If you wanna experience a different kind of adventure, I recommend visiting Sagada. It's one of the best places in the Philippines, with its caves that you can explore, hanging coffins that are hewed from the tree trunks (the local guide is more than happy to tell you the story behind it), falls that are truly magnificent plus the rice terraces that have been the great pride of the Filipinos. Not only you could interact with the good natured local people but you'll get to feel the silent serenity of the place and enjoy its exotic beauty.
This is just one of the beautiful landscapes that you could see on the way to Sagada.
Riding on top of the jeepney on the way to Sagada is one of a kind experience! It's quite scary but the wonderful view is worth it!
The "stairway to heaven"
The fantastic rice terraces is really a wonder to see! The breathtaking view would make you crave for more and the green landscape would surely make your day!
The only way to Sagada is taking the bus and it's for 10 to 12 hours (from Manila) but don't freak out! Honestly, it's worth the long travel. For me it's better to take the Bontoc route going to Sagada then going down to Baguio before going back home (you could also start your trip by going first to Baguio then have a 6-hour trip to Sagada, as you prefer). There is only one bus going to Bontoc and it travels at 8:30 pm. I always want to have the best seat every time I travel, so peak season or not, I make my seat reservation.
Around 6 am, you'll get to see the rice terraces in Banaue. For sure you won't be able to stop yourself from taking pictures of the magnificent landscape and you won't even notice how high you are at! =) Once in Bontoc, you will need to take the 45-minute jeepney ride to Sagada. If you are adventurous and brave enough you could ask the jeepney driver to let you ride on top of the jeepney on your way to Sagada (you don't need a lot of charm to do that 'cause the driver will let you, it's a common thing to do. hehehe!).
Early morning in Sagada (Saturday is their market day)
Just a little trivia: the locals of Sagada are called Igorots and their dialect is called Kankana-ey. If you are Ilocano like me you may understand some of the words.
First thing to do? Look for a place to stay in. There are a lot of good places where you could stay and they're cheap! Around P200 per head per night! Cool huh? If you're in a group you could rent the whole house for around P1000 per night and it's complete with everything - gas and the basic things you need for cooking, tv, shower with heater... you could even have a fireplace (check out George's inn)!
Just a little trivia: the locals of Sagada are called Igorots and their dialect is called Kankana-ey. If you are Ilocano like me you may understand some of the words.
Once settled, check out the Bokong Falls. It's not so far from the "poblacion" so you could just ask directions on how to go there. Well actually they'll tell you to take a kid with you who'll serve as your guide then just pay him... It's only a 30-minute walk and on your way you'll get to take more pictures of the green landscape. The Bokong Falls is small, it's like a mini falls but it's still amazing... For me it's like a little secret paradise. The water is so clean and cool. But if you want to dive and swim be very careful 'cause it's very deep, you really need to be good if you want to swim under the falls.
"the green landscape"
Take a peek at the Bokong Falls!
"little secret paradise"
After lunch, you need to visit the caves of Sagada. This is the adventure you don't want to miss! You need to find a guide (just ask where you could find one, the people will direct you to a small office). This is a MUST - it's for your own safety. Spelunking is a great adventure but it is dangerous as well. Being hospitable is the trademark of the Filipinos - and these guides are very friendly and accommodating, with a lot of stories to share. For this adventure, you need to be on a comfortable clothes - shorts and t-shirt will do and a good pair of flat, rubber sandals (rubber shoes not recommended as some part of the cave is muddy and you will get wet as well). Also, since you will get wet bring extra clothes to change and zip lock for your camera plus extra battery - you'll never know when you'll need one! - charged to experience... wink >_^ (right, ML? haha!)
You could explore just the Sumaguing Cave or you could do the cave connection. Exploring the Sumaguing cave will take you about 2 to 3 hours, starting and exiting on the same place. But if you're really into more adrenalin, extreme adventure try the cave connection where you'll start from the Sumaguing cave and end in Lumiang cave. This spelunking will take you about 3 to 5 hours, depending on how fast and experienced your group is. There's a huge entrance but once inside it's pitch black. It looks frightening especially when you hear the bat sound but at the same time it just adds to the excitement of this adventure! The guide will have a lamp so the cave is well lit while you're underground. You'll get to pass by the small passages and do some rappelling. Most of the rocks are slippery so better secure your footing before proceeding, take extra care. The guide will help you transfer from one rock to another, giving you guide on how to do it without getting hurt. It may take a while especially to those who don't have any spelunking experience yet. Just do what the guide will instruct you to do and you'll make it fine. There's this phase of the adventure the guides call "imagination phase" where you get to see the beautiful rock formations and imagine what they could be. They're such a wonder you wouldn't be able to contain yourself from taking pictures! Getting wet is part of the adventure as you will get to cross an underground river... the water is sooo cold, it's freezing!
Be brave and experience the adrenaline rush with cave spelunking!
It was a mixed feelings when the adventure finally ended. I was relieved that we were out safe but at the same time I wanted to go back and do it again! Well, definitely will do that again - on February during their fiesta!
After an adventurous day a nice, simple dinner in front of the fireplace is the best way to relax!
After the long, tiring but wonderful spelunking adventure next stop would be visiting the Kiltepan Peak - early morning the next day, that is! You need to wake up at 4 in the morning because you'll walk from poblacion and trek for about an hour to see the sunrise (unless you'll rent a van/jeepney to go there). It's cold most of the time (even during the summer season) so better bring a jacket or shawl.
