Whitewater Rafting in Davao

Last updated Jan 28, 2019

If you’re into adventure in Davao, you don’t have to go further from its city limits and scale Mt. Apo. Davao River is a 150 kilometer stretch from the mountains with a width of between 60 to 90 meters. Although a large portion of it is relatively calm — it has a flow of 70-80 cubic meters per second near the mouth — there are parts suitable for whitewater rafting. The rafting activity takes between two to three hours covering the 13-kilometer course that consists of class 1 to class 4 (easy to advanced) rapids.

Base Camp, an outdoor adventure outfitter in the city also offers whitewater adventure across Davao River.

Schedule of activities:

Morning session at 7am (Participants must take their breakfast early)
07:00 am – Assembly, Registration, Gear Fitting
07:30 am – Departure for Put-in area (38 km travel)
08:30 am – Arrival at Put-in, Safety Briefing
09:00 am – Start of Rafting (2-3 hours rafting)
12:00 am – Arrival at Take-out area, lunch
12:30 am – Head back to Base Camp
01:30 pm Arrival at Downtown

Afternoon session at 2pm (Participants must take their lunch early)
11:00 am – Assembly, Registration, Gear Fitting
11:30 am – Departure for Put-in area (38 km travel)
12:30 pm – Arrival at Put-in, Safety Briefing
01:00 pm – Start of Rafting (2-3 hours rafting)
04:00 pm – Arrival at Take-out area, snacks
04:30 pm – Head back to Base Camp
05:30 pm – Arrival at Downtown

Notes:

Assembly area: Base Camp, 2/F Philippine Red Cross Building, Roxas Avenue beside Marco Polo Hotel.
Put-in area or starting point: Tamugan bridge (38 kilometers from assembly area)
Take-out area or ending point: Lacson bridge

Cost:

P1,500 per person which includes the following:

transportation – free pickup for participants based in downtown Davao City area
meals
guide fee
gears and equipment
documentation CD of photos and video clips

Notes: A minimum of 5 participants per group. If your head count falls below this number, the whitewater rafting trip can still proceed once you agree to pay for cost of 5 participants.

Safety consideration:

Each activity has well-trained and certified guides to assist in swift water rescue, first aid, and basic life support.
Participants will be equipped with safety gear during the rafting activity
Participants don’t have to know how to swim to go rafting with Base Camp. They just have to overcome the fear of water.
Most common injury related to this activity is sunburn, and most other injuries occur on land, notably while getting in and out of the boats.

Participant requirements and preparations:

Minimum age limit is 7 years old, preferably unafraid of water, can follow instructions and typical body built to wear available life jackets. Active seniors above 65 years old are also welcome.
Participants don’t have to be physically fit to go rafting. Paddling a raft is a team effort that uses more technique than muscles. To do so, you should be reasonably healthy, and must be able to fit into available life vests.
Before the rafting activity, participants will be given extensive instructions during circumstances such as falling from the boat and how to stay safe.
As the activity expects participants to get wet, it’s better to bring swimwear, nylon shorts and t-shirts. River sandals or tennis shoes are good companion, along with hats and sunglasses with straps, as well as applying sunscreen before the rafting activity.
Participants don’t need to bring their camera as Base Camp will document the trip with photos and videos.

Weather conditions:

Since you will be getting wet while you are on the river, we run our trip rain or shine.
Unforeseen circumstances such as very high or very low water level, trips might be cancelled or postponed.

Booking procedure:

Call Base Camp at +63 82 321 6311 or +63 927 275 6099 or
Book online