Philippine Evolution

Imagine Spelunking at the Aglipay Caves

Posted By philippine evolution staff on September 14, 2018

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CATEGORY: Caves, Fun Things to Do

Photo from: http://london0life.blogspot.com/2012/11/caves-in-philippines-spelunker-dream.html

This is the Aglipay Caves in Barangay Villa Ventura, Aglipay, Quirino. It has an area of 101 hectares of forest surroundings the cave chambers that provide a refuges for vegetation, wildlife and recreation. Among the 37 caves in the compound eight chambers have been develop for caving tours.

This spectacular formation of stalagmites in the cave was formed from minerals deposited by dripping water. The stalagmites are usually larger in diameter than stalactites. If stalactites and stalagmites meet, they form a column.

Photo from: http://manilastandard.net/lifestyle/destinations/275030/quirino-s-cultural-and-ecotourism-charm.html

Photo from: https://limbonisku.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/the-caves-of-aglipay-in-quirino-province/

There are eight caves with different difficulty levels. The usual tour passes through four of these caves, namely Caves 1, 8, 2 and 3. Cave 1 is quite straightforward. You exit through the back and walk about 15 minutes to get to the entrance of Cave 8.

Cave 8, 2 and 3 are connected to each other. But the entrance to Cave 2 from Cave 8 is so narrow, you’ll have to crawl in to get to the other side. The Aglipay Caves don’t have as much live formations as the caves in Cagayan. But it’s still worth a visit. Going through the four caves takes about an hour.

Visiting the other caves will entail a steep climb from the entrances and exits. So it’s reserved for those who are physically fit and have the composure to navigate the caves. Read More: http://www.ivanhenares.com/2010/12/quirino-spelunking-at-aglipay-caves.html

Photo from: http://www.coffeehan.com/caver-or-spelunker-quirino-province/aglipay-caves-quirino-coffeehan-2-min/

Photo from: https://luzonprovinces.weebly.com/quirino.html

Aglipay Cave is found 10km from the capital of Quirino, Cabarroguis. It was in 1983 when was discovered. Since then, 37 cave chambers were documented, eight of them were thoroughly explored and about four are open for public exploration. The 101-hectare area were the cave was found was developed as the Aglipay Cave and Campsite with facilities for camping, trekking and nature walks including birding. There were 27 species of birds found in the area including the endemic kalaw (a species of horn bill). At that time, the facilities needs some overhaul but with the province’s active tourism promotion, we were assured improvements are on their way. Read More: https://www.ironwulf.net/2015/01/30/quirino-aglipay-cave/

Photo from: http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/water-forms/376/aglipay-caves