Adventure & Local Tours
Adventure Tours
Each of our adventure tours are led by certified local mountaineering guides,who have first aid and rescue training. Our aim is to provide challenging, exciting adventures in the Negros Oriental and South Cebu area, all tours are well planned, well equipped and most importantly, a lot of fun!
Mount Talinis is difficult to miss no matter where you are on the Dauin coast, and it offers a host of spectacular treks and adventures. A short trip to Cebu adds a series of breathtaking limestone slot canyons to the menu.
Due to logistics and paperwork requirements we only arrange adventure tours for our in-house guests. Contact us for more information and prices on our tours.
Trekking: Talinis Exploration
A grand tour of Talinis’ forests, lakes, sulphur vents, rivers, waterfalls and summit (optional)
Trip Type: Full day trek, optional swimming
Physical Exertion: Good level of fitness required
Distance: 14 – 16 km
Max. Altitude: 1,420 m
Total Ascent: 620 – 1100 m
Terrain: Steep mountainside, forest, rivers
Fitness Factor: 3 – 5
Adrenaline Factor: 2 (or higher if you swim in the river!)
Max Group Size: 8
Pickup: 06:00
Dropoff: 17:00
Mount Talinis is an extensive, complex-volcano system stretching along the Dauin coast. The summit is at just over 1,900m. We start from an abandoned geothermal exploration site on the side of the mountain 800m above sea-level. Large boulders lie scattered around here, giving an indication of the violent nature of the volcano’s past.
A strenuous ascent up steep terrain eases after the first 30 minutes and leads through cool forests to lake Yagumyum, which nestles between Mount Yagumyum and the main peak of Cuernos de Negros. The lake marks the highest point on the trail, although it’s not quite all downhill from here.
Lunch is taken next to the lake and there’s time for swimming too, then we head back down the same path to the pickup. You will thoroughly deserve your evening beer, which will taste that much better with the knowledge that you have conquered Talinis.
From here there are 2 options depending on how tired you already are and the mountain conditions at the time.
Option 1 is a slightly gentler route; skirting the lake, we descend steeply through think forest and emerge at a series of sulfurous vents. Following a stream, we find ourselves in a beautiful meadow at around 1,200m. It’s several degrees cooler up here than at the coast, which makes this a great place to stop for lunch. A short hike leads us to the Twin Falls waterfalls, from there we follow the river down a long trail to reach our destination at Casaroro Falls.
Option 2 is a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-top trek with a beautiful crater lake to cool off in. This trek is a physically demanding trek with over a kilometer of vertical ascent. Needless to say – you also have to get back down! Only people of a good level of physical fitness should consider this trek and don’t forget to bring lots of water.
Canyoning: Kawasan Confidential
Hiking, swimming, jumping and diving in the beautiful canyons of Cebu.
Trip Type: Full day canyoning, swimming required
Physical Exertion: 3 hours
Distance: 5 km
Terrain: Limestone slot canyon. Rough uneven riverbed. Slippery in places.
Fitness Factor: 3 (and should be a confident swimmer)
Adrenaline Factor: 3 – 4 (depending on how high you jump from!)
Max Group Size: 8
Pickup: 06:00
Dropoff: 17:00
Badian in southern Cebu is home to Kawasan Falls. This series of breathtaking waterfalls is popular with tourists who visit to swim and relax. What they don’t realize is that just beyond the falls lies the Matutinao river and a breathtaking canyon that carves its way down from the center of the island.
We begin our adventure with a 40-minute drive to Sibulan port, where a quick ferry crossing takes us to the southern tip of Cebu. Badian is about an hour and a half drive up the coast. After a short hike, we drop into the canyon (literally) from a rocky outcrop. This 10m jump is the one of the biggest in the canyon – but is also completely optional if you have a fear of heights (the highest required jump is around 3m). From there, a combination of wading, swimming and jumping takes us past towering rock formations and vast stalactites.
We eat our lunch in the base of the canyon before pushing on to rejoin the tourists at the main Kawasan falls, before making our way back to Liquid.
Adrenaline Factors Explained
We give each tour an Adrenaline Factor (AF) from one to five. An AF of one implies a straightforward hike or trek with no difficult terrain and no feeling of height or exposure. At the other end of the scale, an AF of five implies significant exposure, perhaps with a need for rope work and abseiling, or in a canyon, it could imply numerous very high jumps, lengthy swims or waterfall abseils. Each tour’s description gives specific details on what contributes to its AF rating.
Fitness Factors Explained
Our tours are aimed at physically active people and some of them require particularly good physical fitness. A Fitness Factor (FF) rating is designed to give you an indication of how fit you need to be to comfortably complete the tour. That doesn’t mean you won’t have a few aches and pains the next day, but it should help you to determine if a tour is within your personal limits.
An FF grading of one implies that you should be comfortable walking over good terrain with minimal assent / descent for several hours at a moderate pace. You should expect to cover around 6km in 3 hours in a hot and humid conditions.
An FF grading of five implies a difficult and sustained tour that continues for many hours and may have significant assents or descents. The pace may be high to ensure that the tour can be completed in the required time. A variety of activities may be required including scrambling, climbing or swimming.
Restrictions
Participants in all of our tours must be a minimum of 12 years old. For Extreme tours, participants should be at least 16 years old. Non-swimmers are not allowed to take part in any tours that require swimming – even if wearing a life jacket.
Local Tours
Casaroro Falls
Nestled into the surrounding hills of Valencia are the stunning Casaroro Falls. These falls are renowned as the most photographed in all of Negros. A steep gorge, that admittedly is not for the weak or faint hearted, will take you through plush mountain foliage filled with an array of wild life to the 100ft/30mtrs falls! That’s right, this narrow waterfall that is nestled within a rocky cliff face that drops abruptly into a swimming hole, where if you don’t mind cold mountain water it is possible to go for a swim.
