Iligan’s waterfalls are breathtaking, Marawi has a unique vibe and tighter security, and every corner of Mindanao tells a story. Curious about my adventure? Read my blog!

Disclaimer: All views expressed on this blog are my own based on my own experiences and do not represent of any entity with which I have been, are now or will be affiliated

November 02, 2024 (Saturday)
Batangas, Philippines

October 15, 2024 (Tuesday) Date of Trip to Marawi and Iligan City

I find exploring Mindanao to be incredibly exhilarating and captivating—it’s brimming with adventures! It’s home to the highest mountain in the Philippines which I hiked, and this was my first genuine backpacking experience. This time, I decided to go for a private tour. If you’re not worried about the budget, private tours are fantastic, whether you’re with family, friends, or going solo. For my next adventure, I’m thinking of a DIY approach, with a few joiner tours mixed in for variety.

After my trip to Dinagat, I was eager to explore more of Mindanao, especially Northern Mindanao. I originally planned to hike Mt. Dulang-Dulang, the second highest peak in the Philippines, located in Bukidnon. Unfortunately, it was closed, leaving only Mt. Kitanglad on my itinerary to hike. To be honest, I wasn’t particularly excited about that. However, I’m so glad I decided to go ahead with my Northern Mindanao trip because it turned out to be one of my best adventures in the region!

October 14, 2024 (Monday)
Cagayan De Oro City

I decided to take a break from tours today to relax and attend a couple of work meetings. It was nice to have some time to explore the city at my own pace and prepare for tomorrow’s adventure to Marawi and Iligan.

Accommodation: Win Min Transient Inn
October 14-16 3D2N stay for PHP 1,887.38

I absolutely loved my stay at this hostel! I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious it was, complete with its own toilet and a table and chair perfect for working, along with excellent internet connectivity. Initially, my hotel room had poor internet, but the staff was incredibly accommodating and helped me switch to a room with much better service.

Even though there’s no elevator, the staff went above and beyond to help carry my bags, so it wasn’t an issue at all. I always bring my own toiletries when I travel, so I didn’t expect full amenities, especially considering the great value of staying here.

What I appreciated most was the hostel’s proximity to the bus terminal, making it super convenient for traveling to different places or heading to the airport. It’s just a five-minute walk to 7-Eleven, where I could withdraw cash since the ATM next to the hostel wasn’t functioning for BPI, and Jollibee is also nearby. Honestly, this hostel has become my top choice in Cagayan de Oro—it’s such a refreshing change from what we have in Luzon!

Transportation – The tricycle fare to the malls is just PHP 11, and the nearest SM mall, SM CDO Downtown, is only a 10-minute ride from the hostel, along with the Cogon local market. I find Mindanao’s tricycles to be much larger than those in Luzon, accommodating up to eight passengers, which is pretty neat! I really enjoy the variety of tricycles here in Mindanao.

During my stay in CDO, I also relied on taxis, and I was happy to see that they use metered fare. The flag-down rate is PHP 40, which is great!

Tour Guide/Package – I booked my tour with Kuya Mark Tour & services or Mark Jayson Parido I discovered them on Facebook and had an amazing three-day tour with them. Kuya Mark was incredibly accommodating, sharing the best spots and accommodations at each location I visited. The total cost was PHP 17,500 for the three days. I made a downpayment of PHP 2,000, and the remainder was payable once I arrived in Mindanao. I highly recommend their tour! I’ll definitely reach out to him again the next time I visit.

Restaurants Tried 1st Day in CDO

Fat Chef
PHP300-1,000

Just a 10-minute walk from SM CDO Downtown is a cozy restaurant called Fat Chef. I really enjoyed dining here because they offer Filipino dishes that I absolutely love. I tried their beef sizzling sinigang, and the meat was incredibly tender and delicious. I also had a refreshing guyabano shake. Another highlight was their dessert, which I highly recommend: the Mango Suman Float. This delightful Filipino dessert features sticky rice topped with sweet mango slices and drizzled with condensed milk. It’s similar to Thailand’s mango sticky rice, but honestly, I prefer our version! 😀

Bowerbird Cafe
PHP200-500

Just a 10-minute walk from Fat Chef, I was excited to try a café in Cagayan de Oro that I found while researching online. The atmosphere was lovely, filled with greenery and plants, which I really appreciated. I ordered their recommended drink, an iced tableya (a traditional Filipino chocolate made from ground cacao beans mixed with water). However, I found the flavor to be quite bland, and it didn’t meet my expectations. I ended up not finishing it, as it wasn’t to my taste. While I appreciate the effort, I think there are other cafés in Manila that offer more satisfying options.

I took a taxi back to my hostel, and I was pleased to find that CDO uses metered taxis, which is fantastic!ck to my hostel via taxi and they use metered taxi here in CDO which was great!

October 15, 2024 (Tuesday)
Marawi and Iligan City

My guide and driver, Jingle, picked me up at my hostel around 5:30 AM, and we set off for Marawi. The trip from Cagayan de Oro to Marawi City takes about three hours, and I was glad to have a comfortable journey. I even got to choose where to stop for food along the way. I started my day with breakfast and coffee at McDonald’s before continuing on our way. It was beautiful to watch the sunrise as we traveled to Marawi.

