Callao Cave: What to do with a spare 3 hours in Tuguegarao City

We arrived late in the evening from Sta Ana, Cagayan and checked in at Victoria Lodge near the Victory liner terminal in Tuguegarao. The flight going back to Manila will be at 1:55pm, and there's nothing on the books for time between wake up and boarding.

We were dead tired when we arrived in the evening, and while we planned to go out and booze, we were just feeling too restless. 

We ended up sleeping early and consequently, woke up early too before 8am. From the time we finished bath, we have 3hours to do a sidetrip to callao caves.

Henry asked outside how much it will be to rent a trike to callao caves, and the tricycle driver was asking 900. I thought 300 per pax was too much for this long time published cave. Instead, we decided to take the public transport. There is a jeep that goes to the town of penablanca, and from there, we can take a trike (or charter at worst case but cheaper than directly from the city) going to the cave. 

From the lodge, we had to take a trike though to the jeepney terminal. Luckily, this tricycle driver agreed on my bargain, P600 ( I was just so worried about missing the flight, otherwise I would have waited for the public transpo).

It took us around 1 hour to get to the cave from the City. The return was even quicker at only 45minutes (since it's downhill this time). We even spent around 20minutes for a Halo Halo rest at the jumpoff after the trip.

Had there been more time, we would have visited the river next to the cave which would have been good for picnics.

Entrance fee the cave is P20. Guides are required though the fee is voluntary. The guides are trained out of school youths, and are popular for being able to deliver in English.

We arrived late in the evening from Sta Ana, Cagayan and checked in at Victoria Lodge near the Victory liner terminal in Tuguegarao. The flight going back to Manila will be at 1:55pm, and there's nothing on the books for time between wake up and boarding.

We were dead tired when we arrived in the evening, and while we planned to go out and booze, we were just feeling too restless. 

We ended up sleeping early and consequently, woke up early too before 8am. From the time we finished bath, we have 3hours to do a sidetrip to callao caves.

Henry asked outside how much it will be to rent a trike to callao caves, and the tricycle driver was asking 900. I thought 300 per pax was too much for this long time published cave. Instead, we decided to take the public transport. There is a jeep that goes to the town of penablanca, and from there, we can take a trike (or charter at worst case but cheaper than directly from the city) going to the cave. 

From the lodge, we had to take a trike though to the jeepney terminal. Luckily, this tricycle driver agreed on my bargain, P600 ( I was just so worried about missing the flight, otherwise I would have waited for the public transpo).

It took us around 1 hour to get to the cave from the City. The return was even quicker at only 45minutes (since it's downhill this time). We even spent around 20minutes for a Halo Halo rest at the jumpoff after the trip.

Had there been more time, we would have visited the river next to the cave which would have been good for picnics.

Entrance fee the cave is P20. Guides are required though the fee is voluntary. The guides are trained out of school youths, and are popular for being able to deliver in English.

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An overnight in the town of Madella in Quirino Province

After my caving trip in Aglipay, I head straight to Madella to check out their falls. It's 4:30 in the afternoon, and as I read somewhere that the falls closes at 5pm, instead of forcing myself to catch the cut off, I decided to pacify my hunger first, and then just find somewhere to sleep, and enjoy my time in the falls, and around quirino the next day.

After some meal in the street stalls next to the market of the town, I looked for somewhere to saleep. I've come across one resort hotel just before reaching the town proper, confirmed that I can sleep in their dorrm room forr P200, but I was tipped that there's also a resort close to the falls (called Zamora Resort).

From the town, tricycle drivers were asking for P150 for a drop. Meantime, further asking led me to taking a P10 jeep to the turning point from the highway (to Brgy Dimatubo), and from there, take a P50 trike to the Resort. Then again, upon reaching Dimatubo, I asked and confirmed directions and it so happened that the person I asked is a relative of the resort caretakers. A service from the resort is coming to pick up a kid, and Said I can just hitch.

I reached that resort at about 8pm.

The breeze was blowing hard overlooking the lights of the province of the Quirino; Behind the pool is a moonlit white reflection of the limestone; I am excited to wake up and drool over the green ricefields below.

It was already 9am when I woke up, and I spent the next 3 hours sitting still, staring at the view, while sharing my travel stories with the Maribelle, the resort in charge.

At about noontime, I decided to pack and head to the falls. It so happened again that the same tricycle resort service is heading back to the highway, so I hitched again (and they even voluntarily dropped me to the falls itself; saving myself a 20minute walk).

