Cavinti Underground River & Caves Complex (Cavinti, Laguna)

Laguna, which is one of the best provinces that I have visited, is so blessed with loads of places with diverse cultures as well as great tourist spots. Popular towns such as Calamba, San Pablo, and Los Baños, have been magnetizing a lot of tourists for several years. 

On June 8, 2014, we visited an unpopular town in Laguna named Cavinti to explore one of its hidden tourist gems, the Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex. 

Arriving at Bumbungan Eco-Park, located at Barangay Tibatib, we signed at the Registration Book and accomplished an Entry Permit/Waiver form at the Cavinti Tourism Office inside the park. Yes, before you proceed to the Cavinti river and caves, you have to accomplish these steps first. The target destination actually is around two hours away from this establishment. If you did not bring an off-road vehicle, a rental of a 4x4 is a must due to the rough roads to be encountered along the way.

Arrival at Bumbungan Eco-Park

 
When we touched down at our destination, we were welcomed by the sound of rushing water. 

Arrival at the Jump-off Point

 

The Arrow Towards Excitement

 

This is important!

Promotional Tarpaulins

Before the trek proper, we first attended a short safety briefing in a large hut regarding the rules and guidelines around the area by our guide.

Safety Briefing

After that, the guide distributed helmets and head lamps to all of us (rental only) before we rode the balsa towards the cave.

Balsa Ride

 
We alighted the balsa after a few minutes and trudged along a trail towards the mouth of the cave. 

Trail Walking

  

Before Entering the Cave

Inside the cave, as always, there would be stalactites, stalagmites, bats, slippery rocks, and rock formations along the way, but one of the unique features of this cave would be the mini waterfall in one of its portions. 

Enjoying the Cave

Large Squash 

Giant Pawikan

The Scandal

 

Mini Waterfall.....brrrrr!

Exiting the cave going back to the hut, we treated our tired bodies with a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the river.

 

Exiting the Cave

Dipping Time!

As we arrived back at the Bumbungan Eco-Park via the 4x4 vehicle we rented, we just fixed ourselves, took some farewell shots and departed back to Metro Manila.

Guide for Tourists

Bumbungan Eco-Park Rates

Departure from Cavinti

This type of Cavinti experience is really for cave enthusiasts. Never ever bring someone in this kind of trip who is not into that kind of endeavor. 

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Mount Telakawa (Capas, Tarlac)

When we talk about mountains in the Tarlac and Zambales areas in Central Luzon, the most popular would definitely be Mount Pinatubo, the volcano which violently erupted way back June 1991. 

Several years after this unfortunate incident, Pinatubo is now one of the most sought-after hiking destinations for tourists, wherein it only takes two hours to reach the summit. 

Lo and behold, there are still several mountains in this region, which only those who research more would be able to conquer. 

Last May 31, 2014, we trekked Mount Telakawa, located in Capas, Tarlac. This was our story. 

Billed as the next best thing along Crow Valley next to Pinatubo, Telakawa is the alternative mountain destination for visitors who are up to a more extreme hiking challenge. 

Departing at around past 3:00 AM from our assembly place at ETON Centris, EDSA, Quezon Coty, we arrived at the Sta. Juliana, Tarlac jump-off point, which was also the same starting area for Pinatubo trekkers. 

After signing registration papers (Php 50.00 registration fee) and waivers as well as hiring a guide, we started trekking at 7:00 AM, starting at a well-paved road then onto the wide lahar terrain of Crow Valley. 

Departure from Jump-off Point

Entering Crow Valley

Trudging Lahar Land

 

Entering Sitio Dalig

Barbed Fence near Sitio Dalig

 
At around 8:00 AM, we all arrived at the Aeta Community area in Sitio Dalig.

Aeta Community

After around 20 minutes of uphill climbing through a forested area with gradual ascent, by turning your back, you would now be awed by the lahar landscape from way below.

 

Going Uphill

Banana Time for Cramp Prevention

Crow Valley at the Background

We then reached a nipa hut where goats were being pastured. We took a breather here as we could now view from a distance our target destination…ang layo pa pala! 

Resting with the Goats

At 11:20 AM, I reached the summit of Mount Telakawa after a grueling steep ascent. It was sooo hot!

Summit at 630 Metres Above Sea Level

 

Group Shot at the Summit 

You could now marvel at a much larger lahar landscape of Crow Valley. What a sight! 

We started descending at 12:00 NN as we trudged a very steep downhill path. 

After eating our lunch along the trail, as well as refilling our water containers from a deep well, which serves as the community’s water source, we arrived at the jump-off point at 4:00 PM. 

Guide fee was Php 700.00 for a two-guide rate for 6-10 pax. 

Again, there are a lot of mountains to conquer in the Zambales and Tarlac regions. Research well coz there is a whole lot more than the famous Pinatubo to set foot on. 

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Magalawa Island (Palauig, Zambales)

Loads of travel enthusiasts flock to the Province of Zambales, located in the Central Luzon region, during the summer season to experience the various spectacular beaches and islands that it can offer to refresh themselves due to the sweltering heat. 

