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| In between chambers |
In the municipality of Peñablanca, about 24 kilometers from Tuguegarao City, is the Callao Cave, Cagayan Tourism's postcard-perfect image. It's one of more than 300 caves in the vicinity of Peñablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape in the western foothills of the Northern Sierra Madre Mountain recognized as an important cultural property of the Philippines, and home to Ubag (Homo luzonensis), fossils of the the country’s earliest inhabitants.
Among all the caves, Callao Cave is the most accessible. A flight of stairs with 184 steps will take you to the cave's entrance.
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| 184 steps to the entrance |
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| Half-way point. Take time to admire the panoramic view of the Pinacanauan River |
The cave is a paradise for spelunkers. They will rejoice delving into the cool depths of chambers adorned with nature’s handiworks. Stalactites, stalagmites and various limestone formations: the massive columns, skeleton, elephant, praying angel, rocket, lion, dog, plus the famed cavern, the cathedral-like room — the largest in area and the show chamber of Callao Cave, transformed into a chapel illuminated by rays from heaven through a natural skylight.
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| The market |
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| The majestic entrance |
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| Stalactites |
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| The chapel formation. Callao Cave's show chamber |
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| Locals turned the the space into a chapel |
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| The space is illuminated by a natural skylight |
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| The next chamber |
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| Sun setting over the Pinacanauan River. Seen at the starting point of the tour. |
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| The Callao Cave team of volunteer tour guides |
CONVERSATION