If you need some help creating your own itinerary for a trip to Cebu, Philippines, you can reference our itinerary to get you started. Enjoy!

Day 1

1000         ETA Mactan Cebu International Airport
                 Bought breakfast to-go
1100         ETA Bus Terminal via white taxi (150php/taxi; 4pax/taxi)
1330         ETD Bus Terminal
1500         ETA Hagnaya Port via Ceres bus (170php/pax)
1530         ETD Hagnaya Port
Terminal Fee(10php/pax)
1700         ETA Sta Fe Port via ferry (170php/pax)
1710         ETD Sta Fe Port
1730         ETA Anika Island Resort via van (Check in)
Dinner at Anika's local restaurant
Beach bumming

Day 2

0715 Breakfast at Anika's local restaurant
Start of Bantayan Island Tour (100php/Habal-habal)
0930         ETA Mangrove Garden via habal-habal (50php/pax)
1000         ETD Mangrove Garden
1030         ETA Public Market via habal-habal
Bought pasalubong and supplies
1040         ETD Public Market
1045         ETA Saint Paul and Peter Parish Church via habal-habal
1050         ETD Saint Paul and Peter Parish Church
1200         ETA Anika Island Resort via habal-habal
Lunch at Anika local restaurant
1345         ETD Anila Island Resort (Check out)
1415         ETA Virgin Island via boat ride (Check in) (2000php/boat rental good for 8 persons)
Swimming (rented snorkeling gear from boat guide for 100php)
Dinner (gave our boat guide 2000php the day before to prepare our dinner)

Day 3

0630 ETD Virgin Island Resort
0730         ETA Sta Fe Port via boat ride
0800         ETD Sta Fe Port
1000         ETA Hagnaya Port via ferry (170php/pax)
1030         ETD Hagnaya Port
1400         ETA Zubuchon @ Mango Mall via rented vehicle
1445         ETD Zubuchon @ Mango Mall
1520         ETA Sugbutel Family Hostel via taxi (Check in)
1600         ETD Sugbutel Family Hostel
        Start of City Tour
1630         ETA Magellan's Cross via Jeep (minimum fare)
1635         ETD Magellan's Cross
1645         ETA Fort San Pedro by foot
1710         ETD Fort San Pedro
1730         ETA Crown Regency Hotel via jeep (minimum fare)
        Skywalk (rates are here)
        Edge Coaster (rates are here)
1915         ETD Crown Regency Hotel
1935         ETA Larsian by foot
2030         ETD Larsian
2055         ETA Tabo-an Market via rented car
        Buy pasalubong
2115         ETD Tabo-an market
2215         ETA Tops via rented car
2300         ETD Tops
2400         ETA Sugbutel Family Hostel 

Day 4

0300          ETD Sugbutel Family Hostel (Check out)
0600          ETA Brumini Beach Resort, Oslob via rented car (Check in)
0700          ETD Brumini Beach Resort
0730          ETA Whale Shark Interaction Area via multicab
                Orientation
           Interaction
0800          ETD Whale Shark Interaction Area
0910          ETA Tumalog Falls via habal-habal (100php/habal-habal)
1010          ETD Tumalog Falls
1030          ETA Oslob Heritage Park via habal-habal
1045          ETD Oslob Heritage Park
1130          ETA Brumini Beach Resort via habal-habal
                  Lunch
1300          ETD Brumini Beach Resort
1400          ETA Sumilon Island via boat ride (2000php/boat)
1500          ETD Sumilon Island
1600          ETA Brumini Beach Resort via boat ride

Day 5

0500          ETD Brumini Beach Resort
0800          ETA Canyoneering in Badian via rented car
1000          ETA Kawasan Falls
1300          Lunch at nearby carinderia
1400          ETD Badian
1700          ETA Brumini Beach Resort via rented car

Day 6

0300          ETD Brumini Beach Resort (Check-out)
0500          ETA Mactan Cebu International Airport via rented car
0920          ETA NAIA Terminal 4

So, you want to climb the third highest mountain in the Philippines, eh? But you don't know what to bring, eh? This is the first time your camping, you say? Well, look no further! This here's a guide for people who are uncertain as to what to expect on their first camp in Pulag ever!

Trail: Ambangeg

Ambangeg is the easiest out of all the available trails in Mount Pulag. If you are a beginner, you'd probably want to hike on this path. You might want to do a bit of cardio training before the hike to make the experience less lung-rupturing. Although, you won't die if you don't. The trail is mostly flat and even so you'd be doing a lot of walking. Some parts are really muddy. A pair of good shoes is definitely something good to invest in. The only challenging part would be the ascent to the peak. If you've done some cardio, then the ascent won't harm you. If no, then prepare yourself for some lung-bursting gasping afterwards.

