Apayao | Into the Maze-like Dupag Rock Formation of Marag Valley

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 Rex Lim Lim apayao, dupag, junction luna, luna, marag, rock formation, TRANSIT PINAS, TRAVEL GUIDE, where to go

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Back in the days, Marag in Luna, Apayao was said to be an insurgent stronghold, this sowed fear to its residents that people from outside the province never even dared visit it.

But now, the country has its eyes on it, but on an entirely different perspective: thanks to the maze-like Dupag Rock Formation.

Lumipad ang Aming Team…

Table of Contents

Apayao, dubbed as Cordillera’s Last Frontier, is a landlocked province in the Cordillera region.

Unlike its neighbors that boasts of its heavenly mountain views, Apayao is marked by meandering river systems, untouched subterranean caves, sprawling farmlands and rock formations. All of which is no doubt a stand-out from the rest.

Furthermore, Apayao remains largely unknown to those outside of its folds. Moreover, people often confuse it to still be part of Kalinga, which prior to 1995, is made up of the province Kalinga-Apayao.

One might remember Mareng Jessica Soho and her team in 2018 who flew to the far-flung province of Apayao to introduce this one of a kind wonder. Even I cannot even refute that this is one for the books.

It takes around half an hour from the jump-off to reach the peak. We crossed the Marag River before entering a forested trail. In just a matter of minutes I got into the first section called the Baby Rocks, where soil and vegetation are still present.

Mother Rock

Things took an interesting turn as we got nearer the Mother Rock or the pinnacle of the rock formation. Rock walls are everywhere, some sections required careful scrambling.

I squeezed myself in between its limestone walls as I struggled going all the way up to the top.

Half an hour passed, there I stood at the top, and my shoes felt like it is about to be cut in half with the knife-like karst. My knees trembled in fear and excitement because of the view in front of me.

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Dupag Rock Formation at eye level looks just like a stone fort, but from the top it really is something else. At the top, you will be rewarded with a view of the Marag Valley cut by the snaking Manacota River.

How to Get There

Dupag Rock Formation is located in Marag Valley, Luna, Apayao.

By Land: From Sampaloc, Manila you can take the 6pm Florida Bus that travels all the the way to Junction Luna in Abulug, Cagayan (Travel time is approximately 14 to 16 hours, 681 kilometers)

By Air via Laoag City: Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific flies daily to Laoag City in Ilocos Norte. From the airport, there are tricycles and public jeepneys that can take you to the city proper where you can catch a bus or van that goes directly to Junction Luna or alternatively buses going to Tuguegarao City passes there (travel time 3 to 4 hours)
By Air via Tuguegarao City: Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific flies daily to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan. From the airport, there are tricycles and public jeepneys that can take you to the city proper where you can catch a bus or van that goes directly to Junction Luna or Laoag City

From Luna Junction, transfer to another tricycle to take you to your hotel of choice in Luna Poblacion (20 minutes travel time)
From Luna, Poblacion you can charter a habal-habal to take you to Dupag Rock Formation (20 minutes travel time)
I stayed for the night at Star Jewel Lodge and paid 300php for a dorm type room.
- Star Jewel Lodge – Kabugao-Pudtol-Luna-Cagayan Boundary Road, Luna, Apayao
  - Contact Number: 0921-560-3331

Apayao Ipasindayaw 2017 Travel Series

Join Transit Pinas as he visits Cordillera’s Last Frontier, the province of Apayao. This is a three part series which aims to shine a light on this far side of Luzon and to spread the human impact and uplift the livelihood of communities through ecotourism. Apayao, ipasindayaw!