Tip: How To Install Schadow1 Expeditions GPS Map On Navigation Systems

Schadow1 Expeditions shares its mapping data with the open source and crowdsourcing community. Hence from its numerous expeditions all over the Philippines for the past decade, over 2.5 million of its data has been shared and integrated to OpenStreetMap. Data from our expeditions are being compiled for offline use to Garmin™ GPS devices. The following is a guide on how to install our maps to your device so that you will never get lost in the Philippines.

Kalanggaman Island, a mid-sea getaway on the calm waters of Visayas

Midway between Eastern Visayas and Central Visayas is a paradise described as a lone island that provides as a breather from the busy urban suburbs of Leyte and Cebu. Characterized as one of the country's best summer getaway with an ultimate photo opportunity with its picturesque sandbar and island escape. Kalanggaman Island houses one of the best sandbars in the country.

Predict the Natural Occurrence of Sea of Clouds on Philippine Mountains

Mount Pulag is known for the magnificent view of sea of clouds when at its summit. Being the tallest mountain at the island of Luzon in the Philippines, no other mountains can hinder its magnificent view. However, not all are lucky to catch the sea of clouds. So when do we usually get this sea of clouds so that we get to have a glimpse of the wondrous view while on top of these towering mountains?

Island Hopping Guide at Siargao Islands

March 1-2, 2015
Siargao Islands is primarily famous for its awesome waves to which surfers all over the world are worth riding for. But aside from surfing, Siargao offers a few of its small islands for beach lovers. Fine white sands, turquoise sea and intimate connection with nature is what these islands can offer. This is a travel guide to Siargao, the country's gateway to Pacific Ocean.

Portuguese-man-o-war on Island Hopping in Siargao

It was a fine summer day. Clear skies, turquoise waters and moderate waves. Right in time for a perfect swim along the fine beaches of the smaller islets of Siargao. Three notable islands namely Naked Island (a sandbar), Dako, and Guyam Islands are near the shores of General Luna, Siargao. Amidst its beauty lies a bewitching organism called Portuguese-man-o-war.

Tracking Your Travels - An important safety travel tip for the outdoor enthusiast

We have heard about horror stories of people missing on the mountains. Having lost for five days or more in the wilderness, where the family has been anxious about one's situation and location. We've heard people who were lost forever; where people close to that person have been deprived of closure. Asking what may have happened, where might he be. Yet, there is only one solution to this problem that every traveler or adventurer must adhere to before one take that first step to go out from the confines of our comfort zone... let at least one person know where you are headed. Yet, is following this "golden rule" of travel already sufficient?

Travel Guide to Bolinao - an escape awaits at the top of Luzon's Western Peninsula

January 1-3, 2015

Bolinao is the last town at the tip of the province of Pangasinan. The last frontier of the province being at its northernmost tip where there are no other destinations you can go to except to this town. Not much known as compared to the more famous Hundred Islands that is located on the same province, getting to the top of Luzon's western peninsula is a must to discover as it offers far more that what a tourist destination  you can expect from a low-land such as the province of Pangasinan.

Falling in Love with Luzon Amidst Its Pitfalls

Perfection is nothing but an idea, to which everyone aims to be; yet the most genius of them all ends up imperfect at the end. Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, with its magnanimity among other islands in the country may seem to cater everything: From dive sites, pristine beaches, remote islets, magnificent mountains and volcanoes, highly urbanized areas, and to the far rural reaches. Yet seemingly almost perfect with its diversity, there still lies some of its ugly reality. The island may fall short on some aspects, but being aware of its imperfections is the key to falling in love with it.

Travel Guide to Calaguas Islands

The group of islands of Calaguas is so far the best beach getaway for those who prefer a serene beach in Camarines Norte - having a powdery white sand and remotely far from the mainland. Currently, the condition of the the island is rapidly changing due to commercialization. Schadow1 Expeditions has prepared this travel guide to give an unbiased account of our experience to our readers and how to be able to get to Calaguas in the most efficient and comfortable way possible.

Travel Guide to Baler Aurora

Part 6 of Baler Series

If you are at the Philippines and surfing is in your mind. There is only one location that is dubbed as the surfing birthplace of the country. It is Baler in Aurora Province. Although known for surfing having a two-kilometer beach facing the Pacific Ocean, there are still many things to do here. Aside from the gray surfing sand of Baler, there are other white beach to bum at, rock formations to climb, and water falls to trek to and swim. The town also boasts a history that crafted the Philippines during the early 20th century. This is Schadow1 Expeditions guide on how to get to Baler and things to do while at this laid-back town.

Travel Essentials Guide for the Philippines

There are two prominent travel seasons in the Philippines. First is during the time when the Catholic majority of the Philippines commemorate the Holy Week which happens sometime between mid-March to mid-April depending on the Roman Catholic calendar and secondly during first week of November in observance of another event from the same religion. Aside from professing their faith, most of these dates are non-working holidays which gives an ample time for the country's busy workforce to travel longer distances. Here is a one-stop, comprehensive guide to help Philippine travelers on their adventure trips on having a stress-free wandering vacation.

