Beyond Distance: Adventures to CDO and Bukidnon

mountain ranges surrounding Panimahawa Ridge

“Where are you?” a caller asked. “In a place where heartaches mend,” she replied. This is the conversation I overheard from the lady sitting just behind me while on my way to Cagayan de Oro to meet my friends (TribuAdOBo). Is my hometown, Bukidnon, really a place to be for the brokenhearted and in pain? Be the judge as I’ll be sharing our group’s first adventure for 2018 in the northern and central part of Mindanao.

Disclaimer: All thoughts expressed in this blog are based on my own. Every traveler may differ in perspectives on things they experience at traveling.

en route to Impalutao, Bukidnon

To Panimahawa Ridge

Everyone met at Agora Bus Terminal to hop a bus to Impalutao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon, our jump-off to Panimahawa Ridge. From the national highway, we hiked about 20 minutes to the Ant Farm and registered everyone for the overnight stay at the ridge’s campsite.

Panimahawa Ridge

our humble abode under the starry, clear sky (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

socials (Tribu AdOBo) (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

The sun is about to set as we trek towards the ridge and just as darkness succumbed, replaced by the cold breeze and millions of stars. It was a great sojourn on top while enjoying each other’s company through food and, of course, the almost never-ending stories that our guide needs to call it a night for us to retire to bed. We need to recharge for the following day’s strenuous activity – the falls hopping.

campsite afar (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

Great morning atop (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

morning glow

It’s just 4:00 am early in the morning when conversations woke us up. They were voices of newly-arrived hikers intentionally came dawn to catch the sunrise. Well, there’s nothing we can do but to get up and do the same. We haven’t witnessed the sea of clouds yet Mr. Sun was generous enough to give us a stunning shine.

let the falls hopping begin w/ the guide (Jairo Manera @ 09753261811)

To the Waterfalls

Before the sun turns his lovely light into a scorching hot ray, we hurried down the ridge and prepare our late breakfast at the Ant Farm. The next thing happened was my unexpected grueling falls hopping full of hike, river trekking, and somewhat rock/wall climbing. Well, whatever challenges we encountered, still nothing beats the healing power that only nature provided.

river trek (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

Gantungan Falls (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

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Natigbasan Falls (Photo Cr: Arr Peruelo)

(Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

Dila Falls (Photo Cr: Ray Santa Maria)

We spent more than two hours hopping the four mighty, majestic waterfalls at The Center for Ecological Development and Recreation (CEDAR) – Gantungan Falls, Natigbasan Falls, Makabayot Falls, and Dila Falls. Quite difficult, exciting, fun, and dangerous; don’t belittle this adventure especially for non-swimmers. There are parts where swimming is a must to get across and if you really want to dive and jump-off from the top of each falls.

Hungry and tired, we opted to take lunch first after washing-up and before heading to Cagayan de Oro City for our next extreme adventure. Unlucky we, the only restaurant serving food in the area have nothing to offer that time. We have no choice but to get an hour bus ride going to the city to fuel our exhausted bodies.

Everyone (the not-so-hungry us.. haha) went on a binge eating as if we skipped a couple of meals. Rest. Indeed we need it but we haven’t booked yet for a night stay. As thrifty travelers, we have to make the most of our trips at a minimum cost as possible. We ended up staying in a not-so-expensive room with occupants outnumbering its regular guests. Well, that’s how Tribu AdOBo bonds with lots of fun when together.

to white river rafting jump-off

It’s already 5:00 am in the morning and it’s time to wake up and be ready for our water rafting adventure. Breakfast is a must to keep everyone up for the extreme activity. Next stop was at the main office of Great White Water Tours for registration, gear, and preparation then we went to our jump-off to get some thrill.