Smart Backpacker: Cagayan De Oro

Showing posts with label Cagayan De Oro. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Top 10 Rivers in the Philippines for Tourists

In my eight years of travel around the Philippines, I have seen some of the best and biggest rivers in the Philippines. I have seen the the Rio De Grande Cagayan (top view) while I was on board a plane en route to Tuguegarao and the Rio De Grande of Mindanao while passing in Cotabato City.

But these rivers are not tourist spots. Here are the top rivers for tourists in the Philippines!

My Top Ten Rivers in the Philippines for Tourists

1. Enchanted River, Hinatuan, Agusan Del Sur (The only crystal-blue water river in the Philippines. The majestic sight is really jaw-dropping!)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/enchanted-river.html

2. Pagsanjan River, Laguna (known for its majestic falls and its rapids, you will love the adventure going to the falls!)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

3. Davao River (The best river in the Philippines for white river rafting. The long, numerous, winding and perilous rapids will surely give you the adrenalin boost that you long for!)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

4. Cagayan De Oro River (The second best river for white river rafting)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

5. Chico River, Kalinga-Apayao (Third best river for white river rafting)

from Chico River Quest, Inc

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/passing-in-kalinga.htm

6. Loboc River, Bohol (known for its buffet river cruise)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html

7. Villa Escudero River, Tiaong, Quezon (known for its buffet lunch at the falls, bamboo raft cruise and fishing)

8.Governor's Rapids, Quirino (known for its river rafting using a canoe)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/amazing-quirino.html

9. Panguil River Eco-Park, Pangil, Laguna (known for its trekking, tubing, and Ambon-Ambon Falls)

Related link - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2014/02/ambon-ambon-falls-natividad-pangil.html

10. Puerto Princesa Underground River, Palawan (Originally, it was not part of the list since I categorize it more as a cave. PPUR is known for its rock formations inside the cave. But since it is one of Asia's longest underground river, then PPUR should be included)

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Tourist Spots In Cagayan De Oro

Aside from White Water Rafting, Cagayan De Oro offers also two other premiere tourist spots.

The Gardens of Malasag

and

Divine Mercy Shrine

Well, if you are traveling alone, then it will take 1-2 hours just to visit the two tourist spots. Simply, hire a habal-habal and charter it for P700.00 and the next thing you know is that you are there already and appreciating the beauty of the two spots.

Divine Mercy Shrine

From Cagayan De Oro City, travel time is around 25 minutes just to reach the spot.

Being a devout Catholic, I stayed for 1 hour and prayed, then afterwards, I went to my next destination.

Gardens of Malasag

Travel time form the city proper is 20-30 minutes depending on the traffic.

The Gardens of Malasag is included as one of the 32 ecotourism spots in the Philippines.

The Thrill of White Water Rafting in Cagayan De Oro River

There are three places known for white water rafting in the Philippines, namely - Davao Wildwater Adventure, Cagayan De Oro River and Chico River (Kalinga-Apayao).

And I'm proud to share that I have already conquered two of them, Davao (Summer 2012) and Cagayan De Oro (Summer 2012). I almost conquered Chico River but unfortunately, due to lack of time and reservation, I failed to do it last February 2013.

But first, let us define what is white water rafting..

Rafting or white water rafting is the challenging recreational outdoor activity of using an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. This is usually done on white water or different degrees of rough water, in order to thrill and excite the raft passengers. The development of this activity as a leisure sport has become popular since the mid-1970s. It is considered an extreme sport, as it can be dangerous (Wikepedia).

First time I saw this extreme sport was way back ten years ago.

And this was the only reason I went to Cagayan De Oro!

Cagayan de Oro River, is one of the rivers flowing in the northern central part of Mindanao, Philippines.The river's headwaters is found in the central portion of the Province of Bukidnon. It flows northward towards the City of Cagayan de Oro for about 90 kilometers before emptying into the Macajalar Bay.

Below are the six grades of difficulty in white water rafting. They range from simple to very dangerous and potential death or serious injuries (from Wikepedia).

Grade 1: Very small rough areas, might require slight maneuvering. (Skill level: very basic)
Grade 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering. (Skill level: basic paddling skill)
Grade 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering. (Skill level: experienced paddling skills)
Grade 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill level: whitewater experience)
Grade 5: Whitewater, large waves, large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering. (Skill level: advanced whitewater experience)
Grade 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous that they are effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all rafting equipment. Traversing a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. (Skill level: successful completion of a Class 6 rapid without serious injury or death is widely considered to be a matter of great luck or extreme skill and is considered by some as a suicidal venture)

There are techniques that you can use in river rafting, such as punching, high siding, capsizing, re-righting and tricks.

And I think I experience some it while traversing the wild waters of Cagayan De Oro River!

The Tour Operators in Cagayan De Oro are the following: .

