Jamaican Excursions: Chukka Canopy Experience

Last week, my family and I went on a Jamaican excursion called the "Chukka Canopy Experience." I strongly recommend checking out this Jamaica excursion. Here's why:

The Bus Ride

Probably the most nerve-wrecking aspect of this Jamaica excursion, the bus ride is the first part of the adventure. During this part of the Jamaica excursion, you get a good tour of Ocho Rios, from the beaches and limestone factories to the mountainous terrain.

What begins as a peaceful, relaxing adventure soon intensifies as the bus begins to ascend one of the numerous mountains of Jamaica. This part of the Jamaica excursion involves a bus barreling up a winding road steeper than you would believe.

About halfway up, your driver for the Jamaica excursion pleasantly informs you that the road up ahead is very dangerous due to its extreme windings and its narrowness. Therefore, everyone must roll down his window so the bus driver can hear oncoming vehicles and avoid a collision. So, you roll down your window, wipe the sweat off your palms, and continue the Jamaica excursion up the mountain.

The narrow road is lined with 90 degree cliffs to provide a beautiful view of the island. During this part of the Jamaica excursion, you'll have plenty of opportunities to glance out your window and experience what a sailor feels like just before his ship rushes over the edge of a waterfall. Excellent time for photos.

The Harness Station

After the bus ride, you are on the next part of the Jamaica excursion: the harness station. Here, you will have the final opportunity to put on any bug spray or suntan lotion (I strongly urge you to bring some bug spray). You'll get suited up for the remainder of the Jamaica excursion, and hopefully you'll have someone with a good sense of humor suiting you up who will tell you this is his first day on the job.

The First Platform

Next, you go through a ten-minute hike through the jungle to reach the first platform of the Jamaica excursion. If there is any moisture in the air, the ground will be muddy, so be sure to bring shoes you wouldn't mind painting brown. But alas, you get to the first platform, and it's time for the most exhilarating part of the Jamaica excursion.

The Whhaup!

Once you've made it to the first platform, a guide will hook you to the traverse line and then give the shout: "Whhaup!" (pronounced wuhp). When the sound is echoed from over a hundred feet away, the guide gives you a little shove, and off you go, soaring through the trees on your zip-line, over 500 feet in the air, with nothing to support you but the harness.

The "Surprises"

The Jamaica excursion lasts for seven traverses and two "surprises." I won't spoil the surprises for you, but they are definitely a thrill! The ride is incredible-the wind blowing against your face, the beautiful scenery of jungle life and rushing water, the Whhaup! calls from the guides...it all makes for a wonderful Jamaica excursion.

The Conclusion

After flying through the trees, you are given an opportunity to purchase pictures of the Jamaica excursion (some of which are quite comical), rinse your shoes (should you not like their new brownish color), and kick back and relax before the bus takes you back to your cruise or hotel. If you went on this Jamaica excursion with the family, you'll have stories to share for years to come.