Campsite: Ranger's Station

Ranger's Station is located further away from the peaks as opposed to Campsite 1 and Campsite 2. But as of this writing, Ranger's Station is the only camping ground available so you don't really have a choice in that area. It's not too disappointing as the Ranger's Station has everything you need for a good camping experience.  They've got tents, sleeping bags, insulation pads, headlamps, and some other necessities for sale or rent. There is food and water everywhere. And there are also toilets, which, I presume, would be disappointing for some of you who wanted the wild kind of camp experience, pit of crap and all that.

The Things I Brought

If you've read some of my old posts, you'll find that I've never camped before. I am well-versed with the list of things to bring on a day hike but I am clueless as to the essentials for an overnight camp. There are a bajillion blog posts out there that may already have the information that you need but I'm adding my list anyway.

Item	Where I bought it	Other options	Was it useful?
Sleeping Bag	Lagalag	Sandugo, Ace Hardware, Ranger's Station	Definitely. Unless you like the feeling of the cold slowly seeping into your joints. You can also rent/buy insulation pads for warmth.
Emergency Blanket	Lagalag	Online	Saved my toes from saying goodbye during the night's rest. The moisture from the tent was crawling on my legs so I had to use it. It was super effective!
Headlamp	Ace Hardware	Online, Ranger's Station	Yes. I recommend that you don't be a cheapo and get the good one. It's worth it.
Rain Gear	Ace Hardware	Online	It didn't rain but I got to use the waterproof pants and it saved my lower garments from the mud and cold. Weather is one of the most unpredictable things so be sure to have your rain gear with you even if you think it won't rain.
Down Jacket	Ukay-ukay	Sports Apparel stores, Online	I borrowed one from my Mom which she bought from an ukay-ukay/thrift store. It's heavy during the travel and hike but it will save you from the wind chill at the peak
Bonnet	Apparel stores	Japanese home stores	I borrowed this again from my Mom. Good for keeping the head and ears warm.
Gloves	Surplus, Uniqlo	Apparel stores, Japanese home stores	I had two gloves. The pair from Uniqlo has some sort of heat tech. The pair from Surplus was something I bought long ago for day hikes. I combined their powers and succeeded in keeping my hands warm against the wind chill.
Socks	Apparel stores	Apparels	I had two pairs too. I wore the thick pair over the thin pair. It served me well during the camp and the stay in the peak.
Rubber shoes	Payless	Department stores, Sports apparels	I am a fan of Payless Shoesource. I buy all my shoes there. So when I found a pair that says it's slip-resistant and 24/7 comfort insole, I was sold. True enough, I didn't slip even once despite the muddy path. The shoes were thick enough to protect my toes from when I tripped over the rocks. If it weren't for those lovely pair of shoes, my toenails would've all died that day. The brand is SafeTStep, if you were wondering.
Backpack	Vietnam	Department stores, Sports apparels	My backpack is a North Face Hotshot bought in Vietnam. During the travel, I had with me the backpack and a tote bag. During the hike, I brought the backpack and stuffed my water bottle, trail food, and jacket in it. Other things were left at camp.

I didn't buy a tent because I learned that you can rent one there. The tents are decent enough and good for two people. I chose to rent because tents are really heavy. Well, at least, for a young beautiful maiden like me.

Medical Certificate

The Medical certificate or clearance is a requirement for your Pulag Hike. They will ask for it at the DENR Station. Do make sure that your medical clearance states that you are Fit to Climb as opposed to Fit to Work or Fit for Employment.

As for me, I downloaded the template and brought it to a Medicard clinic located in Festival Mall, Alabang. They required me to go through several tests which includes laboratory, x-ray and ECG.The X-ray results will be available after two working days so you might want to work on your medical clearance at least a week before the hike. I also have an HMO card so I didn't pay for anything at the counter.

My companions got there's at Healthway,Greenbelt. Acquiring your clearance here is easy as they will not require any tests. It is quite pricey though.

And that is all, my dear reader. Some resemblance of wisdom imparted from one Pulag beginner to another. I hope that you enjoy your hike and find your perseverance rewarded in the form of a scenic view of Pulag's iconic sunrise.

El Nido, Palawan will always be one of the most memorable travel destinations in my life because, man, the lime stones and the clear blue water is incomparable! We were able to spend 3 days in El Nido. Add two days of travelling and we spent a total of five days and four nights for the whole trip.



I wasn't involved in the preparation for this trip. The credit goes to my good friend, Jhoy. From the travel to the accommodation to the itinerary, everything was well planned. In contrast to our Boracay trip where we left the fates to decide what our trip would be like.



