If you’re going to visit Apayao, you shouldn’t miss Lussok Cave in the town of Luna in the northern part of the province. Luna is known as the gateway to Apayao’s many unique outdoor adventures.
But before I share with you my awesome experience at Lussok Cave and Underground River, let’s talk about Apayao first. I know, you might be asking, “Jon, where is Apayao?”
Beautiful.
I will not judge you for not brushing up on your Philippine geography, LOL because I know for a fact that Apayao hasn’t been getting the attention it truly deserves. It is a reality that in spite of many popular and beautiful attractions in the Philippines, there are destinations that are yet to be uncovered. There are provinces like Apayao – not that well-known yet, but if you give it a chance, it will surely capture your hearts. Naks.
Apayao is part of the Cordillera Administrative Region, just like Ifugao and Benguet. With the popularity of the rice terraces in Banaue, it is important for many to know that there are still more to discover in the region like by traveling up north, there’s Apayao.
I remember when I was a kid, the province used to be called Kalinga-Apayao, until on February 14, 1995, it was split into two independent provinces. It was said that by the time when the world is celebrating love with their partners on Valentine’s day, Kalinga and Apayao are commemorating their break up. LOL.
One thing that I can assure you, Apayao is home of natural wonders – cliffs and underground rivers. Not to mention the food and culture that the province has preserved for the visitors to experience.
Apayao actually means “land of rivers” in the local language, which explains the province’s rich bodies of freshwater like underground rivers, waterfalls, and caves.
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My Experience at Lussok Cave
It was the fourth day of our tour, as part of the PHILTOA Grand North Luzon Fun Caravan in cooperation with the Philippines Tourism Promotions Board. We finished our heritage tour in Tuguegarao that morning, ate some delicious Pancit Batil Patong, then off we traveled to Luna, Apayao to explore the Lussok Cave.
Lussok is an Ilocano word for hole. This refers to some holes inside the cave, which were actually visible when you’re in the underground river.
The Tourism Office of Apayao welcomed us with a traditional dance from the province’s indigenous people, the Isnag Tribe. They are called the “Riverside dwellers of Apayao,” comprising as one of the major groups in the province aside from the Ilocanos. They performed the traditional Isnag dance, which is a victory dance called Talip, as well as the thanksgiving and courtship dance called Taddo.
Dancing with Sir Cesar Cruz, PHILTOA President, with TPB and Tour Operators.
Colorful.
The tourism team also served a sumptuous lunch for us. Guests can actually relax and eat at the cottages and tables at the visitors’ area. These are just some of the amenities for tourists when they visit Lussok Cave.
Apayao Ipasindayaw
Where visitors can eat and chill.
The Underground River
It was time for adventure. We were grouped into 3 for the available boats. Each has a guide to explain and share stories about the underground river and cave. Of course, they were there to also secure the safety of the guests.
But I must say, guides were trained to deliver more than they are required. They cracked jokes and hugot lines as we sailed through the river surrounded by lush forest until reaching the opening of the underground cave.
Mice and Sir Cesar Villanueva, TPB OIC, with the rest of the group.
Okay lang ba, Len? Haha
“Ako po ang inyong magiging ilaw, gabay sa loob ng cave.” Our guide said, which is true. LOL. He was the only one with a decent flashlight inside the cave, explaining and pointing out to glimmering limestones and shapes. It is helpful to use our imagination while inside the pitch-black underground river.
Stalactites are the limestone formations above, while those that formed from the ground are stalagmites. And do you know what happens when they finally reach one another? The stalactites and stalagmites? Our guide said, “sila po ay itinadhana,” (They are meant for each other.) LOL! Yeah. It was funny because the joke was corny. LOL! Our guide really made us smile.
The underground river is roughly about 200 meters. Though it is not as long as the popular underground rivers in the country, it has a natural beauty and charm of its own.
Tourists are reminded not to touch the glimmering limestones to protect its natural state. When inside, guests just have to enjoy the different limestone formations, the sounds of the fruit bats, and marvel at the faint streak of sunlight from the hole or lussok.
Spelunking and Cave Adventure
After exploring the underground river, adventurous travelers can choose to experience the cave adventure or spelunking.
Of course, looking at the steep rock formations to climb before even entering the mouth of the cave, you can assess if you can do this adventure or not. Okay? So if you feel that you couldn’t manage the physical activity needed for this, you can opt to hop on the boat back to the loading area.
For those want to this? You will be assisted by your guide. They will show and help you on where to step or which rocks to hold as you go through the adventure.
Honestly, this spelunking adventure is not for everybody. LOL. I’m serious. This is for thrill-seekers and adventurous travelers, you know, like me. LOL! Only a handful from our group decided to go for spelunking.