Registered at my arrival and.. yeah.. asked for coffee. They grow and brew their own coffee.

According to the people I spoke there, there's about 8 falls all in all. There's a staircase that leads you up to drop no 4, but henceforward, it'll be kind of trekking.

On my way out, I thought I could just hitch as I did coming to the place. It wasn't so bad though as the the ricefields were just stunning, I had all the time to stare and take pics. 

Also, on my way to Isabela, I saw some people processing corn. I kept asking people I met in Madella where I can find one, and luckily, I happened to come across one on my way back to Dimatubo.

Just right after the encounter with corn millers and the rice field, a tricycle passed and gladly hitched me. :-)

Indeed, entry to the falls is not allowed after 5pm as it is already dark, and there are no lights in the vicinity. The Falls compound itself offer sleeper for P100/head (dorm type). Zamora Resort is P300/room per night (water in their pool by the way is coming fresh and freeflowing from the mountains).

For Zamora Resort, Contact Ms Maribelle for prior arrangements on 09076087909
For Madella Waterfalls, Contact Jun:09084005390 or Delfin 09494821283 (Oh! They have wifi in the falls by the way).

Globe is on 3G across Quirino. Smart is pathetic.

Thanks to mam maribelle by the way for the free lunch

Travelling Philippines? Follow @CheapBedsPH on Instagram for geotagged backpacker accomodation below PHP400 (US$9) for easier searches.

After my caving trip in Aglipay, I head straight to Madella to check out their falls. It's 4:30 in the afternoon, and as I read somewhere that the falls closes at 5pm, instead of forcing myself to catch the cut off, I decided to pacify my hunger first, and then just find somewhere to sleep, and enjoy my time in the falls, and around quirino the next day.

After some meal in the street stalls next to the market of the town, I looked for somewhere to saleep. I've come across one resort hotel just before reaching the town proper, confirmed that I can sleep in their dorrm room forr P200, but I was tipped that there's also a resort close to the falls (called Zamora Resort).

From the town, tricycle drivers were asking for P150 for a drop. Meantime, further asking led me to taking a P10 jeep to the turning point from the highway (to Brgy Dimatubo), and from there, take a P50 trike to the Resort. Then again, upon reaching Dimatubo, I asked and confirmed directions and it so happened that the person I asked is a relative of the resort caretakers. A service from the resort is coming to pick up a kid, and Said I can just hitch.

I reached that resort at about 8pm.

The breeze was blowing hard overlooking the lights of the province of the Quirino; Behind the pool is a moonlit white reflection of the limestone; I am excited to wake up and drool over the green ricefields below.

It was already 9am when I woke up, and I spent the next 3 hours sitting still, staring at the view, while sharing my travel stories with the Maribelle, the resort in charge.

At about noontime, I decided to pack and head to the falls. It so happened again that the same tricycle resort service is heading back to the highway, so I hitched again (and they even voluntarily dropped me to the falls itself; saving myself a 20minute walk).

Registered at my arrival and.. yeah.. asked for coffee. They grow and brew their own coffee.

According to the people I spoke there, there's about 8 falls all in all. There's a staircase that leads you up to drop no 4, but henceforward, it'll be kind of trekking.

On my way out, I thought I could just hitch as I did coming to the place. It wasn't so bad though as the the ricefields were just stunning, I had all the time to stare and take pics. 

Also, on my way to Isabela, I saw some people processing corn. I kept asking people I met in Madella where I can find one, and luckily, I happened to come across one on my way back to Dimatubo.

Just right after the encounter with corn millers and the rice field, a tricycle passed and gladly hitched me. :-)

Indeed, entry to the falls is not allowed after 5pm as it is already dark, and there are no lights in the vicinity. The Falls compound itself offer sleeper for P100/head (dorm type). Zamora Resort is P300/room per night (water in their pool by the way is coming fresh and freeflowing from the mountains).

For Zamora Resort, Contact Ms Maribelle for prior arrangements on 09076087909
For Madella Waterfalls, Contact Jun:09084005390 or Delfin 09494821283 (Oh! They have wifi in the falls by the way).

Globe is on 3G across Quirino. Smart is pathetic.

Thanks to mam maribelle by the way for the free lunch

Travelling Philippines? Follow @CheapBedsPH on Instagram for geotagged backpacker accomodation below PHP400 (US$9) for easier searches.

Read More »