1st Rafting Adventure

http://www.raftingadventurephilippines.com/

Tel # 857-1270 / 0917-707-3583

Contact person: Rupert Domingo .

Red Raft

http://www.theredrafts.com/

Tel # 714329 / 0918-604-0901

Contact person: Rex Tapongot .

Kagay Whitewater Rafting

Tel # 856-3972 / 0916-217-4035

Contact person: Roldan KaamiÃ±o .

Great Whitewater Rafting

Tel # 856-55555 Contact Person:

Jerome Garcia

I conquered Cagayan De Oro River white water rafting using the Red Rafts!

Best months to do rafting is during the rainy season (June onwards) where the rapids are more stronger and faster.

The fee is P700 per head for the beginner’s course which consists of 14 rapids and lasts for about 3 hours. Already included is the jeepney ride to and from the start and end points.

It's Really More Fun Rafting in the Philippines!!! =)

Friday, November 2, 2012

White River Rafting in Davao!

So what is white river rafting?

Well, I am lost for words to describe it.

The first time I experienced river rafting was in the Governor's Rapids in Quirino.

Cagayan De Oro

But the thrill of the experience came in Cagayan De Oro! The rafting is four (4) hours and consists of 21-22 rapids. It was fun!

Then, came Davao!

While I was doing the rafting in Cagayan De Oro, one of the paddlers told me that there is another similar adventure in Davao and the thought came to me. "I will also try Davao!"

I love adventures and dangers. I am a lone backpacker. And I have decided. I will try Davao!

Upon arriving in Davao, I went to Samal Island for a day then went to the city proper where I booked for the river rafting.

The following morning, I woke up 6am and fixed myself and immediately flagged down and boarded a taxi. The meeting place was in Davao Corocodile Park. The ride from my inn to the park was thirty minutes.

I arrived at the park and waited for it to open. I met my contact person named Adam.

Briefing was made. And we went to the site. The ride again from the park to the rafting site is one (1) hour. Along the way, we introduced ourselves to each other. My co-paddlers are Zach, Shawn, Izza, Nash, Ray, and I. And our river guide is the hilarious and unpredictable guy named Mac! There are two (2) groups of paddlers.

Another briefing was made when we arrived at the site.

Then after the twenty minute briefing, we were off!!

The rafting consists of 25 rapids for three (3) hours over 13 kilometers of the river.

We were eager to paddle! Mac was shouting at the top of his voice - "easy paddle!"

In just a matter of ten minutes and while waiting for the other boat, we were pulled by the current towards a wall. In Cagayan, we hit so many walls and so this is another wall. I WAS WRONG!

We tried to evade the wall. But our maneuvering was futile. We hit hard!

And so it happened! CAPSIZED!

I was drowning for 6-7 seconds, I was struggling to go to the surface, everything was moving fast. My right foot hit a big rock and then my knee hit another. My sight was becoming blurred...I was losing hope! Then,somebody yelled - "Lean forward!! It was Nash. I came to my senses. I leaned forward. I tried my best to hold on to Nash. But I coudn't. Then, I saw the raft and fought my way through the rapids. I gripped on the paddle and somebody pulled me aboard.. OMG!

The adrenalin rush was still pumping when I was pulled in. I lost my paddle. Mac tried to find it and he did.`

The tour is three hours and we've just started.

With Mac

I told Mac that I hate him for what he did and he was laughing out loud.

Anyway, on with the tour...

It is totally different in Cagayan. In Cagayan there are portions of calm waters and rapids. So there are times you can swim and enjoy mother nature.

In Davao, the rapids are near to each other and there is no way you can swim.

In other words, it is extremely dangerous in Davao!

After 45 minutes, we stopped and partake our packed lunch. It took twenty minutes for all of us to finish our lunch.

Then, the journey went on for another hour and a half.. It was three hours. But it lasted forever in my memory. CHERISHED!

Jumpshot in Davao!

How to rescue a person submerged in water

Contact nos -

Davao River Rafting/Poloy - 0923-658-6048

FEE - P1,500/ pax

Cagayan River Rafting/REDDRAFTS - 0919-502-6317; 0917-855-6983; 0922-897-3175; 088-857-7238

FEE - P1,300/pax (Total of six pax)
Related links -
Adventure

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-neophyte-trekker.html

Spelunking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html

Skywalk/Edge Coaster - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/adventures-in-cebu-city.html

Trekking - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html

Mt. Pinatubo - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

Top Ten adventures - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/12-of-my-best-adventures-in-philippines.html

River Rafting - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/white-river-rafting-in-davao.html

Sagada - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html

Mt. Makiling - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-makiling-trek-and-itinerary.html

Pagsanjan - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-thrill-of-rapids-in-pagsanjan-and.html

Beach

Boracay - http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/boracay.html