HomeAsiaPhilippinesLuzonKalingaChico River White Water Rafting in Kalinga, North Luzon By Marcos Detourist on February 8, 2012Lakbay Norte 3 finally goes to Kalinga province to conquer the white water rapids of the Chico River. Already tried river kayaking in Tibiao, Antique … loved it a lot! but it was still my first time to experience white water river rafting.I’ve heard raves about white water river rafting in the Mindanaoan cities of Cagayan de Oro and Davao. I haven’t tried it yet so I got really excited when I found out we were doing it in Kalinga.White Water Rafting at the Chico River in Tabuk, KalingaMorning Drive to Tabuk, KalingaThe long night travel from Nueva Ecija to Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province afforded us a much awaited uninterrupted sleep. We arrived at our refuge in Tuguegarao, the Las Palmas de San Jose Hotel, at around 5:30am. Freshened up, boarded the jeeps, took a quick breakfast (c/o McDonalds), and continued our journey to Tabuk, the capital town of Kalinga. Minor technical difficulties. Turn left. Right. Another left and viola! We were already in Tabuk ^_^Since a trip to the Cordilleras is not complete without “toploading”, we moved our trigger happy asses atop the roof of the jeep. Me and Angel sat at the front most part (above the driver’s seat). I was thinking it would be the best position coz then, we’d have an unobstructed view.On the plus side, the views were really awesome BUT … our insides where shivering the whole time because the jeep was running very fast and it was really chilly that morning (aside from the fact that we were already in the highlands). Our eyes were also tearing up real bad coz we didn’t bring sunglasses or had any barriers in front of us to break the harsh wind. Poor poor tourists :| Jeepney terminal in Tabuk Canao Bridge First glimpse of the Chico River Driving along the course of the Chico RiverKalinga countrysideStopover along the HighwayOne particular turn along the highway in Kalinga was met with our loud oohhs and aahhs. We just had to stop to take in the great view of the mountain landscapes. After this point, the beauty of Kalinga really started to take its form. Jeepney stop along the highway Beautiful view overlooking the Chico River Chico River Rice Terraces and Mountains Panoramic View. Click photo to enlarge. Regular commuter jeeps in KalingaThe beautiful mountain vistas were definitely enough to make me want to go back to Kalinga in the future. Hopefully, in a much slower place next time around. Starting point of our river rafting adventurePreparing for the River Rafting AdventureTravel time from Tuguegarao City to Tabuk, Kalinga took around an hour and 15 minutes and then roughly the same time from Tabuk to the starting point of our river rafting adventure (in Pasil town). While the tour operator was setting up the rafts, we were also busy taking photos along the riverbanks.Inflating the raftsSharing the frame with these hot travel bloggers: (L-R) Me, Angel (standing), Gael, Christian, James, Kara , and Ed.Reflection ^_^ photo taken by ChristianWe were briefed on basic safety instructions before stepping into the rafts. They taught us the proper way of holding and maneuvering the paddle, how to position ourselves while on the raft, and what to do (aside from not panicking!) if ever we fall into the rapids. Briefing Roger that!During the process of dividing us into sub-group, they asked for six people who weren’t afraid of falling off the raft … or rather, who among us were looking forward to falling into the wild rapids.Me, Ed, Angel, James, Ivan H., and Ivan B. ended up being the brave souls who volunteered. We were assigned to the smallest raft so that we could fully experience the maximum impact of the Chico River’s untamed rapids. The “extreme” raftWhite Water River Rafting, finally!We started smoothly enough. Getting a feel of handling the paddle and properly maneuvering the raft to the right direction.I took my point and shoot out (enclosed in a waterproof bag) as we were crossing one of the minor rapids but our guide told me to refrain taking photos because we needed the manpower to steer the boat and because it wasn’t safe.I did get to take these photos while we were on the calm parts. There were a lot of these “chill” moments where we just sat on the raft or rested on the riverbanks while enjoying the landscapes along the banks of the Chico River.Splash fight!Getting through the rapids was really exciting! I especially got a “kick” from of the many boulders, drops and ledges.I didn’t expect that it would be so tiring though. I assumed the current would just naturally drift us downstream … into the occasional rapids and then allow the river to take control. We really did have to paddle our way through the river and since we were on the “extreme” raft, we literally had to chase the really big rapids. It was thrilling and a real good workout :D The coolest parts were definitely: the adrenaline boost of paddling towards the big currents, the awesome moment of falling into (multi-feet) drops, and the alarming moment of getting pushed into big boulders. grabbed from Ivan about TownGot threw off the raft on one of the final major rapids. It was so much fun! Getting back on top for the raft was the hard (and awkward) part :pOn our final stretch, we jumped off the boat and drifted through the “floater’s rapids” up until our pick-up point.Beautiful Chico RiverIn addition to the thrill