Island Hopping in the Philippines
Philippines Bike Tours
Bike the Philippine Islands
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length13 days
- Prices from$3520 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
With 7,107 islands that make up this archipelago in South-East Asia, the Philippines is the perfect setting for this island-hopping bike tour. From the long and narrow island of Cebu, you will ferry to Bohol and the famous Chocolate Hills, then to volcanic Camiguin, mysterious Siquijor, and on to Negros before returning once again to Cebu. Five islands will be explored, via six ferries, and wonderful cycling.
By hopping from one island to the next, you will experience first hand how different the islands are, despite being so close geographically. You will notice that one thing that all of the islands have in common, though, is the exuberant, fun-loving, and easygoing Filipinos!
This route has been designed not only to see a wide variety of the islands but the best sites on each as well. The riding is varied including undulating roads, short steep climbs, awesome descents, and of course, refreshing flat coastal roads.
Highlights
- Island hopping and exploring by ferry and bike!
- Pristine waters and world-famous beaches
- Cebu, cultural hub
- Bohol's chocolate mountains
- Volcanoes of Camiguin
- Mysterious Island of Siquijor
- Alona Beach
- Unique fusion cuisine, linked to a history shaped by colonialism
Looking for a different flavor? Explore our bike tours in Thailand, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Cebu
Day 2: Cebu City - Loboc, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 3: Loboc - Carmen - Sierra Bullones, 41 mi. (66 km)
Day 4: Sierra Bullones - Anda, 37 mi. (59 km)
Day 5: Anda Rest Day
Day 6: Anda - Dimiao, 43 mi. (69 km)
Day 7: Dimiao - Panglao, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 8: Panglao - Siquijor, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 9: Siquijor Coastal Loop, 47 mi. (75 km)
Day 10: Siquijor Highlands Loop, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 11: Siquijor-Moalboal, 54 mi. (86 km)
Day 12: Moalboal - Cebu, 34 mi. (54 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, 24 mi. (39 km)
In the early morning, you board a boat to navigate to Tagbilaran, the capital of Bohol. 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: +403m/-399 mDay 3: Loboc - Carmen - Sierra Bullones, 41 mi. (66 km)
There is a hill to conquer this morning but then you cycle through a mahogany forest, enjoying two km of shade under the tall trees before riding through rice fields and small villages. Your break will find you visiting a butterfly garden and then continuing to the world-famous Chocolate Hills, a short but steep climb. The summit provides a wonderful view of the unusual geological formation, 1,776 hills spread over an area of approximately 50 square kilometers. After lunch, the ride continues to Sierra Bullones. You bike uphill through scenic rice terraces still worked by water buffaloes to the hotel. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Villa del Carmen Bed & Breakfast
Elevation gain/loss: +1190m/-748 mDay 4: Sierra Bullones - Anda, 37 mi. (59 km)
You start with a 6-km climb through scenic terraced rice fields and at the top reach the top, a great downhill of 20 km awaits. Breath-taking views are guaranteed as you whiz by villages on your way to the coastal town of Jagna, following the coast to the provincial town of Anda and your beachside resort. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Anda White Beach Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +692 m/-1137 mDay 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 Lamanok 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 sparking pool awaits you back at the resort. (B,D)Accommodation: Anda White Beach Resort
Day 6: Anda - Dimiao, 43 mi. (69 km)
You cycle through rural Bohol, rice fields on either side, through the town of Alicia, named after the wife of former president Elpidio Quirino. After 50 km, you are transfered one hour to the town of Bilar. Once, back on the bikes, the route continues to Inambacan Falls where you can dip in the crystal-clear pools, ending with a 6-km cruise down to your beachside resort. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Kayla'a Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +581m/-723 mDay 7: Dimiao - Panglao, 31 mi. (50 km)
Another day of great coastal riding. In Loay, you visit an ancestral house and try "corn" coffee and "tablea" chocolate harvested in the Philippines. You stop in Baclayon and visit the stone church, considered one of the oldest in the Philippines. You continue riding to Panglao Island, for lunch at an organic bee farm. After that, you end the day at yet another stunning beach, this one is known for its white sands. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Linaw Beach Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +294 m/-291 mDay 8: Panglao - Siquijor, 31 mi. (50 km)
You transfer to Tagbilaran for a morning ferry to Siquijor. The island has a reputation as a place of magic and sorcery and 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, you cycle 15 km to your 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, clean water coming from natural springs forming many beautiful natural lagoons. After a refreshing dip, you head back to our beach resort.Accommodation: Coco Grove Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +294 m/ -281 mDay 9: Siquijor Coastal Loop, 47 mi. (75 km)
