POINTS OF INTEREST:
- Hanging Coffins
- Burial Cave (Lumiang)
- Echo Valley
- Kiltepan Ridge
- Underground River (Latang)
- Bokong Falls
- Danum Lake
- Pottery Barn
- Episcopalian Church
- Cemetery
- Bomod-Ok Falls
- Pungas Falls
- Panag-Apoy
- Begnas Festival
- SAGADA: Pinikpikan
I used to come here lot, like almost every year until it started to spring up multi-stories building structures. Hotels are rapidly crowding up this mountain community! Gone are the laid-back days of Sagada. It’s a regrettable change. It somehow losts its idyllic feel that I so adore.
HANGING COFFINS
There are actually many hanging coffins all over Sagada, but this one in Echo Valley is the most famous, or at least, the most visited of them all. You don’t need a guide to see this because it is not far from the cemetery (located near the Episcopalian Church). Although, you may not find it unless someone point it out to you. Feel free to ask the locals. They'll be more that happy to tell you where.
ECHO VALLEY
Again, a tour guide is not needed here. Just go pass the church and ask the locals where Echo Valley is. A great place to chill; under the pine trees, overlooking the opposite cliff. So called the Echo Valley because it echoes when you call out or shout out a word over to the opposite cliff.
LUMIANG CAVE
Also called the Burial Cave. Tour guide not needed when you visit this cave. About 2.5 km from the town center. It's where you find a stack of coffins piled on top of each other at the opening of the cave. It is a sacred burial ground for the natives. This is also the starting point of the Cave Connection tour.
KILTEPAN RIDGE
A before-sunrise adventure. Do a 4AM walk/jog to Kiltepan ridge, wait for the sun to clear out the clouds below and witness a surprising view of a magnificent rice terraces below. This is slso accessible by a vehicle.
If you trek to the Underground River, you will see several "Hanging Coffins" along the way. You may need a guide to go here because it's hard to find. Basically, it's just a huge cave opening where the river runs through. But, you may want to continue this trek all the way to Bokong Falls.
BOKONG FALLS
also called the Small Falls. Not far from the town center. Walk along some rice paddies to reach this small waterfall. It has a natural swimming pool with icy-cold water.
also called the Small Falls. Not far from the town center. Walk along some rice paddies to reach this small waterfall. It has a natural swimming pool with icy-cold water.
DANUM LAKE
Approx 30 minutes of an easy walk up high above the town. Pass by the Pottery Barn. It is a small lake which is great for picnics.
POTTERY BARN
Once a thriving pottery-making shop now almost abandon. Although it still in existence, one can go visit this rustic shop a midst some towering pine trees. You can still buy some items if someone happens to be in the shop. Otherwise, just grab what interest you and leave the money on the counter?
SAGADA CHURCH
Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin. The oldest Christian Church in Sagada. Built in the early 1900`s. This church is one of the first landmarks you will see in Sagada.
CEMETERY
A cemetery laid out on a sloping hill. Jose Masferre's grave can be found here, the only Filipino/Spanish photographer ever featured at the Smithsonian.
Here lies Jose Masferre. He is a famous spanish photographer who first documented the lives of the people of Codilleras. This is his tombstone along side his wife.
Even the way you see its unique natural attractions, now its in a big group one after the other. It used to be either you do it yourself or just a one-on-one guide.
Night Life
Because you would be so tired from your whole day of hiking, spelunking, and trekking, it’s only fitting that you won’t need another strenuous activity at night. Sagada has zero nightlife! Well, almost. If you consider hanging out in a subdued bar a “nightlife”, then OK. You can go to the Kimchi Resto Bar, which is one of the very few bars open pass 9PM. (Prior to year 2013 when Sagada still holds its idyllic charm).
EXPENSES
I know we all look for the cheapest everything, room, hostels, accommodations, food, transportation, etc when we travel. Let's switch on a low budget mode.
