CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao Series: Tra-Abel Trip Itinerary

In September 2014, an idea crossed my mind – to travel through the provinces of Caraga region in the Northeastern part of Mindanao. Caraga is composed of 5 provinces: Agusan del Norte (Butuan City), Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte (Surigao City & Siargao), Surigao del Sur (Bislig City & Hinatuan) and Dinagat Islands. This region hosts plenty of tourist sites and spots such as Enchanted River, Tinuy-an Falls, the surfing capital – Siargao, Sohoton Cove National Park, Britania Islands and many more.

Itinerary Map (source: wikipedia) 

Start   Placer, Surigao del Norte
1        Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
2        Bislig City, Surigao del Sur
3        Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur
4        Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
5        Siargao, Surigao del Norte

An opportunity to make my plans become a reality, came when I was assigned to perform audit fieldwork at Placer for one (1) month in October 2013. Placer is a small municipality of Surigao del Norte, 30 minutes away from Surigao City, the Capital Town.

Here’s my planned itinerary for the Tra-Abel Caraga Trip (2 weekends only - Sat&Sun)

1^st Weekend (Bislig City’s Tinuy-an Falls & Hinatuan’s Enchanted River with sidetrip to Butuan City)

Day 1 (Friday after office hours)
4:00PM	Departure from Placer, Surigao del Norte
4:00PM – 4:30PM	Jeep, Multicab from Placer to Surigao City
4:30PM – 6:45PM	Bachelor Bus to Butuan City
6:45PM – 2:00AM	Free Time at Butuan City
Day 2
2:00AM – 5:30AM	Bachelor Bus to Mangagoy (Bislig City)
5:30AM - 6:00AM	Check-in Hotel of choice (babano, lasalle, paper)
6:00AM – 8:30AM	Breakfast and look for transpo
8:30AM – 2:00PM	Tinuy-an Falls
2:00PM – 6:00PM	Walk around Bislig City (market, etc)
6:00PM – 7:00PM	Dinner
Day 3
6:00AM – 7:00AM	Trip from Bislig to Hinatuan (w/ breakfast)
7:00AM – 11:00AM	Enchanted River
11:00AM – 2:30PM	Bus from Hinatuan to Butuan City
2:30PM – 4:30PM	Bachelor Bus from Butuan to Surigao City

*Please note that the travel time disclosed in the itinerary above were "ideal" (no delays) 

and may vary from the actual travel time.

2^nd Weekend (Surigao del Norte’s Siargao and Surigao City)

Day 1 (Saturday early morning)
5:00AM	Departure from Placer, Surigao del Norte
5:00AM – 5:30AM	Jeep, Multicab from Placer to Surigao City
5:30AM – 6:00AM	Process ticket going to Dapa Port
6:00AM – 8:30AM	Ferry trip from Surigao Port to Dapa Port
8:30AM – 9:00AM	Dapa Port to Gen. Luna/Cloud 9
9:00AM – 12:01PM	Tour at Gen Luna (buy things for islang hopping)
12:01PM – 1:00PM	Lunch at Gen Luna
1:00PM – 2:00PM	Check in at Cloud 101
2:00PM – 4:00PM	Surfing at Cloud 9
4:00PM – 6:00PM	Walk at boardwalk, sunset viewing
7:00PM – 9:00PM	Dinner and Happy Time
Day 2
5:30AM – 6:30AM	Sunrise viewing at boardwalk
6:30AM - 8:00AM	Breakfast at Cloud 101
8:00AM – 4:00PM	Island Hopping Tour (naked, guyam, dako)
4:00PM – 7:00PM	Free Time
Day 3
4:30AM – 5:30AM	Gen. Luna to Dapa Port
5:30AM – 6:00AM	Process ticket going to Surigao Port
6:00AM – 8:30AM	Ferry trip from Dapa Port to Surigao Port
8:30AM – 7:00PM	Surigao City Tour
7:00PM – 8:00PM	Back to Placer for Work

*Please note that the travel time disclosed in the itinerary above were "ideal" (no delays) 

and may vary from the actual travel time.

The above itineraries can be combined for a 5d4n (5 days 4 nights) trip to Caraga Region. Although I would suggest to allot two (2) whole weeks to explore this region because it has a lot of beautiful places to offer.

Here are some of the places I want to visit on my next trip to Caraga Region: 

1.       Sohoton Cove National Park, Bucas Grande Island – Best visited on the month of February in time for the colorful non-stingy jelly fishes.

2.       Dinagat Island – Best visited on summer as advised by the local tourism office.

3.       Britania Islands & Islets - The kept secret of Caraga

Follow my CARAGA Northeastern Mindanao adventure on the succeeding posts.

First Weekend Trip
Surigao Del Sur (Day 1) - A Roadtrip to the Unknown: Bislig City
Surigao Del Sur (Day 1) - Tinuy-an Falls: Little Niagra of the Philippines
Surigao Del Sur (Day 2) - Hinatuan Enchanted River: Bluer than Blue

Second Weekend Trip
Surigao Del Norte (Day 1) - Surigao City: City of Island Adventures
Surigao Del Norte (Day 1) - Siargao: Tra-Abel Enroute
Surigao Del Norte (Day 2) - The Boardwalk at Cloud 9: Sunrise Watching
Surigao Del Norte (Day 2) - Siargao Island Hopping: The Three Islands