BUKIDNON DAY TOUR ITINERARY: What to See & Do in a Day

Bukidnon has been given many names, including “The New Zealand of the Philippines.” While this might be necessary for some people to describe its beauty effectively, I’d rather not use these, as this province has its own unique and impeccable charm. It’s also culturally rich, with the seven (7) tribes of Bukidnon working tirelessly on its preservation, so I think they deserve more distinct recognition. If you’re one of the many who have their eyes set on this exquisite province, a perfect Bukidnon Day Tour Itinerary is what you need to get acquainted with its magnificence.

Just like any new adventure, it’s always advisable to take in the beauty of Bukidnon slowly. This is what this Bukidnon Day Tour Itinerary is about. It covers only the basics but you will end the day fulfilled and happy.  Your eyes will be filled with wonder and your mind with cherished memories.

04:00 AM: Call Time. Start Travel to Impasug-Ong

This Bukidnon Itinerary is ideal for people coming from Cagayan De Oro as Impasug-Ong is just a 2-hour bus ride from this city.  You can also start the trip earlier since buses are available 24/7 from Agora Terminal. If you’re from Davao then it’s highly recommended to start the trip as early as 2 AM.

06:00 AM: ETA Impasug-Ong. Ride to Communal Ranch & Lover’s Lane.

You can get off at the junction leading to Impasug-Ong town center and hire a motorcycle rider to take you to Communal Ranch and Lover’s Lane. The trip should set you back ₱300 for a two-way ride but some drivers might charge you more. The Communal Ranch is heaven for breathtaking views but it’s a hell hole in the hours past 8 AM. It’s best visited early morning or late afternoon.

Communal Ranch pretty much has nothing more to offer other than breathtaking views. You can try horse riding and observe the livestock being herded to the pastures to maximize your time there. Just spend an hour or two at most to take photos and shoot videos then ride your way back, dropping by Lover’s Lane for a quick photo.

08:00 AM: Breakfast at Cowboy Town

One of the things I love about Bukidnon is the wide array of restaurants that serve high-quality and delicious food at reasonable prices. After starting the day with a great view, I think it’s only appropriate to spend the next hour having a sumptuous breakfast. In Impasug-Ong, there’s only one restaurant that fits the bill: Cowboy Town. This American rodeo-themed restaurant has good food and a nice ambiance to keep the momentum going.

09:00 AM: Chase Waterfalls in CEDAR

In the province of Bukidnon, there are numerous stunning waterfalls, some of which are still inaccessible. Fortunately, three of these waterfalls are located within CEDAR and can be easily accessed with the help of their skilled tour guides. The nearest one is Natigbasan Falls, characterized by its rocky terrain. Next is Gantungan Falls, known for its curtain-like cascades and emerald pool. The farthest is Dila Falls, which is also the highest among the three.

11:00 AM: Kaamulan Park & Kaamulan Zoo

Don’t forget to take some time to explore the city of Malaybalay, the province’s capital. Kaamulan Park in the city is a refreshing sight, surrounded by pine trees and filled with the scent of pine in the air. You should also consider a quick visit to Kaamulan Zoo to see some exotic wildlife from different parts of the world.

Noon NN: Lunch at Totsy’s

We’re all about tasting the flavors of Bukidnon in this itinerary. While there are a lot of local restaurants around Malaybalay, my pick goes to Totsy’s for lunch. This restaurant near Malaybalay’s City Hall has a good ambiance and serves all-day breakfast meals, cakes and pastries, rice bowls, and yummy desserts. Their food tastes delicious and comes in big portions so it’s a value for money guaranteed.

01:00 PM: Quick Stop in Malaybalay City Hall

One of the most beautiful city halls I found in the Philippines is Malaybalay. There is something about it being atop a hill and its facade painted white all over that’s captivating. It’s a commanding site that always captures my attention whenever I pass it. It exudes power and dominance as well as elegance and sophistication all the same time.

