Spelunking at Sumaguing Cave, Sagada

Spelunking at Sagada (Sumaguing Cave)

Thrills of the Cave Connection

       Spelunking, like seriously, who doesn't want to try it. Just its root word "spelunk" intrigues me. I have never experienced it, well at least  until now, and the best part of it is my first will be on Sagada! Go big or go home! Caving is the main reason we traveled all the way from Manila to Sagada for 12 hours, nowhere else in the Philippines compares. I planned our trip to Sagada with caving in mind. In fact, I spend my free time hunting for the right gear for spelunking, like aqua shoes, polyester dri-fits and the likes, you name it. I ended up, spending one-thirds of my budget. It's all worth it though, I get to experience the thrills without the hustle of the obstacles resulted by wearing an improper attire (like what my brother endured).

With our Tour Guide (Awkward) and my OFTC (Outfit for the Cave)

       The tour package we acquired on cave exploration is a one-way trip entering the Lumiang Cave and leaving thru the Sumaguing Cave, thus the name "Cave Connection." The tour is well planned geographically, not that they can manipulate the cave or whatnot but the wow factor increases as you go further inside the cave. The experience is SURREAL, truly a dream come true. The hefty price tag was all worth it, decoding rock formations and discovering a lot of the cave's biodiversity was awesome.

King's Curtain with my Bro

The Peeking Turtle

       So what's the best part of the experience? It is located at the heart of the cave, the waterpark! Natural pools, honed by the flow of waters rushing through the limestone. I immediately feel the urge to bathe. I splurge into the water, it is ice-cold. Although extremely clear, we were advised not to consume any of it, but then again you only live once. I drank it, just for the sake of curiosity, well it taste like nothing just like other water. The tap water not as pleasurable as this water though.

Nature's Infinity Pool, Awesome right?

Dive into the Cave's Glory

       Overall my first caving experience will be difficult to mimic, expectation will be high for my next spelunking adventure. Two thumbs up for the these natural wonder. Even only for the cave connection, Sadaga will be worth revisiting in the near future.

Sumaguing Cave's Facade (Kawaii!)

Off to Sagada

Sagada, Cordillera Region

Sagada is undoubtedly at the top of my dream destinations. It's just that when I hunt for all the characteristics of my ideal to-go place, I always end on blogs about Sagada located in the Mountain Provinces. If you plan to go here, I can assure you one thing, don't hesitate in setting your standards high, this place will surely meet those criteria.

Rice Terraces of Sagada

      Sagada is one of the 4 legs on our cordillera summer trip, together with Batad, Banaue and Baguio. It was a 12-hour long road trip from Manila - Baguio - Sagada and rough roads are barely exists. We arrived at 11 o'clock in the morning, canvass for a hotel then we start off our day. 

       I expected the place to be secluded from the outside world but it is not. I and my brother, who accompanied me on this trip, just chose to roam by feet and enjoy the views as we walk along the streets. Mind you, you will miss a lot of things when you are inside any vehicle, truly spoiling the scenery. All the major establishments as well as some of the attractions are of waking distance. Most are few kilometers away but we don't mind, that's what nature tripping is all about. 

Burial Cemetery on the Hilltop

      Commencing the trip we head onto the vast mountains in the southern part of Sagada. I was saddened when the church is closed, it would have been a great opportunity to offer thanksgiving to be able to be there. Well, that's that, we proceed to the town burial cemetery. A quick trivia, there are three kinds of cemetery in Sagada, the hanging coffins, the burial type and the cave types. The first cemetery we encountered was the burial type, it is identical to european cemeteries. Its ambiance is ideal for a place where people need to rest in peace... forever. The unique tombs will distract you and you wouldn't mind that it's still a place for the dead. 

