7 Days Solo Backpacking in Region 10, 11, and BARMM

Provinces visited in Regions 10, 11, and BARMM

1. Lanao del Norte
2. Lanao del Sur
3. Misamis Oriental
4. Bukidnon
5. Davao del Norte
6. Compostela Valley
7. Davao City

Budget and Expenses:

• Total: 11,653.84, breakdown below
• Expenses without airfare: 9,464 pesos
• Airfare: 2,189.84 pesos (two way)

Day 0 and Day 1 - Traveling from Manila to Iligan City, Lanao del Norte

• We departed at NAIA around 8 in the morning and arrived in Laguindingan Airport (CGY) past 9:30 in the morning. Travel period was about an hour and 30 minutes.
• By the airport's exit, rode in a van to Iligan City. The fare was 200 pesos. Travel time was 1 hour and 45 minutes.
• Alighted at the Central Terminal.
• Met Jan Jan, my driver/tour guide.
• Habal tour was 700 pesos.
• Visited the tourist spots below.
• After Paseo de Santiago, we headed to D'Morvie to check in. I paid 448 pesos for an overnight stay. The room has single bed, cable TV and toilet and bath.
• Rested for a few minutes.
• Using Google Maps, walked on the street and had dinner at one of the carinderia nearby. By the way, I spent 105 pesos for dinner.
• Then, headed back to the hotel.
• Tidied up and rested.
• End of Day 1.

Tourist Spots in Iligan City:

1. Maria Cristina Falls
2. Mimbalot Falls
3. Tinago Falls
4. Paseo De Santiago

Where to Stay in Iligan City:

1. D'Morvie Suites
2. Go Hotels Iligan
3. The Loft Hotel
4. Socor Pension House
5. Kingsway Iligan

If you're looking for other hotels, reviews from other tourists, updated prices for comparison, or you want book them, Agoda made it easier for you, just click HERE.

Day 2 - A Day Trip in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur

How to Get to Marawi City:

In Iligan Jeepney Southbound Terminal (labelled in Google Maps), I took a ride in an FX to Marawi City. ETD Iligan City: 8:30 AM, ETA Marawi City: 9:38 AM, so that's an hour travel time for 80 Pesos

• From D'Morvie Suites, rode on a habal to terminal: 100 pesos.
•  Alighted near the open field of Mindanao State University.
• Walked inside the campus of MSU.
• Walked to Aga Khan Museum.
• Explored the museum for almost 2 hours.
• Then, using Google Maps, walked to the terminal (Marawi to Iligan).
• Rode in a van from Marawi to Iligan Fare for 70 Pesos.
• Rode on a habal to Tambo Terminal for 100 Pesos.
• Had lunch at the carinderia for 60 Pesos.
• Rode in a Rural Transit Bus to CDO. Fare: 100 Pesos. Travel Time: 3 Hours
• Beside Rural Terminal, took a jeep to LimketKai, but alighted in front of Gaisano Mall.
• Crossed using footbridge, walked to GV Hotel.
• Checked in for 550 pesos. The room has AC, cable TV, and toilet and bath.
• Rested for a few minutes.
• Headed to Gaisano for dinner. Spent 105 pesos.
• Had coffee break at Starbucks.
• Headed by to GV.
• Tidied up.
• Rested.
• End of Day 2.

Tourist Attractions in Marawi City:

1. Aga Khan Museum
2. The Ground Zero
3. Lake Lanao
4. The Grand Sarimanok Sports Stadium
5. The Golden Mosque
6. Masjid Calocan
7. Rizal Park

Where to Stay in Cagayan de Oro:

1. GV Hotel
2. G-Galyx Inn Hotel
3. Leope Hotel Cagayan
4. Rich Manor Pension House
5. Emerald Suites CDO

GV Hotel is highly recommended because it's affordable. If you're looking for other hotels, reviews from other tourists, updated prices for comparison, or you want book them, Agoda made it easier for you, just click HERE.

