Cagayan de Oro Things to Do

the town is "chillaxing" and it makes you appreciate what you have as it gives you a closer view to the simple way of life people residing and "businessing" around. There is only one SM (Ph's super mall) and mostly are small shopping centers that doesn't depict luxury. However, some stuff here are more expensive than the ones you could get from Manila. Perhaps they buy the products from manila and have them shipped and they add a few more pesoSES as part of the income. Ya know how things go in money-making ^_^

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After our adventurous river rafting activity, we still had the afternoon free and so we decided to go zip-lining. Our hired jeepney driver referred us to Mapawa Nature Park because they have 6 courses for zip-lining there compared to the single 120 meters zip-line at Maccahambus Park. Not to mention the rates were much cheaper even though there were more courses in the former. I had reservations for us at this same Mapawa Nature Park for the river trek the next day and so I thought it would be great to check the place early on and get an idea of what was in store for us then.

When we got there, we also got to meet the park owner, Iggy Pelaez. Before then, we had only been communicating through text messages. He and his staff were quite a jolly bunch and very accommodating! I believe it was their enthusiasm for their livelihood and projects and utmost hospitality at the nature park contributed much to our enjoyment of the place.

Fee for the full 6 courses is P250/head, but you can also avail of just the first half for P125/head and the other half for P150/head. I recommend going for the full course because it's something you'll want to maximize. The course not only includes zip-lining, but a bit of body-rappel, too. It's pretty safe (even for kids) if you follow the guides' instructions, but the impact of finishing one zip-line can be too strenuous on someone with body pains.

The park also has a pool (P75/head), a trampoline (250 lbs. capacity, P30 for 10 minutes use) which we were excited to use but unfortunately was not available during our visit, and horseback-riding. If you have free time, I suggest touring around the park; there's a wealth of history here and natural beauty abounds--definitely a feast for the nature lover's eyes.

There is also a lovely ranch where you can stay for the night (about P600-750/head with free breakfast). If you're going to avail a lot of the other activities (as of this writing, they are currently developing other outdoor activities), I suggest staying here. The view is fantastic and quite close to nature, but comfortable enough for those who have been used to city-living.

There's a P40 entrance fee for the park. We didn't pay the fee anymore when we came back the next morning since we were already booked for the river trek.

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This is a must when you come to town! It's fun, adventurous and exhilarating, and totally worth it. This is even more fun with a big bunch, so if you're on a barkada trip or a company outing, you simply cannot let this one pass. They already provide food, to eat after the trek, and it's a pretty hearty meal, too.

I had met with Iggy Pelaez, park owner, the day before our actual trek, and he had already briefed us then to save time. We were in a bit of a time crunch because our flight was later that same day we were supposed to do the trek. The basic time frame is 7:00 am to 3:00 pm, and that is a generous allowance already for a bunch of kids in their early 20s. We had actually finished by 12 which is above average in pace. This is partly due to the fact that we didn't have trouble jumping off the 25 ft waterfalls, which, as the guides say, is mostly the reason why so many people take so much time. People usually hesitate at this point of the trek.

But that's the highlight of the trek for us! However, if you can't handle that, they're prepared to rappel you down or you can take a detour around it. :) But come on, how many times can you say you've jumped off a waterfall? Grab the opportunity to get your money's worth (since there are trained guides along the ride anyway, why not make use of that, eh?). :) Besides, if you can finish early, you can jump more than once, to your heart's content!

We rode horseback to go up the trail to ride the tractor we used to take us to the drop off point. This is an additional cost (in our case, P100/head), and you don't have to do it if you don't want to--you can simply trek back up to the tractor.

Because we were planning to go directly to the airport from the park, we took our showers there. There are shower rooms, but at the time the water there was turned off so Iggy welcomed us into his own home, had a bit of chitchat and coffee while waiting for everyone to finish showering. We had so much fun just exchanging travel anecdotes with him! We also took a look at their lovely ranch where you can stay overnight (P600-P700/head with free breakfast).

Reminder: we took our trek on a Monday, and apparently the park is supposedly closed at this day, but they moved things around for us, making some of the ranch hands stay to guide us. Unless you're booking ahead of time, don't book it on a Monday.

Here are details from Iggy Pelaez himself:

RIVER TREK & CANYONEERING PACKAGE:
Schedule 7:00am - 3:00 pm

Participants take a 30 minute trailer ride pulled by farm tractor and are briefed with the plantation. We then take a 20 minute trek downhill to the river system.

Upon reaching the river sytem get ready to get wet... Enter our river system via 20ft natural water slide....with 4 more waterfall challenges... a 11 ft body rappel.. 8 ft crawl... 30 ft jump... and the treks highlight rappel a 65ft waterfall....

Participants are asked to sign a waiver before the tour.

@950/head ( minimum of 5 persons). Full trek with packed snack & lunch.
Inclusive of trek guides, life jackets, mountaineering equiptment.

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If you're afraid of heights like me,well,try this,it maybe a once in a lifetime experience! One for the Fear Factor episode! Don't worry,your guide will tie you to the line for safety (in case you fall....hehehe...just kidding!),just don't look down.After passing this Sky bridge,you can either Rapel down the cave or do the Zip line.We did the Zip line,wherein you are strapped to the line and the guide pushes you towards the starting point of the bridge.Wow....I think I'm going to faint..Hahaha! P.S....a special thanks to our tour guide,Francis Otong of Glysdi Travels,for a well-organized and fun tour he gave us.Nice job,Francis!

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This is a cave that you can reach way,way,way down thru a very steep and slightly unsturdy staircase. A real nature's asset,you feel as if you're an ant amongst the very tall trees that surrounds you.There's even a river here but not safe to swim in. This is also a preview to what your next activity will be....Zip Line! From here,you will see the hanging bridge,the Sky bridge, where you will pass to do the zip line or Rappeling.Unnerving!

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White water rafting is the adventure you wouldn't want to miss in Cagayan de Oro.Your guides give you your full battle gear,lets you sign a waiver and teaches you the basic strokes on how to paddle and safety measures. Then off you go! At first,its scary especially if you sit up front of the boat but later on you'll get used to it and never want to stop! There are lots of stopovers during the ride like jumping off the bridge with the locals,float and let yourself be one with river,stop for a lunch break and the cave,wow,what a cool place to be!The whole 2hrs is worth the adventure but the down side is,you get all your arms aching the next day.Hehehe

White Water Rafting with warying levels of difficulty. Your group will be picked up from Divisoria located in the city center. The jeepney will go to the rafting start point and meet you at the end point. White water rafting route usually takes around an hour. There is a point in the route were you can jump off a bridge and drift along the river with only ur life-jacket on. After the rafting experience, you will be brought back to Divisoria. Prior reservations are needed for the rafiting tour so you may need to call or book ahead.