It was really challenging, from planning to execution, the itinerary to set foot in all the six provinces of Eastern Visayas Region in 6 days. So “travel ratio” as much as possible is one province per day. Understanding the itinerary itself is seemingly tiring. In order to realize the itinerary, you should have 6 complete days, with early morning flight arrival in Tacloban, and late afternoon/night departure.

Here is generally our route: Tacloban, Leyte – Guiuan, Eastern Samar – Capul, Northern Samar – Calbayog, Samar – Naval, Biliran – Sogod, Southern Leyte – back to Tacloban City. 

 

 

Our Itinerary

Day 1 EASTERN SAMAR PROVINCE

• Arrive in Tacloban Airport, take quick breakfast near Airport
• Take public jeepney to city proper (less than 10 minutes)
• Take public utility van to Guiuan, Eastern Samar (about 2 hours)
• Register in Tourism Office
• Start Day Tour
  • Sulangan Church
  • Sulangan Bridge
  • Pasalubong Store
  • Linaw Cave
  • Calicoan Long Beach
  • PAGASA Weather Station, and View Deck
  • sunset in Guiuan Airport
• Check in at Guiuan Pension House
• Dinner at the night market

Day 2 WESTERN SAMAR Province

• Take first Van trip to Tacloban City (about 2 hours)
• Take Van to Calbayog City (about 2-3 hours)
• Take Van to Allen from Calbayog City. (about 1.5 – 2 hours)
• Once in Calbayog City, we reserved van seats for our trip to Allen the following day (Grand Tours Terminal)
• Take Van to Allen and alight in Tinaplacan Junction (about 45 minutes to 1 hour)
• Charter Habal Habal to jump off point.
• Trek, swim and enjoy at Tarangban Falls
• Take Jeep/Van to Calbayog Proper (about 1 hour)
• Sunset shoot in Calbayog Port
• Visit Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral
• Check-In at Joy Palace Hotel
• Dinner in Tiktilaok

Day 3 NORTHERN SAMAR Province

• Wake up Early and take van (Grand Tours) to Allen (about 1 hour)
• Take Habal Habal to Imaga Beach and Rock Formation (about 20 minutes)
• Take public boat to Capul Island  (about 1 hour)
• Visit Capul Church and Abandoned Fortress
• Charter boat to Pink Beach Sila Island, San Vicente (about 1 – 1.5 hours)
• Check-In at Capul Island Beach Resort
• Visit Capul Lighthouse
• Dinner, Socials, Lights out

 

Day 4 LEYTE Province

• Take 7AM boat back to Allen (about 1 hour)
• take Van to Calbayog City (about 1 hour)
• take Van to Tacloban (about 4 hours)
• Quick downtown tour Tacloban, lunch
• Visit Sto. Nino Shrine, Leyte Capitol Building, and Astrodome
• Take Van to Biliran (about 2 -2.5 hours)
• Check-in at TJ Pensionne
• Dinner and Early Lights out

 

Day 5 BILIRAN

• Hire Habal Habal to Ulan Ulan Falls, Recoletos Falls
• check Iyusan Rice Terraces
• Short swim at Agta Beach
• Check out TJ Pensionne
• Take Van back to Tacloban (about 2.5 hours)
• Check-in at Welcome Home Pensione 

 

Day 6 SOUTHERN LEYTE

• Take the first trip to Maasin, alight in Mahaplag Crossing (about 2.5 hours)
• charter Habal Habal to Agas-Agas Bridge (Look for Kuya Lauro Roa; about 30-45 minutes)
• take a photo at the highway marker
• take a photo at both ends of the defunct zipline.
• take Van back to Tacloban City (about 2.5 hours)
• Take Jeep to Airport (about 10 minutes)
• Take the flight back to Manila.

Generally, we travelled interprovince with public van utility vehicles. In their usual practice, you can actually reserve and choose a van seat and schedule prior departure. It is more convenient to choose the rows behind the driver because of its ample legroom. Do not choose to seat, as much as possible, near the door, for the inconvenience of needing to alight from time to time to allow other passengers to passby. There are public utility buses however on limited schedules. It is rare for a late night interprovince travel in this region. Travel with approved franchises and legit van groups – Duptours, Van Vans and Grandtours to name a few.

Thank you, Mr. Juan Carlo and Mr. Michael James for joining me on this trip and for sharing your amazing photographs. My heartfelt thanks to Ms. Ailene Daez of Guiuan Tourism Office for assisting during our tour in their town