Maaya-ayas Cave: A Hidden Subterranean Marvel in Balbalan, Kalinga

Maaya-ayas Cave in Buaya, Balbalan, Kalinga is an exceptional work of nature as it boasts an active subterranean river as well as beautiful stone formations.

CAUTION: Maaya-ayas Cave is not yet open to the public as it is a technical cave. That means, spelunking might entail basic to advance ropemanship, rapelling, swimming, and other necessary skills. Experienced cavers are only allowed in such caves. Contact the LGU or local tourism office if you plan to go there.

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Contents

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Location of Maaya-ayas Cave

Address: Buaya, Balbalan, Kalinga, Philippines

Coordinates: 17°32’53.400″N 121°12’28.100″E ^[1]

Google Map:

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DENR Cave Classification of Maaya-ayas Cave

Not classified yet.

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Maaya-ayas Cave Characteristics

• Length: Approx 360 meters ^[1]
• Altitude: 1375 meters ^[1]
• Spelunking duration: More or less an hour
• Mineral deposit formations: Abundant
• Is underground river present?: Yes
• Bat population: Few
• Multichamber: Single straight chamber
• Human artefacts: None
• Cave floor fill: Water, rock, soil, mud

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Spelunking in Maaya-ayas Cave

Maaya-ayas Cave in Buaya, Balbalan, Kalinga is an exceptional work of nature as it boasts an active subterranean river as well as beautiful stone formations.

This beautiful cave is found in Barangay Buaya, with residents of less than a thousand, around 6-7% of the total Balbalan’s population of 12,195 per 2015 Philippine Statistics Authority data ^[2]. Historically, Balabalan was under the Province of Kalinga-Apayao. Later, Kalinga became a separate province by virtue of RA 7878 in 1992 ^[3].

The municipality of Balbalan has a natural Karst topography which makes cave formation a common occurrence. Like the surrounding communities, Barangay Buaya, where the cave is found, is a landscape of sinkholes, sinking streams, caves, and springs. This topography is usually a result from the excavating effects of underground water on massive soluble limestone ^[4].

Maaya-ayas Cave found its spot in the limelight when photos taken by Northern Luzon International Caving Expedition Philippines (NLICEP) members. The NLICEP was contacted by the Balincaguin Conservancy (BC), in coordination with Multi-National Expedition Team (MCET), to have a caves of Balbalan be included in their itinerary ^[5]. Fortunately, they were able to fit in Balbalan to their schedule.

One of the foreign explorers was so amazed at Maaya-ayas Cave. Marc Vendermeulen said that it is one of the best he had ever seen ^[5]. He said it’s an active river cave with beautiful formations inside. Most of all, it is highly technical.

The following are images from the Facebook page of Avante Verticale:

In conclusion, Maaya-ayas Cave is a highly technical cave with and active subterranean river. This is one of the best underground wonders in Balbalan; unfortunately, it is closed to tourism because of its highly technical nature.

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Contact Person/Group

• Social Media (Balbalan Tourism Facebook Page)

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Registration/Guide Fees

• Not open for tourism traffic.

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How to Get to Maaya-ayas Cave

By land:

• Get to Tabuk, Kalinga
  • From Manila (approx 12 hours travel time): Take a bus bound to Tabuk, Kalinga. Victory Liner has a direct route from Sampaloc to Tabuk; or take their bus from Pasay to Tuguegarao, then take a PUJ to Tabuk. Florida Bus also has a Sampaloc to Tabuk and Cagayan route.
  • From Baguio City (approx 9 hours travel time): Dangwa Bus, Auto Bus, and GL lines have buses to Tabuk.
  • From Bontoc (approx 6 hour travel time): PUJs and buses are available to Tabuk via Kalinga Highway and Tinglayan. First trip is at 7 AM and last trip at 11AM.
• Tabuk to Balbalan
  • There are PUJs from Tabuk to Poblacion, Balbalan; their terminal is located at Block 3, Purok 5, Bulanao, Tabuk. Schedule of trips are 7am, 10am and 1pm. fare is around Php180.00

