Legazpi and Donsol Whale Sharks - 5 days
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Legazpi City , about 1 hour flight southeast from Manila is not only the gateway to seeing the biggest whale shark population in the world at Donsol, but also close to the worlds only perfect cone active volcano, Mount Mayon which at over 2,500 metres high is about the same as Australia's highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko.
Donsol, about 2 hours drive west of Legazpi City and home to one of the worlds largest concentration of whale sharks. Daily tours from November to May are expertly run so you can swim with the biggest fish on our planet. There a few hotels in the area mainly catering to back packers and locals as they are only open during whale shark spotting season. TOUR ITINERARY- 4 nights. all our tours include breakfasts.
Day 1: Depart Manila to Legazpi (LGP). Transfer to hotel. Day 2: Visit Donsol, about 2 hours drive and go on the Whale Sharks Interaction tour that takes you out on outrigger boats to find the sharks. Using supplied fins and snorkel to swim along side of these monsters. The tour is well run and very safe. It is seasonal from November to May only as the whale sharks migrate to Western Australia for cooler waters. Day 3: Visit the landmarks of Legazpi City: Ligñon Hill Nature Park, Japanese Tunnels, and Daraga Church. Take a stroll at the Legazpi Boulevard and savour local favourites like Pinagat and Bicol Express for lunch or dinner.Tour of Legazpi city takes you to the Cagsawa church ruins where the bell tower is the only part showing above the lava from the 1814 eruption of Mt Mayon. Day 4: Ride on a quad bike though the lava valleys and creeks to the colossal lava wall on the slopes of active volcano, Mt Mayon. Take a zipline ride down from the lava wall. Travel down the Donsol River and watch the evening sky brighten with the light of thousands of fireflies as they dance to the evening moonlight. Day 5: Transfer to Legazpi Airport and fly to Manila or Cebu. HOTELS
The Oriental Hotel with is large swimming pool and spectacular view over Legaspi City and Mount Mayon is the best place to stay in the city as the resorts in Donsol are very basic and only cater to local tourists and back packers for whale shark season. Casa Simeon. Recently renovated Spanish style family home with 10 modern air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Home cooked style meals with a delicious take on traditional Filipino cuisine are served in the large upstairs dining room. It has an extensive library of old books collected by the original owners. You can borrow one of their bicycles to explore the local town. Located about 30 minutes from the airport. Owned by the same family company that operates the local tours. |
ATV in the lava creeks of Mt Mayon
Active Volcano Mt Mayon
Casa Simeon
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