As a fat travel blogger, I am still in awe of how I was able to squeeze my huge self into those little holes. LOL. But it was a lot of fun. It was physically straining but it was fun. An experience that I will never forget in Apayao.
Inside the cave, the entertainment provided by our funny guide continued as he showed us more spots for a photo op as well as more interesting limestone formations like the ones similar to cactus, ice cream, and even lovers. LOL.
It was a bit more challenging because the rocks, the trail was muddy and slippery, so be sure to wear proper gear. Don’t be like us, like me, who was wearing tsinelas during the entire spelunking. LOL!
At the end of the adventure, all needed to overcome the steep and slippery trail coming out of the cave. And then, we all made it!
That’s Sir Noel Amata – our idol photographer.
But then, we all realized that it wasn’t the end of the adventure yet. We still need to trek in the mountains until reaching the hanging bridge. Whoah. What a day for all of us! But then again, we got our much-needed exercise and we had fun.
Apayao is indeed a surprise. Lussok Cave is just one of the many beautiful destinations to explore in the province. I am just happy and grateful to be able to experience Apayao. I am definitely going back, soon!
Recommendations
Lussok Cave’s immense natural beauty has a lot of potential when it comes to tourism. We’ve seen the efforts of the local tourism team and DOT to protect and promote this adventure spot. Continuous consultation is also in the work for further improvement.
Good thing that aside from PHILTOA, we were also with the Philippines Tourism Promotions Board on this trip to assess what still needs to work on. As I’ve mentioned, Lussok Cave, the spelunking, is not for everybody. The guides are very helpful in securing the guests’ safety, but still, proper gears like helmets are needed for those who will go for the cave adventure.
Although I am a travel blogger assigned to write about the destinations we visited, I was actually part of the TPB delegation for this, so we got a chance to talk about this.
It’s good to know that different stakeholders are also seeing the need for proper gears for tourists’ during spelunking. With proper coordination with the local government unit and tourism office, it is only a matter of time that this will be fulfilled. Through this initiative, Lussok Cave will continue as one of the best adventure destinations not only in Apayao but in the northern Philippines.
Our awesome group! Photo Credit: PHILTOA
Best Time to visit Apayao
I was able to chat with Ma’am Rebecca Mamba, the Provincial Tourism Officer of Apayao, during our visit and she actually told us that we should go back for Say-Am Festival on February 14.
Say-Am Festival is Apayao’s grandest festival. This is not only the commemoration of Apayao being an independent province, but also a celebration of its culture with series of activities with street dancing, agro-industrial trade fair, and of course, the much-awaited search for the “Dayag Ti Apayao.”
Aside from the grandest festival in Apayao, the best time to visit the province is from March to May, during summer.
You can still visit from June to November, but be prepared because it’s already the rainy season.
How to get to Apayao
Flight via Tuguegarao or Laoag
The best way to go to Apayao is by plane via Tuguegarao or Laoag. Both Cebu Pacific and PAL have flights going to these destinations. From these airports, vans and jeepneys are available going to Luna, Apayao.
Manila to Apayao by Bus
These bus companies have direct trips from Manila to Luna, Apayao.
- Florida
- Northstar
- RCJ Lines
- River Transit.
Bus via Tuguegarao
You can go to Apayao by bus via Tuguegarao. Bus companies like Victory Liner, Baliwag Transit, Dagupan Bus, and Genesis have direct trips from Manila to Tuguegarao. Once you reach Tuguegarao, there are buses going to Flora, Apayao offered by bus companies like Ballesteros Lines, FTODA Van, and Cabulisan Bus Line. Here are some bus companies and vans that have trips from Tuguegarao to other parts of Apayao.
Tuguegarao to Conner – COTODA Van and G. Bros. Liner
Tuguegarao to Kabugao – G. Bros Liner, Young Brothers, and KATODA van
Tuguegarao to Pudtol – PUTODA van and Chona Patrick Bus Line
Bus via Baguio
If you are going from the City of Pines, Baguio, here are the bus companies that travel from Baguio to Apayao.
Baguio to Pudtol – Gabriel Transit
Baguio to Conner – G.L. Transit
Contact the Apayao Provincial Tourism
Apayao Provincial Tourism Office
Address: San Isidro Sur, Luna, Apayao, Philippines
Email: apayao.tourism@yahoo.com
Facebook Page: Apayao Ipasindayaw
Instagram: @apayao.tourism
Apayao Provincial Tourism Officer: Rebecca T. Mamba – 09272417343
Luna Municipal Tourism Officer: Terence Grande – 09214653657
Note: This travel to Apayao is part of the PHILTOA Grand North Luzon Fun Caravan in partnership with the Philippines Tourism Promotions Board or TPB. Thank you so much PHILTOA and TPB for making me part of this fun Caravan. Also, much appreciation to Apayao Provincial Tourism Office for the hospitality, Salamat po.
