The quiet province of Apayao is one of the untouched and stunning natural landscapes you’ll see in the Philippines. From its caves, underground rivers, and rock formations, you’ll be able to truly exclaim, “Ang ganda ng Pilipinas!”.
If you want to discover amazing natural wonders, you have to see the following Apayao Tourist Spots: Lussok Cave, Dupag Rock Formation, and Manacota Underground River.
About Apayao
Located in northern Luzon, Apayao is one of the six provinces comprising the Cordillera Region. It is a landlocked province surrounded by Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Abra, and Kalinga. Apayao is used to be part of the Kalinga province but they were separated in 1995.
With a rich biological diversity, Apayao has been designated as the Philippines’ fourth UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
How to Get to Apayao
Manila to Apayao
Land travel from Manila to Apayao is around 13 hours. Depending on which Apayao tourist spots you are exploring, here are available land travels from Manila:
• Manila to Junction Luna
– Florida Bus
• Manila to Flora via Tuguegarao City
– Florida Bus
– Ballesteros Bus
Manila to Laoag City or Tuguegarao City
You can also choose to have a one-hour flight to Laoag City or Tuguegarao City via Philippine Airlines or Cebu Pacific. Both airports have vans bound for Luna, Apayao.
Land travel from Tuguegarao City to Apayao is around 2.5 hours. Here are the available land travels from Tuguegarao City:
• Tuguegarao City to Kabugao
– Florida Bus
– KATODA Van
• Tuguegarao City to Flora
– FTODA Van
• Tuguegarao City to Conner
– COTODA Van
• Tuguegarao City to Pudtol
– PUTODA Van
How to Get Around Apayao
Know that public transportation in Apayao is limited. You can opt to join a tour from trusted travel agencies like what we did (availed from Bernation Travel Services) so you don’t have to think of your transportation.
If not availing a tour package, you can hire a tricycle or motorcycle so you can explore the beautiful Apayao tourist spots.
Where to Stay in Apayao
Our exploration of Apayao tourist spots is part of our Northern Luzon Loop trip and we travelled from Sta. Ana, Cagayan to Luna, Apayao.
We stayed at Casa Lacuesta which is just across Apayao Provincial Capitol. This place gives a homey vibe from their reception and dining areas to their clean rooms.
We also opted to avail of their breakfast which was convenient since our jampacked Apayao tour starts quite early. They also sell a variety of local products and souvenir items.
Casa Lacuesta
Address: San Isidro Sur, Luna, Philippines
Contact No.: 0956-6488138
Apayao Provincial Capitol
From Sta. Ana Cagayan, we travelled to Luna, Apayao for around 3 hours. Luna is one of the 7 municipalities of Apayao. Arriving in the afternoon, we quickly dropped by the Apayao Provincial Capitol after which we settled in our accommodations at Casa Lacuesta.
We called it a day after our tiring land travel from Cagayan and to also prepare for our tour the next day.
Apayao Sports Complex
We started our day early at Apayao Sports Complex where you can find the I Love Apayao signage.
We quickly moved to the first Apayao tourist spot on our list – the alluring Lussok Cave.
Top 3 Apayao Tourist Spots
Lussok Cave
When you hear about Apayao tourist spots, you will almost always hear about Lussok Cave, too. In the Ilocano dialect, lussok means hole. And the cave was named as such because of the holes that you can find above the cave.
Lussok Cave features an underground river with emerald green waters. You can explore the cave through a 200-meter boat ride.
To start, we registered first and our tour provider paid for the corresponding fees. We were then asked to wear a life vest. Our local tour guide led the way to our boat ride which was just a very short walk.
Even before I hopped into the boat, I was amazed by how peaceful and calming the vibe of the place was – the stillness of the river surrounded by a lush forest.
As we started our boat ride, the emerald green waters we are passing through was so satisfying to look at while our tour guide gives us an introduction about Lussok Cave.
The part of the river before the cave entrance used to be a swimming area but since they put fingerlings, they had prohibited swimming in the area. A few minutes into the boat tide, we saw the entrance of Lussok Cave. We were just all in awe of its beauty!
Lussok Cave features limestone chambers containing mesmerizing karst formations including stalactites and stalagmites. To make the boat ride fun, our tour guide would highlight some interesting rock formations and would associate its shape to some object – you just need your imagination activated. You can also see and hear a lot of bats inside the cave.
After the tour inside the cave, we were given the opportunity to take souvenir photos at the entrance of the cave. If you go early in the morning, the lighting in the cave peeking through inside is really mesmerizing. It’s the best time to go to Lussok Cave, also to avoid the crowd.
If you have limited time to explore several Apayao tourist spots, you should definitely visit Lussok Cave. Its untouched beauty and the surrounding nature would really mesmerize you.
Lussok Cave no doubt made me exclaim, “Ang ganda ng Pilipinas!”. I hope it will be preserved as it is today. What a natural gem we have in Lussok Cave!
Dupag Rock Formation
Next Apayao tourist spot on the list – Dupag Rock Formation.
After Lussok Cave, we had lunch and then headed to Dupag Rock Formation. Located in Marag Valley, Luna, Apayao, Dupag Rock Formation is a cluster of jagged limestone boulders that measures around 7-8 feet tall.
We first passed by Barangay Marag tourism center (at the basketball court) where we got our local guides. Our tour provider handled the registration and payment of environmental fees for both Dupag Rock Formation and Manacota Underground River.
