Melo Villareal
As a person who cannot and does not swim, I have always had the fear of going through waters – be it at sea, lake, or rivers – any bodies of water that are deep enough to make a person drown. As I grew up, this fear has always been with me until I heard about Chico River in Kalinga and experienced whitewater rafting on it first-hand.
Chico River Quest Whitewater Rafting 2003
Kalinga is a landlocked region of the Cordillera Administrative Region. This also means that the place is surrounded by land but not necessarily lacking in bodies of water like Chico River, for example. It is due to the same reason that the river itself is branded as a “river of life” among the Kalinga people, especially to those who live on its banks.
Birds eyeview of Chico River
A tributary of the Cagayan River, it has a length of 174.67 kilometers. This makes Chico River a perfect place for whitewater rafting.
Whitewater Rafting adventure in Kalinga
Experiencing whitewater rafting in Chico River
Chico River is most noted for the spectacular beauty of its mountains complimented by a gorgeous river which gives an excitement to an already exhilarating experience of rafting throughout the river.
Whitewater rafting in Chico River
Ideal for starters, the first part of the river features waves and smaller rapids that makes the experience rather smooth and gentle that will calm even those hard-beating hearts out of fear of waters. However, as it goes through middle to the last part, the experience can get intense and is the most exciting part of the adventure.
Thanks to the river’s fairly consistent water level and to the ever reliable rafting guides of Chico River Quest, the rafting conditions are safe, reliable and enjoyable. Not just rafting, at some designated areas throughout the course, you are allowed to stop by and do swimming with friends.
Wild Waters of Chico River
If you are planning to do a whitewater rafting adventure, do not forget to bring your own basic supplies such as dry bags, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, sandals, or shoes than can get wet as well as dry towels and a change of clothes after the experience as you will surely need them, especially the latter items.
Other Places to Visit in Kalinga
Not just known for its Chico River, Kalinga also is a tourist destination of the country for other things, namely, places to visit deemed tourist spots. The following are the places you can visit while you are in Kalinga:
- Aguinaldo Hill
- Kalinga Mini-museum
- Sungang Viewpoint
- Palan-ah falls and hot springs
- Mt. Mating-oy Dinayao (Sleeping Beauty)
- Tinglayan Rice Terraces
- Lubo and Mangali Rice Terraces
- Mount Binaratan
- Taga-aran aran Kabunian
- Ugid Maling Subterranean River
- Balbalasang National Park
- Buaya Caves
- Aciga Tree
- Bonnong Lakes and Asibanglan Lakes
- Padcharao Lake
- Pasil Natural Dam
- Kabunian Bridge and Springs
- Guinaang Village
- Mabilong Weavers Village
- Bananao and Manangol Viewpoint
- Elephant Hill
- Capitol Tourism Plaza
- Rizal Lagoon
- Chico Dam
- Capitol Tourism Plaza
The Complete Experience
Whitewater Rafting with Fitness First Members 2005
However, all of these adventures are not complete without the right set of gears to prepare you along the way with your travels. Good thing there is a place like R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor Exchange in BGC) you can go and buy them to for your outdoor travel needs. With its “Get Out” campaign, R.O.X. is launching its “What Will You Get Outside For” application to deliver the service they know and love to mobile users and customers asking the quintessential question, “What will you get outside for?”
