Those were the words my co-workers & I agreed on when planning a "biglaang outing" for the branch. Even before we finally decided where to spend the long weekend last August, Sagada has been in my bucketlist. I really wanted to go to Sagada because I heard many good things about it, like exploring caves which I never tried yet, trekking for hours just to reach the falls and what really made me more excited about it was the hanging coffins featured in "Biyahe ni Drew" .
Sagada is located in Mountain Province. It's about 12-15 hours away from Manila and about 6 hours away from Baguio.
HOW TO GET THERE
You can reach Sagada on public transportation via any of the three routes:
Via Banaue:
This route takes more or less 12 hours. Manila to Banaue bus takes about 9 hours. Passes through different provinces like Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya. From Banaue Bus Terminal, a short tricycle ride will lead you to the town proper where you can catch buses to Bontoc. It will take 2 hrs to reach Bontoc and another 45 mins from Bontoc to Sagada.
Via Baguio:
Victory Liner is one of the known bus line to Baguio City. Buses leave every hour. It takes 6-8 hours to reach Baguio. From Baguio, you may take a cab to Dangwa Bus Station. Locate the Lizardo Transit Station. First bus to Bontoc leaves at 6:30AM and last leaves at 1PM. Trip would take 6-7 hours.
Via Bontoc:
Bontoc is the capital of Mountain Province. It is 12 hours away from Manila and about 45 mins away from Sagada.
Cable Tours
E. Rodriguez Q.C near the Trinity College
Cell. 0918-521-6790
Since we are a group of 10, our boss ought to take a package for less hassle and stress. We had a van and passed via Banaue. We took a package that only cost 2900/each for 10pax. Not bad, right? :)
Taking the Banaue route gave us the chance to see the beauty of Banaue Rice Terraces also known as the Hagdan Hagdan Palayan. These terraces were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by ancestors of the indigenous people.
WHERE TO STAY:
There are many accommodations you'll find around the town. But since it was part of the package, we stayed at Tinagtago Lodge & Restaurant which was just few minutes away from the hanging coffin. Yaayyy! Haha!!
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| 300/head not bad. |
WHAT TO DO:
Spelunking in Sumaguing Cave & Lumiang Burial Cave
The highlights of visiting Sagada is to explore Sumaguing Cave and Lumiang Cave. Exploring Sumaguing Cave was one of the most tiring, yet exciting, fulfilling experience I've ever done. Experiencing traffic inside the cave, seeing big chambers, rock formations, stepping on slippery rocks, and touching Bat poo just to hold on to something is one of the unique experience I've ever had. You will have a tour guide carrying a lamp to guide you in the whole tour. It would take 2-3 hours to finish the entire route, so make sure you stay with your tour guides. Cave connection takes spelunkers from Lumiang Cave to the entrance of the main chambers of Sumaguing Cave. The entire activity would take 3-4hrs.
During our tour here, we didn't try the Lumiang Cave anymore since we were all so tired of exploring Sumaguing. But the experience was really unforgettable!! This is a must try!
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| When will this be over??hahaha |
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| I can do this!! :D |
Trek to Bomod-ok Falls
I never thought trekking just to see this falls would be so hard! Since I do not climb mountains most of the time, I do not trek and this is my weakness, it was really hard for me. BUT... I conquered and faced my fears haha!!! What an achievement! Doing this, esp to those who are not fond of this kind of adventure, would make you think twice, but I tell you, once you are able to finish this entire activity, you would actually be so proud of yourself!! haha! :D
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| Breathtaking!! this reminded me of Katibawasan Falls in Camiguin |
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| WE'RE HAVING FUNNN! |
and after 90mins of trekking going back....
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| WOHOOO!! We made it!! :D |
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| kung sa rafting may HighFive, sa trekking din!! hahaha |
Kiltepan Sunrise
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| No sunrise =( but still worth seeing! :) |
Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins
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| hanging out of coverage due to bad weather haha |
Lake Danum
Sagada Weaving
WHERE TO EAT:
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| SAGGAS is where you get your tour guides |
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| Pinikpikan/ Adobo |
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| yoghurttt!! ASIM! pero masarap naman |
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| @ Rock-Inn |
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| @ Salt & Pepper |
ITINERARY:
Since this is a tour package, I didn't make a DIY itinerary for this tour. All is set. No hassle, No stress. :)
DAY 0
2100 ETD to Banaue
DAY 1
0600 ETA Banaue
0700 ETD to Sagada
1000 ETA Sagada
Check-in
1200 Lunch
1300 Proceed to Lumiang & Sumaguing Cave
1700 estimate time of return from cave
1900 Dinner
DAY 2
0600 Wake up call
0700 proceed to Fedelisan
0730 start of Bomod-ok falls trek
0830 ETA Bomod-ok falls
1030 Trek back to Fedelisan
1200 ETA Fedelisan
1230 Lunch
1400 Proceed to Sagada Weaving, St. Mary's Church & Echo Valley, Hanging coffins
1600 Visit Pottery House
1730 Sunset viewing Lake Danum
1900 Dinner
DAY 3
0500 Wake up call; Check-out
0545 Sunrise Viewing Kiltepan Tower
0630 Breakfast
0730 ETD Sagada to Baguio
1300 late lunch
1400 ETA Strawberry Plantation
1600 ETD Baguio
1030 ETA Manila
For more information about this tour, contact:
Mark Anthony Cortez
09432072039
If you plan to follow this package, estimate budget needed for this would be 3500-4000php depending on how much you will spend on your food and pasalubong. :)
Overall, i loved the falls!!! and the experience was very challenging! :) be back soon? ahh maybe after 10years, just to visit and see the hanging coffins up close. haha!!!
Always remember, "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going". #happytraveling!!! :D -@unstoppablewanderer
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| NEVER GIVE UP! :D |
**Thanks to Jefferson Dumandan for some of the photos!:)
