Davao’s highlands offer a sharp change of scene: leave the city behind and spend the day among cool mountain air, green slopes and, when the weather cooperates, clouds drifting below the viewpoints. This is a full-day outing, not just a quick photo stop, with farm visits and a relaxed meal break folded into the route.
I like the mix of wide-open views and small, hands-on stops. Hills View Mountain Villa, Sonnen Berg and JMCC Peak put the scenery front and center, while BEMWA Farm adds the chance to pick strawberries or vegetables. I also like that drivers such as Kuya Jhon and Kuya Tins have helped with photos, food choices and practical details.
The main trade-off is time and terrain. You’ll be on the road for much of the day, and some stops involve uphill or downhill walking and stairs. The schedule can shift with weather and traffic, and the advertised 7:30 departure may not be early enough for a sea of clouds.
- At a glance
- From Davao’s streets to the mountain air
- Hills View, Sonnen Berg and the search for clouds
- Seagull Mountain Resort and the cold-pool choice
- BEMWA Farm: picking fruit or vegetables
- Highway 81, local food and the Big Eagle
- Helpful drivers make the day easier
- What the price includes, and what it doesn’t
- Who will enjoy this highland day
- Booking details worth checking
- Should you book the Davao Highlands Tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour depart and return?
- Where can I be picked up?
- Is an earlier pickup available to see the sea of clouds?
- Which route options can I book?
- Are meals included?
- Is travel insurance included?
- Can children join the tour?
- Is the tour accessible to wheelchair users or strollers?
- What are the cancellation and rebooking rules?
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At a glance
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7 / 7- Cooler air and mountain views: The highland stops offer a refreshing change from Davao’s city streets, with views of hills, mountains and, on suitable mornings, clouds.
- Two route options: Choose between Buda-Bukidnon and Buda-Senoda packages. The included stops can vary, so check your selected route before booking.
- A farm stop with a purpose: At BEMWA Farm, you may pick strawberries or vegetables, a welcome change from sightseeing by van.
- A full day with transfers: Roundtrip air-conditioned transport, bottled water, a licensed driver and a tour guide are included.
- Costs depend on group size: The listed options become less expensive per person as the group grows, with prices also varying by route.
- Bring comfortable shoes: The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and some stops require walking on slopes or stairs.
From Davao’s streets to the mountain air
The tour leaves Davao at 7:30 a.m. and returns at about 5 p.m., with pickup available at downtown hotels, the airport and major malls. That transfer is a real part of the value: you can enjoy the highlands without arranging separate transport between several far-flung stops.
Expect a day of changing scenery rather than one long visit at a single attraction. The route heads toward the Buda highlands, where cooler weather and elevated views make the journey feel distinct from a standard city tour. How much time you spend at each stop depends on traffic, weather and your chosen package.
There is one timing detail worth sorting out before you pay. The standard tour information gives a 7:30 a.m. departure, but one couple arranged a 4:30 a.m. pickup with the operator to improve their chance of seeing the sea of clouds at Sonnen Berg. If that view is your main reason for booking, ask whether an earlier start is available for your date and package. Clouds are weather-dependent, so an early alarm improves your odds, not your guarantee.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Davao.
Hills View, Sonnen Berg and the search for clouds
Hills View Mountain Villa, Sonnen Berg and JMCC Peak are among the named highland viewpoints. Their appeal is straightforward: open views across hills and mountains, with the possibility of clouds filling the valleys below. If you’re used to Davao’s warm city climate, the cool air alone can make these stops feel like a different day out.
Sonnen Berg is especially tempting if you’re hoping for a sea of clouds. But cloud conditions are never certain, and reaching a viewpoint does not mean the view will be clear. I’d treat it as a rewarding mountain stop either way, rather than building the whole day around a weather event.
The tour may also include the Greek Hills attractions, with features inspired by Greece such as the Portara, or Great Door. It’s a more playful, photo-friendly stop than a natural viewpoint. If you prefer scenery to staged photo spots, consider how much that kind of attraction appeals to you before choosing a package.
