A first-timer journey through Northern Mindanao’s heights, rapids

Abegail Esquierda·24 November 2025, 1:48 am·1 min read

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A first-timer journey through Northern Mindanao’s heights, rapids — Mindanao first-time traveler Abegail Esquierda of the DAILY TRIBUNE online team was privileged to join the Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon trip under the Community-Based Tour project of the Tourism Promotions Board and Aboitiz Infra Capital from 5 to 7 November. Esquierda said the privilege proves that Mindanao indeed has great and blissful things to offer to tourists, especially to the adventurous.
Photographs by Abegail Esquierda for Daily Tribune/Project Lupad

Esquierda’s selfie before taking the zipline at Dahilayan Adventure Park.

“I will bring my family here soon.” This was the promise I made to myself as a first-time traveler in Northern Mindanao.

My three-day trip from 5 to 7 November across Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro was a breath of fresh air from the fast-paced city life — made even more meaningful as I was grieving the loss of our seven-year-old dog during “Undas.”

The week before the trip had been an emotional rollercoaster, and little did I know I would encounter the same depth of emotion in Mindanao, but for entirely different reasons.

Facing the heights

Who says life in the bukid is boring? Bukidnon — its name derived from bukid, meaning highlands, offers breathtaking adventures surrounded by pine trees and fresh mountain air.

At Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, I rode Asia’s longest dual zipline, stretching 840 meters long at about 4,700 feet above sea level. The best part about it is that even if you feel scared at the beginning, you eventually feel brave midway through the ride as you realize you’re soaring above an endless stretch of green forest.

But that wasn’t all. I also got to drive my own Razorback ride, exclusive to Dahilayan. It is considered the Philippines’ first alpine mountain coaster.

Braving the current

Known as the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro lives up to its name, not just because of the warmth of its people but because it always has something new to offer. It is also recognized as the whitewater rafting capital of the Philippines.

With Kagay Whitewater Rafting, I enjoyed a one-and-a-half-hour adventure navigating rapids, alternating between adrenaline-filled drops and peaceful swimming stretches.

It is highly recommended to try it more than once because the river’s water level and landscape constantly change, making each ride a unique experience.

A fun fact: the rafting route lies between Cagayan de Oro on the left side (facing the current) and Bukidnon on the right.

Northern Mindanao surprised me, not only with its natural wonders and thrilling adventures, but with the peace and it brought at a time I needed it most. It is a place I can’t wait to return to, this time with my family by my side.