Mindanao Escape 2014

Cagayan de Oro – White Water Rafting– Davao – Samal Island 

(For 6 days and 5 nights)

Summer fun never ends!

I wanted to visit CDO 2 years ago but I and my partner cancelled our flights due to financial reasons. Until Cebu Pacific had a promo seat last August and without second thought, I booked our flights not just for one destination but two which included Davao. Initially, Camiguin Island tour was part of the plan, but we thought that it would cost us so much. Since there is a direct flight from Manila via Cebupacific, we decided to visit it next time. But instead of Camiguin, we chose Samal Island, the nearest to Davao. Perhaps, it would not slash our wallet that much.

We had met a lot of travellers, enthusiasts, even total strangers on the entire trip. And for me, this one was the most exciting part of the tour. Plus, it was my first time to invade Mindanao, the third largest major island in the Philippines. And because we love to immerse ourselves through a different kind of atmosphere, we were able to catch the local’s attention and they tried to reach out to tourists like us who came from Manila. People may have various dialects, religions, or beliefs, but it just proved that these elements didn’t make any barrier among us to communicate and understand these diversities.

For many years of travelling here and abroad, learning is incessant. It never ceases me to learn myself, the people around me, and the places I bound to visit. Another thing is I get to realize that making itineraries should never be condensed or loaded with so much activities to do and sites to see. Sometimes, it needs to be free flowing or spontaneous. I’m sure, you will enjoy every second you'll have on your tour. And with this break in Mindanao, we never felt in a haste and let the time passed.

Here’s the complete details of our 6-day-and-5-night stay and the expense summary on these destinations. I hope this will assist you in planning your tour on these thrilling destinations in Mindanao.

Itinerary

June 26, 2014 (Thur) Free Time

    ETD 12:15pm at NAIA T3 via Cebupacific

    ETA 2:00pm at Laguindingan Int’l Airport

    Check-in at D’Morvi Suites Hotel

    Lunch at Barkadahan Grill

    Shopping at Centrio Ayala Mall

    Rest

June 27, 2014 (Fri) CDO Day Tour

    Prepare for the day tour at 10:00am

    1. CDO City Hall

    2. Gaston Park

    3. St. Augustine Cathedral

    4. City Museum of CDO

    5. Golden Friendship Park

         - Monument of Mayor Justiniano

         - City Tourist Assistance Center

    6. Limketkai Mall

         - Island Souvenirs

         - 1^st Starbucks in Mindanao

         - 1^st McDonalds outside Metro Manila

    Buffet Lunch at Thai Me Up

    Vi-Andep Pastel Store

    Back to Centrio to watch Transformers

    Lifestyle at 9pm

          - Hollywood

          - Microphone Hero

 June 28, 2014 (Sat) White Water Rafting

    Registration at Bugsay Office at 7:15am

    Orientation and practice paddling at Mambuaya at 8am

    Actual river run at 8:30

    Back to Bugsay office for the videos and photos at 12 noon

    Lunch at Dear Manok

    Back to hotel

    Dinner at KFC, Centrio Mall

    Rest

forward, backward, high five

June 29, 2014 (Sun) Davao DayTour Part 1

    Check-out at D’Morvi at 3:200am

    Departure at Centrio Mall via Lax Van Shuttle at 3:35am

    ETD 6:30am at Laguindingan Int’l Aiport (CDO) via Cebupacific

    ETA 7:35am at Francisco Bangoy Int’l Airport (Davao)

    Left our baggage at Green Windows Hotel

    Davao Day tour at 10:00am

    1. Eden Nature Park

    2. Philippine Eagle

    3. Japanese Tunnel

    4. Lola Abon’s Pasalubong Store

    5. Infant Jesus Shrine

    6. Dinner at Jack’s Ridge

    7. People’s Park

    Rest

June 30, 2014 (Mon) Samal Island Tour

    Breakfast at Tapsilugan

    Took a pump boat at Sta. Ana Wharf

    ETA 8:00am at Maxima Aquafun Resort

    Whole day fun

    ETD 4:00pm at the resort

    Took habal-habal Samal Pier

    Arrived at Sasa Wharf (Davao) after 10 minutes

    Took a jeepney to Aldevinco Shopping Center to buy souvenirs or pasalubong

    Dinner along Roxas (near Ateneo de Davao)  

