Island Hopping in the Philippines

Day 1: Arrival in Cebu 
Day 2: Cebu City - Loboc, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 3: Loboc - Carmen, 32 mi. (53 km)
Day 4: Carmen - Sierra Bullones - Anda, 51 mi. (83 km)
Day 5: Anda Rest Day
Day 6: Anda - Dimiao, 39 mi. (62 km)
Day 7: Dimiao - Panglao - Tagbilaran, 47 mi. (76 km)
Day 8: Tagbilaran - Siquijor, 17 mi. (27 km) 
Day 9: Siquijor Coastal Loop, 53 mi. (86 km)
Day 10: Siquijor Highlands Loop, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 11: Siquijor - Dumaguete - Moalboal, 43 mi. (70km)
Day 12:  Moalboal - Cebu, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 13: Cebu

* This adventure cycling tour often goes beyond the beaten track and therefore is not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. The trip will not be changed unless needed for safety or improvement. 

Day 1: Arrival in Cebu 
Upon arrival, a transfer is included from the airport to the hotel. In the evening, there will be an introductory meeting and dinner during which you will learn about the tour and meet your fellow cyclists. (D)

Accommodation: Quest Hotel

Day 2: Cebu City - Loboc, 19 mi. (30 km)
In the early morning, you board a boat to navigate to Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol. We will meet our reliable support vehicle, a typical Filipino 'jeepney,' and transfer to a short distance to have lunch and have our bike-fitting. After lunch, you ride a quiet dirt road through small villages, past a small lake, and terraced rice paddies to a paved road that leads to the Tarsier Sanctuary. After learning about these unique nocturnal creatures and hopefully sighting one or two, you are back on the bikes for a fabulous winding ride down to the picturesque Loboc River and your resort. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Loboc River Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +296m/-341m

Day 3: Loboc - Carmen, 32 mi. (53 km)
Today's ride takes us deep into the heart of Bohol. It will need some moderate climbing, but the view along the route is well worth the effort. After 5 kilometers, we stop at a viewpoint overlooking a gorge of the Loboc River surrounded by the dense jungle canopy. Those who are feeling adventurous can zip line or ride a cable car over the gorge (at their own expense). Back on our bikes, we ride up to the Carmen Plateau, passing through a rustic rural landscape of rice paddies, coconut groves, and fruit orchards. You'll paddle for about 40 km until you reach the world-famous Chocolate Hills, a stunning area coated with 1,200 symmetrical brown-earth-hued hills. According to local tradition, the hills were built by quarreling giants tossing rocks at each other. A geological explanation is also available; however, it is a little more complicated! After saddling up for the day, we'll drive up to one of the hills' tops for lunch and panoramic views. We will spend the night in a charming guesthouse near Carmen. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Villa del Carmen Bed & Breakfast
Elevation gain/loss: +649m/-407m

Day 4: Carmen - Sierra Bullones - Anda, 51 mi. (83 km)
The journey begins with a 15 km flat road ride through picturesque farmlands before ascending 17 km into the Sierra Bullones highlands. The landscape is a mix of lush jungle and emerald rice terraces, showcasing the rural Philippines. The summit at 790 m ASL is reached, followed by a 20 km descent down the other side of the highlands, passing villages and vistas of mist-clad mountains surrounding rice terraces. After lunch in Jagna, the journey continues for 30 km to Anda, tracing an undulating coast-hugging route with frequent glimpses of scenic bays. The ride ends at a cozy boutique resort on a rocky headland overlooking the Pacific Ocean. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Blue Star Dive & Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +1049m/-1278m

Day 5: Anda Rest Day
After many kilometers of cycling, today you'll enjoy a much-deserved rest day! One option is to head to the beautiful beaches of Anda, where you can relax, snorkel the coral reefs, and sunbathe. Another option would be to visit Lamanoc Island and the anthropologically important cave paintings - made with bare hands - that date back tens of thousands of years. You can also see fossilized giant clams on the island. The sparkling pool awaits you back at the resort. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Blue Star Dive & Resort

Day 6: Anda - Dimiao, 39 mi. (62 km)
This day, we will cycle through Bohol's off-the-beaten path, starting with a 6 km jeepney transfer. We will cycle through the daily life of Visayas, tackling some climbs but not too arduous. After 40 km, we will stop for a picnic lunch at the Malinao Reservoir. We then cycle further to Bilar, where we will embark on an afternoon ride on paved and broken roads, passing through the countryside and downhills to the coast. We will visit a beautiful waterfall in the jungle, where we will enjoy a refreshing dip, then complete the final 5 km to reach our accommodations on the rocky shores of Dimiao. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Kayla's Beach Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +631m/-757m

Day 7: Dimiao - Panglao - Tagbilaran, 47 mi. (76 km)
This coastal riding tour starts from Dimiao and continues west, passing through numerous 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 connect to the country's Spanish colonial past and enduring Christian faith. We ride for 5 km to a bridge connecting the mainland to the offshore island of Panglao. The route covers nearly the entire island, featuring rolling terrain of rural, residential, and semi-urban areas. At the 50 km mark, we stop for lunch with views of the Bohol Sea and continue to Alona Beach. The ride ends at the Hinagdanan Cave, an underground chamber with stalactites and stalagmites. We will then travel by jeepney for 30 minutes to the bustling city of Tagbilaran which is where we’ll catch a boat to our next island the following morning! (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Bohol Tropics Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +380m/-375m

