Tanay Adventure: Calinawan Cave

If you’re into spelunking, the 5 layers of Calinawan Cave is a must-visit. It’s impressive caving system is a sight to behold. Plus, it’s contribution to history is just amazing. This is Calinawan Cave and welcome to my Tanay Adventure series.

It’s been almost a month since I last posted a travel guide here. School officially ended a week ago so apologies for not updating. I’m also busy juggling freelance jobs (I do web design so hire me if you need one! ^_^) so I can have travel funds. Anyways, this is the second part of my Tanay Adventure Series. There’s just so much to visit in Tanay. Right after our trip to Daranak and Batlag Falls (read the full guide here) our next destination is Calinawan Cave.

1. Via Grotto: Inside Daranak Falls there’s a route that goes directly to the cave. However a guide is required so that’s additional cost.
2. Via Walking: You can walk from Daranak Falls to the cave (outside route). We did this but it’s just too far.
3. Via Trike: this is my recommended option. trike fare is around Php 25-50 per head.

Upon arriving at the cave you need to register. Entrance fee is Php 20/head . Guide is required and fee is Php 200/10 pax for the first 2 layers. They just ask donations if you’ll go and finish layers 3 to 5. The cave has 5 layers and layer 2 is the longest. Layers 1 and 2 is the easiest and it’s the normal route but you can also finish layers 3-5 which is more challenging since it requires crawling already. I suggest doing the 5 layers but like I said it’s really challenging. We entered with another group and one of them had a panic attack inside so better be ready when going inside the cave.

A Touch of History

The cave is a popular shooting spot. One of the scenes in “Ang Probinsyano” with Coco Martin and Anne Curtis was shot there. It has also a deep connection with our history. It was named Calinawan after the Tagalog term “linaw” which translates to clear since it used to be the hiding spot during the Spanish-American war and World War II. It was also the place where the Japanese and Americans settled or cleared their disputes thus the name.

While Calinawan Cave has long caving system, most of it is still unexplored. Who knows where the system ends? Throughout my traveling, I have learned so much about caves and history. From Pamitinan Cave to Biak-na-Bato, it’s interesting to know at how these caves has an untold story about our history. They are witnesses to our rich past.

The tour lasts for about half to an hour depending on your pace.