If there is one thing Cagayan de Oro (CdO) has been known for when it comes to chasing the great outdoors, its white water rafting adventure definitely tops the list.
For years, the gateway to Northern Mindanao continues to welcome visitors, local and international alike, who are up to try the thrilling rapids of the Cagayan de Oro River.
Originally named as the Kalambaguasasahan River, Cagayan de Oro River’s headwaters come from Kalatungan Mountain Range and Kitanglad Mountain Range of Bukidnon and traverses down from the river’s 7,500-feet elevation. Passing through the municipalities of Bukidnon, it finally flows to Misamis Oriental’s Macajalar Bay. The river also serves as a natural boundary between Iligan and Bukidnon, as well as Bukidnon and CdO.
Back in the mid-90s, people of CdO were using bamboo and banana trunks, or inflated tire tubes as they raft through the river. While it’s a popular local practice, it evolved into CdO’s famed outdoor quest thanks to professional groups who unlocked the river’s tourism potential.
Today, CdO has a number of adventure groups whose local guides are trained by the Red Cross, Department of Tourism (DOT) and Coast Guards, and are ready to welcome thrill-seekers for their next exciting ride.
Though first-timers and nonswimmers are all welcome to join the fun, white water rafting is not for the faint-hearted. The activity requires a disciplined, ready-for-adventure attitude and the focused attention to follow instructions whatever it takes.
Beginners can start off with a three-hour river run, consisting of 14 rapids. The longest one is about four hours with 24 rapids to deal with, but this one is best for advanced takers.
As the raft tackles the rapids, the fear will likely be replaced with exhilaration. Each time the raft encounters white rapids, the water velocity increases and so this pushes every rafter to match it with unbounded energy to finish the pounding ride, and to paddle harder if needed.
Amid the pumping adventure also comes the opportunity to commune with nature. These white waters are separated with long and silent river flow with only the chirping of birds and occasional exciting screams of rafters as the only other sounds you can hear.
There’s also a timeout from every thrilling rapid ride that gives the rafters some moments to swim and enjoy its cool waters, or break for some rest before tackling another one.
The rafting adventure can also be complemented with side trips of cave exploration and river trekking.
Gateway to Northern Mindanao
Aside from well-known CdO activities such as rafting, paragliding caving and trekking, the Northern Mindanao is nothing sort of a regular tourist spot.
According to DOT Regional Director Marie Elaine Unchuan, local and international tourists are becoming more aware of Northern Mindanao and its nature adventures in Camiguin, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Misamis Occidental.
Unchuan added that the DOT regional office is hoping for more visitor arrivals to prove that Mindanao is not a dangerous place after all.
“Since the Marawi crisis, some say it’s dangerous to go to Mindanao but that impression is fading,” she says. “More and more people are coming and so myth on safety is being dispelled.”
Moreover, what was once considered as an underrated destination, Northern Mindanao is slowly taking on the dare of being a rising tourism destination, thanks to a development in travel options.
AirAsia recently launched its flights from Manila to Laguindingan International Airport, as well as routes from Cagayan de Oro to Clark and Cebu. The main airport now serves the cities in Northern Mindanao, such as Cagayan de Oro and Iligan and its provinces Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon.
Image credits: Chuckie Dreyfus & Mae Ilagan