Ambongdolan Caves (Paterno & Bengaongao): Spelunking wonders of Tublay

The Ambongdolan caves (Paterno and Bengaongao Caves), situated in a roughly 18,000-populated municipality of Tublay, is slowly attracting visitors because of what it offers and of its proximity to Baguio City.

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Location

• Barangay Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet, Philippines

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How to get to Ambongdolan Caves

• Get to Baguio City or La Trinidad, Benguet:
  • From outside Cordillera: Commute going to Baguio City thru a bus, though vans and jeepneys are also available among nearby municipalities. Fare depends on your origin. There are a lot of buses going up to Baguio City such a Victory Liner, Partas, Genesis, Joybus, minibuses from Region 1, etc.
  • Private vehicles: Directions can be easily accessed thru web mapping services and apps such as Google Map, Waze, etc.
• From Baguio City, the following are your options:
  • Garage near La Trinidad Capitol. Hire a car at a garage near La Trinidad Capitol in Km. 6. As of writing we paid for Php900* for one way (La Trinidad to Ambongdolan). If you will opt for the driver to fetch you back, aside from the Php900* (Ambongdolan to La Trinidad), an additional Php50 per head will be added.
  • Garage near Halsema Highway toll gate . Take a jeepney bound for Acop, Shilan and drop at the entrance of Halsema Highway toll gate. Hire a car at a garage near the toll gate. I have no idea for the fare thru this route. However, it might be lesser than that of the garage near the capitol.
  • Arrange with the Tublay Tourism Office. Call the Tublay Tourism Office or Tublay Municipal Office if they could arrange your transportation (The Cordillera Sun, 2016). This true especially if you have a big number.
  • Private vehicle. Drive along the Halsema Highway until you reach the toll gate, then follow the Kapangan Road. There is a left turn just before the toll gate. You will be prompted with a signage at the Kapangan-Ambongdolan junction.

Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.

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Registration/Drop-off Point

• Ambongdolan Barangay Hall. In here, you need to register and pay the registration fee. As of writing, the fee amounts to Php225/head and this covers registration as well as guide fee. Accordingly to our guide, there is a 1:3 ratio of guide to spelunkers.
• Further, just like any other established caving destinations, you will undergo briefing about the spelunking safety musts. Please be mindful of these rules as they were created to protect you as well as the caves.
• After the briefing, you need to change into your spelunking gear if not yet done. You will also be given a head lamp. No hard hat is being issued but you can bring one if you want for your own safety.
• From the Barangay Hall, you will need to take about 5-minute ride to the jump-off point. Your starting point depends on what you have decided and agreed upon with the tour guide.

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Order of Caves

• Paterno Cave to Bengaongao Cave to River near Bengaongao cave
  • Going to the river is optional, however, this is commonly suggested by the guides. Our group decided to go there to eat our lunch and for a quick dip in a small natural pool before heading back home. Take note, however, that this is not the famed ‘white rocks of Tublay.’
• Bengaongao Cave to River near Bengaongao cave to Paterno Cave
  • Going to the river is optional as discussed above.

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Contact Person/Group

• Tublay Tourism Office: +63950-862-1847

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Fees/Rental/Facilities

• Registration Fee (individual fee for a group of 3) [Inclusive of environmental fee, guide fee, and head lamp for the two caves]: 
  • Php225 per person
• Hard hat, knee & elbow pads rental: None.
• Shower facility: Not highly needed. A changing facility is available near the entrance/exit of Bengaongao Cave.

Any fees, scheduled trips, routes, or facilities mentioned here are subject to change according to existing and current government, private, or association rules.

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Cave Characteristics

• Mineral deposit formations: Abundant.
• Underground river: Yes but only during rainy season.
• Bat population: Few.
• Multichamber: Yes.
• Human artefacts: None discovered yet.
• Cave floor fill (aside from stone formations): It is commonly stone. Other than that, there are soil, mud, and pebbles.
• DENR Cave Classification: Not yet assessed or result not yet published.

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Description

The Ambongdolan caves (Paterno and Bengaongao Caves), situated in a roughly 18,000-populated municipality of Tublay, is slowly attracting visitors because of what it offers and of its proximity to Baguio City.

There are around 8 caves (or even more) in Tublay but Paterno and Bengaongao are the only caves open for tourism. These tandem of a cave is located 13 kilometers north of Baguio City and can be traversed by car at more or less 40 minutes, same as Aran Cave in Tuba. Unlike Sagada caves and Capisaan Cave (Nueva Vizcaya), going to these caves is possible in a day, or even half, especially to people who do not have the luxury to travel 6 hours away from Baguio City. There are options on how to get there, however, the fare is pricey if you are travelling solo or as a couple.

Each cave have their own story as well as physical attributes. Both Paterno and Bengaongao caves boasts approximately 300 meters long or maybe even longer, according to our guide. Paterno cave has a narrow entrance like that of Sibud-Sibud Cave in Tineg, Abra and Libtec Crystal Cave in Dolores, Abra (even more narrow) unlike Bengaongao cave which opens with a cavern.

Paterno Cave enchants spelunkers with its rich history as well as rock formations. The adventure commences with about 2-meter long small entrance wherein you need to crawl. This will lead you to a steel stair and to a sloping cavern that opens toward the path going to the main part of the cave system. Your entrance would also be your exit, though there are other nooks and crannies going deep down or out of the cave. Interestingly, the guide explained that the cave was named after Pedro Paterno who sought refuge in the Highlands during the Philippine-American war in the 1900s until finally being captured in Antamok. Aside from its rich history, Paterno cave entices visitors with rock formations which glitter under the lamp and with different shapes like that of a banana blossom, female genitalia, and others.

Bengaongao Cave may not be appended with a historical figure but its allure depends heavily on the rock formations inside. Bengaongao means echo in the native language in Tublay. As to when the locals started calling the cave Bengaogao is already lost with the passing of decades. More important than its name, the rock formations tantalizes its visitors along the length of the cave. The images below will give justice to this description.

Once outside the cave, you may opt to go to the river below the cave. This will only take about 5-minute walk along the river until you reach a small pool where you can swim.

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Gallery

You will see a lot of different formation sizes, shapes and colors. Each wall or formation has its own personality. Like in Capisaan Cave, the stone formations in Paterno and Bengaongao Caves are well-preserved.

PATERNO CAVE IMAGES

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BENGAONGAO CAVE IMAGES

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RIVER NEAR BENGAONGAO CAVE

Lastly, with the allure of the Ambongdolan caves (Paterno and Bengaongao Caves) due to its proximity to Baguio City, more and more spelunkers are going to this site. Also, it is highly recommended to try other notable tourist destinations within the municipality. This include the Bayokbok Falls, the century-old balete tree, and the white rocks of Tublay.

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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. Always treat nature with respect.
• Bring enough water to quench your thirst.
• It is highly advisable to check if the road is closed or if the cave is temporarily closed.
• Wear a comfortable non-slip rubber foot wear.

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Reference

The Cordillera Sun. (19 May 2016). Exploring the Paterno And Bengaongao Caves in Ambongdolan, Tublay, Benguet. Retrieved from http://www.cordilleransun.com/2016/05/exploring-paterno-and-bengaongao-caves.html

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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!