The package names distinguish between Buda-Bukidnon and Buda-Senoda routes. The information provided names a broad set of possible stops but does not give a guaranteed stop-by-stop schedule for each version. Check the route details with the operator so you know which viewpoints and resorts are included on your chosen date.
Seagull Mountain Resort and the cold-pool choice
Seagull Mountain Resort offers a classic mountain break: cool air, highland views and, if you want it, a dip in its cold pool. The pool is an optional activity, so don’t assume it is covered by the tour price. Admission to attractions is included, but optional activities are listed separately from the inclusions. Confirm what applies to your package before you set aside time or money for a swim.
A practical point: walking around the resort may involve slopes or stairs, and the tour requires uphill or downhill walking at some stops. One past visitor chose to stay at the restaurant rather than go into the resort after the guide explained that the view might not justify the entrance cost and effort for their group. That choice makes sense if you’re tired or would rather save your energy for other stops.
I’d ask your driver what the walk and view are like on the day, then decide for yourself. The route is meant to be flexible enough to include a range of sights, but it is still a day tour with limited time. You don’t need to turn every optional stop into a must-do.
BEMWA Farm: picking fruit or vegetables
BEMWA Farm brings a hands-on note to a day otherwise centered on views and transport. You may be able to pick strawberries or vegetables, depending on what is available. That makes the visit more than a quick photo stop, especially if you’re travelling with children or enjoy seeing where local produce is grown.
Keep expectations practical. The tour information does not specify how much picking is included, what produce will be ready, or whether anything you pick has an extra cost. Availability can depend on the season and farm conditions, so think of this as a pleasant possibility rather than a guaranteed harvest.
This is also a good place to slow the pace. A day of mountain viewpoints can blur into a string of similar photos; a farm visit gives you something different to do and a reason to look beyond the scenery.
Highway 81, local food and the Big Eagle
Highway 81 is the tour’s laidback food stop, known for hearty meals and cool weather. Meals and drinks are not included, so budget for lunch and anything else you order. You can use the break to rest, warm up if the highland air feels chilly, and enjoy a slower pause before returning to Davao.
If you have dietary needs, tell the operator ahead of time. Kuya Jhon helped a vegetarian couple find suitable food options, which is encouraging, but it is still sensible to make your needs clear before departure. A guide can help you choose, though the tour does not promise a particular menu.
The route also calls out the Big Eagle Statue along the Buda highway. It’s a quick landmark and photo stop, not a separate half-day attraction. If you enjoy collecting a few memorable roadside images, it adds variety; if you’d rather spend longer at a viewpoint, ask how the day’s timing is shaping up.
Helpful drivers make the day easier
A long day in a vehicle works best when the person behind the wheel is calm and communicative. Tour participants have praised drivers including Kuya Jhon and Kuya Tins for being considerate, driving safely and helping with photos. One visitor also appreciated updates from the agency before the tour and help finding vegetarian food.
Those details matter because this outing involves more than getting from one attraction to another. Your driver may help you understand the day’s options, take a group photo or adjust plans when conditions change. Still, a particular driver is not guaranteed, and you should treat the names as examples rather than a promise.
Roundtrip air-conditioned transport and bottled water are included, along with a licensed driver and tour guide. The tour is a good fit if you want someone else to handle the route and driving. If you prefer long, independent visits at each stop, ask about the pace before booking.
What the price includes, and what it doesn’t
The headline price starts at $37.25, but the package options show that the per-person cost depends on both route and group size. For Buda-Bukidnon, listed rates range from $69.49 per person for two people to $32.39 per person for a group of 11 to 12. For Buda-Senoda, the listed range is $78.99 for two people to $37.90 each for 11 to 12. Check the current price for your exact route and group; the starting figure is not the cost for every booking.
