zeromike22 Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Along a specific 27-kilometre stretch of the Cagayan de Oro River — the fast-flowing river that descends from the Kitanglad Mountain Range through the Bukidnon-Misamis Oriental corridor before emptying into Macajalar Bay — the country's most-developed whitewater-rafting operation runs year-round, drawing serious rafters and first-timers to what is unambiguously the country's flagship whitewater destination. Cagayan de Oro — the 700,000-population regional capital of Northern Mindanao, seat of the Misamis Oriental government, and gateway to the substantive Bukidnon-Kitanglad highland circuit — carries a distinctive adventure-city identity built almost entirely around the river. This is the guide for the affluent visitor considering CDO as either a dedicated adventure destination or a substantive Mindanao-circuit base. The Cagayan de Oro River The Cagayan de Oro River descends from the Kalatungan and Kitanglad Mountain Ranges through Bukidnon Province before entering Misamis Oriental and emptying into Macajalar Bay at Cagayan de Oro City. The whitewater-rafting section runs approximately 27 kilometres of Class I-IV rapids, calibrated across three graduated visitor circuits: Beginner circuit (approximately 10 km, ~2 hours) — Class I-II rapids; suitable for first-time rafters and family groups (age minimums typically 12+). Intermediate circuit (approximately 14 km, ~3 hours) — Class II-III rapids; the standard adventure-visitor benchmark. Advanced circuit (approximately 22 km, ~4-5 hours) — Class III-IV rapids; requires prior whitewater experience. Operators — multiple LGU-accredited whitewater operators run the river year-round, including Bugsay River Rafting, First Rafting Adventure, Kagay-Anon Rafting, and others. Advance booking essential during peak weekends. Season — year-round operation, with river-level and rapid character varying by season. December-May typically delivers the more-technical rapids; June-November brings higher water and more-forgiving lines. Beyond the River Cagayan de Oro's affluent-visitor register extends beyond whitewater rafting: Divine Mercy Shrine (El Salvador City, adjacent) — the 15.24-metre Divine Mercy statue on a coastal hill; substantive religious-pilgrimage site with panoramic views of Macajalar Bay. Museum of Three Cultures — the CDO cultural museum documenting the region's Christian-Muslim-Lumad tri-cultural heritage. Museo de Oro at Xavier University — the university's ethnographic museum with substantive Northern Mindanao indigenous-cultural artefacts. Sky Adventure Park (Dahilayan Bukidnon extension) — Asia's longest zipline within 2 hours drive; see Bukidnon. Macahambus Adventure Park — the CDO-area zipline and cave-adventure compound, closer than Dahilayan. Gaston Park — the historic-core plaza with the St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral backdrop. The Cagayan de Oro Culinary Register CDO's food identity draws from the region's Bisaya and Higaonon indigenous influences: Sinuglaw — grilled pork belly + tuna kinilaw combination; the region's signature dish. Pinasugbo — a caramelized-banana Bisaya dessert. Binaki — corn-and-milk tamale wrapped in corn husks; the classic Northern Mindanao snack. Standout CDO restaurants: Kagay-an Kagayan — the substantive Bisaya-cuisine benchmark. Barefoot Bistro — the boutique European-Filipino fusion register. Bigby's — a CDO-established restaurant chain worth visiting for local character. De' Kalabaw Farm-to-Table — the boutique farm-to-table register. Where to Stay Cagayan de Oro's hospitality organises at the substantive-city-hotel tier: Seda Centrio Cagayan de Oro — the city's premier design-forward mid-luxury hotel (Ayala Group). Limketkai Luxe Hotel — the established luxury-tier property; integrated with the Limketkai Center mall complex. N Hotel Cagayan de Oro — the boutique-design tier. Chali Beach Resort — for the coastal-resort register (Opol, ~20 minutes west). Getting There By air, Manila to Cagayan de Oro — multiple daily services to Laguindingan Airport (~1h40m). Laguindingan Airport to CDO city centre — approximately 45 minutes drive. By air from Cebu / Davao — multiple daily services. By ferry from Cebu — approximately 10 hours overnight (2GO Travel). CDO to Bukidnon (Dahilayan, Kitanglad) — approximately 2 hours drive south. CDO to Balingoan Port (for Camiguin ferry) — approximately 2-2.5 hours east. When to Visit December-May — the dry-season window; ideal for whitewater and highland extensions. June-November — the wet season; higher water level makes for more-forgiving rapids but Bukidnon highland-road access can be weather-affected. January 15-16 — Kagay-an Festival; CDO's flagship annual festival. Related — All Properties Under Mindanao Travel Guide Parent thread: Mindanao Travel Guide: Davao, Siargao & Camiguin Itineraries Mindanao siblings — Davao City, Mount Apo & Samal Island · Camiguin: White Island, Sunken Cemetery & Volcanic Hot Springs · Bukidnon: Dahilayan Adventure Park & Kitanglad Highlands · General Santos (GenSan): Tuna Capital & Sarangani Bay · Sarangani & SOCSKSARGEN Region · Lake Holon: T'boli Sacred Crater Lake Related Pinned Parents — Philippine Attractions, Theme Parks & Heritage · Philippine Provincial Malls · Metro Manila Hotels: Luxurious · Bohol Travel Guide Your turn. CDO whitewater rafting reports — favourite operators, best circuit-difficulty for the visiting mix. Divine Mercy Shrine visits. Museum of Three Cultures and Museo de Oro visit experiences. Macahambus vs. Dahilayan zipline comparisons. Kagay-an Kagayan and Barefoot Bistro dining reports. Seda Centrio vs. Limketkai Luxe stay preferences. CDO-Bukidnon combined 3-day adventure circuit itineraries. CDO-Camiguin ferry-route logistics. Share your visits. — Bizman Quote Link to comment