    Rest

July 1, 2014 (Tue) Davao Day Tour Part 2

    Check-out at Green Windows Hotel

    Met Kuya Dindo at 2pm for Ms. Sue Ong’s Starbucks & Hello Kitty collection

    Went back to Aldevinco for more shopping

    Back to the hotel to get our luggage

    Went to the airport via taxi at 6pm

    ETD 9pm at Francisco Bangoy Int’l Aiport

    ETA 11pm at NAIA T3

Expenses

* Airfare (all flights are via Cebupacific with 15kg baggage allowance)

     Manila to CDO- P904 (terminal fee included)

     CDO to Davao- P607

     Davao to Manila- P999

* Terminal Fee

     CDO Aiport- P200

     Davao Aiport- P200

* Accommodation

     D’ Morvi Hotel (CDO) for 2 1/5 days- P750 (P1500 for 2)

     Green Windows Hotel (Davao) for 2 nights P560 (P1680/night for 6 persons)

* Food

     CDO

         1. Barkdahan Grill- P165/meal

         2. Thai Me Up (lunch biffet)- P249/head

         3. KFC- P70/meal

         4. Other food expenses- P400

     Davao

         1. Jack’s Ridge (dinner)- P300

         2. Tapsilugan (breakfast)- P60

         3. Roxas (dinner)- P70

         4. Other food expenses- P200

     Samal

          1. Maxiama (lunch)-P130

* Tour Package

      CDO White River Rafting

            Rafting (beginner course)- P700

            Picture & video copy- P150/head (total P600 for 4)

      Davao Day Tour

            Van rental- P583 (total P3500 for 6)

            Entrance fees

                  1. Eden Nature Park- P200 with light snack

                  2. Philippine Eagle. P110

                  3. Japanese Tunnel- P50

      Samal Island

            Maxima Aqua Fun- P250/head

* Souvenir or Pasalubong

       CDO

            1. Island Souvenirs ref magnet- P129

            2. White rafting ref magnet- P100

            3. Pastel and candies- P230

      Davao

            1. Durian ref magnet- P200 for 8 pcs

            2. Phil Eagle ref magnet- P70 for 2 pcs

            3. Foldable eco bag—P100/pc

            4. Lola Abon’s candies- P300

       Samal Island

            1. Ref magnet- P50

       Others:

            1. Movie (Transformers 2D)- P140

            2. Shirt (Cotton on)- P400

* Transportation (Taxi / Van Shuttle / Boat)

       CDO

             BF Homes, Las Pinas to NAIA T3 (by taxi)- P271

             CDO Airport to D’ Morvi (by van shuttle)- P200

             D’ Morvi to CDO Aiport (by van shuttle)- P199

       Davao

             Davao Aiport to Green Windows Hotel (by taxi)- P80 (total P160 for 2)

             Green Windows Hotel to airport (by taxi)- P87.50 (total 175 for 2)

             NAIA T3 to House at BF Homes (by taxi)- P220

             Other expenses: P100

       Samal Island   

             Green Windows to Sta. Ana Wharf (by taxi) P25 (total 75 for 3)        

             Sta. Ana Wharf to Maxima Resort, Samal Island (by pump boat)- P250 (total P1500 for 6)

             Maxima Resort to Samal Pier (by habal-habal)- P80 (total 160 for 2)            

       

Expense Summary

(for one person)

Airfare:                      P2510

Terminal Fee:           P400

Accommodation:     P1310

Food:                        P1644

Tour Package:         P2043

Souvenir:                  P1749

Transportation         P1512.50

Total:                       P11,168.50

Next Topic: Cagayan De Oro Day Tour 

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Blogger's Note

Please be informed that details are subject to change at any time, particularly the price, location, and contact numbers. I, therefore advise that you visit their website or email ahead for confirmation when making your itinerary. The blogger cannot be held responsible for the experiences of the readers while travelling.