Philippine Orchids & PHILIPPINE ORCHIDS & NEPENTHES ITINERARY Day 1: A morning pickup from Manila International Airport or nearby hotels takes us to the port of Batangas, where we catch an overnight boat bound for Sibuyan. We sleep overnight in bunks aboard the vessel. This expedition specifically incorporates a climb of spectacular Guiting Guiting on Sibuyan Island, as well as other iconic Philippines orchid and Nepenthes sites. Day 2: Following a late morning arrival at the port on Sibuyan, we transfer to Magdiwang by jeepney, register for the climb of Mount Guiting Guiting and overnight at a local riverside lodge surrounded by cocoa and coconut plantations. Try delicious local food for dinner before an early night. This 15 day expedition begins in Manila, Philippines. We travel to the coastal port of Batangas to catch an Day 3: An early morning start sees us starting off from Guiting Guiting National Park headquarters and overnight ferry to the remote island of Sibuyan, in the middle of the Philippine Archipelago. Here, we climb climbing a steeply ascending ridge to the campsite at the top of Mount Mayo, a flank of Guiting Guiting. soaring Mount Guiting Guiting, whose incredible profile and famous Knife Edge Ridge must be seen to be The stunning trail is strenuous, but worthwhile, as the vegetation includes a range of endemic , truly appreciated. Here, amongst electric blue earth worms and metallic phasmids, we encounter two species including pitcher plants Nepenthes armin and N. sibuyanensis as well as orchids, including Oberonia, of rare Paphiopedilum orchids, and the endemic pitcher plants, Nepenthes argentii and N. sibuyanensis. Dendrochilum, Bulbophyllum and if in season Paphiopedilum hennisianum. We overnight in tents adjacent Our return to the mainland sees us transfer to Mindanao, where we make an ascent of a rarely climbed to the spectacular Knife Edge ridge. mountain above Compostela Valley in search of epiphytic orchids and giant pitcher plants in a mossy forest Day 4: We cross the Knife Edge, a lofty path of sharp boulders that connects Mayo to Guiting Guiting. The of giant trees. Finally, we travel to beautiful , where Mount Shumkat awaits us. 2.3 km crossing offers precipitous and spectacular views of the lowlands. At the other end, the remarkable endemic pitcher , N. argentii, awaits, along with the rare Lobelia proctorii. Here, in addition to endemic N. leonardoi, we find stands of Bulbophyllum and Dendrobium, Thereafter, we ascend towards the Peak of Deception, before summitting in the early afternoon. Thereafter, as well as endemic vireya Rhododendron and terrestrial Cryptostylis orchids. This expedition offers excellent a careful descent is made across boulder fields and numerous orchid and pitcher plant strewn ridges opportunities to photograph orchids, pitcher plants, birds and insects alike. towards a campsite on the other side of the mountain. Optional pre- or post-expedition extensions This expedition can be modified to visit (+1 Day 5: From camp, we descend towards the lowlands. Yet more orchids await, including numerous day) in place of Mt Shumkat, or as an extra (+4 days), where giant can be seen, epiphytes and possibly stands of Paphiopedilum haynaldianum slipper orchids. The long day is rewarded along with riparian orchid habitats that include Oberonia, Aporum and Bulbophyllum. with a refreshing swim in the river back at our lodge, followed by a well-earned dinner. COST: £2,100 per person for 15 days / 14 nights (all inclusive from start point to end point). Day 6: Late morning departure for Manila by ferry. A full day of travel and an early night of sleep will see us arriving at Batangas at 5am on Day 7. START POINT: Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines. END POINT: Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines. Day 7: We travel to Davao and transfer to our accommodation in the Compostela Valley, southeastern DATES: Friday April 22 – Friday May 6th 2015 (negotiable on application). Mindanao. Day 8: At 6am we transfer to a local beauty spot to begin our hike towards the peak of a recently explored Email [email protected] for more information and to make bookings. mountain. By late afternoon, we make camp on a ridge adjacent to the mossy forest zone. From here, orchid epiphytes such as Stichorkis and red Dendrochilum coccineum hang from the trees. Day 9: A day is spent exploring the ridge towards the summit in search of epiphytic and terrestrial orchids, including Coelogyne, Bulbophyllum species both large and small, and Rhododendron. A packed lunch ensures that our hike is not interrupted. We return to camp for the night. Day 10: We descend to the base and return to our accommodation for a hearty meal and overnight rest. Day 11: We depart for Davao for our flight to Palawan. We overnight in Puerto Princesa, where we have dinner in a local restaurant to try delicious Palawan cuisine. Day 12: An early morning transfer takes us to Narra to meet our guides. We transfer to the base of Mount Shumkat to begin our hike to base camp, located in upland hill forest beneath towering dipterocarp trees. Day 13: From camp, we hike to the summit. En route, we encounter numerous ferns as well as scattered stands of orchids, including Bulbophyllum lobbii. As we enter the mossy forest, endemic Nepenthes leonardoi starts to appear. Eventually, we arrive at a swamp below the summit where we rest for lunch. Here, we find populations of the rare and little known carnivorous sundew ultramafica, as well as terrestrial Cryptostylis and Coelogyne, as well as various epiphytes and even some Rhododendron. Thereafter, we make our way to the summit before returning to camp for nightfall. Day 14: After breakfast, we descend to the base of Mount Shumkat and then transfer to Puerto Princesa where we overnight in a hotel and enjoy a farewell meal. Day 15: A morning departure flight to Manila will allow for onward travel during the course of the afternoon. Highlights of the Philippine Orchids & Nepenthes Expedition Highlights of the Philippine Orchids & Nepenthes Expedition Please visit: www.redfernnaturalhistory.com to see more images Please visit: www.redfernnaturalhistory.com to see more images