This Philippines bike and boat adventure is the quintessential island experience, with endless white-sand beaches and tropical bliss. In 13 days, experience the country's Visayas region, a remarkable island paradise even for a country made up of thousands of them! Cycle through tropical coastal scenery, traverse crystal blue waters by boat and enjoy the fun and easy-going pace of life in the Visayas on this Philippines bike tour.
What a beautiful lush green scenery to travel trough by bike! Even in the rainy season no problem to discover these islands. We had a really good time with our guide Diego. He is such a good rider, funny, his english is excellent and he has a very good local knowledge. He vas very flexible and could adapte the program at our wishes (we have been only two of us!). Thanks a lot, we will come again, Elisabeth and Hans Peter from Switzerland
This tour was very well planned and managed. The resorts and hotels were all excellent and very romantic and peaceful. The cycling was no problem but of course the heat and sun made some of the days strenuous.
I personally prefer shorter tours and there is a 'rest day' and a 'ride around an Island' which could easily be missed out if the tour is shortened. I understand that most people travel a long way to join the tours and need more time to make the journey worthwhile.
All things considered, I rate this tour highly and would recommend it to other SpiceRoads cyclists. The Philippine Islands visited are very beautiful and the local life very picturesque.
View more: Touring
Tours in: Philippines
DestinationsPhilippines
Tour MeetsCebu City
Fly in toMactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB)
Group Size2-12 riders
SpiceRoads jerseyWater bottleSupport vehicleGuide(s)Meals (as indicated)Airport pick upAirport drop offAccommodationSnacks and drinks
International flightsDomestic flightsVisa feesAlcoholTips
We ride 598km, about 90% on-road, in 10 cycling days. We designed the route to see a wide variety of islands as well as see the best sites on each of them. We cycle many different paths, from undulating roads to short climbs to awesome descents, and, of course, flat coastal roads. Your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty.
Suitability: There are a few hilly sections, so cyclists should have some cycling experience and be comfortable with climbs and descents. Being physically fit will, of course, be a huge asset, but as the tour is fully supported, the van is always close at hand if needed.
Biking Conditions: Your Philippines biking experience is primarily on tarmac with very little traffic. There are a few sections of dirt roads, but there is no technical riding on this tour. There are a few challenging climbs, as well as some fast, sweeping descents. Any portion of the ride can be skipped by utilising our support vehicle.
We'll pick you up in Cebu at Mactan International Airport and bring you to the hotel. In the evening, we will have a trip meeting and dinner.
Quest Hotel
DinnerEarly morning, a boat brings us to Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol. After lunch, we ride a quiet dirt road through small villages, past a small lake, and terraced rice paddies. It brings us up to a paved road where we quickly find ourselves at the Tarsier Sanctuary. After learning about these unique nocturnal creatures and hopefully sighting one or two, we are back on the bikes for a fabulous winding ride down to the picturesque Loboc River and our resort.
Loboc River ResortBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 39km
+403m
-399mThis morning, we start early as we have a hill to conquer. We pass a mahogany forest, enjoying two km of shade under the tall trees before we ride through rice fields and small villages. We take a break and visit a butterfly garden. We continue to the world-famous Chocolate Hills. A short but steep climb takes us to the top of a hill where we park the bikes and take in the scenes created by these unique formations. After lunch, we continue riding on to Sierra Bullones and bike uphill through scenic rice terraces still worked by water buffaloes to our hotel with three swimming pools.
Villa del Carmen Bed & BreakfastBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 66km+1190m-748mWe have a tough start with a 6-km climb, but it's through scenic terraced rice fields, so stop for photos and take a breather! When we reach the top, we have a great downhill of 20 km. Breath-taking views are guaranteed as we whiz by villages on our way to the coastal town of Jagna. We then follow the coast to the provincial town of Anda and our beachside resort.
Anda White Beach ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 59km+692m-1137mToday is yours to rest or to explore the beautiful beaches of Anda. One option would be to visit Lamanok Island and the anthropologically important cave paintings – made with bare hands – that date back tens of thousands of years. You can also see fossilised giant clams on the island. Other options are to snorkel the coral reefs off the beach or to just relax by the pool.
