Donsol Eco Tour Logo
Home › Other Activities
 

Aside from snorkelling and diving, here are other activities you can do whilst in the city:

 

Trekking Up the Majestic Mayon Volcano

Standing at 2,421 meters (approximately 8077 feet), Mayon Volcano is the most popular tourist attraction in the Bicol region. Mt Mayon gained popularity worldwide for being the most symmetrical volcano in the world. To add to its international limelight, Mayon is the most active volcano in the Philippines, having had erupted 47 times in the past 400 years! Mayon’s last major eruption was in 1993 and the last recorded major activity was in December 2001. Due to Mayon’s volatility, the volcano is continuously monitored by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS).

What to expect:

  • Guests have the option to spend a day or two trekking up Mt Mayon. For those that opt for the 2 day trip, the evening will be spent camping on the slopes of Mt Mayon (at the designated camping sites).
  • Experience traversing on different kinds of terrain. The terrain diversity of Mayon Volcano includes forests, grasslands, rocks, sand, and boulders.
  • For the less experienced mountaineers, a path has been paved out and there are several camps where one can sit and rest before proceeding.
  • Great scenery. Being such a high point in the Bicol region, one can enjoy the view of the different towns and the surrounding ocean. As commented by most trekkers, the exhilaration brought by the scenery increases with your distance up the mountain.
  • Climbing with ease. For a less strenuous climb, a porter will be made available. We do trust our staff, but for your peace of mind, we suggest that valuables are not given to the porter.
  • We keep you safe.
  1. Prior to your trip, Donsol Eco Tour checks with the local authorities on the safety of climbing up Mt Mayon.  
  2. On your trek up Mt Mayon, Donsol Eco Tour will be providing you with a local guide.
  3. Guests are not advised to climb up to the summit due to the poisonous fumes emitted by the volcano. The highest part that can be trekked too is Knife’s Edge.

To enjoy the trek, it is highly suggested to pack light. The basic must brings are:

  • Lots of water
  • Food and snacks
  • Sun Block Lotion (especially in the summer)
  • Insect repellant
  • Jacket or Wind Breaker (it can get chilly at higher altitudes)

NOTE: Donsol Eco Tour provides drinks and snacks. However, to avoid dehydration or hunger, we always suggest that guests also bring some drinks and snacks also. There will be no place to purchase drinks or food during the trek.

Mayon Camp Levels:

  1. Base Camp - approximately 250 meters or 800 feet above sea level. Vehicles can drive up to this area. As per Department of Tourism rules, trekkers will also have to register in this area.
  2. Camp 1 - Approximately 700 meters or 2,300 feet above sea level. For overnight treks, guests will be spending the night here. It is common that guests trek past base camp 1 on Day 1, but the guests will have to return to this area for the evening’s rest.
  3. Camp 2  - Approximately 1,800 meters or 5,900 feet above sea level.
  4. Knife’s Edge  - Approximately 2,200 meters or 7,300 above sea level. This is the highest point which can be trekked up too.

Mt Mayon is definitely an exciting mountain to climb. For the adventurous and those ready for their next challenge, a trek up Mt Mayon is a must try! For more details, please contact us.

For more details, please contact us.

 

Firefly River Tour

Donsol River is a 100 kilometer long, 100 meter wide, winding river lined by mangrove forests, coconut trees, and shrubs. The water and the thriving vegetation makes this the perfect habitat for fireflies. So perfect, in fact, that thousands to millions of fireflies can be seen dancing in the trees and rippling through the water every evening. Just before the sun sets, a banka (a small boat) will row you down the mouth of the river, and when you are a few meters down and as the sun begins to set, be awestruck by the beautiful view of the sunset and feel yourself melt as the color of the sky changes to a deep orange and the sun falls into the calm Donsol river waters.

Further down the river, heart melted, and skies dark, signifies the start of another wonderful adventure. As the sky blackens, little sparkles start to appear. And suddenly, you see more and more, until the trees and the surrounding sky starts to shine with the dancing lights, that for once in your life you can't tell the stars apart from the fireflies. If all the lights overhead don't catch your attention enough, look down into the water and watch the river water river glow as the boat's movement activates the plankton's luminescence.

And when it is all over, you can't help but shed a little tear, thinking how beautiful the world really is..with the picture of lights from the water to the skies up above continues to dance in your mind.

For more details, please contact us.

 

Joy Ride (City Tour)

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

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 1973 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.

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
Legend attempts to unravel the mystery of the origin of this magnificent chunk of earth – Mayon Volcano, the volcano known worldwide for its perfect cone shape.

As legend has it, there once lived a very beautiful native princess who had an uncle named Magayon. He was so possessive of his niece that no man dared to challenge his wrath by courting the favors of the young maiden. One day, however, a brave and virile warrior was tantalized by the princess that he threw away all cares. That same evening, the warrior clambered up through the window of the royal chamber and enticed the girl to elope with him.

With the fury of Magayon at their heels, the couple prayed to the gods for assistance. Suddenly from out of nowhere, a landslide buried the raging uncle alive. On that spot today, we see Mayon Volcano. Local folks claim that the volcano is Magayon's anger bursting in the form of volcanic eruptions.

From the Mayon Volcano Rest House enjoy the view of the remains of the furious Magayon. Mt Mayon is 2462 meters (approximately 8077 feet) above see level, and the Mayon Volcano Rest House can be found at the 2500 foot mark.  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.

For more details, please contact us.

 

River Kayaking

If in search for an activity which satisfies the adrenaline rush to work out muscles and also the mind's desire to wander in a heavenly ambience, this tour stimulates both the needs of the body and mind.

For the white water enthusiasts, don't expect anything rough, hard, and rigid. The mangrove river beside Ticao Island Resort is a relatively calm river and boasts its splendid scenery, the wild ducks during dusk, crabs working and hunting near the mangrove line, and the magnificent firefly display in the evenings.

The adventurous and athletic can spend up to 5 hours in this mangrove river as the main branch will take around 1.5 hours to get to very end and there are several minor branches that one can enter. A guide can be requested to show you the highlights of the river and to help you find your way back to the resort.

For more details, please contact us.