5 Days Backpacking in Mindanao (Surigao, Agusan, Camiguin)

Stunning photo of Hagonoy Island.

Our original plan was to hike Mt. Dulang-dulang and Mt. Kitanglad, but because of the question: “gusto nyo ba?” it was changed to backpacking in Northern Mindanao. It happened for a very, very short time. So from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, we rode on a bus with a Cagayan signboard and alighted at Agora Terminal. At the terminal, we rode in a bus with a Butuan signboard and alighted at Butuan Terminal. Then, another bus ride to Mangahoy, Bislig, Surigao del Sur. Our first destinations are the majestic tourist spots in Surigao del Sur.

Surigao del Sur Tourist Spots:

Photo of the majestic Tinuy-An Falls.

Tinuy-An Falls is definitely the top tourist spot in Bislig, Surigao del Sur. It is a huge waterfall with cool and crystal clear waters, surrounded by relaxing greens, creating the area a gorgeous landscape. The ambiance is so calm, with the fresh air blowing. Feel the pressure of the water falling by riding on the raft to the base of the waterfalls. One of the exciting and exhilarating experiences I had during our backpacking in Surigao del Sur was riding on a "skylab," the motorcycle or habal-habal in a side-by-side position. We did this after visiting the falls and heading to the highway to Bislig City. We alighted by the entrance of a private property. 

Photo of the Golden Matryosh Ka Doll.

John, our guide, mentioned Golden Matryosh Ka Doll (photo above) at International Doll House, and it’s our first time to hear such an inviting attraction. John told us that this doll house displays thousands of dolls and toys. There’s a doll with gold on her head, a doll with hair and eyelashes from the original Rose of Titanic, there’s a motorcycle toy with a value of 2.5 million pesos, and many more.

Still surprised by the value of each of the dolls inside the International Doll House, we rode in a tricycle back to our pension house. Tidy up. Packed our stuff and proceeded to the I Love Bislig sign along the highway. On this spot, we rode in a van with a Tandag signboard (60 pesos fare) and alighted in Maglambing, Tagbin. Then, a motorcycle ride to the location of Libuacan Cold Spring,  20 pesos per head, one way. No entrance fees, just donations.

Libuacan Cold Spring is part of our must-visit tourist destinations in Surigao del Sur. We felt sad because the famous Enchanted River was closed due to its renovations but it's fine, there will always be a perfect time for us; anyways, let’s go back to Libuacan Cold Spring. It is a river system with cold and crystalline water, free-flowing and surrounded by relaxing greens. Since the area is surrounded by trees, the ambiance is cool and relaxing; everything seems fresh. We stayed here for a couple of hours.

After enjoying the beauty of the cold spring, we rode in a tricycle. At Maglambing, by the highway, we rode in a Van with a Tandag signboard and alighted in San Agustin, Barobo Bus Terminal. At the terminal, a driver offered his service for only 300 pesos to San Agustin. Since it's a huge savings than having another bus ride, we accepted. The next day, it was a fun island hopping at Britania Group of Islets.

Be transformed as you meditate at the garden of vines that heals every soul’s weary at Hagonoy, Naked, Boston, and Hiyor-historian Islands – three gorgeous Britania Group of Islets. These islets are small but have fine white sand beaches and are surrounded by cool and crystal clear waters. They are like pearls in the ocean!

The whole Britania Island hopping was three to four hours, and we returned to the resort to prepare for another tiring land travel. Tidy up. Repacked and proceeded to our next destination – Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. By the highway, we rode on a bus with a Butuan signboard and alighted at the Butuan Terminal. Travel time was three hours. We stayed at Shine’s family in the city to lessen our expenses. The next day was a city tour.


Agusan del Norte Tourist Spots:


Photo taken at Balangay Shrine.

Balangay Shrine is a branch of the National Museum of the Philippines, which is just a small structure. Still, the artifacts inside are the ancient and historical remnants of Balangay and other things discovered in the area. Most parts of its structure are surrounded by glass to protect each of the relics. If I am not mistaken, I was in the fifth grade when I heard this word for the first time. The Filipino word Baranggay was derived from the word Balangay, which is a watercraft used by the ancient people in the Philippines for transportation, barter, and trade.

Photo at the entrance of Butuan National Museum.

After the Balangay Shrine, we rode in a tricycle again and proceeded to our next destination – the Butuan National Museum. It is one of the historical structures in Butuan City that houses and protects the relics discovered in the region. It also holds several objects used by the locals for their daily life, such as jars, ceramics and earthenware, hand-woven clothing, and many more.


Just a walking distance from Butuan National Museum, we found the Golden Tara. It is a molded gold figurine of a Tara or a goddess from the Buddhist Pantheon, which was found by a Monobo native along the Wawa River in Central Agusan. This image is cast in 21-karat gold that weighs nearly four pounds and measures around eight inches in height. However, it was acquired in 1922 by the Americans and bought by the wife of Governor General Wood. It is now housed in the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, IL, US.

After taking a few photos, we rode in a tricycle to the market and bought something for our dinner. Had our final packing and a nap. Around 2AM, we were at the Butuan Terminal for our next destination – Camiguin. From Butuan Terminal, we rode in a bus, alighted in Balingoan, and proceeded to the port, a walking distance from the terminal. At the port, we bought our ferry tickets and paid terminal fees. Travel time to Camiguin is an hour.

Photo: Clear water of Soda Swimming Pool.

Every time I hear the word Camiguin, I usually think of the best lanzones in the Philippines and the underwater cemetery. But during our visit, we saw how wealthy the top tourist spots and destinations in Camiguin are in terms of natural beauty, making the province one of the best tourist spots, tourist destinations, and tourist attractions in the Philippines. Backpacking is not a big problem here because at the port of Camiguin, multi-cab, with a driver, can be chartered for the whole day tour (that’s what we did).



What's funny about our backpacking in Northern Mindanao was after Camiguin (Wednesday). All of us were thinking that our flight would be on the next day (Thursday) evening. It was a blessing in disguise that we were unable to visit the White Island (still Wednesday) because of the bad weather. Before that, at the port, while we were starting the planning of our Iligan escapade, we were notified by Cebu Pacific that we could Check-In online. Afterward, we found out that our flight would be in the evening that same day (Wednesday). We were like in The Amazing Race. Always in a hurry, and we also computed the travel time from Balingoan Terminal to Agora and to the airport in Cagayan de Oro. We made it!

Our backpacking in Mindanao turned out to be a remarkable experience. We were stunned by the gorgeous islets, waterfalls, springs, and history of this region. Also, we were able to learn more about their culture and experience how hospitable they are. Mindanao is not just about war and combat against rebels but let us also take note of the wealth that they can be proud of. Thanks to our guide, John Kalog, for your support. ALSO READ: SOLO-BACKPACKING in Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, and Davao City.

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