For a couple, the price is higher per person, but you still get a full day of transport, a guide and admission to attractions. Larger groups pay less per person, which can make the outing appealing for families or friends travelling together. The value is strongest if you want several highland stops without arranging a vehicle and entrance details yourself.
Meals, beverages, personal expenses, tips, insurance and optional activities are not included. The tour requires participants to purchase travel insurance, so arrange that separately. You’ll also want some spending money for meals and anything optional at the stops.
Who will enjoy this highland day
I’d recommend the tour to first-time visitors who want to see Davao beyond the city, families with older children, and anyone who likes viewpoints, cool weather and a varied day out. It also suits people who value door-to-door transport more than the freedom to linger at one place for hours.
It is less suitable if you need step-free access, are travelling with a stroller, or dislike a full day in a vehicle. The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and some walking includes slopes and stairs. Participants must be under 75; people aged 75 and older need to present a medical certificate before joining.
Children aged 0 to 4 can participate free, children aged 5 to 10 have a discounted rate, and children aged 10 and above pay the adult rate. Since the walking and cold weather may be tiring for some children, consider their comfort with stairs and a long day before booking.
Booking details worth checking
Pickup and drop-off are offered at hotels, the airport and major malls within downtown Davao. Be at your pickup point 30 minutes early. For hotel pickup, the driver waits up to 20 minutes before leaving, and late arrivals are not refunded. The mobile voucher is valid only for the selected date and time.
The day’s schedule can change with traffic and weather. If severe weather or another unforeseen event forces the operator to cancel, you can reschedule. Tours can be transferred free with at least two days’ notice, and rebooking is subject to availability with at least three days’ notice. Cancellation terms distinguish between cancellations made at least five days ahead and those made less than four days before departure; check the exact terms for your booking, particularly if you are within that gap.
Should you book the Davao Highlands Tour?
Book it if you want a low-fuss day in the hills, appreciate mountain views and don’t mind sharing your schedule with a group itinerary. The combination of viewpoints, a farm stop, a meal break and included transfers gives the day more variety than a simple scenic drive.
Before paying, confirm which route you’re booking, which stops it includes, and whether an earlier start is possible if you’re aiming for clouds at Sonnen Berg. Bring comfortable shoes, a mask as required for visits, travel insurance and money for meals or optional activities. If those details suit your plans, this is a practical way to trade city heat for a day in Davao’s highlands.
Highlands Tour in Davao
“Kuya Jhon was super friendly and kind he helped us with photos with important information as well as communicating as and when required. He helped…”
FAQ
What time does the tour depart and return?
The stated schedule is a 7:30 a.m. departure and an approximately 5 p.m. return. Traffic and weather can change the timing.
Where can I be picked up?
Pickup and drop-off are available at hotels, the airport and major malls within downtown Davao City. Arrive 30 minutes before pickup.
Is an earlier pickup available to see the sea of clouds?
An earlier 4:30 a.m. pickup was arranged for one tour to improve the chance of seeing clouds at Sonnen Berg. Ask the operator whether an early start is available for your date and package.
Which route options can I book?
The listed options are Buda-Bukidnon Highlands Tour and Buda-Senoda Hills Highlands Tour. Confirm the included stops for your selected route.
Are meals included?
No. Meals and beverages are not included, so bring money for lunch and drinks.
Is travel insurance included?
No. Participants are required to purchase travel insurance, and the cost is not included in the tour.
Can children join the tour?
Yes. Children aged 0 to 4 participate free, children aged 5 to 10 can join at a discounted rate, and children aged 10 and above pay the adult rate.
Is the tour accessible to wheelchair users or strollers?
No. The tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-accessible, and some stops involve uphill or downhill walking and stairs.
What are the cancellation and rebooking rules?
Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least five days before the activity date. No refunds are given for cancellations made less than four days before the scheduled time, late arrivals, no-shows or unused or partly used tours. Transfers require at least two days’ notice, and rebooking requires at least three days’ notice and is subject to availability.