Midway to the Cordilleras and suddenly boredom tickles you that you need to find a way to eliminate it. Pugo Adventures or PUGAD, a five-hectare adventure-resort located at Marcos Highway, offers extreme adventure activities such as zip lines, rappelling, wall climbing, paintball, ATV to heat you up before experiencing the cold weather of Baguio City. The place is perfect for adventure seekers and outdoor aficionados.
PUGAD started to operate last September 2010 as a resort with 2 pools having only 3 zip lines installed. Later on, they added the different attractions and activities. These include rappelling, wall climbing, the Australian run down, giant swing, ATV, paintball and target shooting. They also expanded the resort from 2 pools to 6. During rainy days, the river crossing the resort also serves as a venue for their tire tubing activity. You can experience the rages of the river water on a life buoy. On my visit to the place, Argo, a new attraction was launched. Argo is a 6×6 all terrain vehicle that can accommodate 3-4 persons.
PUGAD has 4 adventure stations connected by 3 zip lines. Stations 1 and 2 are being connected by Zipline 1 at a length of 400 feet and 250 feet above the ground. You can have the Superman ride on Zipline 1. Zipline 2 connects Stations 2 and 3 and is the fastest at 15 seconds for a 250-feet line. Station 3 is 60 feet high from the ground where you can try rappelling and wall climbing. Station 4 is located inside the resort and is connected to Station 3 by Zipline 3. The giant swing is located near Station 2 while the Australian run-down near Station 3.
Going to Station 1, a mini truck will bring you to the area located near the PUGAD sign on the side of the mountain. After the staff of Station 1 secured my harness, I found myself having my first Superman zip line ride while screaming 250 feet above the ground enjoying the lush mountains and the very scenic aerial view of the resort. Arriving in Station 2, the staff will remove your harness to be replaced with another one for the basic zip lines.
Activities being done on Station 2 are rappelling and the wall climbing. It was my first time to try both and I was so tense that I might slip from the rope and fall on the ground. I asked the staff a couple of times to ensure that the harness was safely placed. I was instructed to lean on my back with my body perpendicular to the wall which made me worried at first since I thought of losing control. The staff shared the way on how the rope is being controlled: hands with the rope on the sides to loosen and for you to slide down and putting it on your back for brake. It was really nerve-wracking yet fun first-time rappelling experience.
Next activity I tried was the wall climbing. They have two kinds of wall: the basic and the other with a roadblock. The staff asked me for my choice and the proud adventurer chose the harder one with the roadblock. I fell during my first try climbing a couple of rocks since I can’t position my foot on the rocks. Afterwards, I had my second attempt. I easily got myself halfway of the wall without a sweat. After a minute, I was already approaching the roadblock. Rocks on this part of the wall are far from each other so you need an extra effort to reach out to them for you to pull yourself up. I had a hard time since I was wearing denim that time.
Some of the staff on the ground were shouting and cheering me up. It was in that inclined part of the wall that I shouted the staff managing the rope connected to my harness to pull me up since I can’t reach the rocks anymore. I was already drenched in sweat with my muscles aching enjoying the heat of the sun. I need this to exercise my body from the usual office days just sitting in front of the computer. After some rock grabbing and pulling myself up, I reached the top. Yay! Everyone is clapping while I descend the wall.
Stations 3 and 4 are being connected by the 3rd zip line which is also 250 feet in length but having a moderate speed than the second one. Another first time I had is the Australian run down. It is the same with the rappelling only that you will descend facing the ground. Unlike their rappelling which is done on a board 90 degree with the ground, PUGAD’s Australian run down is being done on an inclined rock. It was the first thing I’m looking forward to trying in visiting the place and it was really an amazing attempt.
All equipment in PUGAD meets international Standard for Adventure Parks. Equipment, facilities, and activity areas are also regularly checked and given visual safety inspection so nothing to worry about. To ensure safety, you also need to obey instructions at all times and if you’re in doubt, don’t hesitate to clarify it with the staff and always listen to them.
You can try these extreme adventures by visiting Pugo Adventure located at Palina, Pugo, La Union. For the complete list of rates and packages, you can contact them at 0917 506 6931 or email them at info@pugoadventure.com.
HOW TO GET TO PUGO ADVENTURE
From Manila:
Take a Victory Liner bus going to Baguio leaving Manila every hour from their Pasay and Cubao terminals. Tell the conductor to drop you at Pugo Adventure (PUGAD). Fare on an air-conditioned bus is around Php400 and travel time is about 6 hours. The place is 500 meters away from Marcos hi-way and you can either walk or ride a tricycle going to PUGAD.
From Baguio:
Ride a Victory Liner bus going to Manila and tell the conductor to drop you off at Pugo Adventure. Travel time is about an hour and a half and fare is around Php 75.
Pugo Adventure (PUGAD)
Palina, Pugo, La Union
Facebook Page
info@pugoadventure.com
Contact No.: +63917-506-6931 or +63947-950-0441
