Climbing Tigayon Hill of Kalibo

Location: Tigayon Hill, Tigayon (barangay), Kalibo (municipality), Aklan (province), Philippines
Hours - 6:00am to 8:00pm
Admission Fee - free

Viewpoint?
3 kilometers away from the Kalibo town center is the only hill in Kalibo, Tigayon Hill. It is a limestone outcropping by the river.There is supposed to be a viewpoint at the top to see the river but it has too many trees obscuring the scenery - there's hardly anything to see. I was told that they will be constructing an observation tower for a better view.

Caves
There are 2 caves. One can be seen from above through an opening near the top of the hill. I tried looking for a ground entrance but couldn't find one. It seems the only way in is to rappel down, making it inaccessible to the public. The 2nd cave is at street level with a huge opening. It's shallow which make it ideal for shelter, but not for exploration. Rebels against the Spanish and Japanese rule took refuge in these caves.

Pilgrimage
Folklore has it that the hill used to be enchanted but the fairies and elementals have since left with the influx of people. With a grotto of the Virgin Mary on the summit, it now serves as a spiritual pilgrimage site during Holy Week by the devotees with stations of the cross winding up to the top.

Archeological Artifacts
There were 2 archeological diggings (2004 and 2014) done on the caves which yielded artifacts dating back to pre-Spanish times - human bones, Chinese vases, ceramic pots, beads, etc. They are all displayed at the museum just by the base of the hill.

Ending Thoughts
Tigayon Hill is just a small mound but offers a lot of things - spiritual solace to the seekers, archeological finds for the history buff, and hopefully, a panoramic scenery of the river when the observation tower is finished.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit | Learn English | Travel like a Nomad | Donation Bank

Tigayon Hill Cost Index

Tigayon Hill FYI / Tips

• the mossy steps are very slippery...take caution and hold the handrail if there is one

How to Get to Tigayon Hill from town center or Plaza

• instead of chartering a tricycle, cheaper way is to take a tricycle to the Tigayon terminal, P10/pax, then take a Tigayon passenger tricycle together with other locals all the way to the Hill P10, 15 mins

Next Traveling story:


Visiting the Finds Museum in Kalibo
(Dec 21, 2016) Finds Museum is one man's extensive collection ranging from Chinese graphic and vases, matches, religious sculpture, die-cast metal cars, etc. They were acquired in the last 25 years as the collector scoured the world on his global travels.....more »»

Kalibo, Philippines

essentials

• Kalibo International Airport - the gateway to Boracay via Kalibo
• Gaisano Capital Kalibo - the go-to mall in Kalibo
• City Mall - latest mall offering

tourist attractions

• Bakhawan Ecopark - mangrove forest on the outskirt of Kalibo with a 1.3-kilometer bamboo trail | 11°43'12.1"N 122°23'27.9"E
• Museo It Akean - history, culture and tradition of Aklan
• Tigayon Hill in Kalibo - 2 caves, rock formations on a hill with a view of the river, free admission | 11°40'32.9"N 122°20'29.4"E
• Finds Museum Kalibo - rare collection of Asian fine arts, stamps, antiques, gems | 11°41'56.0"N 122°22'03.4"E

hotel

• Marzon Hotel - near airport, swimming pool, latte restaurant
  Jaime Cardinal Sin Ave., Andagao, Kalibo, Aklan
  +63.36.268.2188 | +63.36.268.2184 | +63 917.321.0011 | +63 939.925.9008
  °11°41'46.7"N 122°22'23.5"E | reservation@marzonhotelkalibo.com

Kalibo FYI / Tips

• the center of town is at the Plaza where you have the Pastrana Park and Cathedral
• no movie house in Kalibo
• no inter-town jeeps or bus...just tricycles

How to Get to Kalibo

• from Boracay - usually, it's the other way around. People go to Boracay via Kalibo airport because air fare is cheaper in Kalibo rather than Caticlan. But from Boracay, take any Ceres bus heading south for Iloilo via Kalibo (not Pandan) and you get off the main terminal in Kalibo.
• from Iloilo - any Iloilo bus heading for Boracay will pass by Kalibo

Local Aklanon Food to Try

• tamilok - grubs taken from decaying wood - looks like worms, best with vinegar, eaten raw
• binakoe - native chicken in thick sauce inside a bamboo
• Inubarang manok - chicken simmered in coconut
• Linapay or Tinamuk - river shrimp cooked in coconut milk

Kalibo Cost Index

Kalibo is still inexpensive and the dollar goes a long way specially with food. Lodging though, compared to Cambodia or Thailand is expensive.

• PHP 30-120 platter of oysters in a bar
• PHP 8 minimum tricycle tariff
• PHP 80 coffee in a trendy cafe

Kalibo Blogs by TheLoneRider

• Visiting the Finds Museum in Kalibo Dec 21, 2016
• Climbing Tigayon Hill of Kalibo Dec 21, 2016
• Visiting the Bakhawan Eco-Park of Kalibo Dec 18, 2016
• Defaulting to Kalibo, Aklan Dec 17, 2016

Suggested itinerary on the WEST coast of Panay Island from Boracay going south

1. Boracay - most popular beach in the Philippines
2. Malay - Nabaoy River, Pangihan Cave, Nagata Falls, Agnaga Falls, Naasug Point, Malay Ecological Park, Motag Living Museum
3. Nabas - wind tubines, Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs
4. Pandan - Malumpati Spring
5. Libertad - Maanghit Cave, Ati Cave and Bungan-Bungan Spring
6. Sebaste - Igpasungaw Waterfall
7. Culasi - Malalison Island
8. Tibiao - hot kawa-bath, white water river rafting, Bugtong Bato Waterfall, rice terraces, Tibiao Bakery, pottery, fish spa
9. Anini-y - Nogas Island, scuba diving

Suggested itinerary on the EAST coast of Panay Island from Boracay going south

1. Boracay - most popular beach in the Philippines
2. Malay - Nabaoy River, Pangihan Cave, Nagata Falls, Agnaga Falls, Naasug Point, Malay Ecological Park, Motag Living Museum
3. Nabas - wind tubines, Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs
4. Kalibo - Bakhawan Eco-Park, Tigayon Hill
5. Tambak - oysters
6. Capiz - Roxas City
7. Carles | Estancia - Gigantes Island Boat Tour, Lighthouse of Gigantes Island and Bakwitan Cave of Gigantes Island
8. Iloilo - Batchoy Indulgence

»» next Traveling story: Visiting the Finds Museum in Kalibo
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