Experience the longest zipline at "Camp N" Nuvali

If you are a fan of outdoor adventure, you will surely love what Camp Nuvali N offers. It boasts of Adventure Tower which houses the longest rollercoaster zipline in Asia, which of course I tried  to simultaneously with the short zipline, I should say that the short zipline has the steepest slope ever. I have been ziplining since the last 3 years, I have tried it 5x already, so I conquered my fears altogether.  Camp Nuvali N has the longest zipline I have been through, and it was fun flying through the trees with its slope and fast speed. There are of course questions in your mind while reading this, and I would provide them for the curious and thrill seeker in you. There are 5 things to consider before ziplining.

1. Make sure you are physically up for the ride. You must be able to climb the stairs leading to the ziplines. There are ropes that you would be gripping on for your dear life, make use of your muscles you never knew you had.  Eat your meal before proceeding to the course and make sure to have a bottled water alongside your mini messenger bag. 

2. What should I wear? You should wear light and comfortable clothing that isnt too loose, the one that would never snug on your harness. Wear shoes that are close-toed, flipflops or sandals are definitely a no-no. Tie your hair up, so as to not get tangled in equipment. 

3. Is ziplining safe? At Camp Nuvali, safety is their top priority. They use the best equipment in outdoor sports imported from Germany.  Their harnesses and carabiners are made of extremely durable materials. Their staff is highly trained and would double check your harness before you climb the stairs. They make sure you understand safety procedures before you begin your ziplining tour and provides special helmets as well. 

4.  Can I bring my kids on a zipline tour?  If you're the kind of mom who wants to experience this with your kids, go but take extra precaution. If safety is your priority, then you and  hubby should leave the children at home. But if they are grown ups and would like to try this out, why not. 

5.  Know your limits. Most zip lines have a weight limit. Ask yourself if youre healthy enough to try.  If you're pregnant or if you have a heart condition, if you think the stress just might be too uncomfortable, if you are afraid of heights, take a pass. Try the aerial walk first or go biking. 

Within the heart of Nuvali lies “Camp N”, touted to be the eco-city’s premier outdoor  adventure and team-building facility that serves as an incubation for self-discovery through obstacles and challenges testing one’s physical limits, mental abilities, and even character and values. Located just south of Manila, Camp N is convenient for bonding among coworkers, families, and friends looking for active fun this summer season.

 “We designed Camp N in such a way that outdoor play and self-discovery are integrated seamlessly so people can enjoy bonding while being surrounded by nature. Camp N’s philosophy— expressed through providing people outdoor amenities where one can commune, learn, grow, and interact socially— jive perfectly with the sustainable philosophy of Nuvali being an eco-community,” said John Estacio, Nuvali general manager.

John Estacio, Nuvali general manager.

Camp N’s thrills-based and skills-based facilities include the Adventure Tower, which has the biggest roller coaster zipline in Asia, as well as free fall, wall climbing, and rappelling facilities. The Obstacle Course has three challenge levels from basic to advanced, encompassing a broad spectrum of skill levels. The Aerial Walk is a series of rope-based challenges set high in the air. The High and Low Rope Initiatives is a series of balancing platforms and tightropes set just a little above ground and requires the participation of small groups.

Right beside Camp N is Greens & Patches which serves as a tree nursery, a demo organic farm, as well as an art and meditation center for those seeking an introspective approach in self-development. Guided tours and programs will soon be offered here so guests can learn about nature’s processes and gifts.

Camp N’s lush and scenic trails include paths for trail running beginners and mountain biking for kids and adults.

“Camp N is for everyone and anyone who is not only looking for some outdoor adventure fun but also a place where they can recharge and connect with other people or even themselves, while being surrounded by nature,” said Estacio.

“The presence of Camp N provides the community a convenient outdoor adventure stop. For Nuvali’s existing communities, it’s a fun learning camp within the neighborhood where they can take their kids out to play and learn. As Camp N evolves further, there will be more activities that will develop their physical and creative skills all within the comfort of nature,” added Estacio.

On April 16, Camp N will be the venue for the first leg of the “AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016”, a multi-stage adventure race similar to The Amazing Race, also popularized by the AXN network. Adventurers will go through intense obstacle challenges in Camp N and the first 20 finishers will head to Boracay for the final round. Only 200 teams from Manila may join the AXN Ultimate Thrill 2016. Registration is through the AXN website.

To get to Nuvali, one can take any of the five South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) exits at Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan, and Canlubang. Nuvali is also easily accessible via public vehicles from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Balibago.

Nuvali is a 2,290-hectare mixed-use development of Ayala Land that straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna. It is a integrated self-supporting eco-city that is home to 12,000 residential units, two business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, two prestigious schools, and the 150-room Seda Hotel, which can provide accommodations for stay-cations and teambuilding activities.

 As a veritable stomping ground for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, Nuvali offers nature amenities such as its 35-kilometer mountain bike trail, a multi-functional lake, hiking paths, and a wildlife and bird sanctuary. Ayala Malls Solenad has over 400 shopping, dining, and entertainment options, making it the primary go-to leisure destination for residents in Laguna, Tagaytay, Batangas, and Muntinlupa.

