Asia’s longest dual zipline

Thursday, February 9, 2012

ARMANDO A. Mortejo, who’s taking a master’s degree in business administration, was under pressure because of the thesis he was doing. Wanting to relax, he decided to visit the Dahilayan Adventure Park in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon.

“All my stress vanished,” Mortejo said after riding the 840-meter cable zip line, touted to be the longest in Asia. Others may claim the record, but Zip Zone has dual cables which can carry two riders simultaneously. Total length of cables is 2,460 meters.

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“I never thought flying would really be this fun. I felt like I was Superman flying on top of the trees,” commented Mortejo, whose previous zipline experiences were done in Davao City. He also tried the first zipline in Mindanao in Cagayan de Oro City.

The launch point is 4,700 feet above sea level. The elevation drop is 100 meters with estimated speeds ranging from 60 to 100 kilometers per hour. The riders zoom through lush greenery of pine trees and bushes.

The zipline is guaranteed safe for everyone. For safety reasons, only those between 4’4” and 6’3” are permitted to ride. Those with heart problems and weighing more than 100 kilograms are also not allowed. There is no age limit; the youngest to ride is two years old while the oldest is 77 years old.

“We are very much concerned with the safety of our customers,” says Ravi Michael P. Victorio, a civil engineer who is the flights operations manager of the Zip Zone. Although the equipment is designed and fabricated locally, the harnesses were bought from the United States. They also use of a state-of-the art brake technology to ensure safety of riders.

Actually, there are two other dual ziplines – one at 320 meters, the other at 150 meters. These two shorter ziplines were meant to get customers into action and make them lose their fear of the adventure.

Once the two ziplines are taken and the person has no problem at all, he is ready for the 840-m. A vehicle would bring all those who want to take the challenge to the launch point.

You never fly alone. Since it is a two-rider cable zipline, you always have a companion. In the movie, Forever and a Day, actors Sam Milby and KC Concepcion managed to go together.

The flight takes about a minute or less. Once back in the teirra firma, you can have your picture taken. Then, you go back to the ticket booth to get your certificate that indeed you have conquered Asia’s longest dual zipline!

Bringing this extreme adventure to Bukidnon was Engr. Elpidio M. Paras, a leading technology innovator in Cagayan de Oro who also founded the first cable system outside Metro Manila.

“I saw this kind of tourist attraction when I traveled in the United States and Europe so I brought the idea here,” Paras said. Though there was already a zipline established in Cagayan de Oro at the Macahambus gorge, he said it was not dual and short.

The first two ziplines were built in 2008. The longest was opened to the public in 2009. Last year, the park draws some 100,000 foreign and local tourists. “The number of visitors exceeded our expectations,” Paras said.

Aside from ziplines, there are several extreme adventures guests and visitors can do to get the thrills of their lives. There’s the ropes course and wall climbing. The latest addition is the death-defying Drop Zone Sky Swing. “It’s an experience of a lifetime,” said Mortejo, who tried it.

After securing all the gears and harnesses, you are pulled by a windmill-powered winch up to 120 feet. Once you are on the top, you take a deep breath and pull the release line located at the back. In a split of a second, you drop from the top and then swing like a pendulum.

“It was if my spirit was left on top while my body was falling down,” was how Mortejo described the episode. “All my stresses were gone.”

Flying with the 840-m zipline costs P500 per person while the two shorter ziplines is P450. The rope course is P200 and wall climbing is P100. The Drop Zone Sky Swing ride is P500 for one person but only P700 if you do it with a tandem.

One journalist describes the park in these words: “This once foggy farm land at the foot of the Mount Kitanglad is now a world class adventure destination not only in Mindanao but all throughout the Philippines.”

So, what are you waiting for? Join the bandwagon. The park is open every day from Monday to Sunday and on holidays from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. “We have the option of catering our customers until five in the afternoon if there are many of them,” Victorio said.

Those who want to spend a night at the park may check in at the Pine Grove Mountain Lodge, a nine-room ski chalet inspired Manor which has a 180 degree view of the Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park. It has a restaurant that serves really sumptuous and affordable foods.

Although the rooms are air-conditioned, you don’t need to turn it on. The cool wind that penetrates the screen is guaranteed to make you chill at night time.

In going to the park, visitors who have no private vehicles can hire a jeepney or van from Cagayan de Oro. Or they may hop on the air-conditioned Zip Zone shuttle, straight from the city every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays! The fare is P300 per person one way.

The Dahilayan Adventure Park is about 40 kilometers from Cagayan de Oro. Visitors will pass by Camp Phillips and pineapple plantations via Mampayag before reaching the place.

For booking, more information and inquiries please contact: +63 922 880-1319 or +63 88 857-2663 locals 403 and 404. Or visit their website at: www.dahilayanadventurepark.com.