Getting into a car and going on a road trip can be fun and exciting, especially if there is a list of fascinating sites to visit. Hop into one of Donsol Eco Tour’s vehicles and ask for a tour of the city or of the province!

Places visited for the city tour are Abaca Handicrafts and Pili Shops, Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church, Embarcadero, and Lignon Hill. Other places within Legaspi City may be visited and will depend on time constraints. Included in the city tour are the driver/guide and air-conditioned vehicle.

Places visited for the provincial tour are Abaca Handicrafts and Pili Shops, Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga Church, Embarcadero, Lignon Hill, Mt Mayon Rest House, and Tiwi Pottery. Other places within Legaspi City and along  the way to the points to interest may be visited and will depend on time constraints. Included in the provincial tour are the driver/guide and air-conditioned vehicle.

Below are details on the different spots that you can visit:

Abaca Handicraft and Pili Shops
The Abaca plant is indigenous to the Philippines whose warm, wet climate and volcanic soils are particularly suited to its cultivation. It is similar to banana in appearance except that the leaves are upright, pointed, narrower and more tapering. When Magellan and his companions arrived in Cebu in 1521, they noted that the natives were wearing clothes made from the fiber of the abaca plant, noting further that the weaving of the fiber was already widespread in the island.

The Bicol province is the world’s largest exporter of Abaca fiber, known worldwide as Manila hemp. This fiber is obtained from the Abaca plant and is considered as the strongest among natural fibers. The length of the fiber varies from three to nine feet or more, depending on the height of the plant and the age of the leafsheath. The color of the fiber ranges from ivory white to light and dark brown.

The Pili Nut is native to the Philippines and grows in abundance in the Bicol Region. Several local delicacies use the Pili Nut as the main ingredient and the Bicol province definitely has a wide range of options for every taste bud.

Cagsawa Ruins 
In 1814, Mayon Volcano erupted and sent lava flows cascading down its sides. The townspeople of Cagsawa fled to the church where they perished when it was engulfed in the fiery flows. Today, only the church tower remains as a memorial.

Daraga Church
Daraga Church is a 17th century baroque church located in Daraga town, west of Legaspi City. This church was built in 1873 and served as the main church in Daraga after Cagsawa Church was buried by Mt Mayon in 1814. The church was bombed by American planes during World War II, but the archaeological  relics of engraved pictures of saints and religious seals on the volcanic rock throughout the churches facade remains today. Daraga Church has been recognized as one of the country’s national treasures.

Embarcadero
Embarcadero de Legaspi is the latest lifestyle hub, commercial, and entertainment center in Legaspi City. Among its locators are popular local and international brands which together create an excellent mix of options for the visitors. Embarcadero boasts of its facade which fronts the main harbour of Legaspi and which has a view of Mt Mayon. The place’s architecture has enhanced this natural beauty with the construction of a waterfront promenade with theatrical lightings. Other activities in the vicinity include a 200 meter long zip line across the bay and a Go-Cart track.

Lignon Hill
Lignon Hill stands at 156 meters (approximately 511 feet) and is found a few minutes away from the Legaspi Airport. Lignon Hill is a popular place to visit since one can enjoy the view of the Albay Gulf, Legaspi City, and of course Mt Mayon.

It is always good to dedicate several hours to Lignon Hill as there are quite a few activities that can be enjoyed while there, such as a 320 meter zipline, hiking, biking, rappelling, paintball, airsoft, and biking or ATV rental to the “lava flow” (dried up gullies of lava flow at the foot of Mt Mayon).

A few things not many people know about Lignon Hill is that this is an extinct volcano and that there is a 40 meter tunnel running underground which was used by the Japanese to hide arsenal during World War II.

Mt Mayon Volcano Rest House / Skyline

The Mt Mayon Rest House is found on the north-western slope of Mt Mayon (facing away from Legaspi City) at approximately 700 meters (2300 feet) above sea level. A narrow 8 kilometer paved road connects this to the main highway in Tabaco.  This rest house was built to serve as the research station of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) and as a view point for tourists. From this height, admire the majesty of Mayon Volcano, feel the coolness of the air as the clouds rest on your shoulders, and admire the panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and the nearby towns.

Tiwi Pottery
Tiwi is a town located 41.5 kilometers from Legaspi City. Tiwi’s pottery has been admired all over the world and one can visit the pottery shops in the town to watch the craftsmen at work. Tiwi is also known for a local dessert called halo-halo, which is a must try when in the area.

Contact us for more information.