Marawi City

Marawi, a chartered city and the capital of Lanao del Sur province, is located in northwest-central Mindanao, Philippines. Nestled on the northern shore of Lake Lanao. Marawi is unique in that it is one of the largest cities in the Philippines predominantly inhabited by Muslims, specifically the Moro people, who have a rich cultural heritage. The city is often referred to as the “Islamic City of Marawi” and serves as a vital center for Islamic culture and education in the region. It is home to Mindanao State University, established in 1961, which plays a crucial role in the educational and social development of the area.

Marawi was left in ruins after an assault by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups in 2017, leading to a five-month siege during which they held control of the city until the Philippine military regained it. This conflict between government forces and pro-ISIS militants caused the forced displacement of 98 percent of Marawi’s population, along with residents from neighboring municipalities. Many were forced to flee due to severe food shortages and the breakdown of local economies.

Being in Marawi was a somber experience, even with the beautiful backdrop of Lanao Lake. The city remains largely in ruins, with buildings and homes riddled with bullet holes. The former commercial center lies empty, overtaken by weeds and wildflowers that have sprouted around the skeletal remains of structures. During my visit, it seemed that the only renovations underway were for the stadium and mosques. I couldn’t help but wonder where the billion-peso budget is currently being allocated.

Sources: https://www.reuters.com/graphics/PHILIPPINES-ATTACK/010041F032X/ and https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/14/compensation-arrives-7-years-after-siege-that-left-marawi-a-dead-city

To note:

There are major checkpoints and roadblocks along the route to Marawi City and Iligan City.

The tricycles in Marawi are much smaller than those in CDO, with room for only one passenger.

Marawi is filled with tarpaulins celebrating graduates, proudly displaying the names of those who completed their studies in the city.

Iligan City

After checking on the ruined sites and mosques of Marawi, we headed over to Iligan City on our way back to Cagayan De Oro. I really wanted to see Maria Cristina Falls which is the highest waterfalls in the Philippines but sadly it was closed. You can only view Maria Cristina falls but it was part of our Sibika and Kultura class while I was in elementary school so this was really important part of the history and culture in class.

Known as the “City of Majestic Waterfalls”, the city takes pride in its amazing and pounding 23 waterfalls located on its every corner. I loved going to different waterfalls and swam there.

Tinago Falls
PHP300 – rent for picnic table
PHP100- tip for the guide
PHP20 – Internet for 1 hour

We set off for Tinago Falls, and the journey began with a challenge—conquering over 500 steps down and then back up! It was certainly worth the effort! This stunning waterfall has quickly become one of my favorites in the Philippines. I loved swimming in the blue hue waters and taking in the breathtaking scenery. The peacefulness of the falls was so calming that I can’t wait to return and discover more of Iligan City’s beautiful waterfalls.

Tinago, which means “hidden” in Tagalog, lives up to its name as it is nestled in a deep ravine. The falls themselves are impressive, with icy cold water cascading gracefully into a serene, lagoon-like pool. Beneath the falls, there’s a small cave where visitors can enter to experience the soothing sound of the rushing water while being enveloped by the cool mist.

I also loved that the facilities included really clean restrooms, making it perfect for a picnic. There are guides available to assist you at the falls, and it’s important to wear a life vest due to the strong currents during this time.

Mimbalot Falls

After enjoying my time at the stunning Tinago Falls, I made my way to the next destination: Mimbalot Falls. This beautiful waterfall cascades over a rocky path, creating smaller rivulets and mini waterfalls along the way. Mimbalot Falls is part of the city’s so-called Tourism Triangle, alongside Tinago Falls and Ma. Cristina Falls. While it’s not the tallest, it captivates with its natural beauty.

I loved Mimbalot Falls just as much, and while you don’t have to trek down and up like at Tinago, the scenery here is equally enchanting. The water flows from the nearby Maria Cristina Falls, and the coolness of it all was refreshing and invigorating. The sight of the waterfall was truly breathtaking, and I savored every moment spent there.

Cucina Higala
PHP500-1500

After all that swimming and trekking, I was famished, so I decided to dine at my favorite restaurant in CDO—Cucina Higala. I absolutely love this place for its focus on Mindanao local cuisines, and I was excited to explore even more dishes I hadn’t tried yet!

One standout was the beef kulma, a delicious Tausug dish stewed in coconut milk, curry, peanuts, tomato sauce, and chili. The flavors were rich, and the beef was perfectly tender, harmonizing beautifully with the coconut milk and the savory peanut-tomato sauce.

I also tried a Bukidnon delicacy called binaki. Typically a steamed corn cake, this version was served sizzling and topped with caramel sauce, giving it a sweet and creamy twist. I absolutely loved it!

The only dish I wasn’t fond of was the nangka (jackfruit) rendang; I prefer it simply simmered in coconut milk with spices rather than in curry.

Overall, my experience was fantastic! The staff was incredibly accommodating, and the restaurant’s ambiance was superb. I will definitely be back and would highly recommend it to anyone!

I had a fantastic time exploring Marawi and Iligan City! Discovering more about the history of the Philippines while experiencing its stunning waterfalls was truly unforgettable. If you’re curious about what the Philippines has to offer, this is a must-visit!

Love,
Maria,sometimes,Niskie