Hanging and Cliff-side Coffins

      The most famous attraction and is truly an identity of Sagada is the hanging coffins. The place isn't too far from the burial cemetery. Initially, we don't know how to get there because all we have is our handy dandy map and my brothers compass app. Lucky for us we spotted a tour guide and followed them "secretly". We went ahead to make it seem like they are following us but in fact it's the other way around. It was fun just for the hype of not being noticed, it gave our trip a little spice. Then we arrived at the hanging coffins, it was so unique it lead me breathless. It was actually smaller than I expect, a lot smaller. I'm intrigue on how a full grown human would fit in those encapsulations. Quite disturbing as it could be, the corpses are being crushed to fit in the coffins made of tree trunks using their bare feet! The place was humid and water droplets from the top of the mountain somehow help preserve the coffins. 

Enjoying the Stalagmites at the Sumaging Cave

Nipa hut at Kiltepan Peak Viewpoint

      Pushing through the limits, since we are in between mountain ranges going back is not an option. Going back using the same path doesn't appeal to me, using a different route though is something I always enjoy taking. On the way on our taken path we saw a huge cave with an awesome facade, huge and mossy. It was untouched more like those caves that you ought to see in their "natural state". Further exploring through the deeps of the forest we reached a dead end, well sort of, more like a fenced property. Since we already invested our energy and it seems that only the local government fenced it, we trespassed. In addition to the cave we also run into an underground river! It was surreal. If I had my dri-fit with me back there and then I could have swam the depths of that river. The gamble and scratches due to the rough terrains was all worth it. You'll never know until you try.

Admiring the Beauty of Bomod-Ok Falls 

      The second day comes and for me this is the main event of the whole trip. Long day ahead, we are planning to trek all the way from our hotel up to the Bomod-Ok falls, that's roughly 20km. I know, 20KM! We departed at 4 am (that's the earliest we are allowed to trek due to their curfew hours).

Bomod-Ok Falls

      On our way we saw the best views we had during the trip. The sunrise, the rice fields, and the mountain ranges. We arrived at the starting point of the "official track" on the way to Bomod-Ok Falls at around 8 am and no tourism officer is present so we head off and trek another 3km descending from the hilltop. Half way through we asked an elder to where is the falls (again, we didn't hire a tour guide). Then the rest is history, we learned that on that very day, a ceremony will be held on the falls! Absolutely NO visitors are allowed. It only happens five times a year (talking about being lucky).  We don't wanna go back! Even if that elder was rude to us we sat down for a while letting him pass then we proceed. Haha! No one can stop us. We sneaked in to the falls but to show respect we did not bathe on it's pristine water. I will be back! 

       Going back is another story. We ascend back to the hilltop, I called all the saints and blessed I can. My heart extremely palpitates and I'm out of breath. Going back climbing was a hell of a ride. But thank God I'm alive. Then going back to the town proper, another 20km after that ascend? Hell no! We somehow beg to hop on a ride. Then we headed back to the Inn on wheels. Straight up to the convenience store we go and took some bread and soda to relieve the exhaustion. It was fun all and all, come to think of it what if we are murdered there for not following their traditions. 

Mexican Spicy Pork @ Yoghurt House

      The food, lets not forget the delicacies they offer. All their food has a common taste that presumably distinct to their culture, it is one of those "You'll know you're in Sagada if the food taste like this." There are only two dishes that stands out for me, their Bulalo and Homemade Yogurt. Homemade Yogurt, consists of banana, strawberry fruit with syrup and of course their sweet yet sour yogurt. It was so delicious, not to mention it's appearance and the plating. To be honest though, it's just a one time affair due to it's large serving, but still two thumbs up for the delight it has incur. 

Strawberry Banana Yoghurt

       Next on the menus is their Bulalo. I'm drooling just thinking about it. It is not your typical bulalo but rather with a twist, adding their 'distinct flavor' I mentioned earlier. I just love how big the bowl was and the spices sided with it is so powerful I just can't get enough. It might be an exaggeration but after we discovered this place it was our breakfast, lunch and dinner until we depart in Sagada. It's that appetizing. 

Sagada's Sunrise (#justwokeup) 

      The most challenging part of our trip was chasing the sunrise and sunset spots. The fact that we cannot control time is just an excitement for us. Waking up 3:00 am just to walk in the dark and conquer the extremely cold breeze. Armed only with portable lamps. That's just who we are. The thrills are just priceless.

Claimer: I own all the photos.