Day 7: San Jose - Sablayan (120 km). We divert from dirt roads early after leaving San Jose and head into the Mount Baco National Park. Here we encounter more native settlements. Later, if permission is granted, we travel through a vast penal farm with a river-crossing exit to the town of Sablayan. Here we leave the bikes behind and take a boat to a desert island where we will stay the night in native ‘Nipa’ huts. No mains electricity but solar energy powers the batteries for the only bar on the island! We have to share accommodation here, but the food more than makes up for that since the island is owned by a French chef!
Day 8: Sablayan - Mamburao (70 km). Varied terrain takes us to this small coastal town. Just outside is the Tayamaan Palm Beach Club, a series of detached cottages nestling amidst a coconut grove beside the beach. We will stay here for two nights which will enable us to explore this remote, northern part of the island.
Day 9: Mamburao (90km). We head to Paluan, the most northerly town of Mindoro and up into the foothills of Mount Calavite. We visit one of the largest Mangyan settlements on the island. We take lunch in the Jungle amongst stilt houses and beside natural pools. There are some great trails here to suit all ability levels. You will also have the chance to discover new trails because this area is criss-crossed by Mangyan trails.
Day 10: Mamburao - Tagaytay (120 km). An early start as we have to catch the ferry to the island of Luzon. If the ferry isn’t sailing that morning (it runs to an unpredictable timetable) we will put the bikes on outrigger boats and take them to another port - at this point the road ends! We head via road and trail to the pretty mountain town of Tagatay and the spectacular Lake Taal with its
cauldron of 35 volcanoes. Most of these are active and many are under the lake’s surface. We ride a zig-zag trail 700 m down the side of the main cauldron. After a visit to the volcano monitoring station we take an outrigger trip around the main vulcano island with its seven volcanoes. There are some superb photo opportunities. We enjoy first class accommodation here, perched on a cliff face overlooking Lake Taal.
Day 11: Tagaytay - Pagsanyan (130 km). We head first for the ‘Palace in the
Sky’ on Mount Sungay. It was built by former President Marcos for the state visit of
President Reagan some 20 years ago. The palace is now in ruins but the views are
amazing. After descending and riding through lowland towns, we head up into the
Mount Banahao range, passing through small Spanish colonial mountain villages with
some very twisty semi-tarmac sections. We end the day by descending into Pagsanyan
town - home of the famous gorge and falls.
Day 12: Pagsanyan - Los Banos (35 km). Today we take a canoe trip up the
gorge to the falls (made famous by the film ‘Apocolypse Now’). Two banqueros will
paddle us upstream through the eerie, deep gorge before returning at thrilling speed.
Then it’s a short ride to the neighbouring hot springs spa town of Los Banos. Our
overnight hotel is the Palm Springs Resort with no less than 4 pool spas, all at different
temperatures. You have the choice of relaxing in the baths for the afternoon or you
can visit the Philippine National Police shooting range. Here, professional instructors
will teach you how to shoot 9mm and .45 calibre pistols, M16 assault rifles and even
Uzi machine guns. Please don’t shoot the tour guide!
Day 13: Los Banos - Puerto Galera (100 km). We make an early start back to our base in Puerto Galera via the port of Batangas and its ferry. On arrival, there’s plenty of time to relax in this poular resort where you can visit local attractions by bike or on foot, scuba dive, snorkel or just relax on one of its many beaches. Puerto Galera is world famous for its clear, tropical waters which have some of the most productive marine eco-systems in the world. With its 800 different species of coral, many consider that it has some of the most beautiful reef slopes anywhere. So this is your chance to dive with a ‘Discover Scuba’ programme and see for yourself what has made these waters world famous.
Day 14: Puerto Galera - Manila. With the end in sight we return to manila by air-condioned coach and stay at the Tower Hotel, once famous as the headquarters of the Japanese Army in World War 2. The hotel is ideally placed in the Arts and Crafts Centre of Manila which also boasts some of the capital's best restaurants and bars. This evening we'll have a farewell dinner in one of Manila's premier restaurants.
Day 15: Depart Manila. Transfer to airport for return trip home. Rick & the crew will bid you farewell!
