5 SAGADA: SPELUNKING AT SUMAGING CAVE. ONE OF THE BEST!

Other groups inside Sumaging Cave.

Spelunking wasn't really part in the itinerary. In fact if time only allowed us to be in Sagada without any drawbacks then at least we can have the most favorite caving by chance. Initially and part of the itinerary is just the Echo Valley Tour, Kiltepan Sunrise Viewing and other basics including Bomok-od Falls. However we just found ourselves underneath below-freezing-like Sumaging Cave. 

After our breakfast/lunch, we went directly to Sagada Tourist Information Center to check the prices and packages for the tour. Anyway the reason why we chose Sagada Tourist Center over SAGGAS (Sagada Genuine Guide’s Association Inc.) because of the issue that I heard that they're are private sector and working against the LGU guidelines. So they don’t have the standard prices/packages for each tour..

I heard Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins can be trek without needed a ride and guide as it is seated back of the Church near the town proper. And since we don’t have enough time for Bomok-od Falls we decided to do Spelunking instead at Sumaging Cave.

It was only the two of us so no option but to carry all the baggage. We have to pay the entire tour package for P1,300 all in (transporation, guide, environmental fee, sumaging cave, echo valley & hanging coffins), nahhh its pretty expensive.

House where you can wash after spelunking and left your belongings. You can also buy souvenir items here.

Before we start our start our trek all the way down, we had to leave our sweater and all things. My precious advice when you go spelunking just wear shoes/trek slippers, short, shirt, or anything you feel comfortable. Unlike us we didn’t know, we were fully covered with thick sweater. Darn!

Ate Mel, our guide, told us to just leave our things in the house and bring important things especially camera.

Stairs, the entrance of the cave.

I was very excited to march all the way down to cave; I know I can do it because I had been climbing mountains so it will be easy. Although this something difference, instead of climbing up, you have to climb down.

This would be my second cave that comes after tiny cave in Bohol. So it pictured my mind that we will be staying for only 15 – 20 minutes or so like the one in Bohol. The trail started with a plain and stone surface stairs however just be careful because those color white stones are slippery.

Stalactites hang from the ceiling; Stalagmites rise from the ground.

Upon arriving at the mouth of the cave, you will hear the chirps of the bats and unusual sounds coming from the bottom. And at the end of the stairs-like stone you still have the visibility as the daylight still passing through. 

Small amount of light at the mouth of the cave.

Ate Mel told us that this is the start of the real deal game. When I look down I no longer have any sense of sight but just a plain dusky black. She started to fire up the petromax and she gave us a little direction what to expect, what to do, and the proper position while climbing down. If it’s necessary to grip your hands on the rock, then do it no matter how dirty and muddy it is. It will save your life.

The Dark is Coming.. Ate Mel and her Petromax.

She told us to be careful because we never know what will happen down. No need to be fast, as she said, “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill nothing but time.” Treat the cave with some respect, a careless nudge can destroy them in an instant. Enjoy each and every formation because they have taken thousands of years to develop.

This is just the start of the Challenge. Other groups ahead of us.

After endless of body twists and maneuvered some threatening stunts I realized that the cave is totally enveloped my body. We only have kerosene lamp to light up the trail, it’s totally dark inside. The stones were slippery and the water (I dunno if it was the water or bat’s urine), it’s sticky. I was excited yet my heart pumped fast, mixed feelings, maybe because you don’t know what the things around you.

First Stop, they call it the Pig Pens.

About 20 minutes of the way through the cave we were advised to remove our Shoes and go barefoot. I was like huh? The stones were rough and some spiky that might rip out our skin. I was wrong; the rock formations are no longer slippery even if the water passes through it.

Whoa..I am inside the Woman Organ. Yikes. Peace.

Photo Ops! Red vs. Blue.

Ate Mel told us that the challenges are getting harder but just enjoy the ride. This is one of the reasons why we visit Sagada and she said we are paying her to punish us. She took us more photos as we enjoyed different formations of golden Stalactites and Stalagmites and very clear-cold water. And there was like a huge pool where you can also swim. But I don’t think nobody wants it unless doing the cave connection that you really have to plunge your dead body.

This is Sagada's Best, Numero Uno!

I thought that was the end of Spelunking, but there are more. More formations down and we told her that we will just stay there, to where we were. Ate Mel insisted not to, our Sumaging will never be complete without reaching the deepest pool. So from those words, we were determined to finish the adventure from start to end in any ways.

She showed us what to do, where to step your left and right foot, and where to hold. Everything should be in uniform. It’s simply 1, 2, 3. When she reached down I came next, I can see my body and my mouth venting smoke. Nahhh because of the challenge I was panting, running out of breath but did not feel the cold inside. So that’s why the heat from your body will have to come out.

At the King's Curtain. Whoa it's really like golden curtain.

This is Ate Mel, our excellent guide. English all the way down.

Guess whoat what..looks like Chocolate. Hmm no looks like Caramel Chocalate.

After we reached the King’s Curtain, again, I thought that was the end of the line.

But wait, there's more.

And we received another words of wisdom again from Ate Mel. She’s is really good I must say. She said there are more beautiful formations to check. And she said we are paying lots of money for her and travels more than a day from Manila and will not complete the mission? Darn she really challenged me so it’s a go go.

This time instead of stepping the right and left foot here and there, we stepped his legs just to get down. Whoa..I know I’m big and heavy and fat and and and and okay  she managed to carry us down. Excellent! You can contact her at 0908-186-6852.

Crocodiles Head..well I can't see it. Can you

Sumaging Cave Rice Terraces.

Viola! Truly is, there are more beautiful rock formations at the bottom. I asked Ate Mel if we can drink the ice-cold water and she stopped us from doing so. She said we can but we are not the first batch who reached down so it’s kinda unsafe already.

Me! Silhouette at the Shark's Teeth. 

Approved! The Shark's will gonna bite you. Hehe.

And this part really amazed me from the entire challenge of Spelunking. Actually this is the end of the challenge and she brought us to the wall. She pointed us of some fossils. And I was like fossils of seawater creatures. And she said yes, I know what you were thinking.

We are in the highlands and yet how come these sea creatures able to reach this up..therefore Noah’s time is true.

Fossils!

Ice-Cold-Clear Water!

Let's go Swim. 

When we reached the chamber of the Sumaging Cave, I felt so very proud. I conquered the challenge not just for myself but the chance to see how beautiful the world is. We enjoyed and savored every beauty of the cave, around you is very unusual, very unique, and a treasure.

Rappelling. Stamina mina mina eeee.

After couple of minutes, we decided to go back to the top. We needed to use the rope to get on the other side all the way up. And Ate Mel offered us the chance to crawl on a tiny hole.

So like Sean O’Connell said from the movie, A Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Sometimes I don’t. If I like a moment, for me, personally, I don’t like to have the distraction of the camera. I just want to stay in it. So there are other views inside that wasn't captured by my camera. I chose not to because I want it to stay in my memories. I am very satisfied, fulfilled and simply gave the meaning of living the life to the fullest.