Into the Depths: My Lussok Cave Hard Tour Experience

From Casa Lacuesta in Luna, I hopped on a habal-habal bound for Lussok Cave , excited for another Apayao adventur...

From Casa Lacuesta in Luna, I hopped on a habal-habal bound for Lussok Cave, excited for another Apayao adventure. Despite the drizzle, the ride was scenic—vast fields of green stretched across the landscape, adding to the peaceful, almost cinematic journey.

I was lucky to catch Lussok Cave Park open since it had been temporarily closed for repairs. A huge tree had fallen on the reception area, heavily damaging the building. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the tours had resumed.

Visiting Lussok Cave

Tour Options & Fees

At Lussok Cave, visitors can choose from three tour options:

• Boat Ride (₱200/head) – A scenic underground river ride.
• Moderate Tour (₱250/head) – Boat ride + guided exploration of some cave chambers.
• Hard Tour (₱300/head) – Boat ride + deeper chamber exploration, narrow crevice crawling, and a jungle trek.

Other Fees:

• Entrance Fee – ₱50
• Open Table – ₱50
• Cottage – ₱200

Our boat for exploring Lussok Cave

Posterity shot before entering the cave.

Into the Emerald Waters of Lussok Cave

Even with the rainy weather, the cave’s emerald-green waters remained strikingly clear. Lussok Cave was officially opened for tourism in 2014, but Edmar, my guide, shared that back when they were kids, they used to play and swim freely in the area. Swimming is now prohibited since the water is used for fish cultivation.

Our journey began with a boat ride through the cave’s entrance, which, interestingly, is where Lussok got its name—it means “to enter” or “to go through” in the local dialect. Inside, Edmar pointed out unique rock formations, skillfully mixing storytelling with humor to keep the tour lively. The crystalline formations were stunning, but touching them was a big no-no to preserve their natural beauty.

Exploring the depths of the cave.

Photo of the cave mouth before exploring the cave chambers

Exploring Cave Chambers and Crawling Through Crevices

Taking the Hard Tour meant pushing my limits. The cave chambers were mostly dry during my visit, but some featured beautiful terraced formations, adding to the cave’s otherworldly appeal. Then came the real challenge—crawling through tight, muddy crevices. Good thing I’m a yoga teacher, so my flexibility helped me navigate the narrow passages with ease. Some sections even required rappelling, which added an extra adrenaline rush to the adventure. Along the way, we passed through massive chambers where dramatic skylights pierced through the darkness, creating stunning natural spotlights—perfect for some creative photography.

Lussok Cave got some impressive rock formations

A Forest Trail and a Unique Hanging Bridge

Emerging from the cave, we found ourselves on a forest trail, adding another layer to the experience. Along the way, we crossed a red hanging bridge, which, as Edmar explained, was made from recycled plastic—a more durable and sustainable alternative to wood. Soon, we arrived back at the starting point, completing the loop.

I rinsed off the mud and grime in the river, grinning from ear to ear. The entire adventure took about an hour, but it was a thrilling, immersive experience that felt longer—in the best way possible.

A big shoutout to Edmar, who was not just a great guide but also an excellent photographer. Many of the best shots from this trip were thanks to him!

Impressive sky light

Essential Information

• 📍 Lussok Cave
• 🕗 Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8 AM – 4 PM
• 📞 Provincial Tourism Office: 0927-241-7343
• 📞 Lussok Cave Office: 0997-361-2834

The hanging bridge

My ever reliable guide and photographer, Edmar Baga.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely. Lussok Cave isn’t just a tourist spot—it’s an adventure that lets you experience Apayao’s rugged beauty firsthand. If you’re up for a challenge and want to see this UNESCO Biosphere province from a new perspective, this is an experience you shouldn’t miss.

Cottages and open tables for rent.