Showing posts with label Waterfalls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waterfalls. Show all posts

ARAN CAVE

ARAN CAVE (formerly TUKANG CAVE)






UPDATED ARTICLE
(Including fees and transportation) is located in this link:











LOCATION:
Twin Peaks and Camp 3, Tuba, Benguet, Philippines.
JUMP-OFF POINT:
Bued River, Kennon Road, Camp 3.
CONTACT DETAIL:
0999 888 0881 (Magdalena Niwane, Municipal Tourism Officer Designate)
FEES/RENTALS/FACILITIES:


Registration Fee:
Php500.00 for a maximum of four persons in a group OR Php125.00/person for a group of four. This also covers the guide fee and head lamp rental.

Non-slip, close-toed shoes rental:
Php30.00.

Knee & elbow pads rental:
Not yet available.

Shower facility:
Still on the process of being built. However, there are available shower stalls inside the private resort near the entrance.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Camp 3-bound PUJ (Php35.00): terminal in front of the Shopper’s Lane (behind Magsaysay Jollibee); OR

UV Express traversing Kennon Road, usually bound to Pangasinan (Php35.00 or more): terminal at the gas station near SSS Building or along Sandico St. near the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Description
Aran Cave, formerly known as Tukang Cave, is a new spelunking destination situated in Tuba, Benguet. The length of the cave is found within Camp 3 and Twin Peaks or may even extend beyond to neighboring barangays as the cave is not yet fully explored.

As claimed by the locals, the name of the cave is coined from “aran”, an Ibaloi term for “giant”. Accordingly, the cave had been a dwelling place of a giant. The mystery behind this story and of how a giant can live inside a cave, where a normal human needs to crawl through crevices to get in, is also a part of the adventure your guide will speak of. On the other hand, its former name, Tukang Cave, is derived from the sitio where the cave is located.

Aran cave is a multi-chambered cave and subterranean river system. The adventure is generally punctuated by the succession of waterfalls. As of July 2016, tourists can only go as far as to the second falls. This decision is actually reached in order to safeguard the wellbeing of the spelunkers. As stated by the local guide, the route to the third falls is rigorously treacherous. Possible opening of the third falls to the public in the future may highly include more than one guide, thus, higher guide fee. Accordingly, the full length of the Aran Cave had not been fully explored yet, a feat that the local guides are trying to do without inviting outsider explorers.

Reaching each waterfalls requires crawling through crevices—some requires you to slide [not just crawl], wade along icy still or rapid waters, and rappel along stone walls. You will need every ounce of agility and energy you have. The guides, however, are very helpful throughout the adventure. The hard journey is often easily forgotten because of the marvelous sights inside the cave. Further, swimming is allowed along swimming pools. Moreover, like in a typical cave with subterranean river, Aran also offers a myriad of stalagmites and stalactites, crystal clear water, swimming pools, waterfalls, bats, and dank and cold caverns. Interestingly, a chamber near the entrance is dotted with traces of gold and silver.

Reminders:
·          
The capacity of the cave is limited to 50 persons per day with a 2- to 5-hour duration per group. Thus, be early if you don’t want to have a long waiting time. During peak season, be mindful of the other groups waiting for their turn.
·          
Cancel your trip if there is a continuous heavy downpour in the municipality.
·          
Wear long pants and long sleeves to prevent scrapes and skin cuts especially along the knees and elbows. If you have knee and elbow pads, better bring it.
·          
A lot of the adventure requires you to wade through water, some at chest-high. Thus, you will be totally wet. Bring extra set of clothes.
·          
Wear a comfortable non-slip, close toed rubber shoes (not sports sneakers!). If you don’t have one, you can hire one near the entrance.
·          
Bring re-sealable zipper plastic bags if you plan in bringing gadgets inside. Bring your camera inside at your own risk.
·          
Listen and follow instructions during orientation as well as what your guide instructs you to do inside. Their orientation and instructions are for your safety as well as for the protection of the cave.
·          
Do not vandalize the rocks nor take any physical memento from the cave.
·          
Be guided by the Leave No Trace mantra.

