Dumaguete Nature Exploration: Full-Day Guided Private Tour
5.0
12 Ratings
Dumaguete City
Embark on a full-day nature exploration in Dumaguete with a private guide. Discover the stunning natural beauty of the area while enjoying the comfort of an air-conditioned SUV.
Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao & Danao - PLEASE NOTE: Moderate hiking is available but not required, only if no rain. For hiking, bring non-slip shoes or boots. Long socks, sun hat, sunglasses, reusable water bottle and bug repellent are recommended.

WHAT WE’LL DO: Pick up from your hotel in an air-conditioned SUV(1-4 passengers). We will take the scenic drive to the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Reserve, approximately 1 1/2 hours. Incredible jungle views and a quiet, unpopulated area of Negros. Hike a rock trail to the second lake and 3-story observation tower with spectacular views of both lakes(weather permitting; 2 hour roundtrip hike). 30 min walking tour of the intimate, endangered Fern Sanctuary. Restaurant onsite serving coffee, snacks and lunch items(not included in tour price), including the rare and highly recommended Filipino speciality Pako Salad, or fresh fern salad. On the return, visit the Valencia municipal park, Forest Camp resort and stop for a Buko(coconut) juice and Turon(fried banana).

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Food & Drinks
  • Admission to Pulangbato Falls 150 pesos(approx. $2.74)
  • Admission to Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao & Danao 100 pesos per person($1.83 USD)
  • Admission to Red Rock Hot Springs 100 pesos per person($1.83 USD)
Additional Information

Looking for fun things to do in the Dumaguete area for 1-4 people?

Want to explore all the incredible natural beauty of the Dumaguete area on a private, customized tour with an English-speaking guide?

Want recommendations for the best restaurants, things to do and activities?

Hi, I’m James! Originally from Los Angeles, California, I’ve been living in the Philippines since 2019. I am happy to share some of my favorite places with travelers visiting the beautiful Province of Negros Oriental.

What we’ll do:
• I’ll pick you up at your lodging in an air-conditioned Hyundai Tucson SUV, complete with sun and moonroof for your viewing enjoyment!
• Take your pick of my listed attractions. All tours have a basic itinerary, but are fully flexible and customizable based on your interests!
• Try my recommendations for the best local Filipino & International cuisine, locally made craft beer and unique souvenirs(cost not included in tour price).

Location
Twin Lakes of Balinsasayao & Danao
12 km west of the town of Sibulan
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(12 Ratings)
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W2816usmaried
Feb 10, 2024
Private and personalized Dumaguete Tour in English - James is an excellent and knowledgeable guide and I highly recommend his tour. My sister and I arrived 4 hours late due to delays on our Cebu Pacific flight (subject of another review) yet James was able to flex and tailor our tour to accommodate our interests and preferences. He took us to sights that we would not have been able to see otherwise and shared insightful information on each location. We had a fantastic and enjoyable experience. Thank you, James!!! We will do it again when we return with the rest of our family.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariedeguzman1
Feb 10, 2024
Excellent private and personalized Dumaguete Tour in English - Discovering the natural wonders of the areas around Dumaguete with a knowledgeable guide whonshared excellent insights and accommodated our needs.
Review provided by Viator
Colinbw7560jd
Jan 30, 2024
Wonderful tour of Negros - James was a fantastic tour guide and very knowledgeable. He took us to see many nature sights including the twin lakes and Pulangbato Falls. Another stop was for lunch where we had some excellent Mexican Food and Craft Beers. Would highly recommend James.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Colin_b
Jan 30, 2024
Fantastic day trip - Our guide James made the trip really worthwhile taking the time to really give us a fantastic day. Very informative about local knowledge and took us to some beautiful locations. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Getaway08463971020
Jan 19, 2024
Best guide in Dumaguete! - Brilliant day being shown around Dumaguete by James! Day full of waterfalls, coffee, great food and super informative company in James. There were so many places we would have never found if it wasn’t for James knowledge. James was a brilliant listener to what we would like to see and gave us loads of fantastic options. Could not recommend him more highly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
299sylvainem
Jan 12, 2024
Fabulous hikes - magnificent excursions thanks to James who made us discover fabulous places. James is very available and respected our choice of visits. We greatly appreciated his punctuality and his exemplary driving on sometimes difficult roads.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elvie
Nov 22, 2023
A wonderful drive around the countryside - This is a wonderful way to see the countryside of negros oriental for a first time visitor. James is an excellent driver ,a tour guide and he also took care of us . He has an itinerary but also very flexible of what you want to do , we were able to stop by the local farmers and bought local fruits and snacks , He is a very good communicator he gives you detailed instructions and options of what fit your needs. He is highly recommended .
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dcarnitas
Nov 19, 2023
Great Personalized Private Tour. James is Knowledgeable and Easy Going. Many Options. - Our private customized tour with James around Dumaguete and Valencia was exactly what we requested. I can't walk long distances so we asked James for mostly a window tour from his SUV. James gave us exactly what we requested and his tour was excellent. I could tell he was very knowledgeable about other sites for hiking, swimming and adventuring. He suggested that we bring water and that we could bring snacks and food if we desired. He recommended a craft beer brewery with a Mexican food restaurant in Valencia. It was a good recommendation. I never expected to find a cherry sour beer in the Philippines. Or decent Mexican food. The staff there was excellent! The beers I tasted were all good. I highly suggest their cherry sour beer if it's on tap. Waterfalls, lakes, the Valencia Geothermal Steam plant, a Hilltop gated community with a lighthouse, glass bottom view deck and restaurant and all the other places that we requested. He had excellent suggestions and all were good. We paid all the entrance fees, snacks and a meal. James has an easy going personality, easy to talk to, accomodating and very good knowledge of the sites he brought us to. I highly recommend his tours. He also mentioned he does airport and ferry service to and from your hotel.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces29887963895
Oct 26, 2023
3 Magical Days near Dauin - I took James’ tour to the Twin Lakes on my diving trip to Dauin, not sure what to expect since there were no reviews yet. It was amazing! James picked me up at my hotel at the time I requested in a clean SUV with aircon. He was friendly, knowledgeable and very flexible with our time and itinerary. He is originally from Los Angeles but has been living in the Philippines for four years and is married to a Filipina, so he was able to share so many interesting things about the people, their culture and places we visited that I never would have known! We walked through a gorgeous fern sanctuary and hiked along a rock path to the second lake, seeing many colorful butterflies and beautiful scenery. I was so impressed with the experience, I took two more of his tours during my stay, to Pulangbato Falls and Lake Balanan(which he didn’t offer as a tour yet, but took me anyway). Both of them were just as high quality as the first! I got to swim under a waterfall, feed monkeys , hike a bit on tropical trails at the lakes and see volcanic steam vents. Also, enjoyed eating at a few of his favorite local cafes and was especially happy to enjoy a fernleaf salad, local specialty at the Twin Lakes. I highly recommend James’ tour! Five stars!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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May 2024
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