Witness the rhythms of Southern Mindanao’s living heritage.
Beginning with the conservation of the Philippine Eagle at the foothills of Mount Apo, this immersive eight-day odyssey follows the whispers of ancestral traditions among the Bagobo Tagabawa, B’laan, and T’boli peoples through the sacred art of textile weaving, coffee and cacao cultivation, brass casting, and cultural storytelling. Marvel in regional Mindanaoan cuisine, signature sanctuaries, and resonant landscapes- from Davao’s mountain forests to the misty waters of Lake Sebu. This journey attunes to a richer harmony on the artistry, culture, and wisdom that voice the true soul of the Philippines.
8
days
20
max guests
11
destinations
GAWAD SA MANLILIKHA NG BAYAN
National Artists featured in this journey
Barbara Ofong
T’nalak Weaving
Bundos Fara
Brass Casting
Salinta Monon
Inabal Weaving
Lang Dulay
T’nalak weaving
Itinerary | Ancestral Echoes
Day 1 · Davao Province
Arrive Davao
Home to the Philippine Eagle and the highest mountain in the country Mt. Apo, known gateway into the rest of southern island Mindanao, Davao City is the journey’s jumping-off point.
Day 1, Locale 2 · Philippine Eagle Center
The Sacred Bird
a scenic drive into the foothills of Mount Apo
Private educational trek through the sanctuary Philippine Eagle Center, focusing on the conservation biology of the critically endangered national bird.
Traditional Tribal Welcome Lunch
Day 1, Locale 3 · Bagobo Tagabawa Village
Traditional Tribal Welcome
and Inabal Weaves Masterclass
Meet the tribal elders and learn about their cultural role as guardians of Mount Apo.
Staying in
Tagabawa Village Native Huts
Sunset Welcome Cocktails, Opening Orientation & Welcome Dinner
Day 2 · Bansalan, Davao del Sur
Berries, Binuwaya & Bansalan Artistry
Southward drive climbing higher into the volcanic ridges of Davao del Sur.
Immersive educational visit to the legacy center of National Living Treasure Salinta Monon. Analyze the highly intricate, master-level Binuwaya(crocodile) patterns hand-woven into ancient abaca textiles.
Staying in
The Berries Farms & Cabins
Tribal Mountain Breakfast, Farm-to-Table Lunch at The Berries Cabin, High-Altitude Highland Dinner
Day 3 · Malungon, Sarangani Province
Copper, Coffee & Chocolate Traditions
Depart the Davao ridge for the ancestral territories of Sarangani.
A rare educational session inside the Lamlifew School of Living Traditions, observing the complex Mabal Tabih hand-weaving style and the natural tie-dye systems unique to B'laan women.
Staying in
The Lamlifew Tribal Women’s Association (LTWA) Homestays
Highland Cabin Breakfast , Traditional B’laan Field Lunch ,Ancestral Hearth Dinner
Day 4 · Polomolok to Lake Sebu
Welcome to the Land of the Dreamweavers
Traverse the rolling agricultural valleys of South Cotabato.
View the vast fields of Polomolok, tracing the agro-industrial development of the country's main pineapple export zones. Multi-course lunch showcasing sweet and savory pineapple-infused culinary concepts inside the private plantation clubhouse.
Drive up into the rugged, mystical cloud forest of the T'boli people. Check-In at The Dreamweavers Hill Villa. Enter your luxury sanctuary, a stunning highland eco-resort overlooking the pristine lakes. Unpack, explore the private resort tracks, or adjust to the altitude.
Drive up into the rugged, mystical cloud forest of the T'boli people. Check-In at The Dreamweavers Hill Villa. Enter your luxury sanctuary, a stunning highland eco-resort overlooking the pristine lakes. Unpack, explore the private resort tracks, or adjust to the altitude.
Staying in
The Dreamweavers Hill Villa
Morning meal in Lamlifew , Plantation Gastronomy Lunch in Dole Pineapple Plantation , T’boli Welcome Banquet
Day 5 · Lake Sebu (Center Circuit)
Fu Dalu & The Spirit of the Textile Dreams
Cruise past the lotus beds of Lake Sebu while enjoying an elegant degustation of fresh local catches.
Join an educational walk through an organic abaca plantation to see the physical strength required to harvest and extract the raw fibers from the leaf sheaths. Highlight of the day will be a deep cultural visit to the school founded by the legendary Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (National Living Treasure) Lang Dulay. Learn how the weavers translate spiritual visions sent by Fu Dalu (the goddess of abaca) into the geometric threads of T’nalak. Spiritual Flute & Epic Oral Performances to conclude the day.
Staying in
The Dreamweavers Hill Villa
Gourmet Highland Breakfast, Lake Barge Lunch Cruise, Heirloom Dinner at the Resort
Day 6 · Lake Sebu (Falls Circuit)
Brass Casters, Sacred Waterfalls & High Fashion
Visit to the Bundos Fara Brass Casting Studio
Learn about the complex designs of T'boli traditional dress from a master preservationist, exploring the strict spiritual rules governing patterns and status.
Witness the rare lost-wax casting technique used to make traditional T'boli brass gongs, belts, and bells, listening to the molten metal hit ancient clay molds.
A formal dinner accompanied by a spectacular runway show featuring modern Filipino haute couture made from sacred T’nalak textiles.
Witness the rare lost-wax casting technique used to make traditional T'boli brass gongs, belts, and bells, listening to the molten metal hit ancient clay molds.
A formal dinner accompanied by a spectacular runway show featuring modern Filipino haute couture made from sacred T’nalak textiles.
Staying in
The Dreamweavers Hill Villa
Traditional Breakfast , Lake Side Tilapia Masterclass Lunch , Grand T’nalak Fashion Show & Gala Dinner
Day 7 · Dreamweavers Hill Sanctuary
Creative Shopping, Traditional Spa Arts & The Finale Banquet
Indulge in morning yoga, open hours to walk through the villages, finish personal photography, purchase rare handiwork directly from the tribal associations. A full day of culinary journey awaits.
A masterful culinary closing degustation banquet highlighting the history, textures, and friendships forged across Mindanao Island.
A masterful culinary closing degustation banquet highlighting the history, textures, and friendships forged across Mindanao Island.
Staying in
The Dreamweavers Hill Villa
Celebration Buffet Breakfast, Contemporary Slow-Food Highland Lunch, Ancestral Echoes Finale Dinner
Day 8 · Sarangani Province
Depart General Santos City
Board the Deluxe Bus Liner for the journey down to General Santos International Airport, successfully concluding your indigenous wisdom odyssey.
Sunrise Breakfast
Inclusions
Entrance fees, taxes and all gratuities
Airport meet-and-greet
Internet access
Curated gifts throughout the journey
Dates & Prices
Prices are in USD, per person, double occupancy.
