7 Underground River Tours to Add to Your Next Adventure this 2018 Book a tour to these underground rivers and see the beauty that lies below!
Whenever one googles the words “underground river” hundreds of results immediately point to the Puerto Princesa Underground River. And for sure, you’re thinking about it too! But aside from Palawan’s famous UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site, did you know that there are other underground rivers that exist in the country? Underground rivers are typically found inside caves filled with stunning rock formations and our country is filled with these natural wonders that are just waiting to be explored! Read on and find your next adventure.
1. Manacota Cave and Underground River Address: Brgy. Marag, Luna, Apayao
Stunning rock formation and view awaits visitors of Manacota Cave and Underground River. Images: Left, @_ajmai; Right, @chie_ravilas Apayao may not be on top of most people’s list of adventure destinations, but it’s not called “Cordillera’s Last Frontier for Nature Richness” for nothing. From the many adventures you can try at Apayao, Manacota Cave and Underground River adventure should be one of the first in your itinerary. Reaching the underground river is an adventure itself as you have to conquer a 1.5-kilometer hike. Upon reaching the cave, you can explore the underground river and enjoy its blue waters and gorgeous rock formations by riding the narrow boat. You can also ask try spelunking but make sure to follow the local tourism’s guidelines to protect the cave.
2. Lussok Crystal Cave and Underground River Address: Brgy. Dagupan, Luna, Apayao
Explore Lussok’s clear waters and 200-meter underground river in Apayao. Images: Left, Em-jay Malumay; Right, Apayao Tourism Another gem in Apayao is the Lussok Crystal Cave and Underground River. The cave has always been open to locals but only opened itself to tourists in 2014, and has only gained popularity since then. Just like Manacota, you’ll need to hike and cross a couple of rivers before reaching Lussok’s entry point. You can explore the cave with a guide while riding a narrow boat, or go by foot through spelunking. The river, meanwhile, measures 200 meters and is filled with rock formations that resemble various shapes like vegetables, fruits, and even faces.
3. Latang Cave and Underground River Address: Sagada, Mountain Province
Latang Cave’s dome-like entrance will bring you to a new world. Image: @pr4w Sagada may be known for its cold weather and serene atmosphere, but it also offers an adventurous activity for those who want to spice up their vacation. Caving adventures are popular in Sagada and they became popular mostly because of Lumiang Cave or the Burial Cave, where explorers can find ancient coffins. But if you’re itching for more cave adventures, you can also conquer Latang Cave and Underground River. The cave is a bit hard to find at first, but it has a picturesque façade filled with gigantic boulders that are worthy of a quick photoshoot. Inside, you’ll see a pool of water that comes from the Sagada Underground River. Conquer the cave and follow its waters and end your trek at Matangkib Cave.
4. Sulpan Cave
Address: Brgy. Bai-ang, San Jorge, Samar
This waterfall is just the beginning of an adventurous exploration when you enter Sulpan Cave. Image from: Joni Abesamis Bonifacio Samar is another place in the country that is hardly on top of anyone’s lists in terms of a vacation destination. But if you’re an adrenaline junkie and caving is your type of adventure, you might have to reconsider that list, as Samar is home to some of the biggest caves in the country. One cave worthy your time and energy is Sulpan Cave in San Jorge. Even before entering the cave, adventurers are welcomed by the beautiful Pinipisakan Falls, which is famous for its curtain-like formation. Inside, you can conquer the five-kilometer long chamber and enjoy the view of the rock formations while being submerged in an underground river supplied by the Blanca River.
5. Lobo Cave and its Underground Rivers Address: Brgy. Tagbayaon, Jiabong, Samar
The clear waters inside Lobo Cave Image: @ironexplores Dubbed as one of the most beautiful caves in the country, Lobo Cave is another treasure in Samar that is waiting to be explored by many. The cave was discovered in 2005 and although it doesn’t have the same majestic façade as Sulpan Cave, it’s what’s on the inside that counts with Lobo Cave. Lobo’s chambers stretch for 3.2 kilometer and is filled with humongous rock formations that took thousands of years to form. The real treat here is the underground river which you can reach by passing through a vertical passage called Diamond Hole. You can swim after a long trek but be careful as some parts of the underground river are quite deep.
6. Quitinday Underground River Address: Brgy. Jovellar, Camalig, Albay
The light at the end of the tunnel (or cave) at Quitinday Underground River Image: Quitinday Underground River Facebook Page Albay may be famous for Mt. Mayon but there’s a new tourist attraction in Jovellar that begs to be discovered. Measuring only 150 meter,s Quitinday Underground River isn’t as long and winding as other underground rivers, but it’s still a fun and challenging adventure nonetheless. Just like any caving adventures, visitors of the cave will be greeted by various rock formations and a steady stream of underground river that one can traverse with a bamboo raft. At the end of your exploration, you’ll be welcomed by a hidden waterfall and a pool of river perfect for swimming.
7. Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex Address: Cavinti, Laguna
One of the eye-catching spots inside Cavinti Underground River and Cave Complex Image: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex Facebook Page One last underground river worth exploring in the country is Laguna’s Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex. The cave was discovered just in 2011, but the local government of Cavinti made sure to make it a top tourist destination in the area. After a short 4x4 jeepney ride and bamboo raft ride towards the entrance of the cave, you can immediately start your adventure. Inside, you can explore the Cavinti Underground River and Cave by foot as the water is too shallow for a raft. You’ll see huge stalactites and stalagmites popping out of the ground and ceiling and surrounding the whole cave. Expect to get dirty and to crawl a lot as the cave tends to get muddy and has small openings.
Underground rivers may be rare but they do exist and are definitely worth exploring! Let us know in the comments section which of these underground rivers and caves you are excited to conquer.