Description

Visit the natural wonders of Siquijor, Philippines

Itinerary for visiting the natural wonders of Siquijor

Today we begin our journey with an early 8 a.m. pick-up from your hotel. There’s a lot of ground to cover, and we want to make sure to see it all at a comfortable pace without feeling rushed. Your guide should be waiting outside your hotel just before 8 a.m., so we can get moving right away.

Our first stop will be to learn a bit about the history of the island, and the perfect place to do this is at San Isidor Church and Convent in Lazi. It is a reminder and monument from the time of Spanish colonization several hundred years ago. Not the first time the Philippines was colonized (and not the last either) but the church’s age shows how long history there has been here in Siquijor, and the many changes it has gone through.

From here, we will head to the island’s famous Cambughuay Falls. One of the most iconic waterfalls on the island, and by getting there early, we should be some of the only swimmers there! There’s nothing quite like having a private tropical jungle lagoon to take a dip in!

Seasonally, we may visit some other nearby and less visited waterfalls & do some jungle hiking, though the only ideal months to do this are between August and December.

Once we’ve cooled off in the falls, we’ll be heading to another wonder of the island, Banahaw Cave. We can take a short hike into the cave (spelunking) and see some of the incredible stalactites and stalagmites which cover the cave’s floor and ceiling. There are some other beautiful formations as well. There are some tight squeezes in a few areas, so if you are claustrophobic, we don’t have to venture too deep in and avoid those areas.

After a morning full of activities, we’ll have worked up a good appetite. We’ll have a special Filipino picnic at a secret beach. Not too many people know about this beach, so we’ll be able to dine by the sea with the waves crashing, often with the beach nearly to ourselves.

After lunch, we’ll have a bit of time to enjoy the “Secret Beach” a little longer, before making our way over to a nearby cliff where you can take a leap of faith with some cliff diving. No pressure at all, if it’s something you’re not comfortable with, but there are some varying levels of platforms to jump from if you want to give it a try, or just enjoy the ocean swim and views.

We’ll go further around the island to Tulapos where you’ll be able to do some snorkelling with nearby mangroves attracting lots of tropical fish. The Philippines is a snorkel and SCUBA divers paradise – and though Siquijor isn’t known for being one of the top dive sites, it still has its own share of tropical fish to observe. This activity will be weather dependant, and seasonal. Of course, rain or cloudiness can affect the visibility and safety of snorkelling.

We’ll continue to one of the island’s higher points to stop for a quick coffee or iced tea recharge at the Triad Coffee. You’ll have an aerial view of the island and sea. It’s a perfect place to unwind and rest before continuing on our journey.

We’ll now head to the Mangrove Reserves which is an eco-lovers playground. The mangroves play an important role in reducing erosion on the island and create a unique ecosystem of aquatic life not found in other parts of the island.

Finally, we finish our epic journey at Paliton Beach, a popular western-facing beach that often has spectacular sunsets. There are often some locals selling icy cold beverages on the beach for you to enjoy, should you desire.

Once you’re ready to go, we will return you to your hotel, and our eco-experience together comes to a close! You’ll see every possible landscape during this full-day tour of Siquijor, and be able to appreciate the incredible diversity that can be found on this special Filipino island.

What is included in your Eco Experience in Siquijor?

Your Siquijor Eco Experience includes:

– information provided before your experience to educate you and properly prepare you
– pick-up and drop-off transfers to your hotel (must be located in Siquijor Island).
Note: We will use a private vehicle to get around the island, as the distances are quite far between some of the sites. We will use either a small SUV or a bigger tricycle (converted motorcycles with a carriage) depending on your group size.
– a specially trained and licensed English speaking guide who will facilitate your experience (an actual guide, not just a tricycle driver with a map)
– food (traditional Filipino lunch, with local treats from Siquijor) to keep your energy levels up
– Snorkelling equipment (weather dependant)

What is not included in your Eco Experience in Siquijor?

– Travel Insurance (Compulsory)
– International flights or transportation to/from the itinerary’s start point
– Accommodation in Siquijor (we suggest Agoda for the best hotel rates)
– Activities not listed in the itinerary
– Meals not listed in the itinerary
– Gratuities and tips
– All drinks
– Spending Money

Supporting Local Projects with our TRiP Foundation

Every TRiP that you go on with WSE Travel, we will donate 2% (or $1/day per day, per person – whichever is greater) to an environmental or community-based project in the country you’re visiting. We want to ensure that every guest we help, in turn, helps support and preserve the destination we’re experiencing together as a direct result. We live by an ethos to Travel Responsibly & Impact Positively (TRiP).

For more information on the projects supported by this experience, please visit our Philippines TRIP projects.