A visit to Sagada will never be complete without venturing to one of the best this place might offer - the Sumaguing Cave. Aptly called as the Big Cave, it is perhaps the most popular and frequently visited place here.
Sumaguing Cave has the largest chamber of all connecting caves in town (there are more than 60 known caves underneath Sagada). One needs to trek down a slippery trail from its mouth to see the magnificent formations of stalactites and stalagmites that took thousands of years to shape. These formations were carefully sculpted by nature itself to form contours that were given fancy names such as king and queen’s curtains, giant fudge, pregnant woman, mickey mouse, alligator, dancing hall and rice terraces.
Inside are underground streams and natural pools with water temperature near freezing point. Be ready to get wet and chill as the adventure includes crossing a waist-deep pool.
The caves are just down hill from the town hall - just an easy 20-30 minute hike away. The entire trail is on paved road.
A trip to Sumaguing Cave requires a guide. The standard rates are as follows:
Caving
(Sumaguing Cave, view of Lumiang Cave entrance, and view of the Sugong Coffins)
- 1-4 persons : P400 (1 guide)
- 5 persons : P500 (1 guide)
- 6-9 persons : P800 (2 guides)
- 10 persons : P900 (2 guides)
- 11-14 persons : P1,200 (3 guides)
- 15 persons : P1,350
- 16 and above : P100/head
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[...] significant physical strength. Despite being short on time, we still got to visit the Burial Caves, Sumaging Cave and Echo Valley. I was able to see a lot of things but it was disappointing that we didn’t [...]
Pingback by Visit Sagada » Travel: My First Trip To Sagada — March 6, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
I have a question? How true that chubby people dont have the chance to pass the Sumaguing Cave? Well I am chubby so I would want to know po sana? Im a mountaineer pero chubby po ako… So no chance ba for me and also sa 3 ko pang group members?
Comment by Jen — March 19, 2008 @ 4:38 am
@Jen
No that is not true. I cannot remember any spot in Sumaguing where it would be impossible for chubby people to pass. But if you are going to Sumaguing via a cave connection from Lumiang Cave, I think it will be harder, though still possible.
Comment by Angel — March 19, 2008 @ 9:03 am
Well were planning to take Sumaguing Cave that will pass through Lumiang Cave. So what can you suggest us?
Comment by jen — March 20, 2008 @ 3:30 am
Hi Jen.
The cave connection would be for you then. It’s 400 php (~10 USD) per head. It would require about 3-4 hours. You’ll do a bit of wading around, crawling, rappelling … basically a little bit of everything. Your guide will provide you with everything you need -the rope, lamp and helmets.
Comment by Benj — March 20, 2008 @ 10:42 am
As for the prev question # 2 that was answered by Angel, you think we can pass though the connection?
Comment by jen — March 20, 2008 @ 9:22 pm
Yes.
Old people have made that connection. People of all sizes have conquered the cave. If you have a decent sense of balance, you’ll definitely make it.
Comment by Benj — March 20, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
Ok.. Thank you very much.. About the guide fee… Would that be 400.00 per head or 400 for a group of 1-4?
Comment by jen — March 20, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
400 per head.
Comment by Benj — March 20, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
From Residential Lodge, how long will it take us to reach the Sumaguing Cave?
Comment by jen — March 21, 2008 @ 12:32 am
Clarification lang po >>> For the former, the charge for a group of 10 people or less is a pretty affordable rate of 600 pesos.
This is P600.00 per head again or P600.00 for a group of 10 or less?
Comment by jen — March 21, 2008 @ 12:51 am
That inquiry is for the Big Falls.
Comment by jen — March 21, 2008 @ 12:55 am
600 for a group of 10.
Comment by Benj — March 21, 2008 @ 1:08 am
Ulitin ko lang po yung tanong ko kanina.. From Residential Lodge, how long will it take us to reach the Sumaguing Cave?
Comment by jen — March 21, 2008 @ 2:08 am
30 minute walk.
It’s one of the closest hotels to the cave. George is about 20 meters away from Residential so technically, it’s the closest by about 20-30 steps.
Comment by Benj — March 21, 2008 @ 2:14 am
if sumaguing cave lang kami, how much will we be charged? we’re four in the group.
