Six months after my first jump into the mysteriously beautiful river of Matutinao, I came back to double the experience, this time with friends for more than 10 years. It still gave me a lot of chills and still as enjoyable and mystical as my first. Finally, a repeat happens!
Anyway, just like my previous post on the same trip, I’d like to share our itinerary and budget for eight pax. And this time, with Sumilon Island in Oslob and City tour that includes Temple of Leah and Taoist Temple for budget of less than Php 4,500.00 – a test to show that the previous itinerary (including contacts, accommodation, etc) really works. :)
DAY 1: OCTOBER 31, 2016
| TIME | DESTINATION / ITINERARY | BUDGET (PHP) | BUDGET per pax (PHP) |
| 1:00 PM | Robes Pension House | 2,100.00 | 262.50 |
| 1:15 PM | Lunch: Larsian | 56.00 | 7.00 |
| 3:00 PM | Van (City Tour) | 2,500.00 | 312.50 |
| 4:00 PM | Taoist Temple | NO FEE | |
| 4:45 PM | Temple of Leah (Entrance Fee) | 400.00 | 50.00 |
| 6:00 PM | Sto. Nino Church + Magellan’s Cross | NO FEE | |
| 6:30 PM | Grocery (Snacks for 2 days) | 1,519.70 | 189.96 |
| 7:30 PM | Dinner at Paulitos (SM Seaside) | 999.00 | 124.88 |
| 9:00 PM | 2 Taxi: Back to Robes | 310.00 | 38.75 |
| 9:30 PM | Freshen up + socials | – | – |
| TOTAL | 7,884.70 | 985.59 |
Supposedly, we arrived in Cebu early in the morning. However, due to ‘operational limitations’ of Cebu Pacific, we arrived at around 12nn. This means that we have limited time to explore Cebu City. And truly, we were all in a rush visiting Temple of Leah, Taoist Temple, Sto. Nino Church, Magellan’s Cross and our lunch in Larsian.
We rented a van via Robes Pension House for only Php2,500.00 for four hours of use. For eight heads, I think this is not bad especially that the temples are on highlands that only habal-habal and taxi (aside from private cars) will dare to drive thru that will cost hundreds as well per head. So we decided to use their service for convenience while it’s cost-effective.
If you can be in cebu as early as possible the better so you can enjoy every spot you’ll visit.
DAY 2: NOVEMBER 1, 2016
| TIME | DESTINATION / ITINERARY | BUDGET (PHP) | BUDGET per pax (PHP) |
| 2:00 AM | Wake-up Call | – | – |
| 3:00 AM | 2 Taxi: Robes Pension House to Cebu South Bus Terminal | 125.00 | 15.63 |
| 3:20 AM | Arrival in terminal | – | – |
| 3:30 AM | Breakfast at 7Eleven | 416.00 | 52.00 |
| 4:00 AM | Bus: Departure to Badian (Ceres Bus with signage ‘Bato via Barili’) | 1,176.00 | 147.00 |
| 7:00 AM | Arrival at Matutinao Church (Sto. Tomas Church) | – | – |
| 8:00 AM | Start of Canyoneering | 12,000.00 | 1,500.00 |
| 2:00 PM | Done Canyoneering | – | – |
| 4:30 PM | Bus: Going to Oslob | 480.00 | 60.00 |
| 6:30 PM | Arrival Oslob Terminal | – | – |
| 6:30 PM | Bus: Going to Oslob Proper (Julie’s bakeshop as landmark going to lodge) | 248.00 | 31.00 |
| 7:00 PM | Checkin in New Oslob Village | 2,000.00 | 250.00 |
| 7:30 PM | Dinner at ihawan | 760.00 | 95.00 |
| 9:00 PM | Freshen up + socials | – | – |
| TOTAL | 17,205.00 | 2,150.63 |
We decided to take 4am trip to Matutinao in Cebu South Bus Terminal. There’s nearby 7Eleven so you can have your breakfast there or better yet, take it from your groceries. :)
We arrived in Matutinao before 7pm and we were surprised by a breakfast prepared by Kuya Yoyoy and his wife. We went to the drop off area before 8am, however, the jump off point was totally different from the first time I went there. We have to trek for around 30 minutes and it wasn’t easy!! Mind you, the moment you hear the flowing river, the descend gets steeper.
The reason behind the changes is politics due to misunderstanding of LGUs of Badian and Alegria. Anyway, Canyoneering will always be a one-for-the-book experience! So better get ready of your action cams (and batteries) to better document your experience. :)
PS: Budget to canyoneering is already PHP 1,500.00 including lunch and gears.
DAY 3: NOVEMBER 2, 2016
| TIME | DESTINATION / ITINERARY | BUDGET (PHP) | BUDGET per pax (PHP) |
| 4:00 AM | Wake-up call | – | – |
| 5:00 AM | L3 Van: Transfer to Whale watching area | 800.00 | 100.00 |
| 5:30 AM | Arrival in Whale watching area | – | – |
| 6:00 AM | Start of registration + orientation | 4,000.00 | 500.00 |
| 7:00 AM | Done with Whale watching | – | – |
| 7:15 AM | Boat: Transfer to Sumilon Island | 2,000.00 | 250.00 |
| 9:30 AM | Back to New Oslob Village | Included in L3 | – |
| 10:00 AM | Freshen up | – | – |
| 12:00 NN | Checkout | – | – |
| 12:00 NN | Nuestra Immaculada de Concepcion | – | – |
| 12:30 NN | Van: Going to Simala | 1,500.00 | 187.50 |
| 2:30 PM | Arrival in Simala | – | – |
| 3:00 PM | Van: Back to Cebu City (including City tour and transfer to Airport) | 1,000.00 | 125.00 |
| 5:00 PM | Arrival in Sto. Nino Chruch (Thanksgiving for safe travel) | – | – |
| 5:30 PM | Lunch + dinner | 960.00 | 120.00 |
| 7:30 PM | Van: Taboan (pasalubong) | KKB | – |
| 8:15 PM | Van: Going to Airport | – | – |
| TOTAL | 10,260.00 | 1,282.50 | |
| TOTAL TRAVEL | 35,349.70 | 4,418.71 | |
| SOUTH CEBU TRAVEL, DONE! | |||
Sumilon Island
I always tell this to those who comment in my previous post that you better be early in whale shark watching registration area so you can be in first batch. Like what we did, we’re done before 7am. Hence, we can afford to stay longer in Sumilon Island.
If you’re not visiting Simala Church, you can check Tumalog Falls. It’s one of the best places to visit in Oslob.
So there, If you have questions, feel free to message me. If you’re only a group of five, you may also want to check my previous post about South Cebu Adventure.
