The City of Golden Friendship – Cagayan de Oro is known as such to most people. The name itself is composed of Spanish words “de”, which means “of”, and “oro”, which means “gold”. Locals also say that it’s known as Kagay-an where Kagay also means “river” and the city became known as Cagayan de Oro or “river of gold” because it’s said that back then, the river was rich with gold ores.
As the regional center of Northern Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro offers a lot of business opportunities, reason why I have been in this city for work a few times already. However, exploring this place as an adventurer gave me a different kind of excitement especially that I was expecting extreme experiences I know I’ll never forget.
Asia’s Longest Zipline
A Cagayan de Oro trip with extreme activities in mind would never be complete without a side trip to Dahilayan Adventure Park. Located at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, it’s about an hour and a half drive from Cagayan de Oro city. Getting there you’ll pass by Camp Phillips, Del Monte Pineapple Plantation covering 9,000 hectares of land, which was very pleasing to the eyes, and Kampo Juan.
As the regional center of Northern Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro offers a lot of business opportunities, reason why I have been in this city for work a few times already. However, exploring this place as an adventurer gave me a different kind of excitement especially that I was expecting extreme experiences I know I’ll never forget.
Asia’s Longest Zipline
A Cagayan de Oro trip with extreme activities in mind would never be complete without a side trip to Dahilayan Adventure Park. Located at Barangay Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, it’s about an hour and a half drive from Cagayan de Oro city. Getting there you’ll pass by Camp Phillips, Del Monte Pineapple Plantation covering 9,000 hectares of land, which was very pleasing to the eyes, and Kampo Juan.
Dahilayan Adventure Park is nestled at Mount Kitanglad which is more or less 4,500 feet above sea level. It offers different fun and challenging activities such as the rope course, the new dropzone known as sky swing, the 320-meter + 150-meter dual zipline and of course the coveted Asia’s longest dual zipline with the length of 840 meters long. For the latter, we had to be transported from the main part of the park to the launch tower at the other side and the ascend to the zipzone just gave more excitement.
Ziplining through the longest zipline in Asia gave me the feeling of freedom and confidence. The breeze that touched my face was refreshing and the view from above was spectacular. For those afraid of heights, this is one way of facing your fear. Once you’ve done it, it’ll give you a sense of achievement and pride for yourself.
Adventure Tip: Get the all rides zipline package of 600php.
White Water Rafting
For adventure-junkie like me, Cagayan de Oro’s white water rafting at the Cagayan river is the main attraction that draws me to this small and quiet city. Kagay-anons back in the 80’s and 90’s used to raft using banana trunks or rafts made of bamboo. The later generations are lucky that this extreme activity has been developed and improved.
Before getting to Barangay Dansolihon, where rafting usually starts, we passed by Macahambus Adventure Park located at Barangay Lumbia – 20 minutes from the heart of the city or 10 minutes from Lumbia Airport. The park offers activities such as skybridge/ canopy walk, which runs for 135 meters with a height of 150 feet, rappelling down the gorge and 120-meter zipline.
For adventure-junkie like me, Cagayan de Oro’s white water rafting at the Cagayan river is the main attraction that draws me to this small and quiet city. Kagay-anons back in the 80’s and 90’s used to raft using banana trunks or rafts made of bamboo. The later generations are lucky that this extreme activity has been developed and improved.
Before getting to Barangay Dansolihon, where rafting usually starts, we passed by Macahambus Adventure Park located at Barangay Lumbia – 20 minutes from the heart of the city or 10 minutes from Lumbia Airport. The park offers activities such as skybridge/ canopy walk, which runs for 135 meters with a height of 150 feet, rappelling down the gorge and 120-meter zipline.
After a quick stop at Macahambus, we then proceeded to the starting point of the rafting. Before we started, the leader of the guides gave the briefing, instructions and survival tips to the rafters. It gave a really scary feeling at first, thinking we’ll put our lives on the line. However, rafters need not be scared, but simply follow directions from the guide.
There are 3 courses of rafting at Cagayan River: Beginners, Advanced and Expert. Since our group chose the advanced course, it was required to raft for 4 hours. We survived 21 rapids all in all, which was originally 24 rapids before the Typhoon Sendong hit last December 2011, and each has its own level of difficulty and excitement. Each rapid also has a name such as Twister, Surprise, Makabundol, We’re Busy, etc. Some were even named after the first person who fell on a particular rapid.
There are 3 courses of rafting at Cagayan River: Beginners, Advanced and Expert. Since our group chose the advanced course, it was required to raft for 4 hours. We survived 21 rapids all in all, which was originally 24 rapids before the Typhoon Sendong hit last December 2011, and each has its own level of difficulty and excitement. Each rapid also has a name such as Twister, Surprise, Makabundol, We’re Busy, etc. Some were even named after the first person who fell on a particular rapid.
After the activity, it gave us feelings of achievement and fulfillment that we want to try the Expert course when we come back. Way more difficult as told by the guides but we're up for the challenge. Here’s hoping it’ll happen in the near future.
Adventure Tips:
a. Wear long sleeved shirt or rash guard and jogging pants, or prepare arm and leg warmers, unless you want to have painful sun-burned skin after.
b. Being under the sun for a long time, it’s necessary to keep yourself cool by taking a dip in the still waters or simply pour water all over your body.
c. Check out Kagay’s website at www.cdorafting-map.com for special rafting packages.
d. Aside from the famous pastel, you should try malagkit. It's a sweet delicacy that you won't easily forget.
Lastly, I'd like to thank my friends who made this trip worthwhile: Papim, for being our host, Al, for letting me share some of the pictures, Lowell, for driving us to around, Joanne and Ian. Until our next adventure!
The world never runs out of adventures to offer. It is up for you to grab the offer and enjoy the ups and downs of these adventures. - KM
a. Wear long sleeved shirt or rash guard and jogging pants, or prepare arm and leg warmers, unless you want to have painful sun-burned skin after.
b. Being under the sun for a long time, it’s necessary to keep yourself cool by taking a dip in the still waters or simply pour water all over your body.
c. Check out Kagay’s website at www.cdorafting-map.com for special rafting packages.
d. Aside from the famous pastel, you should try malagkit. It's a sweet delicacy that you won't easily forget.
Lastly, I'd like to thank my friends who made this trip worthwhile: Papim, for being our host, Al, for letting me share some of the pictures, Lowell, for driving us to around, Joanne and Ian. Until our next adventure!
The world never runs out of adventures to offer. It is up for you to grab the offer and enjoy the ups and downs of these adventures. - KM