NASUGBU, Batangas — A new, adventure-filled, and nature-inspired treetop experience now beckons tourists and vacationers at the lush centuries-old Batulao forest here as part of their summer travel goals.
Nestled at the 170-hectare Chateau Royale Hotel Resort and Spa in Batulao village, the Tree Top Adventure was envisioned by the hotel resort management as an added attraction to boost the country’s tourism industry, apart from those that cater to both the laidback and thrill-seeking tourists.
Lawyer Christine Base, president of Chateau Royale Hotel Resort and Spa, described the adventure as the first in Batangas, and synonymous to fun, excitement, thrill and adventure.
“You don’t have to go far like Baguio City or Subic to enjoy other thrills such as zipline and other fun activities because it is now right here,” Base said, citing the proximity of the tourism destination which is some 2.5-hour drive south of Metro Manila.
She expects the forest trail site “the newest go-to-place” for families, friends, tourists, and even for lovers of nature, zip line, and adventure treks at affordable prices.
Base, with Marie Abolencia, Chateau Royale’s Director of Sales and Marketing and General Manager Ferdie Pulia, led guests, visitors, resort clients, and local officials during the official launching of the Tree Top Adventure on May 26, 2019.
Located next to the sprawling campsite dubbed “Camp Sawi” for the lonely and heartbroken, the treetop adventure forest park offers trekkers and trailblazers the experience of zip line courses clamped around humongous and centuries-old trees and nature trip, with a panoramic view of the Batangas highlands.
As one tries the exciting journey to the forest, a cool tropical breeze and refreshing natural lush environs greet him/her while stepping on several platforms nuzzled on tree branches, suspension bridges that span midway through huge tree trunks, and the verdant canopies.
“Chateau Royale’s newest adventure is surely not for the faint-hearted but rather for seekers of heart-stopping forest expedition that triggers an adrenaline rush,” a forest trail guide said.
According to the adventure park guides, the elevated zip line courses boast one of the most advanced safety systems in the world with the Smart Safe Belay (SSB) kits by Bornack from Germany, which has been offering holistic concepts for rope protection for over 50 years. The guides were trained by Joey Cuerdo, a certified Petzl Technical Institute of Utah, USA adventurist and outdoors man, after having trained under the Petzl’s Work at Heights training and assessment program for commercial and institutional climbing gym operations.
Using the outdoors scenery safety operations, the Tree Top Adventure has safety cables connected as interconnected hanging “bridges” attached to the tree trunks that could operate even in harsh conditions, and also patterned after the Power Up Climbing Gyms that are now the trend in vertical sports.
With the newest treetop experience as part of its 170-hectare destination, Abolencia claimed that Chateau Royale Hotel Resort and Spa was expected to be the largest integrated resort in Luzon.
For the lovers of spectacular nature sceneries and the outdoors, the resort has become a favorite spot for rock climbing, rainforest trekking, orchidarium, aviary, biking, horseback riding, zip line, go-karting, kalesa rides, wave pool and team building facilities; and for the sports enthusiasts with their various courts in basketball, tennis, volleyball, badminton and the outdoor archery field.
The resort also offers room accommodations for the cabin type, the French-inspired “Gulod” townhouses, Lakeboat for weekday or weekend staycation and day-time travels. — by Saul E. Pa-a | PNA