By air:

• Get to Tabuk, Kalinga by air
  • From Manila, there are Philippine Airline flights direct to Tuguegarao. From Tuguegarao, take a PUJ to Tabuk.
• Tabuk to Balbalan
  • There are PUJs from Tabuk to Poblacion, Balbalan; their terminal is located at Block 3, Purok 5, Bulanao, Tabuk. Schedule of trips are 7am, 10am and 1pm. fare is around Php180.00

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Nearby Notable Caves/Underground River

• Uguid Underground River, Maling
• Maanus Cave, Tawang
• Banig Cave, Tawang
• Magangab Cave, Tawang
• Uta Cave, Gawaan
• Dinugdugan Cave, Tawang

Non-cave places of interest:

• Banao Protected Landscape
• Balbalasang National Park
• Waterfalls: Tawang Waterfalls, Bagawat Waterfalls, Lultoan Waterfalls, Ligayan Waterfalls
• Giant Bathtub Pool of Ligayan Waterfall (Battong Allan”)
• Palit Lake
• Bolo-Nawoy rice terraces
• Giant Serpent, Gawaan

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Reminders

• Always practice leave-no-trace principle. I have to highlight to please not leave anything inside, do not vandalize, and do not take any physical memento from the cave. Whether it is under the protection of the DENR or not, treat nature with respect.
• If you plan to go there during dry season, please bring enough water to quench your thirst on the way to the cave and during the spelunking activity.
• It is highly advisable to contact your guide a day before and arrange transportation in advance if you are not commuting or using private car.
• Wear a comfortable non-slip, close-toed rubber shoes for the hike to the cave.
• Get a complete extra set of clothes to change to after you get out of the cave.
• Since there is a subterranean river inside, bring zip bags for your gadgets. Also, consider re-scheduling your activity if there had been a continuous heavy rain in the area.

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References

[1] Camargo, R. & Cordeiro, L. 2015. Expedição espeleológica internacional à região norte de Luzon, Filipinas. [online] Available at <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309286334_Expedicao_espeleologica_internacional_a_regiao_norte_de_Luzon_Filipinas_2015> [Accessed 27 August 2020].

[2] Philippine Statistics Authority-Cordillera Administrative Region. 2020. 2019 Registered Births Marriages And Deaths In Kalinga. [online] Available at: <http://rssocar.psa.gov.ph/Kalinga/releases/2019%20Registered%20Births%20Marriages%20and%20Deaths%20in%20Kalinga> [Accessed 27 July 2020].

[3] Donqui-is, J., n.d. The Kalinga – National Commission For Culture And The Arts. [online] National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Available at: <https://ncca.gov.ph/about-ncca-3/subcommissions/subcommission-on-cultural-communities-and-traditional-arts-sccta/northern-cultural-communities/the-kalinga/> [Accessed 27 July 2020].

[4] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, n.d. Karst. [online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/science/karst-geology> [Accessed 24 August 2020].

[5] Wacas, R., 2015. Into The Caves Of Balbalan. [online] Baguio Midland Courier website. Available at: <http://www.baguiomidlandcourier.com.ph/anniv15_article.asp?mode=anniv_2015/supplements/wacas.txt> [Accessed 30 August 2020].

Header Image

Kalinga Tourism, Philippines Facebook Page. 2018. Uncharted Caves of Balbalan. [Facebook album]. Available at <https://www.facebook.com/kalingatourismph/photos/a.1799290373516697/1799307866848281/?type=3> [Accessed 30 August 2020].

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Disclaimer: As much as we want to give the most accurate information for the readers, change will always occur (e.g., contact number, transportation, fees, etc.). With this, please do comment below any updates as well as corrections on the content, anything amiss, or any information that you think is crucial to the readers. Iyaman!