The Amazing Spelunking Adventure at Sumaging Cave

A visit to Sagada won't be as exciting and memorable without some spelunking activity. At first, I couldn't imagine caves like Lumi-ang and Sumaging exist in such a high mountainous ground of the Mountain Province. Nevertheless, these caves are among the natural wonders that make Sagada a must-visit destination. Seeing these places gives every traveler a taste of history and adventure.

After six hours of bus trip from Baguio City, we finally arrived in Sagada and immediately checked in at George Guest House, one of the popular and affordable inns in Sagada. Our room costs P600 for two persons - it was big enough to fit four pax.

George Guest House entrance

  

Wonderful view at the back of George Guest House

We went to the office of Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SAGGAS) to inquire about spelunking and other tours. SAGGAS provides tour guide services around Sagada. You can contact them in advanced to book for specific tours or just go to their office when you arrived in Sagada. Their website has tons of information about Sagada which are very helpful for first time visitors.

There are two types of spelunking adventure: the beginners and advanced. The beginners course would take 1 to 2 hours inside the cave while the advanced spelunking (also called as the Cave Connection) would take 4 to 5 hours. We booked for the beginners course because we thought the advanced spelunking was too extreme for starters. :-)

SAGGAS office located just along the main road

 

We took our lunch at Yoghurt House in Sagada which is famous for their, what else, yogurt :-)

 

Inside the Yoghurt House

 The famous strawberry-banana-granola yogurt

After taking our lunch at the Yoghurt House, it's time to begin our spelunking adventure. This was our first extreme caving experience so we felt nervous and excited. I was excited to try it also after reading Chyng's experience about it on her blog. She did it without hesitation and survived it with grace. :-)

We did not book for a transportation to Sumaging cave because we were on a budget and thought it's accessible by walking from the town. We were wrong! I took a bunch of photos as we trudged the long way to the cave.

Along the way to Sumaging cave, you'll get to pass this cliff with hanging coffins

Closer view of hanging coffins

Directions to important landmarks in Sagada

Our guide, Jory, preparing the kerosene lamp

Trek...

...and trek...

...and more trek! Whew!

We headed down to Lumi-ang burial cave before proceeding to Sumaging cave.

If you book for the advanced spelunking, the adventure will begin here until you reach

the second cave which is Sumaging, hence, the Cave Connection.

Lumi-ang burial cave speaks about the rich tradition of Igorots on how they bury the dead. 

The coffins are short because the body is placed in the fetal position.

A beautiful view of rice terraces on the way to Sumaging cave

Reminds me of some scenes in Twilight movie :-P

After about 45 minutes of walking, we finally reached the concrete stairs
leading to the entrance of the cave.

Cave's mouth? Not yet...more steps to go

Descending down to the cave. Imagine the 250+ steps to undergo when you climb back up.

Jory leading the way. It's pitch black inside the cave and this kerosene lamp

was the only source of light.

 

A few visitors were around before we arrived

 

"The King"
Some of the rock formations in Sumaging Cave are named after human genitalia - so go figure!

 

"The Prince"
You'll get to meet "The Queen" and "The Princess" too. Yes, the whole member of the royal family :-)

 

"Dinosaur's Footprint"

 

Yes, there's rappelling too

 

 

"Snake"

 

They specifically call this as the "King's Curtain"

"The Sleeping Bear"

Exploring the Sumaging cave was indeed an amazing experience. It's a test of endurance, flexibility and courage. Although a bit risky, I highly recommend this activity to everyone. If you're feeling more adventurous, you may want to do the Cave Connection instead which is more exciting and longer. You need to hire a guide in order to do these and you'll be fine. The tour guides from SAGGAS are all professional and well-trained so you are assured a safe and fun spelunking experience.

• Part 1 - The Scenic and Endless Winding Road to Sagada
• Part 2 - The Amazing Spelunking Adventure at Sumaging Cave
• Part 3 - The Ultimate Trek to Experience Sagada's Sunrise, Waterfall and Hanging Coffins

Subscribe to Pinoy Travel Freak to receive free updates and latest content in your email. You can also follow me on Facebook and Twitter. If you like this post, don't forget to share it with your friends by clicking the "Share" button below.