Transportation
-By Car – P3000 (approx) + 476 toll fees
-Bus fare - P430 (Manila - Baguio)
-Bus fare – P220 (Baguio - Sagada)
-Accommodations – P250/night
-Food – P300/day (average daily)
-Tour Guide – P200 (average share)
This Bitchin' Halsema Highway.
A bus ride from Baguio to Sagada can be a real bitch! (via Halsema Hwy). And at the same time, an awesome experience. I think it is the most challenging highway in the world. It is a continuous seven-hour drive to the most zigzagy road you would ever pass through. By the time you reach Sagada, your head would be so heavy. So, it's not unusual to see passengers puke at the end of the trip. But on the other hand, the view of the mountain villages, along the way, is incomparable to anything you have ever seen or imagined. Rice terraces galore and numerous small communities dotted the mountain range from far, deep, and wide.
Commuting vs. Driving!
Commuting:
Bus from Manila to Baguio:
-Victory Liner P430
-Dagupan Bus P450
Bus from Baguio to Sagada:
-Lizardo P220
Driving: (3 possible routes)
Approx gas is P3000 + P476 toll
-Manila, Baguio, Halsema Hwy, Sagada
-Manila, Isabela, Legawa, Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada
-Manila, La Union, Tagudin, Cervantes, Sabangan, Sagada (NEW ROUTE!)
How much for a room in Sagada?
Municipal ordinance dictates that accommodation charges be uniformed. From Php 200 – 350, nothing more, nothing less: Practically everywhere you go, they charge 250 per head. It depends on what amenities included.
Sagada Guesthouse 250 per head
Green House Inn 200 per head
Igorot Inn 250 per head
Yellow House 200 per head
Even the way you see its unique natural attractions, now its in a big group one after the other. It used to be either you do it yourself or just a one-on-one guide.
Night Life
Because you would be so tired from your whole day of hiking, spelunking, and trekking, it’s only fitting that you won’t need another strenuous activity at night. Sagada has zero nightlife! Well, almost. If you consider hanging out in a subdued bar a “nightlife”, then OK. You can go to the Kimchi Resto Bar, which is one of the very few bars open pass 9PM. (Prior to year 2013 when Sagada still holds its idyllic charm).
EXPENSES
I know we all look for the cheapest everything, room, hostels, accommodations, food, transportation, etc when we travel. Let's switch on a low budget mode.
Transportation
-By Car – P3000 (approx) + 476 toll fees
-Bus fare - P430 (Manila - Baguio)
-Bus fare – P220 (Baguio - Sagada)
-Accommodations – P250/night
-Food – P300/day (average daily)
-Tour Guide – P200 (average share)
This Bitchin' Halsema Highway.
A bus ride from Baguio to Sagada can be a real bitch! (via Halsema Hwy). And at the same time, an awesome experience. I think it is the most challenging highway in the world. It is a continuous seven-hour drive to the most zigzagy road you would ever pass through. By the time you reach Sagada, your head would be so heavy. So, it's not unusual to see passengers puke at the end of the trip. But on the other hand, the view of the mountain villages, along the way, is incomparable to anything you have ever seen or imagined. Rice terraces galore and numerous small communities dotted the mountain range from far, deep, and wide.
Commuting vs. Driving!
Commuting:
Bus from Manila to Baguio:
-Victory Liner P430
-Dagupan Bus P450
Bus from Baguio to Sagada:
-Lizardo P220
Driving: (3 possible routes)
Approx gas is P3000 + P476 toll
-Manila, Baguio, Halsema Hwy, Sagada
-Manila, Isabela, Legawa, Banaue, Bontoc, Sagada
-Manila, La Union, Tagudin, Cervantes, Sabangan, Sagada (NEW ROUTE!)
How much for a room in Sagada?
Municipal ordinance dictates that accommodation charges be uniformed. From Php 200 – 350, nothing more, nothing less: Practically everywhere you go, they charge 250 per head. It depends on what amenities included.
Sagada Guesthouse 250 per head
Green House Inn 200 per head
Igorot Inn 250 per head
Yellow House 200 per head