02:00 PM: Refreshing Dip in Nasuli Spring

Aside from waterfalls, Bukidnon also prides itself on the abundance of natural cold springs scattered everywhere within the province. One of the best ones I found was Nasuli Spring. Here, you will be mesmerized by its pool filled with cold turquoise clear water and surrounded by lush vegetation and decade-old trees. The resort is also intricately landscaped, making every corner snap-worthy.

04:00 PM: Coffee, Floating Cottages, & Sunset at Lake Apo

There is no better way to end the day than in Lake Apo, afloat on a lake in one of their cottages while sipping a good cup of coffee at sunset. Believe it or not, this place has got to be one of the best sunset spots out there. The collision of colors in the sky reflected by the lake on a good afternoon is just magical. Add in the tranquility of dusk and you will have one heck of a moment to cherish for the rest of your days.

06:00 PM: Dinner at Villa Tuna

If you love tuna then you’ll be happy to know that Villa Tuna, one of the popular restaurant chains in Mindanao is available to serve you in Valencia.  Dig into their delicious offerings that include grilled panga/belly, kinilaw, tuna dynamite, tuna Bicol express, tuna adobo, and many other mouthwatering dishes. And did I say their halo-halo and mais con yelo are heaven? With a spoonful of perfectly smooth-shaven ice and creaminess melting in your mouth every time, only a few can beat that.

Remember the following itinerary:

Cagayan De Oro is the most ideal starting point for this Bukdnon Day Tour itinerary. You can reverse this itinerary depending on where you’ll be coming from and where you’ll be headed next. It totally depends on you. If you’re from Davao, you can start at Lake Apo, visit every spot along the way, and make your way to Communal Ranch at sundown. No matter which route you choose, I guarantee that you’ll have a blast.

Communal Ranch & Lover’s Lane: Get off at the Tourism Office of Impasug-Ong and hire a habal-habal to take you to both of these spots. The round trip fare is approximately ₱300 per person.

Cowboy Town: Cowboy Town is just along the highway. From Lover’s Lane, you can ask your driver to drop you off at this restaurant.

CEDAR: The entrance to CEDAR is also along the highway. From Cowboy Town, just wait for the bus and ask them to drop you at CEDAR, which is about a 10 to 15-minute ride.

Kaamulan Park: Malaybalay is just 30-45 minutes away from CEDAR by bus. From the entrance, walk across the street and ride the bus to Malaybalay. Get off at Jollibee. You can walk your way there or ride a motorela to the Capitol.

Totsy’s: From Kaamulan Park, walk to the highway and ride a jeep to the City Hall. Alight the jeep at 7/11. Walk to the building on the other side of the street. It’s in the same building as Romantic Baboy.

Malaybalay City Hall: It’s not very far. You can see it from Totsy’s.

Nasuli Spring: From Malaybalay City Hall, ride a bus to Bangcud and get off at Nasuli Spring. I recommend riding the bus as it’s faster than riding the jeep. Nasuli Spring is just a 15-minute walk from the junction, but if you don’t feel like walking, you can always hire a motorcycle for ₱25.

Lake Apo: From the junction to Nasuli Spring, ride the jeep to Valencia and get off at the junction in front of Gaisano Mall. There, you will find many motorcycles that you can hire to take you to Lake Apo. The fare may range from ₱300 to ₱350 for a round trip.

I know that this is just a day tour itinerary but if you can’t help to spend another they in this province then there are a ton of Instagram-worthy campsites and mountain resorts all over Bukidnon that you can choose from. However, if you prefer a more comfy stay that would allow you to remain connected and near places of interest such as bars and restaurants then here are some of your best choices in the area.

There you have it, lovelies. That’s it for my Bukidnon Day Tour Itinerary. Stay tuned as I will be updating this itinerary from time to time while also posting other blogs about this exquisite province. To keep tabs on my adventure, just follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Until next time. Ciao!

PS. Feel free to leave your questions and suggestions in the comments.