Day 3 - Getting Around Bukidnon

• Still in CDO, I woke up early and tidied up.
• Had a breakfast at the fastfood for 110 Pesos.
• Then, using Google Maps, I walked on the streets to the Gaston Park.
• Visited City Museum of Cagayan de Oro.
• Visited Plaza Divisoria.
• Visited Museo de Oro.
• It was around 10 in the morning when I headed back to GV.
• Tidied up and packed my stuff.
• Then, checked out.
• In front of GV Hotel, I rode in a trike to Agora Terminal for 10 pesos.

Traveling from CDO to Bukidnon:

How to Get to Bukidnon:

• In Agora Terminal, rode in a van to Malaybalay, alighted near Jollibee, that's before Gaisano. ETD: 11:38 AM , ETA Malaybalay: 1:45 PM. Fare: 130 Pesos.
• Using Google Maps, I walked on the streets to Green Ridge Apartelle.
• Checked in at Green Ridge Apartelle for 550 pesos.
• Rested and settled my things in the cabinet.
• Then, walked again to the highway, rode in a multicab to Nasuli: 25 Pesos. Travel Time: 30-45 minutes. Alighted in front of Iglesia ni Kristo. Used Google Maps to locate my destination and current position.
• Rode in a habal to Nasuli Cold Spring and Matin-Ao Spring for 100 pesos.
• After my visit at the two natural springs, by the highway, rode in a multicab back to the city proper for 25 pesos.
• Visited Erección del Pueblo and Rizal Park.
• Dinner in Gaisano for 105 Pesos.
• Bought Tinapay for 28 Pesos. This is for breakfast.
• Walked back to Green Ridge.
• Tidied up and rested.

Tourist Spots in Bukidnon:

1. Nasulu Cold Spring
2. Matin-ao Spring
3. Rizal Park
4. Dahilayan Adventure Park
5. Kaamulan Park

Where to Stay in Bukidnon:

1. Green Ridge Apartelle
2. Malibu Homes
3. Lina Suites
4. Simple Elegance Home
5. Maila's Lodging House

Green Ridge Apartelle is highly recommended because it's affordable and accessible because it's in front of the Capitol Grounds. If you're looking for other hotels, reviews from other tourists, updated prices for comparison, or you want book them, Agoda made it easier for you, just click HERE.

Day 4 - Traveling from Malaybalay to Davao City

• Woke up early.
• Early jogging on the track of the Capitol Grounds.
• Visited Kaamulan Park and Zoo.
• Tidied up and pack my stuff.
• Checked out.
• Using Google Maps, walked to Malaybalay Bus Terminal.
• While waiting for the departure, had lunch at the carinderia for 45 pesos.
• Rode in a bus to Davao City and alighted at Ecoland Terminal.
• ETD Malaybalay: 11:00 AM, ETA Davao: 5 PM . The fare was 466 pesos.
• Habal to D’ Morvie Suites for 70 Pesos.
• Checked in for 448 pesos overnight. The room was small with single bed, flat screen TV, WiFi and mobile signal was very slow. They have swimming pool but has a separate fee. Also, there are small crawlers like cockroaches.
• Had dinner at McDo in Bangkerohan for 105 pesos.

Affordable Place to Stay in Davao City:

1. D’ Morvie Suites
2. Daylight Inn
3. Ho Inn Hotel Davao
4. Go Hotels Lanang
5. Davao Central Suites
6. Hotel Midori Davao
7. Napsule Suites
8. Super OYO 604

