Callao Cave is Cagayan's best-kept secret
Are you a traveler who loves caves and is now looking for a destination to go to next?
In the Philippines, you don't need a tour guide to go spelunking in any of the country's more than 2,000 caves. Cagayan has several large, well-lit caverns like the Callao Cave near Peñablanca, which beckons exploration and prayer alike.
The Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape, the biggest protected area in the northwestern Region, is located in the province of Cagayan's municipality of Peñablanca. The park's 300+ cave systems, limestone formations, and ancient treasures make it one of the most popular tourist attractions. Callao Cave, a well-known tourist attraction in the province, may be found here. The cave's chambers may be explored by walkways and stairways, which gives this excursion its Spanish moniker of "calado," or "calm."
Did you know?
The cave has a total of nine chambers, but two chambers were blocked off in the 1980s following an earthquake, but visitors could still see the column, chapel, skeleton, elephant's head, and praying angel formations in the remainder of the cave.
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Located just above the cavern floor, a crack illuminates the Chapel, the only Roman Catholic chapel in a cave. The caverns also contain the earliest known fossilized human remains in the Philippines, the Callao Man, which has been voted as the oldest in the nation. Callao Man is supposed to be 20,000 years older than Palawan's fabled Tabon Man.
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The one hundred and eighty-four-step climb to the mouth of Callao Cave is one of the most difficult experiences. To reach the gold at the top, visitors must climb concrete stairs that seem insurmountable. Upon entering the caverns, many visitors would be transfixed by the awe-inspiring ceilings. The tallest reaches a height of 118 feet, and five of the chambers have natural roof fissures that allow in warm sunshine and some below-ground vegetation, which line the walls with lovely plants.
Callao is a must-see for everyone in the Philippines, whether you're a resident, a foreigner, or just passing through.
Getting there and What to do?
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Cagayan's capital city, Tuguegarao, is about a 30-minute drive from Callao Cave. There are daily bus services from Manila to Cubao and along Buendia Avenue, with terminals at both locations. A tricycle ride from Peattoda Station at the Tuguegarao Riverside to the Callao Caves Resort costs Php 40 per person, and from there, a boat ride to the Callao Caves costs Php 20 per person.
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Peñablanca is known as the Cave Capital of the World, therefore there are plenty of other things to do. You may also visit Jackpot Cave, Odessa-Tumbali Cave System, San Carlos Cave, and Sierra Cave while you're in the region. Once you reach Callao Cave, you may take a Php 300 boat ride across the Pinacanauan River.
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Abra’s Enchanted Wonderland: Kaparlakan Falls
Are you a traveler who loves caves and is now looking for a destination to go to next?
Then this destination is perfect for you! The Philippines is the perfect destination for travelers who love to chase waterfalls. Kaparkan Falls in Tineg, Abra is not yet that popular with the world but its mesmerizing beauty is not a secret. There are so many waterfalls in the country, but there’s none quite like this one.
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Did you know?
Kaparkan Falls is a newly discovered tourist destination in the country in 2015. It went viral after a traveler went there and shared to social media the beauty he captured. It was known as sparking wanderlust in travelers. It is best to visit during the rainy season between August to September because it is not available to the public during the dry season as it stays dry leaving the limestone terraces empty the rest of the year.
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What do you need to remember?
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Plan in advance before visiting the place. It is important to communicate with the local tourism office or a tour group ahead of time. Overcrowding must be prevented to help maintain the beauty of Kaparkan Falls. Therefore, limited slots must be secured before they’re permitted to visit.
How to get there?
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From Metro Manila to Abra
The Partas, Dominion, or Viron buses can take you there. Travel time is approximately 8 hours. A one-way bus ticket costs almost 800 PHP.
From Baguio to Abra
Riding by Partas bus from Baguio to Bangued, Abra is available. Travel time is approximately 5 hours. A one-way bus ticket shouldn’t cost you more than 400 PHP.
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From Vigan to Abra
There is no direct bus for this route, so from Vigan, ride a bus going to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur. Get off at the highway intersection for Abra. Take a bus bound for Bangued, Abra. Your commute might be longer due to the long waiting time even though Vigan is less than 2 hours away from Abra.
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When you arrive in Bangued, go to Farias Ilocos Empanada along the Abra-Kalinga road. Registration and orientation will be held there. Travelers will ride either a military truck or a jeepney to get to Kaparkan Falls.
Ready yourself for a 3-hour ride from Bangued to Tineg? According to Google reviews, this will be “a roller coaster by land”. For those who want to skip the ride, they can trek to the falls instead, for a total of 8 hours.
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The Tallest Statue of Mary in the Whole World, only in Batangas, Philippines
There are many statues representing a person due to their influence on society, just like Jose Rizal’s statue in Luneta Park, whose contribution to the Philippines helped in acquiring freedom from the Spaniards. Perhaps the statues are made to represent a person's religion, traditions, or faith. Here in Montemaria, Batangas, you will see the tallest statue of Mary compared to others in the whole world, with a height of 98.15 meters, or 322 feet, from the ground to her crown, and she also ranks up to the ninth among the world’s tallest statues.
Did you know?
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Her height is like a 33-storey building, which also represents our lord Jesus’ life years on earth. Her crown also has 12 stars that represent the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ. If you notice, the monument has 12 foundations that represent the 12 tribes of Israel.
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