21 Best Outdoor Adventures in the Philippines
There’s more to the Philippines than idyllic tropical beaches. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a simple backpacker like us, you’ll appreciate this list of top outdoor adventures in the Philippines!
(If you’re doing the 81 Province Challenge, make sure to add these outdoor activities to your must-do’s too!)
1. Skydiving in Zambales
Skydiving is the ultimate conquer-your-fear challenge. Once you’ve skydived, you can do pretty much anything else.
In a beach in Iba, Zambales, you can choose between a solo skydive or tandem skydive. The solo skydive entails you jumping out of a small plane about 3500-4000 feet high while an instructor oversees and assists you using a radio. A tandem skydive is deemed by many as the less nerve-wracking choice since an instructor will jump with you, but take note that the altitude for the jump will be much higher at 10000 feet above.
Whatever your choice is, both require orientation, practice and safety procedures for all participants. Skydiving in Zambales costs P12,500 for solo and P17,000 for a tandem jump.
Aside from Zambales, other skydive locations in the country include Vigan in Ilocos and Cebu.
2. Vertical bivouac adventure in Bukidnon
You tried camping at the beach, established campsites or mountain ridges. It’s fun and exciting. But what about camping on a narrow ledge thousands of feet up on a gigantic limestone cliff? Now that’s a real adventure. And you can experience that with Adventure Technology Outfitter’s Vertical Bivouac adventure in Quezon, Bukidnon. This is the only one of its kind in the Philippines!
Basically, you climb up a single flimsy rope using SRT technique on a huge cliff that literally blocks your vision. Your goal is to reach a narrow ledge — your campsite — at almost 500 feet up. Since no rope is 500 feet long, you need to switch ropes midway, clinging at the edge of the cliff.
Once you reach your camp area, your only protection against falling into the dark, yawning abyss is a harness clipped to a safety line. Up at 500 feet, you chat with friends, eat a delicious dinner, share ghost stories and sleep under the stars.
The adrenaline rush of the Vertical Bivouac adventure is just indescribable! Try out this one-of-a-kind climbing, camping, and rappelling experience.
3. Rock climbing in Atimonan, Quezon
Anyone who loves adventures in the outdoors should try rock climbing at least once in their lives. There is a distinct rush of exhilaration that comes when you face that towering rock head on and aim to reach for the top. It also takes an element of trust, as you have faith your belayer — the one who holds the ropes that secure your weight while you climb — will catch you should you fall.
In Atimonan, Quezon Province, there is Tinandog Wall, a rock face perfect both for beginners and the experienced rock climbers. Costs may vary, but usually, for a budget of less than P2000 you can travel to the wall, rent climbing equipment, have a reliable belayer and indulge in a hearty meal. For the adventurous, rock climbing in Atimonan is indeed a must-try.
4. Underground river tour in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River in Sabang in Palawan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a new 77 wonders of nature, a national park, and was thought to be the world’s longest underground river until 2007 when one was found in Mexico.
To see the underground river, you’ll go into it in a small boat with a guide. Once you’re in the cave, the guide will tell you about the cave and its formations. You need the headset to keep from having all the guides in there at once talking and disturbing the bats. You spend about an hour in the cave, while you learn about its environment.
The underground river is easy to visit. If you’re visiting from Puerto Princesa, a tour will be the most efficient way to see it. If you’re visiting from Sabang, you can go on a tour or on your own which I would recommend. It’s a lot cheaper and extremely easy. It costs about P560. Read More…