Day 8: Tagbilaran - Siquijor, 17 mi. (27 km) 
It's time to move islands for the second time, and this time we'll ride bikes from the hotel to a local port. We'll board a boat to Siquijor, where we'll spend two hours relaxing as we glide across the water, surrounded by islands jutting out of the Bohol Sea. We'll be greeted by a support jeepney after disembarking and taken to a hilltop restaurant for lunch. Siquijor is a beautiful island famed for its palm-tree-studded beaches, jungle-clad highlands, and rich cultural legacy. Some claim it has a reputation for sorcery and dark magic, although the residents and seaside resorts make that hard to believe. We'll ride 25 km to our beachfront resort, where we'll stay for three nights, after a pleasant drop to the shore. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Coco Grove Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +153m/-286m

Day 9: Siquijor Coastal Loop, 53 mi. (86 km)
The island adventure begins with an 86 km coastal road ride through Siquijor, navigating through uphills, downhills, and flat stretches. The first stop is the "Enchanted Balete Tree," a 400-year-old fig tree with a natural pool of pristine water inhabited by small fish. The journey then continues to Lazi, home to the Philippines' oldest coral stone Catholic Convent, with its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. The tour then continues to Salagdoong Beach, where visitors can admire the turquoise waters and jump in from a rocky outcrop. After lunch, we loop back to the resort, accompanied by frequent ocean views and passing by local fisherfolk displaying their catches. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Coco Grove Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +823m/-823m

Day 10: Siquijor Highlands Loop, 19 mi. (31 km)
This day's itinerary includes a 45-minute jeepney transfer to Mount Bandilaan National Park, where we enjoy panoramic views of the rainforest canopy. We then take a 10 km descent down the park's southern slopes, stopping at Cambugahay Waterfalls for a dip before lunch at a local eatery. After lunch, we can cycle back to the resort or relax by the beach. The day is flexible, and we may arrange a session with a traditional healer, providing insight into Siquijor's mysterious and esoteric side. However, this can only be confirmed on an ad-hoc basis, depending on the healer's availability. The itinerary is designed to be flexible and offers a unique cultural experience. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Coco Grove Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +286m/-859 m

Day 11: Siquijor - Dumaguete - Moalboal, 43 mi. (70km)
This day's cycling itinerary includes three islands and two boats. We will take the first ferry that departs from Siquijor pier at 5 AM, heading to the neighboring Negros Island. The boat takes about an hour to reach the town of Dumaguete, a charming port city, and we will have our breakfast there. The next ferry crosses the Tanon Strait to Cebu's southern tip. Both boat journeys this morning last about an hour and provide breathtaking views of the sea as well as an insight into the hustle and bustle of inter-island travel in the Philippines. When we arrive at the dock in southern Cebu, we get on our bikes and ride north for 70 kilometers along the coast. We pedal from one steep point to the next, in an up-down-straight rhythm, till we arrive at the beach village of Moalboal! This is coastal Cebu at its best, with fishing villages and old towns set against a gorgeous blue ocean backdrop. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Secret Paradise Moalboal
Elevation gain/loss: +463m/-461m

Day 12: Moalboal - Cebu, 27 mi. (44 km)
The "Moalboal Sardine Run" at sunrise is a breathtaking underwater phenomenon. Participants can swim above large schools of sardines and other aquatic species, such as turtles, along the coast and coral reef. This optional but highly recommended experience is followed by a fascinating journey across Cebu Island, facing difficult climbs and breathtaking views. The bike trip ends with a downhill sprint to the east coast. After packing bikes and boarding a support vehicle, the journey takes 2-3 hours to Cebu City. Lunch is provided, and a goodbye meal is shared in the evening after arriving in town and settling into a hotel. (B,L,D)

Accommodation: Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Elevation gain/loss: +758m/-753m

Day 13: Cebu
It's time to bid farewell to the Philippines, extend your stay in Cebu, or go for your next destination. There are many more islands to discover! We'll take you to the airport if you have a flight today. (B)

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Carefully chosen accommodations that are the best available for the location and offer a good mix from comfortable to luxurious lodges and resorts. On each day’s itinerary, you will find the preferred accommodation listed. If for any reason, a change is necessary due to availability or other circumstance, the alternative will always be of the same standard or better.

Bicycles

Mountain Bike

Marin Bolinas Ridge 1

• Series 1 6061 aluminum frame
• SR Suntour XCE Disc suspension fork, 100 mm travel, preload adjustment, 46 mm offset
• Shimano Tourney 3×7-speed shifters
• Shimano FD-TX600 front derailleur
• Alloy crankset with 42/34/24T chainrings
• Shimano CS-HG200 cassette, 11–32T
• Tektro MDM280 mechanical disc brakes, 160 mm rotors
• Forged alloy front and rear hubs, disc, 32H
• Marin double-wall alloy rims
• Black stainless steel spokes
• MTB tires 27.5″ or 29″ × 2.25″
• Marin 31.8 riser handlebar, 12 mm rise, 780 mm width
• Marin MTB saddle
• Nylon platform pedals

Electric Bike

The electric bikes available are from the brand E-VeLO.