Nuvali stages "Dirt Weekend" at Nuvali, Laguna

There is something about mountain biking that thrills the riders.  When you descent upon rocks, trails, roots and rough terrain, the satisfaction never ends there, the fact that you have mastered the road and trails gives you the healthy edge among others. It is the best workout so far, as you use your muscles for pedalling and maneuvering.

To those who are joining the Dirt Weekend on November 6-8 , pack lightly and don’t ever place anything in your pack that could jeopardize you in the event of a crash. Move your body and shift a lot, and support yourself with food, pump and multi-tool.

Nuvali launches Dirt Weekend last October 13 at Mind Museum. The event was hosted by Frank Garcia and Fox representative Aica Danas.

Nuvali has announced that it will be staging this year’s Philippine qualifying leg of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Mountain Bike (MTB) World Championship at the annual “Dirt Weekend” on November 6, 7 and 8 at Nuvali in Laguna. UCI is the international governing body on sports cycling and competitive cycling events. Started in 2009, Dirt Weekend is now recognized as one of the country’s premium racing events among professional MTB riders and enthusiasts alike.

“We are honored that Nuvali is hosting this prestigious international cycling event. Biking is part of the environmentally-responsible culture that we are cultivating in Nuvali. We continuously develop programs that are attuned to the local biking community - programs that promote a healthier lifestyle by encouraging biking as a mode of transportation and recreation. Also, we would like to serve as a platform for globally competitive athletes from the Philippines to get a chance to compete in the global stage,” said John Estacio, Nuvali General Manager.

Nuvali is a 2,290-hectare masterplanned mixed-use development that straddles the cities of Sta. Rosa, Cabuyao and Calamba in Laguna. It is Ayala Land’s largest estate development to date with approximately 50% of the whole development dedicated to green and open spaces. Through the years, it has become a notable stomping ground for outdoor adventure enthusiasts via its nature amenities such as the 35-kilometer mountain bike and running trail. It also features a multi-functional lake, hiking paths, and a Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary. To get to Nuvali, one can get off the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at the Mamplasan, Sta. Rosa, Eton-Greenfield, Silangan and Canlubang exits. Nuvali is also accessible via public buses that ply to and from the estate from major centers like Makati, Bonifacio Global City and Balibago.

Dirt Weekend will feature four MTB races, each requiring a unique set of mountain biking skills, throughout a three-day period of non-stop festivities revolving around the popular cycling sport. The main event is the UCI Cross Country Marathon (XCM) World Series qualifying race which enables top finishers to move up to the 2016 Cross Country Marathon World Championship in France. The XCM course on Nuvali runs for 70 kilometers and is riddled with technical descents as well as rocky paths and obstacles, designed to mimic a mountain terrain.

 The UCI Cross Country Olympic (XCO) is similar to the XCM but shorter at 35 kilometers. The XCO is a “Registered Class 3” UCI race that lets elite riders earn UCI points. The Four Cross Race is a gravity or downhill event that features four riders racing at the same time through a challenging BMX-like trail of jumps, drops and obstacles, with the top finisher proceeding to the next round. The Dirt Weekend Cross Country Race is Nuvali’s signature cycling event that draws over 1,000 riders yearly to the estate in an exhilarating dash around its 35-kilometer dirt trail.

 “This year, we are expecting over 5,000 visitors to Nuvali for the Dirt Weekend, including 1,500 riders. We strive to make Dirt Weekend an enjoyable gathering place for competitive bikers and fun riders by staging challenging races that cater to all skill levels, as well as entertaining fringe activities such as a bike expo and food fair for all,” said Estacio.

In the weeks leading up to Dirt Weekend, bike enthusiasts can participate in special activities designed to build the momentum for the grand three-day event. On October 17 and 18, Ayala Malls Solenad in Nuvali will hold a bike expo at the Solenad Activity Park. The outdoor-themed premium shopping complex is one of Nuvali’s newest leisure attractions featuring new dining and shopping spots, bike lanes, spacious walkways, a fully-packed playground and pocket gardens.
On the same weekend, Nuvali will also hold a bike clinic designed to introduce newbies to the sport of mountain biking.

Over the years, Dirt Weekend has created massive ripples across the MTB community as a leading pioneer in staging world-class cycling events, a testament of its enthusiasm and support to the Philippine cycling scene. In 2012, Dirt Weekend summoned hundreds of riders around the country with the staging of the first Enduro Race in the Philippines. The following year, it created another round of excitement among dirt riders when Nuvali became the venue for the first UCI Philippine MTB National Championship and the first Philippine MTB Marathon National Championship, garnering over 1,000 participants in attendance.

“As we all know motor vehicles account for a substantial portion of greenhouse gas emission. If we are to reverse or mitigate the effects of climate change, we must find an alternative and more sustainable means of transportation. That’s why in Nuvali, when we plan the whole estate, we made sure biking is a priority. We have put together infrastructure that will allow such. We have dedicated bike lanes, we are starting with our bike share program and we have also established dedicated off road biking and running trails.” concluded Estacio.

Nuvali is a complete self-supporting eco-community that is home to 12,000 residential units, two business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings, a leisure shopping mall, and two prestigious schools. A world-class health facility is set to rise on the estate grounds by the second quarter of 2016.