TheLoneRider
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Country > Philippines > Bohol > Loboc
Date > 2017 > Oct
Activity > Caving

Caving

Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc Oct 22, 2017

Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc

Location Google Map: Guimba and Sog-ong Caves, Loboc (municipality), Bohol (province), Philippines
Cave Guide: Jeffrey Huerte Jeffrey Huerte

Loboc Caves?
It was surprising for me to hear about caves in Loboc. Outside Loboc, nobody talks about Loboc Caves. But Jeffrey assured me there are quite a handful of caves. They are so obscure, most don't even have names. On the other side of the river where you land after ziplining are where the caves are.

Trek
After alighting from the zipline, a cave guide provided by Loboc's tourism office took me and Jeffrey for a hike further up the mountain and into the other side. The ardous hike was already a workout unto itself. It was hot and humid. By the time we got to the first cave, we were drenched.

Guimba 1 Cave
This is not the official name of the cave. It's in the purok of Guimba and it was the first of 2 caves in Guimba, thus Guimba 1. The mouth of the cave was huge but it was a short cave with a traverse exit on the other side. The exit opening was clearly visible by the light shining into it. Inside the cave are openings that looked promising. I'm not sure if they have already been explored. Going through the cave was a little technical going through and over some huge rocks.

Guimba 2 Cave
We came out the other side of Guimba 1 and took a short trek to Guimba 2. It had a small opening as wide as a whiskey oak barrel. But inside, it was much longer and more majestic than Guimba 1. It has a corridor passage with a flat flooring which made for an easy walk. At some point, there was a cathedral-like expanse. It was also a traverse taking us out to the other side where we continued our trek to the third and last cave.

Exploring Guimba and Sog-ong Caves of Loboc
at the opening of Guimba 1 Cave

Sog-Ong Cave
The locals are more familiar with this cave since this is where they take refuge during violent typhoons. When the mountains are whipped by punishing typhoon winds, inside Sog-Ong Cave is placid and calm. It's a shallow cave that doesn't go any deeper from its opening.

Ending Thoughts
These are all easy caves but getting there isn't - you still need a guide or be lost. Loboc's caves are hardly explored. I don't know how many more are out there, but even the known ones, I doubt if they were fully explored to reveal the extent of the promising openings within the cave itself. Given the proximity of the 2 Guimba caves, perhaps there's a possible cave connection? As of the moment, there is no formal offering by the town for cave exploration but private guides can be contacted who can show you around.

--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
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trek with a view
going through the forest
Jeffrey dwarfed by Guimba-1 Cave
at the opening of Guimba-1 Cave
traversing Guimba-1 Cave
small opening on Guimba-2 Cave
top-lit Guimba-2 Cave
through the thick brush
view of the valley
Sog-ong Cave
heading back on Jeffrey's bike
post-caving pizza at Villagio Pizza

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Loboc Map
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Loboc, Bohol, Philippines

tourist attractions in Bohol tourist attractions hotels in Bohol hotel

Bohol Travel Info/Tips

Bohol FYI / Tips

  • the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located within the Alona Beach area
  • the tourist attractions in Bohol are far apart and spread-out. It would be difficult to visit them all using public mass transit. Better hire a van (P3500/day) if in a big group, or rent a motorcycle (P400/day + gas)
  • Bohol relies on its tourism for revenue. As expected, everything they can capitalize on from tourism is extensively used and developed

Tagbilaran Port to Panglao

You can charter any tricycle from the port all the way to Panglao (~P300), but if you want to do it on the cheap,
  1. don't take the tricycles lined-up inside the port. Walk past the port gate and immediately outside, you'll see many tricycles. Take one to the bus terminal in Dao (~P15)
  2. in Dao, take the jeep that plies the Panglao route (~P20)

Tagbilaran (Bohol) to Cebu City by boat

** schedules and rates keep changing, call for latest schedule
  1. Weesam Express - departs 6:15 AM, 11:30 AM, 4:00 PM
    one way: Economy (aircon) P500.00, Economy (non-aircon) P400.00, First Class P600.00
    round trip promo (at least 2 days advance booking): Economy (aircon) P600, Economy(non-aircon) P500, First Class P1200
    round trip promo (1 day or on the day booking): Economy (aircon) P800, Economy (non-aircon) P700, First Class P1200
  2. Ocean Jet - departs 6-7:05-8:20-9:20-11:40AM, 1-2-3:30-4:20-5:30-6:30PM, 2 hours, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    Open Air / Tourist Class P800, Business Class P1000
    +63(32)255 7560 / +63 (32) 255 0115 / 0917 638 0000
  3. SuperCat (2GO) - departs 5:50-11AM, 3:45-5:25-8:15PM, arrives Pier 1 in Cebu
    P 500.00
    +63 32 233 7000

Things to do, Places to go in Bohol

  1. Chocolate Hills - this is a clustering of more than 1200 hills within a 50km2 area. They range in height from 30-50 meters. What's unusual is their near-perfect conical shape resembling an individual chocolate chip. No one knows how they were formed. Entrance is P50/pax.
  2. Tarsier Conservation Area - located Upper Bonbon, Loboc. The tarsiers are no longer being played at by tourists as circus props, but instead, visitors now view them in cordoned-off areas in their natural 6ha habitat. As they are territorial and nocturnal, they are predictable on where they can be viewed. P50/pax.
  3. Alona Beach (Panglao) - Alona Beach is the tourist hub of Bohol. It has 1.5 kms of white sand beach lined-up by bars, hotels and restos. Alona is also the jump-off point for Balicasag Island, a world class dive destination.
  4. Danao Adventure Park - located in Barangay Magtangtang, 72 kms (2 hours ride) from Tagbilaran. Adventure activities include river trekking, tyrolean traverse, rappelling, bouldering, rock climbing and ziplining.
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