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 8:55 am
Hi Carlo, your group will be charged P400.00. Since you are four, P100.00 each.
Comment by Angel — April 1, 2008 @ 9:11 am
okay lang naman pagsabayin ang big falls at sumaguing cave in a day right? advisable ba?
thanks!
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 10:42 am
and pag sumaguing cave lang, how long will the caving take?
thanks!
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 10:55 am
Hi carlo, okay lang naman pagsabayin in a day. Caving in Sumaguing takes around one to two hours. You can sked the trek to Big falls sa morning and caving sa afternoon or the other way around.
Comment by Angel — April 1, 2008 @ 10:58 am
Hi Angel, thanks! I am revising my itenerary kasi from 4/3 to 4/7 to 4/3 to 4/6 na lang so we’ll be in Manila by Sunday night.
We’ll arrive sa Sagada ng 4/4 noon and start the sightseeing tour sa afternoon. Big falls the next morning and sumaguing sa hapon. We’ll depart Sagada by 11AM siguro the next day (4/6) and be in Manila by 12MN of Sunday. Monday is rest time na
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 11:06 am
what do you think, di ba suicide yung gagawin namin?
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 11:07 am
Personally, I think okay naman yang revised itin mo.
Comment by Angel — April 1, 2008 @ 11:27 am
and if we’ll have the sightseeing tour (Echo Valley, Underground river, kiltepan site), gaano usually katagal to? kasi we might have to start ng 3PM na for this. kaya ba?
thanks!
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 11:28 am
About three hours. 3 PM would be a bit late, but it’s still doable. The underground river has a challenging trail, but it’s really more of the journey and not the destination. It’s a river that goes into a cave. nothing much to see, really. :p
Comment by Benj — April 1, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
thanks Benj!
Comment by Carlo — April 1, 2008 @ 12:27 pm
is therer a map of sagada’s sceneries which will guide visitors?
Comment by Dawn — May 8, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Is there a map of sagada’s sceneries which would guide visitors in there adventure
by Dawn
Comment by Dawn — May 8, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
Hi. Try using the search bar next time (Upper right corner on the sidebar)
http://www.visitsagada.com/2008/03/02/travel-map-of-sagada/
Comment by Benj — May 8, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
Hi Guys!
I really enjoyed the spelunking at Sumaguing Cave! I cant imagine i made it with my knee having stitched due to a vehicular accident) 4 months ago. With just a little miscalculation on the step, another injury is not impossible. So far, this is the caving that i’ve exerted so much effort. But i love the part where we rappelled, the human ladder (poor tour guide) and of course, all those crawlings we made on the sandstone - we were treated to a free foot spa! Hehe.. The activity was all worth the scratches and “kaba”.
In my next trip, i’ll try cave connection!
Comment by Ching — May 9, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Ching, wow! Are you sure you’re not suicidal? Hehehe. Just keep on truckin’!
Comment by Benj — May 9, 2008 @ 7:42 pm
elo..just want to ask if it’s best to visit sagada august to september…tnx
Comment by imelle — July 29, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
[...] Sumaguing Cave [...]
Pingback by Visit Sagada » How To Tour Sagada — August 27, 2008 @ 12:48 am
[...] planning to go under the caves of Sagada, I told the guys about the End of the World Argument of my [...]
Pingback by Sagada Experience 6: End of the World | Armageddon 2 : Funny Side of the Story — September 12, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Hello. I visited Sumaguing a few years ago on a January. I was told that the cave is also prone to flash flooding it certain times of the year. what are the best months to go there?
Comment by D. F. — October 7, 2008 @ 9:25 am
Does the guide take you there directly by a vehicle? Or do you have to do a long hike to get there?
Comment by Winston — October 18, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
The entrance to the Sumaguing Cave is I think a fifteen minute walk from the town center.
Comment by Angel — October 18, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
[...] Sagada is famous for its cave system so no one should ever leave the town before checking out Sumaguing cave. It’s a twenty minute walk from the town center it’s a fairly easy hike up the road. [...]
Pingback by Visit Sagada » Planning Your Itinerary 101 — November 4, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
grabe! panalo! once in a lifetime experience visit at Sagada!
Comment by cris — December 4, 2008 @ 10:27 pm