Cagayan De Oro's White Water Rafting and Bukidnon's Dual Zipline
Now, all of us decided to book the Expert Level, instead of the Beginner’s level. We were encouraged to take the former so that we may be able to enjoy what the whole rafting experience had to offer. We were also assured that taking the expert level was something that we could handle despite having no previous rafting experience. So we took on the challenge, and were shockingly challenged out of our wits!
The trip from the headquarters of Great White Water Tours (near the airport) going to the rafting site took more or less an hour. I wasn’t able to take the exact time since we were advised to leave our valuables at the main office (so that included our phones, watches, etc.), unless we wanted to risk losing our stuff during the rafting tour.
Our excitement and anxiety escalated even more when we started seeing the river. I almost backed out when I saw how big and strong the rapids were. But of course, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to run away from this one.
After a brief orientation on the safety rules, we were finally lead to our designated raft. The four of us, plus the two guides had an inflatable raft all to ourselves (the other group had eight people in one boat).
)+727.jpg)
)+728.jpg)
)+729.jpg)
As soon as we paddled our way into the river, our adventure began. There really was no turning back. Oh, and we’ve heard of those sudden flips and turns from friends who’ve already tried rafting. But of course, we had to experience all of it ourselves to validate their stories. I kept asking ‘what’s there to expect' and 'what’s going to happen now?’; and even before I got around to asking what should be expected from all the paddling and rapid-anticipating, our guides had our boat tilted without our consent!
)+786.jpg)
)+787.jpg)
ONCE IS NOT ENOUGH!
After climbing back into the raft, we immediately asked the guides to not surprise us with any more of those unexpected tilts. But of course, the rafters wanted to give us our money’s worth so they gave us a few more later on. So for maybe 3-5 tilts, I succeeded to stay on the raft for the last two flips. I was just grateful enough to have survived 3 hours worth of rafting, as I would never do it again! At least this time, I could definitely say that I’ve done another extreme adventure.
)+864.jpg)
The whole trip consisted of 2 stops. The first one consisted of a snack-break. And when our rafting adventure ended, we rode the jeep again and went back to the GWWT headquarters.


ASIA'S LONGEST DUAL ZIP LINE
We decided on the last minute not to hop on the jeep back to the city, but to go directly to the Dahilayan zipline site in Bukidnon. The good thing about it was that the rafting company also had connections with the famous park. Sir Gerome was able to inform someone from the company to expect our arrival. So as soon as we confirmed, he contacted a friend who owned a taxi to take us straight to Bukidnon. From there, another road trip started.
The whole road trip to Bukidnon, coming from Cagayan De Oro took about 2 hours. It probably took longer since it was also raining at the time. We also didn’t expect the foggy condition in Bukidnon. Anyway, the drop of temperature in this province was already comparable to that of Baguio’s. It was extremely cold, and to think we only wore shorts going there. Good thing my boyfriend brought his hoodie, as it saved me from freezing.
Good thing the zipline site was informed of our visit as they were just about to close (closes at 4pm). So as soon as we paid, we headed to our first zip line post. There were exactly three zip lines (320m and 120m), and our last stop was the longest in Asia by far (840m). We also had the opportunity to ride this huge jeep that helped take us to the summit of the 840m zip line post.

We probably slept for 2 hours during our trip back to CDO (we rode the same taxi). As for the fare, it cost us Php500 per way. So for four people, we only had to pitch in Php250 each for a round trip. Anyway, we got dropped off at our inn before deciding to get dinner at Limketkai.
)+892.jpg)
)+903.jpg)
Anyway, have you been to Cagayan De Oro? Have you tried any of their hotels and tours? Let me know how your experience/s went. Would love to trade stories with you! :)
Explore & Be Free!
Mai
39 comments