Showing posts with label Palwan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Palwan. Show all posts

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Caves in the Philippines: A Spelunker's Dream!

The Philippines is blessed with a variety of tourist destinations ranging from white sand beaches, limestone cliffs, lagoons, mangroves, hills, mountains, volcanoes, rivers, water falls and breathtaking landscapes and seascapes. These destinations offer numerous ecotourism and recreational activities. 

From the numerous recreational activities, my personal favorite is Spelunking


taken from howstuffworks
According to Merriam-Webster, Spelunking/Caving is the hobby or practice of exploring caves. Some call it a sport in which people explore caves. 

Others define it as an exhilarating journey to the deep, dank, dark depths of the Earth. I simply call it my passion!   






The love for this ecotourism activity started in Sagada, Mountain Province. I had no idea then what was spelunking was all about. But the love and urge for it grew from then on.

Here are the caves that I have explored in the Philippines.



Sumaguing-Lumiang Cave, Sagada, Mountain Province

This a four-hour trek inside the cave starting from Lumiang cave and ending in Sumaging cave.



One has to be very careful inside the cave. It is very slippery and the terrain is rugged.

There are times you have to tip-toe walking in narrow cliffs inside the cave. 

And even cross pockets of water inside the cave.

Year 2011, I went back to Sagada for the two-hour Sumaging Cave adventure.











    The Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) is one of the Seven Nature Wonders of the World. It boasts of  an 8.2 kilometer underground water system. But only 1.5 kilometers can be explored using a boat ride. 

     The tour is good for 45 minutes only.







Inside the cave, the sight is just magnificent!



























    
     Hinagdanan Cave, Bohol 

     From Tagbiliran City, a 40-minute van ride 
     will take you to the spot.


































  
     Callao Cave, Penablanca, Cagayan

The seven-chambered Callao Caves boast of massive limestone and other rock formations, skylights, and a chapel.Every chamber has natural crevices, which let light get into the cave, serving as illumination for the otherwise dark areas of the place. A boat ride is a must to reach the entrance of the cave.
      
      Cagayan is the cave capital of the Philippines.
















 

       Sta. Victoria Caves. Ilagan, Isabela

       There are three caves that you can 
       explore.

























    
   
           Aglipay Caves, Quirino
           
          The spelunking can be finished in 1-2   hours.






 
    

     There are times that you have to crawl inside the cave.










     


   Amazing formations can be seen inside the cave.


   







      Leaving the cave, you have to climb the man-made ladder.













    

    Sohoton Cove, Bucas Grande Island

    In order to reach the spot, one must ride the boat.




















   

Odloman Cave, Negros Oriental 

You have to trek just to reach the cave.
         
     This cave is 8.9 km. long. Five entrances have been connected and the system comprises a mix of large and small galleries with some active streamway. This cave is the 6th deepest in the country.
















  
     I was  able to reach our destination.  
     
    Unfortunately, we do not have the necessary equipment to enter the cave. 






    

    Mabinay Caves, Negros Oriental

        Negros Oriental is home to a number of caves in the Philippines.



































    Silop Cave, Surigao City

         The cave can be reached within 25-30   minute ride from the city.























     

      Sohoton Cave, Basey Samar 

    One has to rent a boat to reach the cave. This is included as one of the 32 ecotourism spots in the Philippines. 






































    And finally, the latest cave I trekked,



    Calbiga Caves, Western Samar

     The largest cave system in the Philippines 
      and third in Southeast Asia.







  
   
    You can also enjoy bird watching while 
      trekking after your spelunking.









     Try trekking, bird watching and spelunking in the Philippines.

      It's more fun doing these activities in the Philippines! =)


Related links -
Adventure

Beach

Others –




Tuesday, November 13, 2012

32 Ecotourism Spots in the Philippines

As a traveler, backpacker and a lone adventurer, one of my dreams is to tour ALL the 32 ecotourism spots in the Philippines. The list came from the National Ecotourism Strategy of the Philippines published in July 2002.

At the onset, I did not know that the places that I had been trekking are ecotourism spots in the Philippines. Until my friend "Genine," told me about the nature of my trips in the Philippines. The thought amazed me. 

According to NEDC Resolution No. 2001-01,  "Ecotourism/Ecological Tourism – is a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors."

The different ecotourism activities are bird watching, whale watching, nature photography, hiking, diving, kayaking, mountaineering, and caving/spelunking. On my part, only diving is yet to be explored.

From then on, I wandered around the islands of the Philippines in order to finish this monumental task.

Here are the 32 ecotourism spots in the Philippines.  

NORTHERN LUZON

Batanes


Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-captivating-and-stunning-beauty-of.html



Vigan, Ilocos Sur














Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/ilocos-sur-experience.html



Penablanca, Cagayan













Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/02/callao-caves.html



Cordillera Rice Terraces












Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-adventures-in-sagada-plus-itinerary.html


Hundred Islands, Pangasinan










Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/02/island-hopping-at-hundred-islands.html


Mt. Pinatubo, Zambales













Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mt-pinatubo-trek-capas-tarlac-trail.html

SOUTHERN TOUR

Wawa Dam, Montalban, Rizal









Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-day-in-rizal.html



Mt. Makiling, Laguna











Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/two-mountains-in-one-day-mt-maculot-and.html



Tagaytay, Taal Volcano











Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/05/top-10-tourist-spots-in-batangas.html


from Erick's Site

Mt. Isarog, Camsur 



Mayon Volcano, Albay










Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/bicol-adventure.html



Donsol, Sorsogon 
  










Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/06/whale-watching-in-donsol-sorsogon.html


Bulusan Volcano, Sorsogon







Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/01/bicol-adventure.html



Apo Reef, Mindoro 
  visited last Summer 2015












Mt. Guiting Guiting, Romblon (not yet)
  Target date - Summer 2016










PPUR













Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunkers-dream.html


Tubattaha Reef (not yet)
  Target date - indefinite










El Nido




(my personal favorite)

VISAYAS



Sohoton Cave, Samar












Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/top-10-caves-in-philippines-for-tourists.html


Lake Danao, Leyte












Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/eastern-visayas-tour.html



Mt. Kanlaon, Negros













Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html


Olango Island, Cebu
  








Related link:http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/bird-watching-at-olango-island-cebu.html



Bohol













Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/experience-bohol.html
from Photo Journeys

Tanon Strait, Negros
  











Apo Island, Negros Oriental










http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/exploring-negros-oriental-and-negros.html
Related link: 

MINDANAO



Siargao, Surigao











http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/siargao-surfing-capital-of-philippines.html
Related link: 



Camiguin Island















Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/11/mesmerized-in-camiguin.html



Agusan Marsch, Agusan Del Sur
  Target date - Summer 2015


Note: I went last summer 2012, but did not make it due to cost (P5,000 boat rental) of the tour.







Garden of Malasag, Misamis Oriental







Related link; http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/03/tourist-spots-in-cagayan-de-oro.html



Dipolog (Dakak)
  









Related link:  http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2013/04/dapitan-city-tour.html



Mt. Apo, Davao
 Target date - indefinite














Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

   










Related link: http://junvillegas.blogspot.com/2012/12/lake-sebu-7-falls-3-lakes-1-tribe.html



Related links -
Adventure


Beach

Others –