The Great Mindanao Road Trip

Mindanao is one of the three island in the Philippines and is the second largest of the three. It is covered by 6 administrative regions (Region IX-Zamboanga Peninsula, Region X- Northern Mindanao, Region XI-Davao Region, Region XII - SOCCSKSARGEN, Region XIII-CARAGA, and ARMM), 22 provinces, 33 cities. 

I've been in Davao several times since 2011. I have climbed Mt. Apo, the tallest mountain here in the Philippines in 2012 and 2014. Last year together with my fellow climber, we have climbed Mt. Kitanlad and Dulang-dulang prior to our Mt. Apo Climb. It was a success indeed and a great opportunities for us to explore Davao and Bukidnon on a road trip. Then I planned to have a great Mindanao adventure that will extend from Zamboanga to Butuan, a road trip that will cover 847km long road travelling. As soon as  there's a promo fare going to Zamboanga I grabbed it. 

Last June 1, 2015 together with Ma'am Precy (my co- faculty back in Perpetual) and Mr. Bhrama we landed at the first leg of our Mindanao adventure, in Zamboanga.

I have a number of goals for this trip:

1. I want to explore the some parts of Mindanao on a road trip by road  from province to province on a cheap way, I have lots of question coming from my mind: how do we get around easily and cheaply? What are the good route and Is it safe to travel around Mindanao?
2. Visit the most famous tourist attraction in Mindanao. At long last I'm finally going to Visit Maria Cristina Falls, Tinago Falls, Camiguin Island and the great Pink Beach in Sta. Cruz Island.
3. Take a peak in somewhat most feared city in the Philippines, Marawi City. in Lanao del Sur which is tagged as the Islamic City.  Is that place really dangerous.
4. Explore the different historical places in Butuan.

Heres our Itirenary 

01 June 2015 (06:55 AM)departure Manila
01 June 2015, (07:45 AM)arrival Zamboanga
8:30am Check in to Atilano Guesthouse

9:00am - 11:00am Explore Sta. Cruz Island

Paseo del mar Terminal Fee P20 each
Boat (2way) P1000 (accommodate 10pax) 
(20min travel time)

11:00am- 2:00pm Zamboanga City proper

Fort Pila Shrine and Museum

Zamboanga City Hall and Rizal park

Petit Barracks

Plaza Pershing

4:00-6:00 Pasonanca Natural park

6:00-8:00 Sunset viewing at Paseo del Mar

02 June 2015  Zamboanga to Pagadian (265km)
7:00am Departure to Pagadian City
2:30pm Arrival to Pagadian City

3:00 Check in Hotel Camila

3:00-6:00  Explore City

 Ride the Iconic Pagadian Tricycle

 Enjoy the view at the rotunda

Pagadian City Hall and Plaza Luz

03 June 2015 

7:00am Pagadian to Iligan (142km)
12:30 Arrival to Iligan City
2:00pm Ma. Cristina Falls

3:00 Mimbalut Falls

4:00 Tinago Falls

04 June 2015  

7:30 Iligan to Marawi City (39.2km)

9:00-11:00 Explore Marawi City

Mindanao State University

Aga Khan Museum

King Faisal Mosque

Original Km. 0 Marker

Lake Lanao

1:00pm Iligan to CDO  (90km)

3:00pm CDO to Balingoan  (88.6km)

6:00  Balingoan Port  to Camiguin

7:00 -  Check in  

05 June 2015 all day Camiguin
5:00am  White Island

9:00am-12:00 Explore Camiguin

Sunken Cemetery

Katibawasan Falls

Soda Swimming Pool

2:00pm Camiguin Port to Balingoan port 

3:00pm Balingoan Port to Butuan

6:00pm Arrival to Butuan

7:00 Check in

06 June 2015, Saturday,

Explore Butuan City

3:30pm Departure from Butuan
06 June 2015, Saturday, 1655 H Arrival to Manila