Longest Zipline In the Philippines: Playing Tag with the Birds

On our way to Camp Sambros, Kapatagan, Davao del Sur to experience the longest zip line adventure in the Philippines.

We had a friend in town and we were eager to let him experience the ULTIMATE Davao outdoor experience.  That is to do the 820-m zipline.  It is located in Kapatagan, Davao del Sur and is by far the longest zipline in the Philippines Ever!

Another habal habal driver we passed along the way.  Now imagine 4 adults riding that thing...

How to get to Camp Sabros

Using Private Car

The road going there is cemented, what is treacherous though is the 2hours of sitting.  However the rural scenery could somehow ease the tension on your butt.  It is advised that you use a private car since there aren't any buses or jeeps that will take you there.  It is relatively easy to make your way to the camp since there are road signs to Kapatagan.  Initially if you're coming from Davao City, you have to head your way down south until you reach the Welcome Sign of Digos. There are two road sandwiching the Sign, so you take the one on the right, which will lead you to Kidapawan.  From there watch out for the road signs going to Kapatagan, which is found on the right side of the road.  Head your way to Sitio Barras checkpoint, where you may need to park your car and start with your treck up the camp. If you somehow loose your way, asking locals for direction is always wise.

Using Public Transportation

In our case, we commuted.   We took the bus from Davao City to Digos Terminal.  From there we rode a tricycle going to the "old terminal".  The ride could be exciting but the smoke coming out from the engine screws up the experience.  There was a time that we needed to stop and let the tricycle rest due to overheat.  It wasn't able to take the uphill roads and basically our weights.  Upon reaching the old terminal, you would see habal habal drivers all calling out and already making deals with you as soon as you step your foot on the ground.  They're quite accustomed to tourists going there.  You would be offered around P1000 just to take you to the camp and back.  At first you would feel ripped off, but believe me, it's a looong way up going there so it was just worth the price.  So, we choose our habal habal driver, made the deal and forcefully fit ourselves in one long motorbike.  All 4 of us, the driver included. And we did so for 2hours.  

Our habal-habal ride ended at the Sitio Barras checkpoint and we had to do some trekking uphill for 2kilometers.  You could opt to ride a horse, which what our visitor/friend did. We just walked our way up.  When reaching the area, you would see Camp Sabros all filled up with few cottages and verandas and benches here and there.

My friend Anne.

Packages

There are several packages offered.  We got ourselves the Ultimate package that costs P750 each.  It already involves tree rapelling, 350m and 820m ziplining.  (Please refer below for the complete package/tour list)

Tree rapelling. Giddy Much! 

Remembering my First Zipline Experience in Camp Sambros

It was really an exhilarating experience.  I remembered doing it the first time.  I was with my friend, Ivy.  Both of us first timers. I was giddy, she was scared.  When our office mate asked for our pictures taken, I was smiling, she was crying.  The first moment of take off was more interesting.  We were shouting at the same time.  I was delighted, she was mortified.  She was screaming to the point that she was already ruining my experience.  So I shouted: "Ivy!!! Shut the Fck up!", now we don't usually say the F word.  But in this case, I felt that it was highly needed.  Then she went quiet. Moments later, she screamed. "Waaaaaaahhhh, waaaahhh... I love itt!" and so I smiled and just tried to take everything in: the surge of wind massaging my face, the glorious image of Mt. Apo on my left side, the grueling sight of height in front of us, the feeling of being suspended on air, the speed, the bird flying parallel to me.  The bird that seems as if we were flying together. I wanted to touch it.  But of course I can't.  That was how high we were up in the air.  It was just a wonderful experience.

Scene from above.

Being Swallowed by Clouds

When I did the 820m zipline, I already did a number just before it so experiencing it shouldn't be much of a difference.  Yet, it was.  It was longer of course.  But now we had to fly through clouds.  Yes.  There were a lot of clouds blocking the other end of the rope.  There was zero visibility.  The rope then was just swallowed by clouds.  Flying through clouds was another big experience for me.  I shall never forget it. 

Ride Package Rates/person

P150 - Roundtrip Cable lift
P200 - Roundtrip Cable lift + Tandem ride on 380 meters zipline
P280 - Tandem ride on 380 meters + solo ride on 400 meters zipline
P350 - Tree top  rappel + Roundtrip Cable lift
P350 - Tandem ride on 380 meters zipline + Roundtrip Cable lift
P400 - Tandem ride on 380 meters zipline + solo ride on 820 meters zipline or
            Horse back riding + solo ride on 820 meters zipline
P550 - Tandem ride on 380 meters + solo ride on 400 meters ziplines + Tree top rappel + cable lift
P550 - Tandem ride on 380 meters + solo ride on 400 meters ziplines + cable lift + solo ride on 820 meters zipline
P600 -solo ride on 820 meters zipline + Tree rappel
P750 - Tandem ride on 380 meters + 400 meters zipline + cable lift + solo ride on 820 meters zipline + Tree rappel

Day Tour Packages 
Day Tour Package A - P300 - Tandem ride on 380m zipline + cable lift + breakfast or lunch
Day Tour Package B - P670 - Tandem ride on 380m zipline + solo ride on 400m zipline + tree top rappel + cable lift + breakfast or lunch
Day Tour Package C - P670 - Tandem ride on 380m zipline + solo ride on 400m zipline + cable lift + 820m zipline + breakfast or lunch
Day Tour Package D - P870 - Tandem ride on 380m zipline + solo ride on 400m zipline + cable lift + tree top rappel + 820m zipline + breakfast or lunch

Note: If you wish to make reservations in their cottage or to schedule a tour there you may contact them through:

Email: campsabros@yahoo.com
Contact No.: 0922-8789751 or (082)303-6091