Gallery

You will be welcomed by the three monkeys. They don’t have names by the way. You might want to christen them.


Comfortable rubber shoes is a must inside the cave. This type of shoes has a better grip on the rough stone surfaces while protecting your sole and toes.


Lo! A hanging bridge! By experience, I have seen a lot of people who are very afraid in walking bridges like this.


A chamber near the entrance is dotted with traces of raw silver and gold. The locals commonly refer to it as “takki ti balitok”.


Not far from the entrance, you will hear the roar of the first waterfall. Before that, flowing water is evident along the deep crevices.


Notice the crystal clear water.


Before, I was easily confused between stalactite and stalagmite. So, here’s what Encyclopedia Britannica has to say: “A stalactite hangs like an icicle from the ceiling or sides of a cavern” (“Stalactite and Stalagmite”, 2016).


Stalactites galore! Stalactite has a "c" in it, as in "c" for "ceiling," and stalagmite has a "g" in it, as in "g" for "ground" (Fuller, 2008).


Stalactites along the walls of the caves


Amazing formations and colors. Notice the inclined block of stone. According to the guide, that had been a part of the ceiling of the chamber. It was knocked to the ground during the 1990s earthquake.


In a fantasy world, this could be a patch of vegetables.


This painted date could be the day a cave explorer reached this point.


Here comes agility test!


Its kinda hard to the non-outdoorsy types… but it can be done.


The guide would go first and show how and where to put your feet and the clefts of the wall where you can have a good grip. Don’t worry, after showing how it is done and if they notice that you need help, they’ll be there for you.


And here we are at the first waterfall. You need to be far from the raging water to have a good shot. Otherwise, the result would be just like this.


A small bat at the wall near the first waterfall. The guide took it and deposited in the “bat chamber”.


A natural swimming pool. You may take a dip here. Be warned, the water is cold!


A closer look at the pool.


You need to wade through this. It is chest-high by the way.


A wider view of this pool.


Another narrow path. From the top, you need to go down and walk along that narrow portion.


It takes decades and decades for stalactites and stalagmites to form. Don’t disturb its growth by not touching it.


It looks difficult to go down but it’s actually easy when you’re on it.


There are points where you need to be on all fours.


Lo and behold, the second waterfall!


Like most caves, we need to do some Tarzan moves to cross the second waterfall.


The pool at the second waterfall. If the third waterfall will be opened, you need to cross this pool and climb the wall.


There are more colored stalactites in this area than in the first waterfall.


A portion of the ceiling of the second waterfall.


I really love this area!


It is worth the physical exertion, crawling, sliding, climbing and whatever maneuvers you needed to do to make it here.


Rock formations in the usual area where the guide speaks about the history of the cave.


Jaw- and teeth-like formation in the same chamber.


Small stalactites and stalagmites that looks like they haven’t grown an inch for quite long. Notice also the vandalized rock formation etched by irresponsible tourists.


REFERENCES:
Stalactite and Stalagmite. (2016). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/stalactite


Fuller, J. (2008, April 14). What's the difference between stalactites and stalagmites? Retrieved from http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/stalactite-stalagmite.htm 

OKKALONG FALLS

OKKALONG FALLS


Updated link migrated on this link:




Location: Cabalitocan, Luna, La Union, Philippines
Major Jump-Off Area: Municipal Plaza, Luna, La Union
Contact Person: Tito Gorospe (Tourism Officer): 09158072728 (Mobile No.) OR (072) 607 0099 / 607 1132 (Landline)
Registration Fee: Php10.00
How to Get There:
·         From Manila or Baguio City, take a bus bound to Laoag, Vigan or Abra. Drop at Municipal Plaza, Balaoan, La Union. Take a tricycle near the Seven-Eleven Store to Luna town proper. Regular fare is Php10.00 while Php50.00 if you hire the tricycle. Take another tricycle to Okkalong Falls at Php200.00 round trip fare with waiting time. One-way travel time is about 20 minutes.
·         From San Fernando City, La Union, you can take a Luna-bound jeepney. Otherwise, follow the travel plan for those coming from Manila or Baguio City. Bus ride from San Fernando City to Balaoan costs Php30.00 for ordinary buses. Travel time generally takes about 45 minutes.

