RedesignedTop Seller

Island Hopping the Philippines

Day 1 Meet in Cebu

Welcome to Cebu, the “Queen City of the South”! We will pick you up from Mactan International Airport and transfer you to our tour hotel in the city. In the evening we convene for a trip meeting and welcome dinner. If you arrive early, make sure to do some exploring! Cebu is where the Spanish first made landfall in the 16th century, an encounter memorialized in Catholic churches and a fort still standing in the city today. Cebu is the main hub of the Visayas region - a coastal metropolis filled with sprawling neighborhoods, bustling markets, and some great local food!

Quest Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Cebu - Tagbilaran - Loboc

In the early morning, we head to the pier to catch a ferry bound for Bohol Island. Watch as Cebu's cityscape fades into the endless blue expanse of the ocean. After a two-hour voyage, we arrive in the city of Tagbilaran where we meet our trusty support vehicle, a quintessential Filipino 'jeepney,' and transfer a short distance for lunch and bike fitting. Then, it's time to hit the road! Today's ride covers a gentle 30 km, giving us our first taste of the charming Visayas countryside. After 12 km we stop for a break at a Tarsier Sanctuary. Tarsiers, the world’s smallest primates, are native to Bohol and with the help of a local guide we’ll venture into the forest for a chance to encounter these adorable, tiny, nocturnal creatures taking their daytime siestas. While sightings are highly likely, bear in mind that these are wild animals so guarantees can’t be made. We then continue cycling through rural Bohol, tackling some hills before concluding with a fabulous, winding downhill to the picturesque Loboc River. At our lovely riverside resort, you can go kayaking, enjoy a massage, or simply chill by the pool! Additional activities are at your own expense.

Loboc River Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 30km
+296m
-341m

Day 3 Loboc - Chocolate Hills

Today’s ride takes us deep into Bohol’s interior. Doing so will require a fair bit of gradual climbing but the scenery along the way makes it well worth the effort. After 5 km, we swing by a viewpoint overlooking a gorge of the Loboc River enveloped in thick jungle canopy. For those keen, you can glide above the gorge by zip line or cable car (at your own expense). Back on our bikes, we then gradually rise to the top of the Carmen Plateau, along the way passing through a rustic rural landscape of rice paddies, coconut groves, and fruit orchards. After around 40 km we reach the world-famous Chocolate Hills, an enchanting landscape blanketed by 1,200 symmetrical brown-earth hued mounds. Local legend has it that the hills were formed by quarreling giants hurling boulders at each other. There’s also a geological explanation, but that’s a little more technical! We'll ascend by car to one of the hills' peaks, where lunch and panoramic views await and spend the night at a quaint guesthouse near the town of Carmen.

Villa del Carmen
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 53km
+649m
-407m

Day 4 Carmen - Sierra Bullones - Anda

Today presents a rewarding challenge as we traverse the Sierra Bullones highlands en route to the coastal haven of Anda. We begin with a leisurely 15 km on flat roads flanked by picturesque farmlands on either side. With our legs warmed up we’ll be ready to tackle a 17 km uphill into the rolling hills of Sierra Bullones. The landscape unfolds in a tapestry of lush jungle and emerald rice terraces, showcasing rural Philippines at its finest. Accompanied by scenes of wallowing buffaloes and farmers tending to their fields we press forth to the summit at 790 m ASL. Once at the top, we know what comes next: a 20 km descent down the order side of the highlands, whisking past villages and treated to sweeping vistas of mist-clad mountains surrounding rice terraces. Arriving in Jagna, we refuel with lunch and continue our journey for another 30 km to Anda, tracing an undulating, coast-hugging route that offers frequent glimpses of scenic bays. Our ride ends at a cozy boutique resort perched on a rocky headland overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean.

Blue Star Dive & Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 83km
+1049m
-1278m

Day 5 Anda Rest Day

Today is yours to rest or explore Bohol’s coast at your own leisure. If you’re able to be tempted out of the resort, then just a few kilometers away lies the white-sand Anda beach, ideal for a day of lounging. You can also opt for snorkeling or scuba diving amongst beautiful coral reefs. A visit to nearby Lamanoc Island, renowned for its prehistoric cave paintings and mangrove forests, may also appeal. These optional activities are at your own expense.

Blue Star Dive & Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Anda - Dimiao

Today we get back on the bikes to discover more of Bohol off-the-beaten path. We begin with a short 6 km transfer in the jeepney and then begin cycling, enjoying scenes of the ebb and flow of daily life in Visayas. There’s a few climbs to tackle but nothing too arduous and after 40 km we break for a picnic lunch on the shores of the Malinao Reservoir, a large, scenic lake with a peaceful ambiance. We cycle a few more kilometers and then jump in the jeepney for a 30 minute fast-track service to Bilar! Here we embark on our afternoon ride, following a mix of paved and broken roads meandering through the countryside with some fun, snaking downhills leading to the coast. We’ll break up the ride with a visit to a gorgeous little waterfall nestled in the jungle. Its pool of crystal clear water will surely tempt us for a refreshing dip before we complete the final 5 km to reach our accommodations on the rocky shores of Dimiao.

Kayla'a Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 62km
+631m
-757m

Day 7 Dimiao - Panglao - Tagbilaran

Get ready for a great day of coastal riding. Starting from Dimiao, we head west passing by countless fishing villages and coastal towns. After 30 km we reach Baclayon, home to one of the oldest coral stone Catholic churches in the Philippines. The church’s weathered yet delicately curated facade and interior provides a tangible connection to the country’s Spanish colonial past and enduring Christian faith. We’ll spend some time exploring these hallowed grounds and then continue riding for 5 km to a bridge connecting the mainland to the offshore island of Panglao. The rest of today’s route circumnavigates nearly the entire island, featuring rolling terrain of rural, residential, and semi-urban areas. At the 50 km mark we stop for a delicious lunch with views over the Bohol Sea and then carry on to Alona Beach, well known for its white sands and lively atmosphere. The ride ends at the Hinagdanan Cave, an underground chamber adorned with delicate stalactites and stalagmites, and a crystal-clear pool illuminated by natural light. Here we jump into the jeepney and transfer 30 minutes to the bustling city of Tagbilaran which is where we’ll catch a boat to our next island the following morning!