Day 5 - A Quick Visit in Tagum City, Davao del Norte

• This is a cutting trip to Awao Falls, in Davao de Oro.
• Still in Davao City, had a breakfast in Bankerohan.
• Using Google Maps, I walked on the street to the City Hall.
• Visited Rizal Park
• Then, headed back to D’Morvie Suites.
• Tidied up. Packed up. Andaming Up.
• I checked Out at D'Morvie.
• Using Google Maps, walked to Almendras Gym.
• Rode a jeep to Ecoland Terminal.
• Rode in a bus to Tagum City. ETD Davao City: 9:20 AM, ETA Tagum City: 12NN. The fare was 90 pesos.
• Habal from the terminal to Gaisano for 30 pesos.
• Lunch at Greenwich for 149 pesos.
• Using Google Maps, walked to Parish of Christ the Eucharistic King.
• Walked to WBC Lodge and checked in for 300 Pesos. The room is not bad, the TV is CRT but has a lot of Cignal Premium channels. Has own toilet and bath.
• Had, dinner for 105 Pesos.
• Headed back to the lodge.
• Tidied up and rested.
• End of Day 5.

Day 6 - A Visit to the stunning Awao Falls

How to Get to Awao Falls:

• Rode in a Bachelor bus and alighted in Monkayo Terminal.
• ETD Tagum Terminal: 9 AM and ETA Monkayo: 10:40 AM. The fare was 116 Pesos.
• While waiting for the departure, bought hopia for 30 pesos, bread for 16 Pesos.
• Then, took a ride on a habal to Awao Falls. Paid him 1000 pesos for back and forth.
• Entrance Fee: 30 Pesos
• We stayed in Awao Falls for an hour and 30 minutes and headed back to the terminal.
• Rode in a bus to Davao City for 248 pesos.
• While on a stop over, bought siopao for 20 pesos and hopia for 21 pesos.
• Took a taxi from Ecoland Terminal to D’ Morvie Suites for 100 pesos.
• Checked In at D'Morvie for 448 Pesos/24 Hours
• Dinner: 112 Pesos
• Tidied up and rested.
• End of Day 6.

Day 7 - Getting Around Davao City

• Woke up early.
• Fixed myself, pero wala namang mali sakin.
• Walked to Bankerohan for breakfast: 95 Pesos.
• Using Google Maps, I walked on the streets to Davao City Hall, Quezon Park, Rizal Park, Osmenia Park,
• Beside Osmenia Park, I rode in a jeep Route 6.
• Alighted at Magsaysay Park, then visited Chinatown Arch.
• Rode a taxi to the Crocodile Park for 170 pesos.
• Crocodile Farm Entrance Fee: 350 pesos
• Bought Malong at the souvenir shop for 300 pesos.
• Took a taxi to the People's Park for 170 pesos.
• Waked to McDo Malengke.
• Had Lunch/Merienda/Dinner for 105 pesos. Gusto mo yun, pinag-isa ko na.
• Walked to D'Morvie San Pedro.
• Tidied up.
• Watched some videos.
• Rested.
• Around 8 PM, I checked out for my flight.
• Took a taxi ride to the airport for 250 pesos.
• Bought some pasalubong worth 200 pesos. Pero ako din kumain sa airport.
• Flown back to Manila.
• And arrived at home safely.

Other Attractions to Visit in Davao City:

1. Lon Wa Temple
2. Mindanao Taoist
3. Freedom Park
4. Roxas Night Market
5. Davao Butterfly Garden
6. Philippine Eagle Center
7. Should try crocodile sisig
8. Museo Dabawenyo
9. D’ Bone Collector Museum

The Summary:

On this journey, I was able to visit 6 provinces plus Davao City. Today, I just realized that there are cities in Davao Region that I haven't heard about, like Panabo City. Also, I've spent a total of 11,653.84 pesos; by average, that's around 1,600 pesos per day.

Click Helpful Links Below:

• Read: About the Author
• Read: 6 Days Backpacking in Batanes
• Read: Backpacking in Surigao, Agusan, Camiguin
• Read: Solo-Backpacking in Capiz, Antique, Guimaras, Ilo-Ilo
• Read: Backpacking in Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes
• Read: 9 Days Solo Backpacking in Sox, Caraga, BARMM
• Read: Backpacking Cagayan, Apayao, Isabela
• Read: Solo-Backpacking in Northern Samar
• Read: 9 Days Solo Backpacking in BARMM, Reg 9, Misamis

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