A Travel Guide to Sablayan and Pandan Island of Occidental Mindoro

February 13-16, 2014
Part 3 of Sablayan and Apo Reef Series

Sablayan of Occidental Mindoro is famous for Pandan Island, a golden beach island just a few minutes of the coast of the town. But Pandan which is a favorite island stop and beach bum location of foreigners visiting the town, Sablayan offers much more. Being a town that is a jump-off to the 2nd largest contiguous coral reef of the world, the Apo Reef, the town provides a stunning history. A melting pot of culture from where the first inhabitants of the Mindoro settled until Spanish and American colonization, to Japanese occupation, the town preserved its tribal roots and endemic Taramaraws while opening its shores to modernization and tourism.

Apo Reef Travel Guide

Part 2 of Sablayan and Apo Reef Series
Apo Reef is the 2nd largest contiguous coral reef in the world and the Philippines' largest. It is well noted for its wide area of coral reef that divers are eager to explore. Being a part of the country's natural reserve and protected area, the undersea features are astounding due to vast corals underneath and various marine species that swim under it. Aside from a coral reef, it has an island with fine white sand, uninhabited and secluded being 48 kilometers away from the shores of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro to which it is directly administered. Know how to get to this reef and know why we consider this island escape as the best in the Philippines as of yet.

Sagada Travel Guide

Part 9 of the Cordillera Series
How to get to Sagada and things to do 

Sagada is one of the sought after municipalities in the Mountain Province. It is the center of backpacking in the Philippines due to its topography, being on top of the mountains at 1520+ meters above sea level; many tourist spots that can only be reached through hours of trekking, climbing, and spelunking. Hotels are not available instead transient homes and hostels are the only means of accommodation in Sagada. Aside from the touristy sites, the town also reflects the rich culture of the Igorots, the natives of Sagada, and at the same time, the town also is a great place for food trippers as it provides authentic Igorot cuisines and other desserts not usually found on other parts of the country due to its cold climate. This comprehensive travel guide aims first-timers and returners alike to discover what Sagada can offer.

Banaue Rice Terraces - a surreal sight of a town 1300 meters above sea level

Part 2 of the Cordillera Series

It is a dream come true. One of the surreal places in the Philippines to be at. Imagine square kilometers of mountains and valley converted by hand by Philippine ancestors to supply the tribe with their staple food even if they live at 1300 meters above sea level. A time when tools and heavy equipment is not yet available yet over the centuries, the functional agricultural masterpiece also became a work of art that the world admires. I have personally been here to fulfill a childhood dream of stepping on and seeing for myself the acclaimed National Culture Treasure of the Ifugao Rice Terraces. I was speechless as I first had a glimpse of it. I got down from our guide's transport and for the first time, I bore witness the Banaue Rice Terraces!

Caramoan Travel Guide

Part 6 of the Caramoan Series
How to get there and things to do.

The Caramoan Peninsula is the northernmost part of the province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol Region. It is one of the famous tourist destinations in the Philippines which is noted by its several islands that are an escape from the urban lifestyle as it is far away from the buzzing city. The islands are located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean and each of the island has its own beauty and characteristic which would surely amaze beach bums, island hoppers, and even trekkers. This article features great things to do in the Caramoan and how to get to this town.

Kaybiang Tunnel - The Gateway to the Western Coves of Cavite and Batangas

Last August 2012 and January 2013 (see here), we have provided an update regarding the status of Kaybiang Tunnel. This article is the final update of the tunnel that serves as the gateway to the once hard to reach areas of the western coves of Southwest Luzon which is home to serene beaches and magnificent sunsets.

New Cavite Batangas Bus Terminal

Starting August 6 July 15 22, 2013, on a Tuesday, buses plying to and from Batangas and Cavite now has a new bus terminal in Paranaque City: Using the previous ground floor parking of Coastal Mall as its new bus station. This means that provincial buses from Cavite and Batangas are no longer allowed to go beyond the Manila-Cavite Expressway.

Coordinates: (14.516373,120.991261)

Project NOAH - A life saver for travelers and mountaineers alike.

Project NOAH stands for Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards  that was launched as a project of Department of Science and Technology to create an application that integrates real-time information of hazards in the country. It is a joint project of several government agencies and organizations that made this project as one of the most important working project of the government. It feeds real-time and accurate information of various monitoring equipment used by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

Going in and Out of Cavite - a comprehensive guide to the province where the Philippines as a country started.

Mt. Pico De Loro, Maragondon, Cavite

Cavite is a province at the southwestern edge of Luzon and is part of Region 4-A CALABARZON; is situated southwest of Metro Manila. The province is mainly a flat land to which most of its area is agricultural. But most of the agricultural lands are now transformed and developed into residential areas. Its eastern edge is the Palay-Palay, Mataas na Gulod mountain range which comprises of mountains of interest by hikers and is the highest point of Cavite at 664 MASL. The southern edge of Cavite is the Tagaytay Ridge (~600 MASL) which borders the Taal Caldera and is the easiest cold escape from the hot and humid Metro Manila. This province is also well known as the place where numerous battles have taken place which in turn resulted in the declaration of Philippine Independence. This article aims to give a comprehensive guide on how to get in and out of Cavite.