Experience “The Rush” at Chocolate Hills Adventure Park

A destination known for Chocolate Hills, Bohol is now becoming a place for adventures as well. Bike Zip or what Chocolate Hills Adventure Park calls it as “The Rush” is the latest adventure in the province. I’m always game for new challenges and different adventures; and upon learning about this latest activity made me feel so enthusiastic that I had planned to visit the park before proceeding to our vacation in Panglao. Bike Zip is a 275-meter zip line using a mountain bike to cross from one hill to another. I’ve been to Bohol quite number of times already to see the Chocolate Hills but seeing those magnificent hills through riding “The Rush” indeed gave me a different experience.

Chocolate Hills Adventure Park is the latest eco-tourism adventure park situated in Carmen, Bohol. It can be reached in an hour and a half by riding a bus or van from DAO Terminal in Tagbilaran. The park offers thrilling adventure activities like hiking trails, tree top adventures and the famous “The Rush”.

It was drizzling when we arrived at the park. But rain or shine, the adventure still continues. After we were cleared from health check, our nice guide, Anne, accompanied us to get to the view deck area that is situated on top of the hill. Climbing the hill wasn’t easy as we had hiked through the 438 steps but once we had gotten to the top, a spectacular view of the Chocolate Hills unfolded unto us.

The Chocolate Hills are like several hills that have been sprayed all over the ground, which its colour change from chocolate brown to lush green depending on the season. Seeing this kind of view again made me feel nostalgic. This is one of the first destinations that I’ve been to when I started traveling the country; and getting to this place is always sentimental to me.

Beside the view deck is where “The Rush” takes place. We were instructed that only two persons at a time can go up to the Bike Zip area; so I and my friend, Elal, teamed up for the first batch that will get into the ride, while Mark and Yaj teamed up for the second batch.

Biking and zip line are not new to me so I’ve assumed I won’t have struggles riding the Bike Zip. But I was wrong! I’ve thought this outdoor activity was going to be easy. Well, it became manageable after I realised how this ride should go.

The bicycle is joined securely to the zip line so balancing it is not an issue. All we have to do is pedal – and feel the ride.

I got chills as I pedal the bicycle. I never thought that this ride was going to be that thrilling. I wasn’t afraid of heights but seeing how high I was from the ground and I was in a bicycle; that scenario made me shudder. I’ve never felt frightened again until that moment. It gave me a feeling that any moment my bike would cut off from the zip line. But that’s how the thrill of this ride goes. I remember when our guide told me when I was still cheering for Elal who had gone to the Bike Zip first, the windier and rainier it is, the more exciting the ride is. Well, hell yeah! Bring it on! I guess that’s why they call it “The Rush”. It isn’t because of the speed of biking but the rush of emotions.

The ride was scary at first. It took me time to condition myself and be at ease with the ride but once I got that moment everything became enjoyable and exciting. Add to that the breathtaking view of the hills. Isn’t it cool to ride a bicycle with Chocolate Hills on your surrounding? The view was indeed pretty up in the sky.

Another adventure to try when in Chocolate Hills Adventure Park is the Tree Top Rope Course. The challenge is categorised by easy and difficult. The only difference is that the difficult course has four more extra challenges.

The rain was still pouring that time so just to be safe we opted for the easy one. We were then grouped in twos again so Elal and I teamed up once more to do the tree top rope course first.

We started the challenge by walking through the hanging bridge. Oh, that was easy but when we reached the other side and had a peek of what the next challenges are, that was where second thoughts came. Not minding all the hesitations, we moved on and proceeded with next challenges.

“This was easy, huh” I mumbled ironically as I walked through the rope courses. The rope course wasn’t easy especially it was raining and it was slippery, but that was the challenge I supposed. I’ve been to several similar places that offer such obstacles and alike but I must say this one in Chocolate Hills Adventure Park was the toughest and most exciting that I had.

When we finished the easy course, we were asked if we would like to complete the difficult part of the rope course. The adrenaline junkie in me was affirmative so I proceeded with the course; and it was indeed taxing. Sadly, I wasn’t able to finish it. I was already on the last challenge to celebrate my victory when I chickened out. I couldn’t do it. It’s slippery and I might fall. I called it done; so I kindly asked the staff to help me get back to the ground.

Completing (almost) the challenges in the adventure park made us all felt relieved and fulfilled (and tired). We were all impressed with ourselves that we were able to conquer not only the challenges but our fears as well (may it be in height, obstacles or riding a bike for the first time). It was truly an exceptional experience.

Chocolate Hills Adventure Park is the only adventure park that offers the exciting Bike Zip in Bohol. The ride truly gives a different experience of seeing the famous Chocolate Hills.

The adventure park is open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM including Holidays. There’s no need for reservation to experience the park. You may go as a walk in. The rates per person are as follows (may subject to change):

Entrance Fee: PHP 60

For more info, please visit their Facebook page.

Chocolate Hills Adventure Park

Note: Additional photos owned by Elal Lasola