Description
Okkalong Falls (also Ukkalong Falls) is located in the mountainous barangay of Cabalitocan, Luna, La Union. Contrary to its name, it is not actually a water fall but an about 10-feet water cascade draining to a pool about the size of a half volleyball court. The pool is surrounded with tall trees, thus, getting sunburnt is less likely a problem. The area is obviously well-kept and is dotted with ornamental plants and orchids. Interestingly, there is a monkey in collar near the sari-sari store, probably for additional attraction purposes.
Amenities in the area include a small sari-sari store, a makeshift comfort room, and a shed with tables and benches. The shed is built primarily as a haven when raining.
Probably due to its size, Okkalong Falls is not as popular as Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel, La Union. However, locals flock to this area during summer and holidays.
Please be honest in paying the registration fee. The meagre registration fee goes to the maintenance of the area. Though Okkalong Falls is a small tourist attraction, it is regularly maintained even during off-peak season.
There is a footpath from Okkalong Falls that snakes up to the mountain. About 30-45 minutes uphill walk would lead you to a clearing that gives a panoramic view of the municipality with the sea as the horizon. Give another 30-45 minutes uphill hike and you will be blessed with a 360-degree view with the mountains of Bangar, Balaoan and Bacnotan in the eastern part.
Other notable tourist attractions in this municipality are the pebble-covered beaches, Baluarte ruin (Biyak na Bato) and Bahay na Bato.

Reminders:
·         If there is a sudden heavy downpour during the rainy season, do not linger in the river as it may swell to a dangerous level at any point in time. Cancel your trip if there is a continuous heavy downpour in the municipality.
·         Do not vandalize the stones by marker pens or etching upon it.
·         Stones along the river could be slippery.
·         Do not climb beyond the water cascade.
·         Do not wash things such as used plate, oily hands, etc. in the pool. Use the lower part of the river near the entrance for such activities.

Gallery

Okkalong Falls is quite popular among Luna locals. If you want solitude in a fresh water park, this is more convenient than the heavily-populated rivers and water falls in La Union.

The pool is about half a volleyball court and not deep.

Halfway to the top of the mountain, about half an hour uphill trek from Okkalong Falls, you can have a panoramic view of the municipality with the West Philippine Sea as the horizon.


At the top of the mountain in Cabalitocan, about an hour uphill walk from Okkalong Falls, the mountains of Bangar, Balaoan, and Bacnotan gives a breath taking panorama.

Tangadan Falls



TANGADAN FALLS


Updated article is migrated in this link:



