Nagasa Cave in Bakun: A Culturally Well-Preserved Cave
Bakun, Benguet is home to scenic natural wonders and is now positioning itself in the local tourism industry. Panoramic mountains, rivers, towering waterfalls, and several dizzying foot bridges are not the only things Bakun has to offer. It also boasts Nagasa Cave: a culturally well-preserved cave.
Contents
Location of Nagasa Cave
Bakun, Benguet, Philippines
DENR Cave Classification
Not yet assessed or result not yet published.
How to get to Nagasa Cave
The best way to get to Bakun and experience the rush of its waterfalls is through Baguio City. From Baguio City, take a jeepney going to La Trinidad, Benguet and drop at the Caltex Gasoline Station at Km. 5. Take note that this is across Mercury Drugstore and NOT the one in Puguis junction or in front of Benguet State University. There is only one daily bus trip stationed there and starts moving between 6:00AM to 6:30AM. Be there at 6:00AM so that you will not miss it.
There are two trekking options en route to the cave. The first option is a shorter distance requiring only one to one and a half hour trek passing thru barangay Dada all the way to Mount Lubo going down to where the cave is nestled. The second route takes a longer time about three hours passing thru Poblacion Proper to Nagasa cave (Aro, 2014).
Contact Persons
- Mr. Arthur Tolito (Municipal Tourism Officer): +63 921 211 3687
- Ms. Nenita Budas (BTC President): +63 918 352 3722
- Ms. Mylene Toanen (Tour Guide Coordinator for Mt. Lobo and Nagasa Cave): +63 912 808 3649
Nagasa Cave
Aside from the picturesque mountains and waterfalls of Bakun, spelunking in Nagasa Cave is now open for tourism.
Believed to have been a refuge of soldiers during the Second World War, Nagasa Cave had been rediscovered in 1980s by a local hunter (Aro, 2014). It was discovered long time ago but nobody tend to enter due to a cultural belief that evil spirits (locally called Temengao and Anitos) dwell mostly in caves (Balandi Jr., 2017).
The locals believed that whoever enters the cave will acquire an illness that even the new technology of medicine can’t cure (Balandi Jr., 2017). This belief is most probably the biggest factor why the rock formations inside are intact and preserved.
Going to nagasa Cave requires you to pass through areas where there are leeches (limatik). These blood-sucking creatures are commonly seen in the Cordilleras especially in the colder areas. Fortunately, this can be easily remedied by wearing long pants and socks. Taking salt with you to rub on the leech that stuck on you will also do the trick.
Inside the cave is a haven for bats and swallows, especially during rainy season. There are also multitude of undisturbed rock formations of different sizes and colors.
Below are images posted by a local tourist (Balingan, 2014) who have spent some time inside the cave.
Nagasa Cave Bakun Benguet Philippines pic.twitter.com/9OS3SePrt4
— lhyn lyn (@jackybalingan) December 16, 2014
Below is a close up of one of the stalactites inside the cave as posted by a local in his Facebook account (Diclas, 2014).
More images inside the cave can be gleaned in this video posted on YouTube by another local tourist (Balandi Jr., 2017).
Other Notable Spots In and Near Bakun
- Bakun Trio (Mt. Tenglawan, Mt. Kabunian, Mt. Lobo), Mt. Gedgedayan
- Duligen rock
- Waterfalls (Pattan, Mangta, Tekip, Pikaw, Tres Marias, Sakup)
Where to Stay in Bakun
- Option 1. Old Municipal Hall at Php80.00 per night per person. Pro: cheap. Cons: bring your own sleeping gears; food** not included.
- Option 2. Sagunday Transient at Php200.00 per night per person. Pros: you get to sleep in a bed with foam, beddings, CR, and with kitchen and cooking utensils (yes, you can cook and stores are a stone’s throw away. Con: food** not included.
** You can arrange with the barangay officials to cook for you at around Php200.00.
Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.
Expenses (food not included)
- Baguio City to Km. 5, La Trinidad: Php10.00
- Bus fare from La Trinidad to Bakun: Php180.00
- Accommodation: Php80.00-200.00
- Environmental fee: Php100.00
- Guide fee (Per guide per group [max of 6 pax per group]. In excess of 6 members, additional heads will pay Php75.00 each. However, if the total participants are beyond 8, it is mandatory to have two guides. Further, in excess of the maximum hours, the guide will be paid additional Php50.00 per hour): Php600.00 (8 hours)
Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.
Reminders
- Be early taking jeep from Baguio City to La Trinidad as traffic might get heavy.
- Get in touch with the contact persons listed above to verify any changes in transportation schedules, fees, temporary closure of sites, etc. This will also give them ample time to prepare for your accommodation.
- Be courteous to the locals, tourism and local guidelines, the culture, and of the place itself.
- 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.
- Wear appropriate and comfortable non-slip, close-toed rubber shoes for the hike. If possible, wear pants that covers every inch of your skin as well as put on socks if you want to protect yourself from getting bitten by a limatik (leech).
References
Aro, S. (2014 Oct 15). Bakun, Benguet launches Nagasa cave. Retrieved on 03 August 2019 from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/372348.
Balingan, J. (2014). Nagasa Cave Bakun Benguet Philippines. Retrieved on 03 August 2019 from https://twitter.com/jackybalingan/status/544805085276934145/photo/1.
Balandi Jr., G. (2017 Dec 25). Nagasa Underground Cave/ Bakun, Benguet. Retrieved on 03 August 2019 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtSXSlIVMTo.
Diclas, P. A. (2014). Formal Opening of Nagasa underground cave. Retrieved on 03 August 2019 from https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=542304182572058&set=a.542571545878655&type=3&theater.
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!