Anda White Beach ResortBreakfast, DinnerWe cycle through rural Bohol, seeing rice fields to our left and right as we cycle through the town of Alicia, named after the wife of former president Elpidio Quirino. After 50 km, we get into the vehicle and transfer one hour to the town of Bilar. Back on the bikes, we cycle to Inambacan Falls where we can have a dip in the crystal-clear pools. We end with a 6-km cruise down to our beachside resort.
Kayla'a ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 69km+581m-723mAnother day of great coastal riding. In Loay, we visit an ancestral house and try "corn" coffee and "tablea" chocolate harvested in the Philippines. We stop in Baclayon and visit the stone church, considered one of the oldest in the Philippines. We then continue riding to Panglao Island, where we have lunch at an organic bee farm. After that, we end the day at yet another stunning beach, this one is known for its white sands.
Linaw Beach ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 50km+294m-291mWe transfer to Tagbilaran, where we take the morning ferry to Siquijor. The island has a reputation as a place of magic and sorcery; it is now more famous for its healers that perform rituals where incantations are sung and where potions of herbs, roots, insects, and tree barks are concocted. From the ferry, we cycle 15 km to our hotel. Then the choice is yours to relax at the beach or to continue cycling another 18 km to Cambugahay Falls, a cascading multi-tiered waterfall, with fresh and clean water coming from natural springs forming many beautiful natural lagoons. After a refreshing dip, we head back to our beach resort.
Coco Grove ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 50km+582m-574mWe circumnavigate the mystical island on its coastal road. We stop along the way and visit Cang-Isok House, which dates back to the mid-1800s and is the oldest house in Siquijor, St. Isidore Convent, known as the biggest convent in Asia, and Capilay Spring Park, a natural spring. On our ride, we'll meet lots of locals working on their fishing nets or boats, reminding us how important the sea is to island life.
Coco Grove ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 75km+655m-656mWe'll cycle Siquijor's “Highlands”, but be prepared for serious climbs as we visit the heart of this mysterious island. We will try and visit with a local healer. Once we reach Mount Bandilaan National Park, we have a spectacular downhill waiting for us. As we near the coast, we'll take a break at the refreshing Cambugahay Waterfalls for a dip. We then can ride or take transport back to the resort, depending on how the legs feel after all those climbs! There's also the option to visit nearby Apo island, a marine sanctuary, for diving or snorkelling.
Coco Grove ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 50km+947m-953mToday, we'll be on three islands and two boats! After breakfast, we'll have a short ride to the pier where we take a ferry to Dumaguete on Negros Island. We then cycle around 11 km before we take another short ferry ride across the Tañon Strait, which is known for whale and dolphin watching. Hopefully, we'll get lucky and spot some during our crossing. Once we land on Cebu, an amazing coastal ride brings us all the way to Moalboal.
Turtle Bay Dive ResortBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 86km+582m-582mWe cross narrow but hilly Cebu Island to Carcar City. In Carcar, we hop into our support vehicle that brings us back to our hotel in Cebu. In the evening, we visit TOPS, the famous viewpoint with amazing city views. It's time then for our farewell dinner where we can reminisce about all we have seen and done on the tour.
Quest HotelBreakfast, Lunch, DinnerRide 54km+600m-604mTime to say goodbye to Cebu. We can drop you at Mactan International Airport.
BreakfastDisclaimer: 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.
Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. The bikes are well-known makes of mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, disc brakes, and Shimano components and front suspension. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike with front suspension and in good mechanical order.
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.
Climate in the Philippines is hot, humid, and tropical. The average yearly temperature ranges from 25°C/ 78°F to 32°C/90°F. Filipinos generally recognize three seasons: Summer from March to May (the hottest); Rainy Season from July to November (the wettest and also typhoon season) and Cold Season from December to February (moderate for those from temperate countries).
Meals are included as per the itinerary where B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere, but is NOT included in the price.
SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20, for incidentals per day.
We recommend that you tuck away aThe currency in the Philippines is the peso (P), which is also spelled piso in Filipino. ATMs, which are abundant, are the easiest way to get pesos. For getting cash, Cirrus and Plus are the most widely accepted; for cash advances, MasterCard is the most widely accepted, followed by Visa. Banks offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need pesos for family-run guest houses or restaurants.
If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:
Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.
You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.
There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.
From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).
If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.
Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.
We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.
The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.
In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.
In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.
The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.
If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).
If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).
Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.
If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.
The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary
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