Here are the details of our trip:

Day 0
Arrival (Manila - Puerto Princesa - El Nido)	Van from Puerto Princesa to El Nido - php500 Tricycle from van terminal to Tay Miloys - php50/tricycle
Seaslug Restaurant
Day 1
Island Hopping (Tour A & B)	php1000/pax kayak at Small Lagoon - php150/2pax	Whole day We availed the tours from Tay Miloy's
Habibi Resturant
Day 2
Island Hopping (Tour C & D)	php1000/pax	Whole day We availed the tours from Tay Miloy's
Overnight Camping at Papaya Beach	Entrance php -150/pax Dinner - php2000/9pax Boat+guide+tent - php433/pax	Tay Miloy's staff prepared the dinner for us.  We gave them the money and they did everything. They also provided the boat and tents.
Day 3
Papaya Beach		Breakfast is provided by Tay Miloy's. Included in the 2k budget we gave them
Art Cafe		This is also where we went shopping for souvenirs
Twin Beach	Rented Van - php400/pax
Marimeg Beach
Skyline Restaurant	El Nido soup - php200/bowl
Squidos Restaurant
Departure (El Nido to Puerto Princesa)	tricycle to bus terminal - php50/tricycle bus to Puerto Princesa - php450/pax
Day 4
Departure (Puerto Princesa to Manila)	Tricycle from bus terminal to Airport - php70/tricycle	When we arrived at Puerto Princesa in the early hours of the morning, we slept in the parked bus until around 6 am.

Other fees:

• Environmental fee - php200. Paid to Tay Miloy's upon arrival in preparation of the tours
• Snorkeling gear - php100. Rented from Tay Miloy's. 
• Rooms - Contact Tay Miloy's for rates

Finally, I was able to spend a vacation at the beautiful island of Boracay! Thanks to one of the friend who found a cheap package online. Awyiss!

We were able to avail a package from Shadow Travel and Tours. You can check it out here. We got a package that includes air fare and hotel accommodation for 3 days and 2 nights for only php4k+. Not a bad deal, I believe. After a couple of e-mail exchanges later, and paying up via bank deposit, the booking confirmation was made. Boracay, here we come!



One of my friends and I tried to make an itinerary for the trip but we were having a hard time because of reasons. These reasons include not knowing what kind of activities the whole group wants (there were so many to choose from), how much does the activity cost, how long will it take, etc. Usually Google always has an answer for us (which was the case for our Puerto Princesa trip) but this time, nay. So we gave up on creating an itinerary and just hoped that everything would work out on it's own. 



And it did. We had a really great time! Although there are some things we were not able to do. All the more reason to come back when we get the chance :)

Day 1
Arrival
Pub crawl	php990/pax; php790/690 if online registration	5+ hours
Day 2
Island Hopping	php2300/6pax	3+ hours
Cliff Diving	php100/pax	15+ mins? Depends on how much bruises you want on your legs after a crappy jump how much of an adrenaline junkie you are
Parasailing	php1500/pax	15 mins
Helmet Diving	php500/pax	15 mins
Talipapa
Day 3
Beach Bumming	freeee	until you achieve an impressive tan line
Shopping	so many pesoses	until your wallet runs dry
Departure

We were able to haggle with the prices of some of the activities - One of the advantages of not reserving activities beforehand. There are also other expenses to take note of.

• Rental of snorkeling gear, php100
• Snorkeling fee during island hopping, php20
• Bread for fish feeding (optional), php10
• Terminal Fee at Jetty Port, php100 x 2 (Going there and coming back)
• Environmental Fee, php75
• Airport Terminal Fee, php100 (departure only)

Also, the hotel check-out time is 11am and our flight was set at 12 hours later. So we asked La Carmela if we could extend our stay. They said that we can check out by 12nn (still free) and then leave our luggage in their care so that we can go do whatever we want until the shuttle service arrives for us. It sounded good at first but we thought if we were to check out by 12nn, we'd have to be back in the hotel by 11 to pack up. That means we'd only be able to enjoy the beach an hour or two (because we wanted to swim near the grotto area which is quite a long walk from La Carmela). So we decided to stay until 3pm, which costs half the rate of the room. You can stay after 3pm but that will cost you the full price for the room.



And that sums up our itinerary and expenses of our short Boracay trip. I made separate blog posts about our activities in detail. You can check it out here:

Day 1: Pub Crawl
Day 2: Island hopping, cliff diving, parasailing, helmet diving, Talipapa
Day 3: Beach bumming, shopping


Photo credits: Rem Calumba, Wendy Fraginal