Bohol Tropics Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 76km
+380m
-375m

Day 8 Tagbilaran - Siquijor

It’s time to switch islands for the second time! This morning we ride our bikes a quick 500 m from the hotel to the nearby pier. We board a boat bound for Siquijor and simply relax for two hours as we glide across the water surrounded by islands, big and small, jutting out of the Bohol Sea. Once we disembark at Siquijor’s pier, we’ll be met by our support jeepney and transfer to a hilltop restaurant to enjoy lunch complemented with gorgeous views. Siquijor is an island of natural beauty and mysticism, characterized by palm-tree fringed beaches and shores, jungle-clad hills, and a cultural heritage steeped in esoteric knowledge connected to the bounty of the land. To some, Siquijor also has a reputation for sorcery and dark magic, though, in our experience, it is hard to get that impression from the welcoming locals and inviting beach resorts! After our introduction to the island from our hilltop vantage point, we enjoy a refreshing descent to the coast and then cycle an easy and mostly flat 25 km to our elegant beachfront resort. We’ll be based here for three nights.

Coco Grove Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 27km
+153m
-286m

Day 9 Siquijor Coastal Loop

Embark on an exhilarating island adventure today as we navigate the well-paved, 86 km coastal road of Siquijor. Along the way, we'll encounter a dynamic mix of uphills, downhills, and flat stretches, guiding us from bay to bay and circling the entire island. Our first stop, after a mostly ascending 10 km ride, is the legendary "Enchanted Balete Tree" – a 400-year-old ancient fig tree. Its sprawling roots create a natural pool of pristine water, inhabited by small fish offering a unique, natural spa experience for your feet! We then continue to Lazi, home to the Philippines' oldest coral stone Catholic Convent, boasting well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture and interiors. After exploring this historical site, we continue onwards to Salagdoong Beach, where we pause to admire the turquoise waters and, those who dare, can jump right in from a rocky outcrop. Following a replenishing local lunch, we complete our loop back to the resort, accompanied by frequent ocean views and passing by roadside stalls where local fisherfolk proudly display their catches of the day.

Coco Grove Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 86km
+823m
-823m

Day 10 Siquijor Highlands

Today we turn our attention to Siquijor’s lush interior highlands. We begin by transferring 45 minutes by jeepney to get us to the top of Mount Bandilaan National Park, and avoid an otherwise grueling uphill by bike! Here we relish in panoramic views over the far-stretching rainforest canopy and then saddle-up to treat ourselves to a spectacular 10 km descent down the National Park’s southern slopes. We hit the brakes at Cambugahay Waterfalls, where the multi-tiered cascade and calm pools may tempt us for a quick dip before continuing onwards to have lunch at a local eatery. After lunch, you can opt to cycle back to the resort by riding a roughly 20 km section of the previous day’s route in reverse or you can hop in the jeepney and head back to the resort early to relax by the beach. Today is designed to be flexible. We may even be able to arrange a session with a traditional healer, a truly insightful cultural experience offering a window into Siquijor’s mysterious and esoteric side. However, this can only be confirmed on an ad-hoc basis depending on the healer's availability.

Coco Grove Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 31km
+286m
-859m

Day 11 Siquijor - Dumaguete - Moalboal

Today, even before we start cycling we’ll be on three islands and two boats! We’ve got a 5:00 AM start to reach Siquijor pier in time to catch the first ferry bound for neighboring Negros island. After reaching the lively port city of Dumaguete, we’ll have breakfast and shuttle across town to catch our next ferry, heading across the Tanon Strait to Cebu's southern tip. Both boat rides this morning take about an hour each and afford delightful sea views as well as a glimpse into the hustle and bustle of inter-island mobility in the Philippines. Upon reaching the port in southern Cebu, we hop on our bikes and start riding north along the coast for 70 km. We cycle from one rugged headland to the next, repeating a pattern of up-down-straight until we reach the seaside town of Moalboal! This is coastal Cebu at its finest, passing through fishing villages and historic towns pressed against the backdrop of a stunningly blue ocean.

Secret Paradise Moalboal
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 70km
+463m
-461m

Day 12 Moalboal - Cebu

Early this morning, you have the opportunity to witness a remarkable underwater spectacle: the “Moalboal Sardine Run”. Head to the nearby beach, rent some snorkels (at your own expense), and wade out into the ocean where you can swim above the mesmerizing sight of massive schools of sardines moving together in synchronized patterns. Other marine creatures, including turtles, that inhabit the coast and coral reef can be seen as well. This is an optional but highly recommended experience before we begin cycling. Our last ride is a memorable one as we traverse Cebu Island from west to east. Some challenging climbs await as we cycle up the Cebu Central Cordillera, the island’s rocky spine. The views over the rolling hills of the farm-covered highlands are stunning, and we end the bike tour with a downhill blitz to the east coast. Here we load the bikes and jump into our support van to transfer 2-3 hours (depending on traffic) to Cebu City. We’ll break up the ride with lunch and, after arriving in the city and checking into the hotel, reconvene for a farewell dinner in the evening.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 44km
+758m
-753m

Day 13 Cebu Departure

Time to say goodbye to the Philippines, extend your stay in Cebu, or travel to your next destination. There are plenty more islands to explore! If you have a flight out today, we’ll bring you to the airport.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.