Today you circumnavigate the mystical island on the coastal road, stopping along the way to visit Cang-Isok house, which dates back to the mid-1800s and is the oldest house in Siquijor, the St. Isidore Convent, known as the biggest convent in the whole of Asia and Capilay Spring Park a natural spring. On the ride, you will meet many locals working on their fishing nets or boats, reminding us how important the sea is to island life. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Coco Grove Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +655 m/-656 mDay 10: Siquijor Highlands Loop, 31 mi. (50 km)
You will cycle Siquijor's “Highlands”, but be prepared for serious climbs as you visit the heart of this mysterious island. Perhaps you will visit a local healer. Once you reach Mount Bandilaan National Park, you have a spectacular downhill waiting. As you near the coast, you will break at the refreshing Cambugahay Waterfalls for a dip and can then 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 snorkeling. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Coco Grove Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +947 m/-953 mDay 11: Siquijor - Moalboal, 54 mi. (86 km)
Today, you will be on three islands and two boats! A short ride to the pier after breakfast to take a ferry to Dumaguete on Negros Island. You then cycle around 11 km before you take another short ferry ride across the Tañon Strait, which is known for whale and dolphin watching. Hopefully, you will get lucky and spot some during the crossing. Once you land on Cebu, an amazing coastal ride brings you to Moalboal. (B,L,D)Accommodation: Turtle Bay Dive Resort
Elevation gain/loss: +582 m/-528 mDay 12: Moalboal - Cebu, 34 mi. (54 km)
We cross narrow but hilly Cebu Island to Carcar City. In Carcar, you hop into the support vehicle to ride back to the hotel in Cebu. In the evening, you visit TOPS, the famous viewpoint with amazing city views. It's time then for the farewell dinner where you can reminisce about all you have seen and done on tour.Day 13: Cebu
Time to say goodbye to Cebu. Transfer back to Mactan International Airport.Looking for more? Check out all our bike tours or look at our featured trips, specials, and news.
Map
Accommodation
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.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 12 nights
- Airport pickup/dropoff transfers
- Meals as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
- Snacks, local fruits, and water are provided throughout the day when cycling
- English-speaking tour guide (two guides if the group is larger than 9)
- 24 to 27-speed Trek mountain bike
- Support vehicle
- Sightseeing tickets as mentioned in the itinerary
- Complimentary water bottle and bike jersey
What’s Not Included
- International/domestic flights
- Alcoholic drinks
- Visa fees
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Sundays
February 19, April 9, September 10, October 8, & December 17, 2023
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Twin/double: $ 5509 £ 2893 $ 4,883 € 3346 ₪ 13310 ¥ 501923 NZ$ 5938 NOK 40152 kr 39016 $ 3,520 Single supplement: $ 587 £ 308 $ 520 € 356 ₪ 1418 ¥ 53472 NZ$ 633 NOK 4278 kr 4157 $ 375 *
*You can avoid the single surcharge if you are willing to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender. If a roommate is not found, you will enjoy a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a room, a single supplement will be incurred.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Difficult
This fully guided and fully supported bike tour covers 598 km in nine cycling days, primarily on tarmac roads with little traffic. You will average 60 km per day. There are a few sections of dirt roads, but there is no technical riding required. There are a few challenging climbs and some fast, sweeping descents. Any portion of the ride can be skipped by utilizing the support vehicle. You should be in relatively overall good physical shape with at minimum a moderate degree of cycling experience. Your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up regarding distance and difficulty.
Airport Info
Fly in and out of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB).
Local Travel
Arrival and departure transfers are included in your tour price.
Climate
The climate in the Philippines is hot, humid, and tropical. 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).
Recommended
Wearing a helmet is required 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 safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance.
Remarks
We recommend that you visit your family physician 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.
Wearing a helmet is required and is non-negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet, you will not be permitted to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree, you are responsible for your own safety while riding.Important to know
Travel documents
All nationalities require a passport for entry into the Philippines. Please ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. If staying less than 30 days then a visa is not required by European, North American, Australian, and many other nationalities. The exceptions being passport holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), British National Overseas (BNO), and Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) who are only allowed up to 7 days stay without a visa. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of the Philippines. For stays longer than 30 days, a Temporary Visitors Visa is required.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Spice Roads.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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