100 PHP each)
• 9:00 PM: Coffee break

DAY 2: Samal Island Tour

• 6:30 AM: Wake-up Time
• 7:30 AM: Start Samal Island Tour
• 9:00 AM: Arrival at Monfort Batcaves
  • Entrance Fee ~ 100 PHP

Exploring Hagimit Falls:

• 10:00 AM: Departure from Monfort Batcaves
• 10:30 AM: Arrival at Hagimit Falls
  • Entrance Fee ~ 40 PHP
  • Table Rent ~ 150 PHP
  • Tip for guides ~ 100 PHP

Afternoon Travel:

• 12:00 NN: Lunch in Town Proper of Samal (~70 PHP)
• 1:45 PM: Departure from Kostal Beach Resort
• 2:30 PM: Arrival at Sasa Port, Samal Island
  • Barge Fare ~ 10 PHP

Evening in Davao City:

• 3:00 PM: Arrival at Sasa Port Davao City
• 3:20 PM: Bound to Ecoland Terminal for Sultan Kudarat
  • Taxi Fare ~ 150 PHP
  • Van Fare ~ 280 PHP
• 11:30 PM: Check-In at Catherine’s Inn (~550 PHP for overnight stay)

DAY 3: South Cotabato Adventure

• 7:00 AM: Check-out / Bound to Isulan Capitol (Trike Fare ~ 8 PHP)
• 7:30 AM: Arrival at Isulan Capitol
• 9:20 AM: Breakfast at Carlitos Chicken Restaurant (~59 PHP)

Exploring South Cotabato:

• 11:00 AM: Arrival at Surallah Terminal Station, South Cotabato
  • Bus Fare ~ 57 PHP
  • Habal Fee ~ 400 PHP (half-day)

Activities:

• 1st Falls and 2nd Falls
  • Environmental Fee ~ 20 PHP
  • Tboli Rent Costume ~ 50 PHP
  • River Tubing ~ 300 PHP
  • Lunchbreak: Tilapia Menu ~ 500 PHP

Evening in General Santos City:

• 5:00 PM: End of Tour
• 5:30 PM: Departure from Lake Sebu bound to General Santos City (Van Fare ~ 180 PHP)
• 8:30 PM: Arrival at General Santos City

DAY 4: GenSan to Sarangani Province

• 8:00 AM: Breakfast
  • Location: Local café or hotel restaurant Enjoy a hearty breakfast to start your day.
• 9:00 AM: Visit to the General Santos City Fish Port Complex
  • Activity: Tour the bustling fish port, observe the local fish market, and learn about the seafood industry.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Travel Time: 15 minutes from the city center
• 10:30 AM: Explore the KCC Mall of Gensan
  • Activity: Shop, dine, or relax in this major shopping center.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: 10 minutes from the fish port
• 11:30 AM: Visit to the T’boli Weaving Center
  • Activity: Discover traditional T’boli weaving and buy handcrafted souvenirs.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: 20 minutes from the mall
• 12:30 PM: Lunch
  • Location: Local restaurant or food court at KCC Mall Sample local dishes like tuna belly or grilled seafood.
• 2:00 PM: Trip to the Sarangani Bay
  • Activity: Enjoy the serene beach, relax, or take a swim.
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Travel Time: 30 minutes from the city center
• 4:00 PM: Visit to the Mt. Sabrina and Lake Sebu
  • Activity: Explore the scenic views and perhaps take a short hike.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Travel Time: 45 minutes from Sarangani Bay
• 5:30 PM: Return to General Santos City
• 6:30 PM: Dinner
  • Location: Restaurant at the city center or near your accommodation Try local specialties or international cuisine.
• 8:00 PM: Leisure Time
  • Activity: Stroll around the city center, visit local shops, or relax at your hotel.
• 9:30 PM: Evening at the General Santos City Plaza
  • Activity: Enjoy the city’s evening ambiance, people watch, or take in the local atmosphere.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: Short walk from nearby restaurants or accommodation
• 10:30 PM: End of Day

DAY 5: Davao City Tour

• 9:00 AM: Visit to People’s Park
  • Activity: Enjoy the green spaces, sculptures, and relaxing environment.
  • Duration: 1 hour
• 10:00 AM: Explore the Davao Crocodile Park
  • Activity: See crocodiles, other wildlife, and enjoy interactive shows.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Travel Time: 20 minutes from People’s Park
• 11:30 AM: Visit the Museo Dabawenyo
  • Activity: Learn about Davao’s history, culture, and heritage.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: 15 minutes from Crocodile Park
• 12:30 PM: Lunch
  • Location: Local restaurant or food market Try local specialties like grilled tuna or durian desserts.
• 2:00 PM: Explore the Matina Town Square (MTS)
  • Activity: Shop, relax, or enjoy some local coffee.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: 15 minutes from Museo Dabawenyo
• 3:00 PM: Visit to San Pedro Cathedral
  • Activity: Explore this historical cathedral and its surroundings.
  • Duration: 30 minutes
  • Travel Time: 10 minutes from MTS
• 3:45 PM: Check out the Davao City Hall and Roxas Avenue Night Market
  • Activity: Walk around the City Hall area and explore the night market for local goods and snacks (if time permits).
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: 10 minutes from San Pedro Cathedral
• 5:00 PM: Relax at Davao Waterfront
  • Activity: Enjoy the sunset and the waterfront views.
  • Duration: 1 hour
  • Travel Time: 20 minutes from the City Hall
• 6:00 PM: Dinner
  • Location: Restaurant or eatery at the Waterfront or city center Sample more local dishes or enjoy a relaxing meal.
• 7:30 PM: Leisure Time
  • Activity: Explore local shops or enjoy a casual evening stroll.
• 9:00 PM: End of Tour

Conclusion

In conclusion, total expenses for 5 days: More or less 5k PHP! For a detailed breakdown and photos of our Mindanao Tour Itinerary, visit my IG: @wandermonching.

Mindanao is a beautiful and safe place. Indeed, Mindanao offers more than what we think they already have, so include it in your travel plans. Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nagshare ng itis nila before. Without a doubt, hindi ko po mabubuo ito if hindi dahil sa inyo mga kaDIY. Thus, I’m sharing what I’ve created.

Since first time ko po sa Mindanao, I had to see and prove it myself kung totoo ba mga napapanuod at naririnig ko about dito. Now, I can prove and share with you na hindi pala lahat ng balita ay totoo. Mindanao is a beautiful place and safe place. Oo, may mga lugar na may kaguluhan pero wag po natin buuin. Visit Mindanao because it offers more than what we think they already have.

Final Thoughts:

Total Expenses for 5 days? Believe it or not, guys, sa maniwala kayo at sa hindi, more or less 5K lang nagastos ko kasi nga may mga freebies like yung stay at food namin sa GenSan, then nanlilibre sila ate at kuya kaya ok quality talaga yung tour namin sa lahat ng destinations.

Napagastos lang ako ng bongga sa mga pasalubong! Hopefully, makatulong po ito sa mga gagawa rin ng kanilang sariling Mindanao Tour Itinerary!

Solomon Frane
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