The Kiltepan peak is the best place to see the sunrise. It's better to have a guide with you but it's okay without one as well. Just make sure you ask for directions the day before. Upon arriving there you will be greeted by clouds you could almost touch. If you want to go nearer the clouds and take beautiful pictures be very careful - you don't want to fall! Watching the sunrise is worth the long, tiring walk. If only you could stop time to see more of the magnificent view...
Kiltepan Peak
at its best...
Don't miss the sunrise in Kiltepan Peak!
A big, full breakfast is required if your next stop would be at the Bomod-ok Falls because you'll trek for about 5 hours back and forth. First, you need to rent a jeepney/van to go to a small village where you'll start your trekking. Since you are going down, it won't be as tiring as when going back. It is a 2-hour trekking so you'll need a lot of energy. Be sure to bring some foods (sweets, not salty) and water. You will need to stop by the nearest village to the falls to register and pay the entrance fee of P10.
Along the way you'll get to meet several locals wearing their friendly smiles. I noticed that they still use the blankets to carry their babies instead of the modern one.
During the harvesting season you'll see a lot of farmers (men and women alike, even kids) busy with their farming works. Though they're busy they would still find time to waive and smile at you or even have a small conversation!
the river taken from above
Once there, you will be hypnotized by the mystical Bomod-ok Falls, it is worth the effort. Be very careful as there are a lot of rocks and some are slippery. The clean water is so cold you will need a lot of courage before taking a deep swim. Again, take extra care as it is very deep (at the foot of the falls) and the water flow is strong. Not to worry you but don't forget that it took you 2 hours to go down and another 2 to 3 hours to go up and there's no other way but to walk so it would be very hard to seek medical help if something bad happens. Those who don't know how to swim don't worry, just looking at and taking pictures of the falls would be enough.
the mystical
Bomod-ok Falls
Bomod-ok Falls
Once back in poblacion, for sure, a big, healthy lunch would be much needed! There are a lot of good restaurants around with very cheap prices. You need to try the pinikpikan, a flavorful chicken dish that originated from the mountains of Cordillera region. Another trivia: The name "pinikpikan" came from the word "pikpik" which means light beating.
After lunch you might want to visit the Mission of St. Mary the Virgin Church as well as the nearby cemetery. The church was founded in 1904 by American Missionary John Staunton. They had their centennial celebration in 2004.
Next stop would be the Hanging Coffins found at the Echo Valley. The coffins are hewed from the tree trunks or are hanging from the limestone cliff. Most of these coffins are very old but some are new ones, the last one dated September 2009 (according to tour guide kuya Andrew). More trivia: the old Igorots believed that when they die the higher they are at, the nearer they are to heaven so they had their coffins hanged instead of being buried underground. They also believed that when buried they won't be able to breath. Most of the locals don't practice this belief anymore but there are some, especially the really old ones, who still do this.
There are other places you might wanna visit like the Burial Cave where centuries old coffins were stacked against each other. These coffins are only 3 feet long since the pre-Christian Igorots were curled up in a fetal position before they were placed in their coffins. You could also visit the Ganduyan Museum where you will see a wide collection of Igorot artifacts. Another "must-visit" place is the Lake Danum. It is best to visit this place when it is not raining so you will have a beautiful view of the sunset. Also try hiking in Mount Ampakaw which is the tallest mountain in Sagada. It is best to have a picnic there during the summer months of April and May when the blackberries are ripe for picking. If you are into souvenirs try the Sagada Weaving where you could find the best handwoven souvenirs like bags and blankets.
Last but not the least is the Marlboro Country where wild horses roam around. Most people are not aware of this place but there are visitors who were able to see this already (and I am hoping to see this when I visit Sagada again 'cause unfortunately I was not aware of this place the first time I visited Sagada). The locals say that it is a "good luck" sign when you get to tame and ride one of the wild horses.
The villagers observe the 9 pm curfew so better be home before that. Again for your safety. Well, Sagada is a safe place but unfortunately there are a lot of dogs roaming around so beware! =D
Also there are rebels around the area. Actually I wasn't aware of that when we went there, I felt so safe during our visit. That may be the main reason why they observe this curfew. So for your own sake, please observe this as well when you visit the place.
If you want to experience dancing around a bonfire with gongs and drums better go there during the tribal festival. It takes place twice a year (February and October). It's a merrymaking for having good harvest. You will be able to interact with the local people and get to dance until the early morning.
If you want to do something different during the Halloween visit Sagada in November and experience a festival the villagers call "Festival of Lights". After the ceremony (mass for the dead) in the afternoon, by sundown they burn pine wood instead of candles on their loved ones' graves, the beginning of the festival of lights.
During your visit to every place, please make sure that you don't leave your garbages like cigarette butts, plastics, bottles, etc. to help maintain the cleanliness of these places.
More of the rice terraces taken from above (high up the mountain!) on the way down to Baguio.
The earliest departure time of a bus going to Baguio is at 5:30 unless there are some events that could prevent them from leaving early. One by one, buses leave every 1 hour until around 12 noon. The road is winding but fortunately most parts are cemented already. Travel time is around 6 hours depending on the weather and the condition of the road.
So this is the end of our Sagada trip! Hope you enjoyed reading and learned something about Sagada, a breathtaking place in the Cordillera Region!
I love the Philippines!
