Whitewater rafting down the Chico River is catching on and there are now several rafting companies that run the river. The group here set out from Tinglayan near the second hanging bridge and went down stream to Tabuk.
I like to promote this sort of thing so if any of the local rafting companies want to put their info up here just include it in the comment section at the end of the story and I will approve it and add the link – cheers.
It had been raining for several days so these rafters had some nice rapids to work with. I have seen advertisements for groups that do the upper Chico near Sagada and Bontoc but have not talked to anyone that runs the river from Bontoc to Tinglayan.
This rafting company is out of Tabuk. They have some good gear and look like a first rate operator. If you read this and want to add your links feel free…I like to promote stuff like this!
This group had done whitewater rafting in Davao and Cagayan de Oro and wanted to try something different. They really knew how to enjoy life!
They set set out from the second hanging bridge in Tinglayan. This is one on the most pristine parts of the Philippines with clean fresh water and fresh air and no garbage lying about. Travel in Kalinga country is often discouraged by people in the provinces on either side but let me tell you – this is one of the most exhilarating places to be. Sagada and Banaue are nice tourist centers but Kalinga country is in a league of it’s own.
I took some of these pictures from this hanging bridge. Believe it or not one of the last of the Kalinga headhunters lived in the village on the other side of this bridge. I met him about 12 years ago but he has since died.
After the rafters set off I hopped on my motorbike and followed the river downstream to get some of these shots. They are a tad blurry but you still get the general idea.
The Chico could even be considered to be majestic – it is just so beautiful.
My girlfriend and I used to jump in and just swim downstream in the cold water with the current – memories – wow! We would then climb up on one of the rocks and warm up in the sun. You just can’t forget stuff like that.
The Chico River Canyon is beautiful going downstream towards Tabuk but it is a wild raging river further upstream about half way to Bontoc.
“Canyon of Death”
On this stretch upstream there are sheer rock walls and the whole river gets squeezed down into narrow bottle necks.
It would not be possible to exit the river in those places so you would really have to know what you were doing before even considering running this canyon – especially during the rainy season.
I am pretty certain that no one has ever kayaked or rafted it yet.
Very cool! Downstream to Tabuk.
Good luck! You could actually follow his river all the way to the top of Luzon where it empties out into the Babuyan Channel but the river flattens out and turns into a meandering and possibly boring river when you pass Tabuk.
Chico River whitewater rafting
For Upper Chico out of Sagada contact 0919 698 8361, http://www.luzonoutdoors.com
For Lower Chico out of Tabuk contact 0920 205 2680 http://www.chicoriverquest.com
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Chico River Quest, the guys you have pics of, run the Chico in Kalinga. We run everything from Bontoc to just above the Canyon of Death. Nobody rafts the Canyon of Death, because… well, because you’d die.
Some really good kayakers, in fact some of the best in the world, did paddle in there, in fairly low water (January). They ran the part in your pic above, but just before the point of no return they scouted a while and climbed out. The innermost section of that canyon is very narrow and very dangerous.
Luckily there’s a good access point just above the canyon and everything else is runnable.
Some video of the Chico between Bontoc and the Kalinga border:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEc7NIPiUWA
Hi Steve
Thanks for the info! That Chico River is just so beautiful – wow nice video-
dp
wow!! hope to raft with you soon..one of my dreams to do this kind of adventure..been in sagada but with limited time of stay..i know that there’s still a lot astounding tourist spot awaits me to explore..
Hello jp,
Chico River Quest from Tabuk is the group in these pictures. I don’t have their contact number.
I was just staying at the Sleeping Beauty guesthouse in Tinglayan for a few days and met them there. I forgot to take down their contact number but they seem to be a really fun group and had a ball. I followed the Chico River downstream with my motorcycle and stopped a few times in strategic locations to take the pictures.
There is also a rafting company that does the Chico River stretch further upstream. I don’t have their contact number either but they operate out of Sagada – if anyone knows their info please post it – thank you in advance .
dp
For Upper Chico out of Sagada contact 0919 698 8361, http://www.luzonoutdoors.com
For Lower Chico out of Tabuk contact 0920 205 2680 http://www.chicoriverquest.com
Hi, can you give ideas regarding the cost of your rafting there? Im looking to visit it. hehe Thanks!
Hello Leslie,
Please give the companies a call for details. The “dutchpickle” website is simply a travelers website written by a backpacker – I do not actually book any reservations for hotels of expeditions.
however I must add that the Chico River valley is one of the most beautiful parts in the Philippines to me ! Clear clean waters and magnificent scenery – you can drink the cool water from most of the streams running down from the mountains!
For two good contact people for the surrounding area – I suggest Francis Pa In from Tinglayan and Steve Rogers from Sagada – both have extensive knowledge of the areas
Francis Pa In is a Kalinga native – speaks the local languages and has a very deep interest in the local traditions and mountain areas
Rogers has extensive knowledge of extreme sports and kayaking and bicycling
either one will offer great ideas or suggestions – I think that Rogers is also connected with the white water rafting based out of Sagada
both Rogers and Francis speak English well
Rogers whitewater rafting options are further upstream around the Sagada area where he lives- very nice
I think the outfit out of Tabuk usually starts around Tinglayan and travel downstream to Tabuk – Rogers would be helpful with information about either group
I suggest also putting the question up on the Lonelyplanet “thorntree” message board and get some response there. I would love to do that trip myself but am super busy at this time working in the Bakken oilfields so will not have free time until next year!
enjoy
dp