The famous ones are the Anawangin Cove, Nagsasa Cove, Camara Island, Capones Island, and the Potipot Island, all of which have been gracing the pages of various travel magazines as well as in travel blog sites. 

A friend of mine went to a lesser-known place called Magalawa Island, found in Palauig, and highly recommended that site to me to discover, and on May 17-18, 2014, I heeded the call. 

By the way, there are only two resorts in Magalawa Island: Armada Resort and Ruiz Resort. Despite cheaper rates from Ruiz Resort, we ended up at Armada Resort due to the fact that all air-conditioned rooms at Ruiz were all taken. Luckily, Armada still had some. 

Armada Resort requires a downpayment via bank deposit. The rates can be viewed here: http://magalawaislandresort.com/rates/. The overnight package we got cost us Php 3,000.00 per head, which included the following: 

• Air-conditioned room with private CR 

• Boat Transpo (2way) 

• Entrance 

• 4 Set Meals (3menu -combi of seafood/fish, pork/chicken, veggies, unlirice, soda, mineral water, dessert) 

• Day 1 – Lunch, Dinner; Day 2 – Breakfast, Lunch 

• Snorkeling/Rafting (w/ Lifevest and snorkeling gears provided and 1hr max duration) 

DAY 1: May 17, 2014 

We assembled at the Victory Liner bus terminal in Caloocan and departed at 4:30 AM via a Sta. Cruz-Zambales bound bus. Fare is around Php 450.00 per head. 

Since the trip would take more or less 6 hours, make sure you have eaten your breakfast already or just purchase it at the bus terminal. 

Be early at the station because they don't accept reservations for AM trips and as early as 3:30AM, the queue gets long already and tickets are on a first come, first serve basis so chances are you'll run out of seats if you get there past 3:30AM. 

If taking the Sta. Cruz route: Don't forget to tell the conductor to drop you off at Veritas Road, Brgy. Pangolinan, Palauig, Zambales. We arrived at the drop-off point at 11:00 AM with an Armada Resort signboard along the road, pointing to the left, which was Veritas Road. Tricycles were parked near the area and we told the driver to drop us at Port Luan. The fare was Php 75.00 - 100.00 per head. 

Veritas Road

Along the way we dropped by at a sari-sari store to purchase large mineral water jugs and some food items because these items are a bit costly when bought in the island. 

We arrived at the so-called Port Luan at 11:40 AM, which was the only place to get a boat ride to Magalawa Island.

Port Luan

As our boat departed from the port, you would be seeing San Salvador Island from afar, and after that, it was touchdown at Magalawa Island at 12:30 PM. 

San Salvador Island

Approaching Magalawa Island

Due to hunger, we went straight to the Armada Resort Canteen to eat lunch, still with our bags with us. The canteen served us Menudo, Sugpo, and Chopsuey. Meals here are plated meals, and were delicious.

Armada Resort Canteen

 

Lunch: Menudo, Sugpo, and Chopsuey

 

Armada Resort Store

After “depositing” our belongings in our room, we headed off to the beach area. 

Air-conditioned Room w/ Private CR

The most automatic thing you would definitely see on this beach would be the loads of starfish surrounding the area. There were some starfish that have some spikes on their bodies so take precaution when treading the waters. 

Starfish Galore!

Starfish...Up Close!

As you walk further to a certain area of the beach, there was a sign warning customers not to swim beyond a given point due to the presence of strong currents which would pose danger for the swimmer.

Warning Sign

Trudging the shore, going to the southeastern part of the island, you would be seeing several skeletons of sea urchins washed up along the shore, which would be good for instant free souvenirs. 

Sea Urchin Skeletons

 
A mangrove area can also be visited as you trek further south.

 

Mangrove Area

 

Policy & Guidelines

Jellyfish Warning Sign

The day ended with an early dinner of Lapu-Lapu, Calamares, and Pinakbet at 5:55 PM.

Dinner: Lapu-Lapu, Calamares, and Pinakbet

DAY 2: May 18, 2014 

As always, when I travel to beaches and islands, I never miss a sunrise or sunset shot, so as early as 5:00 AM, I was already at the beach area, waiting for the sunrise along Masinloc Harbor. 

Sunrise at Masinloc Harbor

After enjoying nature’s awakening, we ate breakfast at 6:15 AM consisting of Tapa, Hotdog, and Egg.

 

Breakfast: Egg, Hotdog, and Tapa

Inside the Canteen

Facade of our Room

Other Cottages

Eastern Part of the Island

Bangka Table

Next on the itinerary was the Snorkeling/Rafting activity, wherein you will be riding a floating balsa being pulled on by a motorized boat, to be taken at a certain diving spot where you could view corals and marine life underwater using a Lifevest and snorkeling gears provided. 

"Pulling" our Bangka to Shore

Enjoying the Waters!

Motorized Boat with our Guide

Tourists on the Balsa

We departed at around 10:00 AM going back to Manila. 

Among the islands in the Zambales area, Magalawa Island may be one of the least popular of them all, but it is a great place to go to at a very affordable cost. Worth the travel! 

Explore Pinas!