That Place Called Sagada

We all have our favorite place or places, may it be our house, a tourist destination, a cozy café, or a chic hotel. But wherever that maybe, this place has become our favorite because it carries memories and recollections. It can be a place that gives us contentment to our desire, longing or passion. It can be a place that gives us solitude, happiness or enjoyment. It can be a place that makes us who we are. It can also be a place that makes us feel home. Well, those are the things that I always feel about when I pay a visit to this place called Sagada.

Sagada is my most favorite destination in the country. Though, I enjoy most of the time being in the beach, the charm that Sagada has is so incomparable and irresistible. Sagada has this feeling of being a home away from home. Sagada gives me this sense that I’m always part of this place, that I’m not a stranger, an outcast or an outlander. It always embraces me with its full spirit and nature.

Sagada is a small and peaceful town situated in the Mountain Province. It has many natural wonders that make this place a popular destination to backpackers and tourists.

Sagada is a place that I always appreciate of going to nonetheless the number of hours to reach it. I can endure the long and winding journey because surely there will be worthy and remarkable experiences await me on this lovely destination.

How to get to Sagada?

There is now a direct bus trip from Metro Manila to get to Sagada via Coda Lines. I haven’t tried it yet. But one can also go either Baguio or Bontoc to reach the place.

I always prefer going to Sagada via Baguio because it’s more convenient for me. The only bus lines that go to Sagada from Baguio are GL Liner and Lizardo Transit. They have their terminal at Dangwa with trips from 6:00 AM up to 1:00 PM. During high season, they usually add trips – but that is still depends on the availability of the bus. Bus fare costs PHP 220 per person, with travel time that takes about 5 hours.

There are now numerous options in Sagada for places to stay and eat. However, please be reminded that during high season, advance booking for accommodation is a must. You may check this link to see the list of places to stay and eat in Sagada.

Adventures in Sagada

The list of things to do in Sagada is growing. Before, I only knew about big falls and spelunking but now, there are already several activities that Sagada has to offer. It has an array of activities from spelunking, trekking, mountain climbing, sunrise viewing, walking tour and other adventures that visitors will surely enjoy to.

Visitors of Sagada must all register at the tourism center.

Visitors who wish to partake to any activities in Sagada must hire guides who are only authorized either by the tourism office or SAGGAS. Here, you can already choose an adventure that you wish to participate. You can also join other groups who had registered for a tour, if you wish to. These offices and organizations help tourists decide, plan and form groups who wish to join an activity while in Sagada.

Because I already did spelunking a couple of times already in my first visits in Sagada, I had decided to skip doing it when I visited Sagada again.  Rather, I’ve decided to focus on the attractions that I had not able to do before.

Sunrise at Kiltepan Peak

Kiltepan Peak is the most popular spot to watch the sunrise. This spot is situated on the eastern part of the town and is about three and a half kilometers from the town proper.

Getting to Kiltepan Peak is easy by joining a group. It was a night before our planned trip to Kiltepan when my buddy and I went to the SAGGAS office and asked if there was a group who will be going to the viewpoint. Luckily, there was. We registered at the tour and waited for the confirmation. Few hours after, I’ve received a message that our tour will be proceeding together with other joiners.

A guide is actually not needed to get to Kiltepan Peak. We only hired a jeepney for our group to get to the famous viewpoint. The jeepney hire costs around PHP 500 two-way. We were about 8 in the group, so each of us paid PHP 63.

The sky was cloudy. We were anticipating for the sun but because it was gloomy, it seems that the sun will not going to show up. But sometimes the wind blew the clouds away giving us a clear sight of the mountains and the rice terraces.

Though my friend and I wasn’t able to meet the famous sunrise, seeing the view from the peak was still worth it. Moreover, having a picture of myself with the mountains and rice terraces on my background.

Hike to Bomod-ok Falls

Bomod-ok Falls, also known as the Big Falls is the most popular waterfalls in Sagada. It is located 6 kilometers from the town.

My friend and I hired a vehicle to get to Bangaan, the starting point of the trek to the Big Falls. From there, we registered at the tourist information center and hired a guide to accompany us through the hike. A guide costs PHP 600 for a group of 10 visitors or less.

The hike to the falls was made easy because of the paved path. We came across a village and different paddies. The descent was relaxed and enjoyable as the surrounding was so picturesque and soothing to the eye.

It was an hour after that we had finally reached the falls. There were a lot of tourists, which we had already expected. We planned to take a swim but the water was too cold for me to take a dip. I couldn’t take the coldness, so my friend and I just settled in an area to relax.

Bomod-ok Falls is certainly a nice attraction. Despite of the number of tourists obstructing me to photograph the falls, it was still magnificent. No wonder, why many tourists go to this place. The hike down was worth it.

A few minutes later, we had then decided to go back but taking the route going to Aguid instead. The hike that time was not that easy anymore because it was an ascent. Our guide had told us that this route was easier to take than the first one because the upward trail isn’t that steep. But there was no need to bother because the superb view along the trail already relieved our struggles.

Few minutes after reaching the main road of Aguid, our vehicle fetched us back to the town of Sagada. We paid the driver PHP 650 for the two-way transfer.

Late Afternoon at Lake Danum

After participating into a major activity, I had thought for us to go in an activity that doesn’t need much effort. Considering that it was already midafternoon, I decided for us to just go to Lake Danum.

Lake Danum is a popular spot in Sagada to see the sunset. This lake was said to be a venue of some legendary tales like how Sagada got its name.

It was few hours before sunset when we inquired at the tourism center for available vehicle to get us to Lake Danum. We waited for a long time but it seems that there was none so we had just asked around by ourselves (at the jeepney terminal) if there was a jeepney that can take us to Lake Danum. Luckily, there was a group who was planning to go to Lake Danum – so my friend and I had just joined the group. We were picked up by the jeepney from the town center and there we met the group.

The cost of our two-way transport fee to Lake Danum was PHP 550. We were 6 so we shared PHP 92 each for the ride.

Morning Walk to Echo Valley Hanging Coffins

One of the easiest places to visit while in Sagada is the Echo Valley. This place is just a few walks away passing by the St. Mary’s Church and Sagada Anglican Cemetery. But the challenging part is getting up close to the hanging coffins, which one needs to trek through the slippery downhill path.

It was morning before my friend left for Manila when we went to Echo Valley. It was a good timing because there were only few tourists around. In fact, I can count through my fingers how many people we had passed by. Since, I’m already familiar with the place, we didn’t hire a guide anymore.

The viewpoint from Echo Valley gives a great vantage point of different parts of the town. Take note as well that this place is called Echo Valley because of the obvious reason that this place can produce echo when you utter a loud call. My friend got confused when I told her about shouting and hearing an echo when in Echo Valley because she thought it was spelled as ‘Eco-Valley’.

From this point as well, one can already view the hanging coffins. But because I want my friend to see it up close, we hiked down through the slippery trail. The hike took us about half an hour. Sagada is well-recognized for its hanging coffins. This is their traditional way of burying people. However, not everyone is eligible to be buried this way; among other things, one had to have been married and had grandchildren.