Inside Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave

Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave is a natural tunnel-like structure situated in Camalig, Albay. It has been said that these caves were the primitive habitats of the natives in the area. It has been discovered during the Japanese occupation and has been one of the most popular attractions in Albay. The name Hoyop-Hoyopan was derived from the local word “Hoyop” which means to blow.

The cave could be reached by any type of motor vehicles. From our accommodation in Legazpi Tourist Inn, we rode a jeepney bound to Camalig. The fare costs about PHP 20.00 with more or less an hour travel time. We alighted at the Camalig Market and from there we hailed a tricycle to take us on a special trip to the Hoyop-Hoyopan Cave in Cotmon, Camalig. Since there were no regular public vehicles coming from the cave we asked the tricycle driver to wait for us. The special back and forth trip costs more or less PHP 300.00 with 30 minutes travel time per way.

Entrance fee and guide fee should be paid when you wish to get inside the cave. Prepare more or less PHP 100.00 per person for those fee.

The earlier batch who visited the cave had left the area already thus during our time we had solely explored the cave.

Hoyop-hoyopan cave is a multi-level cavern. It’ll take 8 hours to explore the entirety of the cave but only its two or three levels are open for tourists. But don’t be taken aback, this cave isn’t that hard to explore compared to the cave connection in Sagada.

I always get confused between stalagmites and stalactites. Stalagmites is the corresponding formation on the floor of the cave while stalactites is the corresponding formation on the ceiling of a cave.

Shining shimmering crystals could also be seen in some areas in the cave.

There are lights inside the cave as well as paved path. The way is kind of slippery due to water drippings so one must be cautious enough with his / her steps.

Our guide pointed us some corals which was unbelievably apparent in the cave.

We then went up to the next level and explored more of the cave.

A big chamber greeted us as we entered the upper level.

There’s a hall inside which was used to be a dance hall.

Not only crystals, corals and mineral deposits could be seen inside the Hoyop-Hoyopan cave. Our guide showed us few of the strange images and resemblance inside the cave.

Our guide was so learned on discussing as much details about the cave as well as on answering all our queries. In fact we asked him if there’s some weird or out-of-this-world elements residing inside the cave. There’s a hearsay that there’s once who looks after the cave, a spirit or something. Anyway, I already forgot the details but he showed us something at the end of our activity.

We went back to the entrance and he asked us to take a picture of this specific cave formation without flash. We followed curiously and took a picture of it and we felt terrified on what we saw from the image.

Spot it from this image.

It’s inexplicable how this image has been formed but there’s a mere talk that this is the one who looks after the cave.

Today, the cave is now owned privately by a family. The entrance fee goes to the maintenance of this cave. Anyone who visits this place should be responsible enough to strictly follow the rules.

The memories on my first visit here might have been somehow relieved. It may be forgotten in some point but it was eventually replaced by new and exciting one. As what I’ve told before when I just had my first cave connection experience in Sagada way back 2009, this is the culprit why I wasn’t prepared for that hardcore spelunking. Never thought that my first experience of spelunking will be subsequently followed by variable adventures.