of white water rafting, the scenery was really beautiful … especially the open area (beside the river) where the jeepneys came to pick us up. Our pick-up point Water pools Picturesque rocks, grasslands, and green mountains Last photo souvenir before leaving On our way back to TuguegaraoAdventures and Expeditions Philippines Inc. (AEPI) Adress: 29 Burgos St., Tuguegarao City; Contact Person: Anton Carag; Mobile: +63 (917) 5327480; Landline: +63 (78) 8441298Don’t leave yet. There’s more!Las Palmas Resort in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province8 Days North Philippines (Lakbay Norte) ItinerarySunset at Buntun Bridge in Tuguegarao, CagayanTraveling like Phineas and Ferb during my…5 Days Umphang Itinerary — Thee Lor Su Trekking CampInto the Light: year-end travel photo series 2012Comments jock gabel saysFebruary 8, 2012 at 10:23 amHey! I am happy to know you had experienced the chico river quest adventure. It is a pleasure that you included my very own province in your blog. When I was younger the river is our mecca for water adventure long before it was discovered for world class rafting. Unfortunately, it is also the same historic and mighty river that claimed the life of my relatives. Summertime was the best for me as we always do our swimming and high school year end picnics. It was so much fun! I hope that you will go back and experience more of Kalinga other than Chico River. ayan saysFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:06 pmey man, magkano yon river rafting sa Kalinga? might do this next time.. Christian | Lakad Pilipinas saysFebruary 9, 2012 at 12:11 amayun naman na ang reflection shot! nice! :) josh saysFebruary 9, 2012 at 4:05 amHey thanks for sharing your blog about our City Tabuk -kalinga..as i read your blog it brings back memories about the chico river..lots of history.. I also enjoyed reading your blogs, watching your posted pictures and watchin some of your videos..there’s more beauties of Kalinga unearthened. Tabuk is just a lowland city but the highland parts of Kalinga is more beautiful to discover..hope you visit balbalan,tanudan & tinglayan and have a taste of our culture and hospitality..Again thanks Ambot :-) gayE @ pinaytraveljunkie saysFebruary 9, 2012 at 5:00 amHaven’t tried white water rafting. You guys sure did have heaps of fun! Btw, I really love your airsoft photo! LOL. thepinaysolobackpacker saysFebruary 11, 2012 at 7:48 pmlove love the white water rafting in Kalinga, except for the rapids part felt like drowning! lol Hannah Rey saysFebruary 12, 2012 at 10:59 amReally love that splash fight photo. It’s exactly how I remember that day :) Lenhard Gundan saysMarch 2, 2012 at 12:16 pmThanks for visiting Tabuk City- the Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Northern Philippines.. The exhilarating experience in the water rafting is just one of the many adventures in the Province of kalinga. you can also visit the upland towns of Kalinga like Balbalan, Tanudan, Tinglayan, etc and you will discover the hidden beauty of the province…. you are always welcome in our province.. please come back again and feature the concealed beauty of the place.. Marcos saysApril 14, 2012 at 12:51 amThanks for the warm invitation! I’d be happy if ever I get to visit Kalinga again :) Christian | Lakad Pilipinas saysMarch 20, 2012 at 12:33 amUy marcos, pa grab nung AEPI details ha? :) Marcos saysApril 14, 2012 at 12:11 amSure sure. No prob! mervz | pinoyadventurista.com saysMarch 21, 2012 at 3:42 pmthrilling! I can’t wait to try this when I visit Tabuk nest month! thanks for sharing your experience… ^_^ Marcos saysApril 14, 2012 at 12:39 amSafe travels mervz! my saysJune 18, 2012 at 3:52 pmhi! Good afternoon, just wanna ask ano po mga pwede nming gwin in tuguegarao dis friday. since, di po kmi pwede mgrafting kze di p daw po rafting months =( and 2 lng po kze kmi. flight po nmin dis friday lunch and return flight po nmin this sunday nmn po lunch time po ulit. hope you could help us. how much po pla ung fare from tuguegarao to kalinga and ano po schdule ng jeep. thanks Marcos saysJune 21, 2012 at 3:41 pmHey my, Best to contact “Adventures and Expeditions Philippines Inc.” Mobile: +63 (917) 5327480; Landline: +63 (78) 8441298. Renalyn saysJune 28, 2012 at 9:13 amIm happy u came and experienced Water rafting here in kalinga…despite of the hearsays that kalinga is known as headhunters….CoME again and have adventure in This Beautiful province. Marcos saysJuly 6, 2012 at 6:40 pmHaven’t heard about that yet. Sounds interesting, hehe :D Posting of new comments is disabled temporarily.Connect with Marcos on:Detourista.comMarcosDetourist.comFacebookInstagramTwitterDetourista.comDiscover more travel guides and blogs about the Philippines and beyond by Marcos DetouristChoose your next destination: Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
jock gabel saysFebruary 8, 2012 at 10:23 amHey! I am happy to know you had experienced the chico river quest adventure. It is a pleasure that you included my very own province in your blog. When I was younger the river is our mecca for water adventure long before it was discovered for world class rafting. Unfortunately, it is also the same historic and mighty river that claimed the life of my relatives. Summertime was the best for me as we always do our swimming and high school year end picnics. It was so much fun! I hope that you will go back and experience more of Kalinga other than Chico River.
