Philippines Mountain Bike Tours
The Philippines is an overlooked treasure of Southeast Asia, but that's due to its remoteness, not for lack of natural gems that range from coral-fringed islands, palm lined white-sand beaches to hot springs and majestic volcanoes. Consisting of more than 7,000 islands between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, it would take you years to visit all that the Philippines has to offer, but for some highlights we take you mountain biking on trails that run up and down the base of volcanoes on the main island of Luzon. We start in Manila, head down to 
Carmines Sur and then to Bicol where we end by swimming with the whale sharks off Donsol.
Named after Crown Prince Philip II of Spain, the Philippines is considered Asia's largest Catholic country. But even before the Spanish arrived the Filipinos were a mixture of foreign influences and continue to be a fusion of cultures that has led to the uniqueness of the Filipino identity. The Filipinos themselves are exuberant, fun loving and easygoing people and the fact that most speak English makes it easy to communicate.
To avoid the jeepneys, tricycles and the pedicabs that haphazardly ply the roads of the Philippines we'll be staying off road and riding trails that are popular with locals. We'll start with the Santa Rosa trail that will take us to the Tagaytay Highlands. The next day we'll have a fun descent to Taal Lake and a ride around the island. Then it's off to some more technical trails around San Pablo, with the advantage of soaking in hot springs at the end of the ride. Next we 
head to the historical town of Lucban and for a scenic ride. In Carmines Sur we'll hit two very popular trails that will test your off road skills before heading to the trails along the base of Mt. Mayon.
A highlight of the tour will be the chance to snorkel with the whale sharks. These gentle giants are a slow-moving filter feeding shark and can grow up to 18 m long. Why they gather near the shores of Donsol is still unknown, but it is a rare opportunity to observe these huge blue- grey, silver spotted creatures up close.
We limit the packing/unpacking you need to do by staying two nights at most of our overnights, which range from an eco lodge, to a hot spring resort, to bungalows at a water park resort.
Trip Profile
Biking Difficulty: 3 out of 5
Riding Style: Off road jeep track and single track trails that require some technical experience to enjoy.
Cycling Distance: 420 kilometres
Cycling Days: 8 full, 1 half
We ride 420 km, about 90 per cent off road, in 9 cycling days. We have designed the route to give a wide variety of riding. 
There are some first class single track trails to gentler dirt roads. Many trails traverse the base of volcanoes and our routes will wind up and down hillsides. We guarantee you will never be bored by the riding. There are some outstanding descents and stunning views across rolling hillsides and valleys.
Although our escort vehicle is always close by, some rides are not supported due to the remoteness of the trails. Your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty.
Biking Conditions: Your Philippines biking experience is primarily off road on varied surfaces including forest trails, mud, volcanic sand, lava cobbles, gravel and broken tarmac roads. There are sections of single-track, some climbs are challenging and some of the off road tracks will have rocky and steep technical sections, but these are normally short and sharp and can be walked by those not confident.
Suitability: This trip is recommended for riders who enjoy and have some off-road experience, but you don’t have to be an expert to get the best out of this trip. You should be confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills. This tour is mainly on jeep trails and single track and most of the trip is off-road. The support vehicle cannot always follow but will meet the group at certain points along the trail.
Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 11 | 11 Day Southern Luzon Ride | £1270 | Enquire | ||
| 11 | 11 Day Southern Luzon Ride | £1270 | Enquire | ||
Day 1 - Manila
Day 2 - Manila – Tagaytay
to pineapple to sugar cane. We overnight at an eco lodge located at the top of a ridge that will give us views of the next day's ride.
afternoon we'll boat back, then transfer up to our hotel where you'll have a view of where we have ridden.
hot springs and have time for a soak. Then it's an easy end of the day on rolling terrain where we pass through farms, hills and rice fields. We overnight at the Hidden Valley Springs Resort and have time in the afternoon to take in the many pools.
Day 5 – Golden Triangle Trails
For those who want to ride some hills, we have the option to rise early and hit the road towards Lucban. You'll pass through many historical towns on this scenic road that has only light local traffic on it. We ride the 40 km to Majayjay where we'll meet up with those who chose to have a relaxing morning at the 16th Century church. From here it's a short drive to Lucban where we'll have lunch at a local cafe. In the afternoon we'll head out for some more trail riding, again 
under the shadow of Mount Banahaw, but the other side. We'll ride to a waterfall and have time for a swim before heading back to this festive town.
Philippines Sea and Ragay Gulf as we drive south to Naga. We'll stop in town for breakfast and then start riding. We'll ride at the base of Mt. Isarog but the riding will be on rolling terrain. We'll pass a deer farm and waterfall. Part of this trail is also a downhill course, so expect some fun single track. In the afternoon we'll head to the Cam Sur Water Sports Complex where you'll have free time to take advantage of the swimming pool. There's also the option to make use of the wake board park and show off your flipping skills.
that consists of several natural waterfalls. We'll take a downhill single track section back to trail head. Have lunch along the way and make our way for a short boat ride to Atulayan Island to a fishing village. Have a swim and enjoy the beach. We make our way back to CWC for dinner.
Day 9 - Cam Sur - Legazpi
Day 10 – Donsol
Coastal View Resort. Ride 50 km. B L D
secure your place as early as able to hire bikes locally for the price listed on the front page of this document. The bikes are well-known makes of mountain bikes with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, disc brakes and Shimano components and front suspension. You have the option of renting a hard tail or a full suspension bike on this tour. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it is a mountain bike with front suspension and that it is in good mechanical order.
Safety: Wearing a helmet is strongly recommended on all our biking adventures and if you choose not to wear one you will be asked to sign a liability waiver. Your guide is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
Support: We will be supported by an air-conditioned vehicle that has been specially modified for cycle tours. The vehicles follow us the whole time, except for when we are on remote trails. It is very easy to get bikes on and off, so you can rest when you are tired and cycle whenever you feel like it.