zeromike22 Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 http://i10.tinypic.com/4yzcm8l.jpg http://i1.tinypic.com/689467b.jpg Interested???? 900 pesos/ person -- Rafting gear-- travel fee to drop off point and pick-up-- Heavy lunch Quote Link to comment
zeromike22 Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 more pics http://i10.tinypic.com/6h6aixy.jpg http://i1.tinypic.com/62hoxdw.jpg Quote Link to comment
zeromike22 Posted May 14, 2007 Author Share Posted May 14, 2007 hi there jzee19 ... hows love life?? wazzup?? hehehe.. Quote Link to comment
EYEPAK Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 THIS ONE I STILL HAVE TO TRY...... Quote Link to comment
dark_horse Posted May 15, 2007 Share Posted May 15, 2007 would love to try this one when we will go to camiguin :thumbsupsmiley: Quote Link to comment
sally bogna mathay Posted May 16, 2007 Share Posted May 16, 2007 I have tried this, back in 1997. It was great. Is this the one run by Rupert Domingo? For those wanting to experience a real adrenaline rush, this is it! Quote Link to comment
zeromike22 Posted May 16, 2007 Author Share Posted May 16, 2007 I have tried this, back in 1997. It was great. Is this the one run by Rupert Domingo? For those wanting to experience a real adrenaline rush, this is it! whoah 1997.. 10 years ago .. nope it's not own by rupert domingo... back then rafting i think is still 1500 to 2000 per head... Quote Link to comment
gerrylb Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 da best! anyone going to CDO shouldn't miss this! Quote Link to comment
sally bogna mathay Posted May 17, 2007 Share Posted May 17, 2007 whoah 1997.. 10 years ago .. nope it's not own by rupert domingo... back then rafting i think is still 1500 to 2000 per head... Well, we didn't pay anything because we were filming them for Lakbay TV. But please PM me the contact person/s for this. I am planning to do it again. Quote Link to comment
boy popoy Posted May 18, 2007 Share Posted May 18, 2007 ive always wanted to do this! can you give more specific details on planning a trip from manila. about how much is airfare? to what airport? how many people allowed in a boat? minimum/max?what about accomodations?meron ba package trips?what else is there to do in cagayan de oro other than rafting?any contact info? sorry dami tanong. thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment
zeromike22 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 Well, we didn't pay anything because we were filming them for Lakbay TV. But please PM me the contact person/s for this. I am planning to do it again. pm sent Quote Link to comment
zeromike22 Posted May 19, 2007 Author Share Posted May 19, 2007 ive always wanted to do this! can you give more specific details on planning a trip from manila. about how much is airfare? to what airport? how many people allowed in a boat? minimum/max?what about accomodations?meron ba package trips?what else is there to do in cagayan de oro other than rafting?any contact info? sorry dami tanong. thanks in advance. Now i am a travel agent ... ehehehehe how much airfare?? --- depende sa plane.. airphil, PAL, and cebu pacific fly here daily... i think 8 to 9 flights daily dito from/to manila... fare is P2600 to P3200 one way. Fare depends on what plane but generally cebu pacific is the cheapest followed by Air philippines.. To what airport --- All aircraft land at cagayan de oro airport at barrio lumbia , about 20 to 25 minutes by taxi to city proper.. accomodations -- there are numerous hotels and inns here that suits all budgets.. cheapest i think is park view lodge at divisoria proper. room rate starts at 300 to 1000... nice hotel with basic amenities. visit this site http://www.freewebs.com/cdoaccommodations/ for more info bout cdo accomodations What else to do?---- actually ang dami.. depende sa interest mo... visit http://cdoguide.com for more info ... you can visit nearby Camiguin Island..famous for lanzones, white island, cold and hot springs, sunken cemetery meron ba package trips?? --- actually i don't know.. you can visit your nearby travel agent.. But generally package trips are expensive.... tip: bring 10th to 15th cash money per person and your good for a week here in cdo and camiguin... food and transpo here is cheap compared to cebu and manila Quote Link to comment
saitox Posted June 4, 2007 Share Posted June 4, 2007 zeromike you can now be the official tourist guide for CDO here in MTC.hehehehehe Quote Link to comment
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