Davao

Davao is the largest city of Mindanao and the natural base for southern Philippines travel. In its backyard rises Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak at 2,954 metres — a multi-day climb above a sea of clouds, with rangers required at the trailhead. A short ferry across Pakiputan Strait leads to Samal Island, where the stilt cottages of Pearl Farm Beach Resort sit over clear water. South-west of the city, in the highlands of South Cotabato, Lake Sebu is the homeland of the T’boli, whose wooden stilt longhouses and t’nalak ikat weaving are among the most distinctive living cultures in the country. Davao is also the home of the durian, the city is famously safe at night, and the food scene leans toward grilled seafood and Maranao spice.

Mount Apo summit at dawn in Davao, the country's highest peak rising above a sea of clouds with jagged volcanic ridges glowing in the alpenglow and distant clouds rolling over forested foothills
Mount Apo summit at dawn.
Pearl Farm Beach Resort on Samal Island Davao, traditional stilt cottages over clear turquoise water with a palm-lined white sand beach in soft afternoon light
Pearl Farm stilt cottages, Samal Island.
Lake Sebu T'boli longhouse in South Cotabato, a traditional wooden stilt longhouse on the lakeshore with woven palm walls, a T'boli woman in colorful t'nalak ikat dress weaving on a backstrap loom in soft overcast light
T’boli longhouse and t’nalak weaver, Lake Sebu.

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