My friend and I decided to take a vacation in Sagada during Holyweek! Since its peak season, mostly buses are already fully booked. Luckily, we were able to saved 2 seats in Baliwag Terminal going to Solano cost us around 400. Since we are not familiar with the place, we just asked the conductor to drop us in Bagabag. We left Cubao around 10pm and arrived in Bagabag 5:30am with 3 stops over. We took the bus going to Banaue, which lasted for an hour. When we arrived in Banaue, we took another jeep going to Bontoc, the jeep will not leave until it’s full. From bontoc, we took another jeep going to Sagada. Though this is a long ride, you will surely enjoy it. The sceneries are really fascinating! Too many rice terraces!
Finally, we reached Sagada around 1:30 in the afternoon. We registered at the tourism office for 50pesos.
My friend created our itinerary, and since its peak season, hotel and guest houses are fully booked. Luckily, our guide helped us find a place to stay for 2 days. We rest for few hours and start to tour the place. The weather is HOT and COLD
In Sagada, you will need more strength and energy to walk, trek and spelunking!
First destination was the Echo Valley – Hanging Coffin. It is advised to hire a tour guide to assist you. We have one!
It’s the church you will encounter before heading to Hanging Coffin.
Hanging Coffin
Next we headed to Sagada’s famous Pottery
My friend tried it too!
My friend suggested taking another route going to Lake Danum via Mt Ampacao, I can’t really imagine it! Her estimated time would be 45 minutes to reach our destination, but we’ve been walking for 30minutes and we haven’t even reach Mt Ampacao. I really wanted to cry!!! It’s too far! But she’s too persistent! I thank God because it rained and there’s a dog along the road! Haha
We finally decided to hire a VAN. PHP350
Before, they said that Lake Danum is really beautiful, well now, to my surprise, here it is. It may not be as fascinating as what you have in mind, but then this place is really peaceful.
At night, we took our dinner, and just gazed at the stars. There are too many tourists who spent the night in the tent they brought and since there are no more rooms to accommodate all of them.
Day 2:
Call time 7am, to visit Lumiang, and Sumaging Cave, as well Pongas falls.
On our way to Caving:
Notice the rock formation behind us? Really beautiful!
Entrance of Lumiang Cave. This is where people before buried.
He is our Guide! I forgot his name: D
See the stone formation? Indeed, Sagada is blessed!
Look at this! So beautiful rock formation
Can you guess what is it? Is it a male or female?
It’s male! It has adam’s apple ;D
Lumiang cave is a long trip! Took us 1 hour and 30 minutes! But it’s an achievement, our guide told us, that normally it will take 3 hours to reach its end!
We reached its connecting cave ~ Sumaging Cave
How about playing with the cold water? Love it!
Meditating?
A jelly ace!
Wow. This is just so beautiful!
A dinosaur eating us!
After a long hour of caving, we are so tired!!! Still, we have little energy to take a picture 😀
We decided not to go to Pongas Falls since we are so tired. We just rest for our next day of adventure.
Day 3:
We woke up 4:30 am to start walking to get witness Sagada’s famous Kiltepan Dawn. Another long hour of walk!
When we get there; we’ve seen many people who are also anticipating seeing the sunrise. But, it’s too foggy, so we are not able to see it. But it’s okay. Then, we headed to Marlboro, another long hour of walk! From there, you will see the entire Sagada.
And lastly, our last destination for today – BOMOD Falls, we a hire a van for this, since it’s too far from Sagada’s town proper. But this is just where the journey begun, as we started walking to reach the falls.
The water is freezing cold!
Some said, it will take you 300 steps to reach the place, I doubt it! It’s more than that. I didn’t manage to count it as I am so fascinated with the views. Such as beautiful nature this place possesses. It’s a long walk indeed, but since the place is lovely, you won’t mind it
After few minutes, we decided to go back since it started to rain. What’s scarier is the thunderstorm!
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At the end of the trip, we received this from our Tour Guide
I survived SAGADA! Weeh!
Before we left, we bought its famous Lemon Pie for Pasalubong.
This is where we stayed for couple of days.
Our last day supposed to be Batad Rice terraces, but since we encountered an incident on the round, landslide near Bontoc we are forced to get off the jeep and walked. It’s fun, since we are many
We just relaxed for a bit and waited for our 7pm bus departure to manila.
And the only pasalubong I bought:
My trip to Sagada is really unforgettable. I’ve been to several places in and outside of Philippines, but Sagada will be my Top 2 next to El Nido.
Indeed, it’s really more fun in the Philippines.
