Adventure is an enticing word for people looking for activities that will satisfy their adrenaline-filled desires. By doing this, one must have the courage to conquer any of their fears.
There are no shortages of fears and challenges that await adventure-seekers. Fear of flying, fear of trekking, fear of seeing creatures along the way — these are just some of the many. But the most common, of course, is fear of heights and I can count how many fellow adventures came up to me over the years and said they — while adventurous by nature — are fearful of heights.
During one of my last pre-COVID-19 trips this year, I got to test how brave I was when it comes to conquering heights. I, along with a few friends, went to Kiokong White Rock Wall, a hidden destination in Bukidnon Province which is quickly becoming a destination among rock climbers, cliff campers and other adventurers.
The first and only extreme cliff-camping in the Philippines
Kiokong White Rock Wall was first established in the early 2000s. It was in 2017 that Kiokong’s 180-meter rock wall finally captured the eyes of adrenaline junkies, locals and foreigners alike.
The colossal wall inside the Kiokong Eco-tourism Project, most widely known for its “vertical bivouac” attraction, is located in San Jose, Quezon, Bukidnon, Mindanao. A small town down south, this is filled with white, climbing stones of different dimensions, angles, and features.
Passageways to the white rock walls are securely attached; belay stations are extended and spacious. As a result, Quezon is emerging as one of the largest rock climbing sites in the Philippines as it has at least a hundred routes to accommodate climbers of all levels.
Kiokong displays several single-pitch and multi-pitch climbing areas. Climbing grades vary from 5 to 8b, with the majority in the 6b to 6c bracket. Next to the multitude of scaling lines, the rock boasts towering heights. Many routes are 30 to 40 meters on average, so carry many draws and a 60 to 80-meter rope for the journey ahead.
During the long ascent, rock climbers have to spend the night on vertical cliffs. They can set up a camp on sturdy rock walls on a vertical bivouac, with a scenic view of the Pulangiriver, a 320 km stretch of water used throughout the province to irrigate or source drinking water.
Aside from this, you can also do rappelling from a bridge, or even swimming in the nearby Blue Water Cave. Its deep swimming pool boasts crystal clear, blue-green hued water. It’s so serene, so perfect that you wouldn’t want to miss being here.
With its height, and God-given beauty, this sure is a must-visit destination. What are you waiting for? Get your outdoor equipment, pack your bags, and get to Kiokong White Rock Wall.
How to get to Kiokong White Rock Wall
To get there, you have two choices to choose from: either take the public transportation or rent a private vehicle.
If you prefer public transportation, you can take the public utility bus. Upon arrival at the bus terminal, head first to the ticketing booth, ask the teller or cashier to give you a ticket for a bus bound for Cagayan De Oro. Tell the cashier that you are heading to Quezon, Bukidnon. The bus fare ranges from P180 to P230 for 3 to 4 hours of travel time. Tell the conductor to drop you at a 7/11 convenience store in Quezon. There’s not a lot of 7/11 stores so they know what you are referring to.
It is advisable to keep your flight boarding pass because the moment you arrive at Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCTTO), there is a mandatory inspection of bags at the bus terminal entrance. The boarding pass serves as a ticket for you to skip the inspection process at the bus terminal’s entrance.
The other option, and one that you should highly consider, is to rent a vehicle. By doing this, you can skip long hours of transportation and also avoid the hassle of public commuting. Additionally, you can also cut your travel time from 4 hours to 2 hours or even less.
Given that we still have a pandemic, this is also a safer option as you will not be exposed to many people who are also en route to Kiokong.
Now, if you are looking for a car rental agency that can provide high-quality and affordable rental cars, look no further than Car Rental Davao. Every unit you need is here, from sedans, SUVs and vans, we have them all waiting for you.
Plan your travel to Kiokong with us by contacting us through our Booking Page. You may also give us a call at +63906-059-1323 or email sales@carrentaldavao.com.
Fees to keep in mind
- Upon your arrival at the location, head straight to the registration area to log-in for attendance. The hours of the climb are approximately 2-3 hours. Please keep in mind that fees vary depending on the travel agency or outfitters you have contacted or transacted with.
- For booking and reservation fees, you have to pay P2,000 — that’s per head/guest.
- The minimum number of guests is five persons, but four persons will be allowed on some occasions at an adjusted rate.
- The local tourist fee is P7,500 per person. This is inclusive of safety gears like a helmet, harness, gloves and hard wear. The foreigners’ fee is $200 per person.
How to contact Quezon, Bukidnon Tourism Office
Municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon
Address: Libertad, Quezon, Bukidnon 8715
Contact Numbers: MDRRMO: #0917-844-0397
BFP-QMFS: #0905-751-1711
PNP-QMPS: #0917-300-2452
Email: lgu.quezon.bukidnon@gmail.com
Website: http://quezonbukidnon.gov.ph
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