Kabayan Mummy Caves

The Kabayan Mummy Caves are a group of natural burial caves in Kabayan, Benguet, in the Cordillera region of northern Luzon, including Tinongchol, Timbac, Bangao and Opdas sites. They house centuries-old fire-mummified remains of Ibaloi ancestors preserved in wooden coffins. Declared National Cultural Treasures, the caves are located in mountainous terrain and are accessed by guided treks, offering insight into ancient burial practices and Cordilleran heritage.

Visitors can expect a guided mountain trek to small natural limestone caves and rock shelters housing ancient wooden coffins containing fire-mummified remains. The caves are situated in forested, high-elevation terrain around Kabayan with steep trails and scenic Cordillera views. Access is only with a registered local guide after briefing and registration at the Kabayan Museum. Inside, visitors view mummies from a designated distance without entering or touching the burial chambers.

The caves contain fire-mummified human remains dating from around the 13th to 16th century, created through an elaborate Ibaloi mummification process involving smoking and herbal preservation. The Kabayan mummy burial caves were declared National Cultural Treasures by the National Museum of the Philippines in 1973 and are considered among the best-preserved mummification sites in Southeast Asia.

Sacred ancestral burial sites of the Ibaloi people, reflecting indigenous beliefs about death, ancestor veneration and the afterlife. The caves and mummies remain culturally important to the local community and are protected as heritage sites showcasing Cordilleran funerary traditions.