Location: Amontoc, San Gabriel, La Union, Philippines

Major Jump-Off Area: Poblacion, San Gabriel, La Union

How to Get There:
·         Public transportation:
1.       Via San Fernando City, La Union. Take a PUJ (terminal at the northern side of the San Fernando City Round Market bound to San Gabriel. The regular fare is Php26.00. All San Gabriel-bound PUJs will stop at Barangay Poblacion with 30 minutes to an hour duration depending on the traffic. Preferably, you need to go to the San Gabriel Municipal Hall for arrangement of tour guides and transportation bound to Tangadan Falls parking area in Barangay Amontoc. For DIY transportation arrangement, you can ask the locals where to hire a PUJ or a motorcycle. Round trip hire including waiting time is Php1500.00-Php2000.00 for PUJ and Php350.00 for motorcycles. PUJ ride usually takes about 20 minutes; this is typically shorter when riding a motorcycle. From the parking area, you need to hike downhill on uneven [some parts are paved] foot path at least 10 minutes [for fast hikers] or [usually] longer depending on your pace. Going back may take thrice as much since you’ll be hiking uphill. (Take note that there are no PUJs going to the area on an hourly basis. Usually, there is a single Poblacion to Amontoc trip during or after lunch hours and Amontoc to Poblacion trip only in the morning. Thus, there is a need to hire a PUJ or motorcycle in a round trip basis if you don't have your own transportation.)
2.       Via San Juan, La Union. Wait for San Gabriel-bound PUJs at the national hi-way crossing north of the San Juan Municipal Hall. There is a small sign “→ San Gabriel” along the crossing. Fare is around Php16.00
3.       Via Bacnotan, La Union. Take a PUJ from Poblacion, Bacnotan to Poblacion, San Gabriel. This is the least suggested itinerary since there is a limited Bacnotan-San Gabriel trips.
4.       Via Bucao, San Gabriel, La Union. This route is highly advisable when your transportation budget is limited. Take a tricycle from Poblacion, San Gabriel to Duplas, San Juan (via Bucao). Tricycle fare is PhP80.00. The hike, however, may take about an hour or even much longer to those who have a slower pace. This has a longer hike time than via Amontoc and thus not advisable to those who have no patience in exerting physical effort. On the other hand, this route might be more interesting to adventurous pips.
·         Private car: Google map suffices for direction. Also, asking the locals is highly advisable. 
1.       Via San Juan, La Union.
2.       Via Bacnotan, La Union.

Description
Tangadan Falls is located in Amontoc, San Gabriel, La Union, a predominantly mountainous municipality in Region I. The name of Tangadan Falls is derived from an Ilokano root word “tangad,” which means to look up, probably due to the about 40–feet high water plunge.

Via Amontoc: Strenuous the hike as it may be, your physical effort will be rewarded with the mesmerizing cascade-to-pool and waterfall-to-pool series. From the parking area, you need to traverse a downhill footpath for at least 15 minutes. This may take longer depending on your pace and the condition of the path. Halfway, you will hear the roar of the water. During rainy season, the unpaved parts of the path tend to be muddy and slippery. Also, during this season, you may be rewarded with green vegetable gardens and rice paddies in you trek. Your bodily exertion during the hike will be rewarded when you reach your destination: clean, clear and invigoratingly cold water in a short cascade-to-pool-to-waterfall-to-pool series.

Via Bucao: About an hour walk from the turning point, you will pass by farms, irrigation dikes, and generally the river snaking up to the glorious Tangadan Falls. To nature-lovers, the rivulet, naturally-occuring pools, fishes (especially the abundant locally-termed "Bunog"), underwater grasses, diving cliffs, and low-height falls are but a few of the many delights en route.

Tangadan river could be divided into two levels: upper and lower. The upper level is composed of a short cascade of about 7 feet high and 4 feet wide. The width of the cascade narrows or widens depending on the season and amount of rainfall. Through the steep stone slope, water cascades to the narrow pool below. The pool is deep and about 30 feet wide by 90 feet long. It is surrounded with steep stone walls. The lower wall is easily accessible and serves as the diving and jumping point. The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. The smaller outlet exits as a narrow cascade to the right of the precipice. The bigger outlet flattens as it moves above the rock ledge and plunges down to the wide pool of the lower level. The size of the pool could easily engulf two basketball courts. As of the beginning of 2016, there are three bamboo rafts (“raket” or “balsa”) which can be hired. You may ask the operator to take you near or under the falls, which tourists usually do. This is common because the jets of falling water gives a natural massage. Unlike in hand massage, you control the pressure by your proximity to the waterfall. You can also exhaust yourself swimming in this pool because of its size, thus the need for life vest for those who are not good and non-swimmers. The water from the second pool flows out through slippery rocks and exits to a gentle, wide, long, and 2-4 feet deep basin. Somehow, this is more conducive to children who does not know how to swim and those who wants to learn how to swim.

