Cagayan Valley Crocodile Farm & Callao Cave

This full-day nature tour from Tuguegarao pairs the Cagayan Valley's most iconic cave with an up-close look at the region's wildlife conservation efforts. The centerpiece is Callao Cave in Penablanca, about 30 minutes from the city, where seven chambers are lit by shafts of natural sunlight pouring through openings in the ceiling. The famous first chamber holds a chapel with pews and an altar, dramatically illuminated by a skylight, while later chambers reveal formations locals have named the Praying Angel, the Elephant's Head, and the Lion's Head.

The Cagayan Valley sits at the frontier of Philippine crocodile conservation, home to efforts protecting the critically endangered, freshwater Crocodylus mindorensis. A visit to a crocodile facility offers the chance to see these rare native reptiles, learn how they are bred and protected, and understand why the valley is so important to their survival.

Rounding out the day, a banca ride on the Pinacanauan River below Callao Cave is best near dusk, when thousands of bats stream out of the riverside caves in a swirling spectacle. Together the cave, the crocodiles, and the river make for a rich introduction to the wild side of Cagayan.