Since the storm of Christmas 2011, the 365 steps that were constructed to make the trek a little easier have unfortunately been washed away. There are plans to rebuild but no set date as of this time. It is still possible to reach the falls and the climb down and up can be both fun and challenging. We recommend foot wear a bit sturdier than flip flops!
Our driver will collect you from Liquid and drive you up through the idyllic mountain town of Valencia until the road ends. At this point you can either rent a motor bike taxi or walk the 40minutes to the start of the trail. There is a Php20 entrance fee for each person. Our driver will wait for you at the road and bring you back to Liquid.
Bais Dolphin & Whale Watching
During the months of March – October the Tanon Strait is awash with cetaceans – that’s dolphins and whales for most of us! This protected marine sanctuary is home to 9 of the 23 different marine mammals that have been spotted throughout the whole of the Philippines.
The trip starts with a 1.30 hour drive from Liquid to Bais City, from here a banka boat with local guide will sail you the 45minutes through Bais Bay out to Tanon Straight where you simply wait for the ‘cetaceans’ to come to you. After a pleasurable time chilling out with the local marine mammals it is off to the glorious Manjuyod white sand bar for lunch. This pristine sand bar is only accessible by boat at low tide – do not forget your cameras trust us!!
After lunch it is possible to visit the Bais Mangrove Bird Sanctuary. Another protected area that consists of 400 hectares of mangroves with a bamboo walkway that takes you to the inner heart of the grove where different wildlife and especially birds can be seen. It is a long day out, but well worth the adventure!
Twin Lakes
These stunning lakes are found 12 kilometers or 40minutes west of Sibulan which in itself is about 45minutes from Liquid. It may seem like a long drive to go look at some water, but trust us it is worth it. One of the biggest tourist attractions in Negros the Twin lakes of Balinsasayao and Danao are set in a lush tropical green natural park that is officially protected and is home to an expansive ecosystem harboring many rare plants, animals and bird species.
The main road leading to the lakes has been partly washed away, so the van can no longer drive you to the entrance. Instead the van will drop you at the junction to the highway from here you will need to rent a motor bike taxi for Php200/person to take you along the bumpy road to the ‘registration hut’, which is a rather pleasant natural stone and bamboo building with a lovely picnic area and nice views of the surrounding mountain ranges. From here a short hike takes you to the nearest edge of the first lake. A beautiful sight awaits you, tranquil waters surrounded by tropical greenery. You can opt to hike around the lake or paddle your way over using a kayak to reach the second lake. Swimming is encouraged if you don’t mind cold fish infested waters! And there are plenty of places to set up for a picnic.
Lake Balanan
This beautiful fresh water lake is located in Siaton, around 45 minutes from Liquid. The lake resembles a figure eight in shape with the narrowest point between the two main portions of the lake being only 90 meters (300 ft) wide. The lake is surrounded by mountain ranges, and is fed by three tributaries, all located in the northern end. These are the Lamarao Creek at the northeastern corner with two waterfalls, the Balanan Creek at the middle of the northern end with another waterfall, and the Nasig-id Creek at the northwestern end.
The lake was formed in 1925 after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit the region, causing a large landslide that dammed the Balanan Creek. The lake has a humid tropical climate with two pronounced seasons, a dry season from November to April and a wet season for the rest of the year.
There are many activities to do at the lake including a 4km circumferential trek through the forests, bird watching, a zip line, kayaking and peddle boats. A lovey day trip for any guest looking for a relaxing day out.
Valencia Town
The second largest city in Negros Oriental is Valencia, which also has a weird and wonderful array of sights for those looking for something different. Located on the slopes of Mount Talinis, Valencia is a tropical hub of color and greenery.
Forest Camp which is a privately owned 2.3 hectare estate that just happens to be located on the side of a tropical forested mountain with a lovely natural fresh water river running through it! Nice! The lucky local family who own this entire property decided instead of keeping it to themselves they would open it to the public. And we are very happy they did as it is great place to spend a day jumping in the pools, eating BBQ and generally chilling out!
In Valencia town proper you can see the Spanish Fountain, which is located in the town plaza which like so many Spanish towns is situated in the very center. The fountain was created by an Augustinian Fria to channel water from an upland spring based within the slopes of Mt. Talinis and provide the entire town with a continuous water supply. Today the fountain still works, which is remarkable in itself, however is no longer the main water provider to the locals. Instead the fountain set within the picturesque plaza is a reminder to all of the strong influence Spain had on the region back in the old days.
The Filippino-American-Japanese War Memorial is situated high on top of the hilly ranges of Valencia Town, this 3 sided monument looks down towards the ocean and Dumaguete City. The 3 sides represent the 3 nations of Philippines, Japan and America that fought in a viscous battle during World War II on that very site. The monument was created to provide closure to a sad era and to mark the beginning of peace and friendship between the three nations. Shortly after being erected the Philippine Government declared it a National Historical Monument.
Malatapay Market
About 10 minutes south from Liquid is the small town of Malatapay. Each Wednesday the famous Malatapay market opens early in the morning. The market is a hive of activity where locals from all over Negros travel to sell the wares. You can find everything here from livestock to fish, plastic to clothes, toys to furniture, fruit and vegetables to the strange local dishes of puso (you have to see it to believe it)
The actual market is located along a road that stems from the main highway to the beach where there are always plenty of activities to participate in. Local restaurants can be found all along the road and the beach selling an array of fresh seafood dishes and of course the most impressive of Philippine dishes ‘lechon baboy’ followed by plenty of cold beer!