ayan saysFebruary 8, 2012 at 7:06 pmey man, magkano yon river rafting sa Kalinga? might do this next time..
Christian | Lakad Pilipinas saysFebruary 9, 2012 at 12:11 amayun naman na ang reflection shot! nice! :)
josh saysFebruary 9, 2012 at 4:05 amHey thanks for sharing your blog about our City Tabuk -kalinga..as i read your blog it brings back memories about the chico river..lots of history.. I also enjoyed reading your blogs, watching your posted pictures and watchin some of your videos..there’s more beauties of Kalinga unearthened. Tabuk is just a lowland city but the highland parts of Kalinga is more beautiful to discover..hope you visit balbalan,tanudan & tinglayan and have a taste of our culture and hospitality..Again thanks Ambot :-)
gayE @ pinaytraveljunkie saysFebruary 9, 2012 at 5:00 amHaven’t tried white water rafting. You guys sure did have heaps of fun! Btw, I really love your airsoft photo! LOL.
thepinaysolobackpacker saysFebruary 11, 2012 at 7:48 pmlove love the white water rafting in Kalinga, except for the rapids part felt like drowning! lol
Hannah Rey saysFebruary 12, 2012 at 10:59 amReally love that splash fight photo. It’s exactly how I remember that day :)
Lenhard Gundan saysMarch 2, 2012 at 12:16 pmThanks for visiting Tabuk City- the Whitewater Rafting Capital of the Northern Philippines.. The exhilarating experience in the water rafting is just one of the many adventures in the Province of kalinga. you can also visit the upland towns of Kalinga like Balbalan, Tanudan, Tinglayan, etc and you will discover the hidden beauty of the province…. you are always welcome in our province.. please come back again and feature the concealed beauty of the place..
Marcos saysApril 14, 2012 at 12:51 amThanks for the warm invitation! I’d be happy if ever I get to visit Kalinga again :)
Christian | Lakad Pilipinas saysMarch 20, 2012 at 12:33 amUy marcos, pa grab nung AEPI details ha? :)
mervz | pinoyadventurista.com saysMarch 21, 2012 at 3:42 pmthrilling! I can’t wait to try this when I visit Tabuk nest month! thanks for sharing your experience… ^_^
my saysJune 18, 2012 at 3:52 pmhi! Good afternoon, just wanna ask ano po mga pwede nming gwin in tuguegarao dis friday. since, di po kmi pwede mgrafting kze di p daw po rafting months =( and 2 lng po kze kmi. flight po nmin dis friday lunch and return flight po nmin this sunday nmn po lunch time po ulit. hope you could help us. how much po pla ung fare from tuguegarao to kalinga and ano po schdule ng jeep. thanks
Marcos saysJune 21, 2012 at 3:41 pmHey my, Best to contact “Adventures and Expeditions Philippines Inc.” Mobile: +63 (917) 5327480; Landline: +63 (78) 8441298.
Renalyn saysJune 28, 2012 at 9:13 amIm happy u came and experienced Water rafting here in kalinga…despite of the hearsays that kalinga is known as headhunters….CoME again and have adventure in This Beautiful province.