Let's go and have some adventure in the province of Cagayan in the form of spelunking, with the most popular Callao Cave.
Callao cave is one of the province's most popular caves. It is located in the municipality of Penablanca, Cagayan province of the Philippines. It was named after the "Kallaw bird " which inhabits the area and whose number is now decreasing because of relentless hunting.
The Callao cave is composed of 7 huge chambers and 5 natural skylights, each with natural crevices above that let streams of light to get into the cave, serving as illumination for the otherwise dark areas of the place. Previously, there were reported 9 chambers in the inside, but an earthquake in the 1980s cut off the last two chambers. Its largest one, soaring to a great height of 118 feet. Of its seven open chambers, five of them have natural roof crevices which let in sunlight all the way to the cave floor.
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| ConcrteSteps to the Entrance of Callao Cave |
A stair leads up 187 steps on the mountainside to the cave entrance.I know it was tiring and gasping, but when you reach the cave’s entrance you can say that it's all worth it and the adventure officially begins here. Once you get to the entrance of the cave, I was immediately impressed by the sheer size of it. The caves are not only a wonder of nature, it’s also an archeological treasure trove.
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| Aviary Room |
The first Chamber is at the very lip of the cave entrance is called the Aviary Chamber. The name of the Chamber means home of many rare species of birds, coming from its several openings as well as let the sunlight, both creating a warm, feel-good atmosphere. Archaeologists from the University of the Philippines discovery of remains of humans and tools dating back to the Neolithic Age.
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| The cave’s Divine Room (Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan) |
The Divine room was the second and the famous of them all. This chamber was made into a mini chapel complete with altar and pews. Wooden pews were set-up facing the natural rock formation resembling a church retablo. The area is naturally illuminated by an enormous opening above. The ray of light comes from a large opening from the top which brings the spiritual and enchanting mood in the chapel. This Chapel was used, mostly for a wedding as of now.
This is called Dark Chamber because inside of this chamber is very dark, it has no cracks or fissures where light could have entered. So, you have to walk slowly while watching your little steps to roam and explore around this particular chamber.
Cream chamber so called due to a rock formation shaped like a dollop of a whipped cream. The etymology of this section of the cave of Callao was derived from a big boulder formation that is quite a resemblance of three delicious scoops of your favorite ice cream. On the other hand, tourists will be astonished even more if they would look at the upper part of the Cream Room. “Why?” Some of the rocks there, from the head of a miraculous saint, Saint Joseph and the beautiful, pearly white wings of an angel.
Jungle Chamber named for its animal-shaped rock formations.While the Cream Room consists of luscious, but unfortunately non-edible scoops of sweetness and religious images, the Jungle Area consists of several animal-shaped rock formations such as the “Giant Turtle,” “Maya,” “Hornbill,” and a large head of a monkey called “Kingkong” to name a few.
The sixth chamber is called the Adventurous Room where it contains another cave, which is only accessible at the other end of the mountain.
Sun Room/Chamber was the last chamber of the Callao Cave’s, it was considered as the best part of the cave according to most tourists. The best time to explore it is in the morning around 8am to 10am, since it creates a drama between the sun rays and its walls, as early morning sun reflects through the cave’s wall opening. You may experience this one of a kind natural beauty.
When you've been here, you will have no doubt, why it became the most famous natural attraction in the province of Cagayan. No time would be wasted as you amazed by its extraordinary beauty and natural wonder created by our Almighty God. So, what are you waiting for? Come on and let's have a glimpse into the captivated hidden beauty of Callao Cave.
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| Dark Chamber |
This is called Dark Chamber because inside of this chamber is very dark, it has no cracks or fissures where light could have entered. So, you have to walk slowly while watching your little steps to roam and explore around this particular chamber.
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| Bizarre rock formations Cream Chamber (Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan) |
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| The Forest or Jungle Room/Chamber (Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan) |
Jungle Chamber named for its animal-shaped rock formations.While the Cream Room consists of luscious, but unfortunately non-edible scoops of sweetness and religious images, the Jungle Area consists of several animal-shaped rock formations such as the “Giant Turtle,” “Maya,” “Hornbill,” and a large head of a monkey called “Kingkong” to name a few.
The sixth chamber is called the Adventurous Room where it contains another cave, which is only accessible at the other end of the mountain.
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| The sunroom/chamber (Callao Cave, Peñablanca, Cagayan) |
Sun Room/Chamber was the last chamber of the Callao Cave’s, it was considered as the best part of the cave according to most tourists. The best time to explore it is in the morning around 8am to 10am, since it creates a drama between the sun rays and its walls, as early morning sun reflects through the cave’s wall opening. You may experience this one of a kind natural beauty.
When you've been here, you will have no doubt, why it became the most famous natural attraction in the province of Cagayan. No time would be wasted as you amazed by its extraordinary beauty and natural wonder created by our Almighty God. So, what are you waiting for? Come on and let's have a glimpse into the captivated hidden beauty of Callao Cave.