Our assigned guides led the way to the jump-off site. Once we reached the starting point, we put on our helmets and started traversing some green fields. We also crossed a shallow river.
Depending on your pacing, the entire trek to finally reach the rock formation can take around 30 minutes or more. After we reached the Dupag Rock signage, we soon started navigating narrow gaps in between the tall limestone rocks.
It is important to be prepared when Apayao tourist spots like Dupag Rock Formation. Wearing protective gears like helmet and appropriate clothing like leggings are highly recommended to avoid accidents or getting hurt. A sturdy footwear with a good grip also helps a lot because it’s really challenging to climb the rock formations with very sharp edges. Do not bring bulky backpacks as well because some gaps that you have to go through are really narrow.
Don’t worry because the guides were really helpful, for challenging areas, they will teach you how to safely pass through.
The peak or the highlight of the climb is what they call the “father rock” and also probably the most challenging to get yourself into, lol. At first I thought it was impossible for me to get to the top of this father rock but our amazing guide helped me made it through. But the struggle was more than real!
When I finally reached the top of the father rock, our guide told me, “Dyan ka lng hah, kumapit ka ng mabuti kasi bangin na yan sa gilid mo. Kukunan kita ng picture.” And I was like, “Kuya, iiwan mo talag ako dito?” HAHAHAHAHA
Before I knew it, he was quickly at the top of another limestone rock telling me, “Ok, pose ka na 😊”.
While smiling at the camera, I was tightly holding for my dear life, loool. But indeed the view up there was really stunning – the rock formations surrounded by green fields.
The brief moment I was at the top of the father rock was both nerve-racking and exhilarating. I was also a bit proud that I made it there as I’m not a seasoned hiker like some of the amazing people I know. It was definitely an accomplishment for me 😊
If it was challenging to climb the top of the father rock, of course it was also tough to get down, lol. That’s all I’m gonna say, HAHAHA. After passing through the father rock, we rested for a bit and continued our way down.
Overall, we had a fun time climbing Dupag Rock Formation. Personally, this has become one of my favorite Apayao tourist spot and also one of my most memorable travel experiences.
Manacota Underground River
After Dupag Rock Formation, we immediately headed to the last Apayao tourist spot we’ll explore – Manacota Underground River. Manacota Underground River is also located in Marag Valley in the municipality of Luna.
Our van also had a little adventure going to Manacota Underground River as we need to traverse some fields and streams of water. Soon we arrived at the jump-off point and since it will start to get dark soon, we started trekking to reach the cave entrance.
The trek is approximately 1.5km and depending on your pacing, it can take you around 30 minutes. The path is relatively easy but you have to cross Manacota river 6 times. The deepest that we crossed was knee-deep water.
When we finally reached our boat ride, we immediately hopped in! Like Lussok Cave, Manacota Underground River is that Apayao tourist spot with an enchanting vibe. The rich nature surrounding the cave was amazing to see!
Even the cave opening was captivating. Our small boat went through narrow passageways while our guides highlight rock and mineral formations inside the cave. The deepest part of the underground river goes up to 12 meters deep. The boat ride just takes around 15 minutes.
The end of the cave also has a huge opening and from here, we got off of the boat and walked for a bit. The river continues to such a nice swimming area with shallow waters. And I can’t help but to say over and over again how fascinating the surrounding nature is.
What a day to have this stunning piece of nature to ourselves!
As we headed back to our accommodations, I was more than amazed by what we discovered in Apayao. That one day of exploration was one for the books! I even told my friends, “Yung pagod ko ngayon parang pang 3 days na pagod pero ang saya!”
I hope the untouched natural beauty of Apayao tourist spots will be preserved for generations to come. What a beautiful paradise it is for all the nature lovers.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Travel from Manila to Luna, Apayao + check-in
Morning
• Fly to Tuguegarao City
• Land travel from Tuguegarao City to Luna, Apayao (around 2.5 hours travel time)
Afternoon
• Apayao Provincial Capitol
• Apayao Sports Complex (I love Apayao Signage)
• Check-in and rest
Day 2: Explore Apayao tourist spots
Morning
• Breakfast, early check-out
• Dupag Rock Formation
• Manacota Underground River
• Lunch
Afternoon
• Lussok Cave
• Dinner
• Back to Accommodations
Day 3: Check-out and travel back to Manila
Morning
• Early checkout
• Travel back to Tuguegarao City (around 2.5 hours travel time)
Afternoon
• Fly back to Manila
Other Apayao Tourist Spots You Can Explore
Calanasan
• Mt. Kilang – Brgy. Butao, Calanasan
• Mt. Sicapoo – Brgy. Butao, Calanasan
• Carmella Falls – Brgy. Eva, Calanasan
Kabugao
• Gololan Falls – Brgy. Kabugao
Pudtol
• Hutungan Hidden Paradise – Brgy. Mataguisi, Pudtol
• Mataguisi Church Ruins – Brgy. Mataguisi, Pudtol
Conner
• Ban-aw Danum Anito Falls – Brgy. Guinamgamman, Conner
• EKB Eco Tourism Park – Brgy. Cupis, Conner
• Purag Lagoon and Waterfalls – Brgy. Ili, Conner
Luna
• Bayugao Falls – Brgy. Turod, Luna
Sta. Marcela
• Bacut Lake – Brgy. Marcela, Sta. Marcela
• Tacang Lake – Brgy. Marcela, Sta. Marcela
Flora
• Lagac, Pinsal – Brgy. Sta. Maria, Flora
• Dacad River Cruising – Brgy. Atok, Flora