Amenities (rental prices may vary or increase without prior notice):
·        Parking fee: Php10.00
      Cottage: Php200.00-300.00.
·         Life vest or salbabida: Php50.00.
·         Bamboo raft (“raket”): Php400.00 (maximum of 10 pax)

Reminders
  • Cancel your trip if there is a continuous heavy downpour in the municipality.
  • Registration is a must to all tourists.
  • Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes and clothes.
  • Strictly no cooking, grilling, and the likes. Take pre-prepared foods including water.
  • Life vest is a must for those who cannot swim in fresh water. Drowning is higher in fresh water than sea water.
  • Do not vandalize the stones by marker pens or etching upon it. As of late February 2016, the extent of etches upon stones have yet to abate.
  • Eating and throwing of garbage or food scraps along the river is prohibited.
  • The Municipality of San Gabriel is a Red Orchid Awardee and also awarded by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Health as the Best LGU Implementer of Smoke-free Program in Region 1 (CSC, 2013). Most of the tourists in Tangadan Falls do not know this and are unendingly a-huffin’ and a-puffin’ clouds of cigarette smokes in and around the cottages.
  • When riding a PUJ to or from Tangadan Falls, “topload style” is allowed, as this is not uncommon among PUJs bound to the municipality’s mountain barangays. Make sure that you are secure and to always be vigilant in your grips. Take note, however, that the locals are used to this and are aware to strengthen and secure their grips in parts of the ride. Though, no accidents involving tourists on “topload style” is reported yet, do not be the first in the local statistics.
  • Do not go or cross cordoned areas (barricaded with bamboos or branches).
  • Stones along the river could be slippery.
  • If there is a sudden heavy downpour during the rainy season, do not linger in the river as it may swell to a dangerous level at any point in time.

Gallery


This is the start of the downhill trek. The surface of the unpaved footpaths can be easily powderized under your shoes during summer. However, it is muddy during rainy season. In both cases, you need comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Non-hikers need to be careful in these unpaved footpaths.

The stretch of paved footpaths is increasing each year as Tangadan Falls visitors increase. There is even a plan of extending the paved road nearer to the waterfall.


This is the first view which invites you to go nearer.

The upper part consists of a short cascade and a narrow pool. The lower wall of the pool serves as a diving and jumping point.

The upper pool narrows down towards the water exit.

 
A complete view of the upper level.

The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. The smaller outlet exits as a narrow cascade to the right of the precipice.

The shallow part as the water exits from the upper pool towards the plunge.

The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. Above is the bigger outlet before it flattens near the ledge.


The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. The bigger outlet flattens as it moves above the rock ledge and plunges down to the wide pool of the lower level.

The great plunge and the narrow cascade.

 
View from near the water exit of the second pool.

Two of the three bamboo rafts (“raket” or “balsa”).

You can hire a bamboo raft and try the back massage under the waterfall.

A closer look at the narrow cascade.

 
This cascade has a more brute force and greater volume during rainy season. 



Careful! The rocks are slippery.

The water from the second pool flows out through slippery rocks and exits to a gentle, wide, long, and 2-4 feet deep basin. Somehow, this is more conducive to children who does not know how to swim and those who wants to learn how to swim.



The organic cottages is but one of the reasons why cooking with fire is prohibited in the area.


The shower facility. But then again, why do you need one? The water you’re going to shower is the same water you’ve waded minutes ago!

Well, don’t get too tired while swimming. Remember, you’ve got a steep climb ahead!



REFERENCE LIST:
CSC (2013). Best Practices [PDF File]. Retrieved from http://www.csc.gov.ph/phocadownload/PMU/bestpractices.pdf.