Sohoton National Park – A Huge Protected Forest

Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part of planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into unfamiliar places, people and culture are paramount. Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby. It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines!

SOHOTON NATIONAL PARK

Photo from: http://samar.lgu-ph.com/tourism.htm

The Sohoton National Park is a protected area about 841 hectares. It’s huge and deep into its forest are cave connections that are yet to be discovered. Richard, our guide, told us they were able to explore more than 30 caves so far and more to follow. That was just for Sohoton, and you have to realize that Sohoton is just a tiny part of the vast rain forest of Samar. So it is true, there are still a lot to uncover in this beautiful island. Read from: http://jontotheworld.com/sohoton-national-park-samar/

Photo from: http://callezaragosa.com/gerryruizphotoblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/100805RicaRickyW-9155.jpg

The Sohoton National Park is situated in Sitio Rawis, Brgy. Guirang part of the town of Basey. The park is bounded with caves, rock holes, freshwater rivers, underground rivers and pools, limestone boulders and other rock formations. A must-visit place when you travel to Basey.

Sohoton comes from the Waray-Waray word “Sohot” which could possibly means bend over and pass through. Because Sohoton is a place where there are lots of caves and you need to bend over just to pass through, so the place is called Sohoton or a place where you need to bend over just to pass through. Read More: http://basey6720.blogspot.com/2012/05/sohoton-national-park-basey-samar.html#.WR3FZsa1taQ

Photo from: http://jontotheworld.com/sohoton-national-park-samar/

Although this national park is on Samar, it is easiest to access it from Tacloban. The journey upriver to the park from Basey, the access town, is half its charm, with the wide swath of water flanked by palms and giggle-piggledy villages of bamboo houses on stilts. Upstream the river narrows and limestone outcrops appear and extend upwards until the boat is traveling through a small gorge into the park itself. Another 10 minutes further upstream and a 300m walk through the forest, there’s a wide swimming hole under the arch of the limestone natural bridge that gives the park its name. Surrounded by forest, it’s a quiet, steamy green outpost where local villagers are actively engaged in managing the park and guiding visitors to caves with enormous, sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Kayaking trips are available. Read More: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/philippines/sohoton-caves-natural-bridge-national-park/introduction

Photo from: https://gerryruiz.wordpress.com/2008/07/26/sohoton-caves/

The most popular among the tourist destinations of Basey is the Sohoton National Park and Natural Bridge, which is about an hour travel from the town proper of Basey. From the entrance of Sohoton Cave, visitors may glance at the Panhulugan Cliff, named by locals after the word “hulog” or drop, the ambush site of Filipino guerrillas against American Forces during the occupation of the Philippines. Two caves can be seen at the Panhulugan cliff, the Panhulugan Cave 1 and 2 that were used as burial sites in the 13th century. Sohoton cave is a cathedral-like dome with an entrance of a parabolic arch-type about 50 meters high. Of the caves inside Sohoton National Park, it is the Sohoton Cave that is most visited by tourists. Read More: http://www.cebu-philippines.net/basey-samar.html

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The Tropical Island Paradise Called Samar

Where is Samar and How to Get There

Popular Tourist Destinations in Samar

Come and Join the Merry Festivals in Samar

Come and Have Fun in Samar

Samar Photo Gallery

Samar Video Collections