Walang Forever (there’s no forever).
But if you’re looking for one: they say go to Sagada. Well, that’s what the movie That Thing Called ‘Tadhana’ says and what embittered souls believe.
Besides that ridiculous hopeless romantic notion: Sagada is a town of Mt. Province in Luzon. It’s in the northern part to where crops and coffee beans are sourced by businesses, not just in Luzon but in the entire Philippines as well. Sagada Province is almost 500km from the metropolis Manila. Usually it’s a 9 hour drive from the city by a private car.
I got the chance to visit the wonders of Sagada and even the insanely popular belief that Sagada is a retreat only for the broken hearted: it could also be for family, friends and those who are in love.
PART 1: INFORMATION
I. AIRFARE TICKETS
In going to Sagada: you have to book a flight to Manila, Philippines whether it’s in NAIA or Clark, it all depends on what your itinerary is. You could either backpack or hire an agency to do all the work for you. (Tours usually pick you up in NAIA, MOA or Trinoma but seldom in Clark, Pampanga)
TIP: Sagada and Ilocos tours are usually from Fridays-Sundays for JOINERS*. So I suggest book your flights on a Thursday to Monday. (*JOINERS – tours that join groups if the number of pax is below 12/14 in 1 van)
TIP: If you have a complete 12 OR 14 pax (depending on the tour agency), you can request a private tour instead for a cheaper price.
We got our tickets from Cebu to Manila for only P900.00 rountrip in Cebu Pacific’s LAST Piso fare promo last 2015 (they don’t offer Piso Fare promos anymore because of the eliminated fuel surcharge). And that P900.00 is already a great deal since usually it ranges from P1,000.00 to P7,000.00 on non-sale days.
II. SAGADA TOURS
Sagada is difficult to backpack due to the remoteness of the place. It’s a 9-hour non-stop drive from Manila (via agency tours), to where roads are treacherous.
The usual transportation to Sagada is via Bus which can take up to 15 hours of travel from the city and a real pain in the ass… literally. But then, who am I to stop you if you’re up to the DIY challenge? Just a caution: most accidents happened with busses because drivers tend to be reckless and fast.
But you can always have your vacation in a safer way, which is to hire an agency that offers Sagada tours. Most of the tours include the tourist spots, accommodation and van transfers.
We got our Sagada Tour for 3D2N at ByaheNiJuan Travels for the lowest price of P2,580.00 compared to other travel agencies that range from P2,900.00 – P3,500.00++.
0915 588 8962
Sagada Tour 3D2N (Banaue-Sagada-Baguio)
Every Fri-Sun (depart Thursday MOA – 7PM and Trinoma – 10PM) – For Joiner Tour
Any day – For Exclusive/Private Tour (Txt/Call office for rates)
PACKAGE RATES:
P2,580.00/Pax – 4-13 Persons (Quin/Quad Sharing)
P2,880.00/Pax – 3 Persons (Triple Sharing)
P2,980.00/Pax – 2 Persons (Twin Sharing)
P3,180.00/Pax – 1 Person (Single Room)
Rates not valid for:
A.) Additional 150/Person – Feb 01-Jun 15, 2016 Travel (Peak Season)
B.) Additional 200/Person – Regular Holidays and Special Non-working days /Long Weekend Travel (Peak Season)
C.) Additional 350/Person – Holy Week, Christmas, New Year Travel (Super Peak Season)
ACCOMMODATION(S):
1.) Villa de Familia
2.) Sagada Guesthouse
3.) Sagada Townhouse
4.) Mapiya-aw Lodge or similar class
TIP: Note that most tour packages that agencies offer in Sagada doesn’t include food, therefore you’ve got to have pocket money for about P2,000.00 and that’s if you’re really on a very, very tight budget. Because, food there ranges from P170.00++, mostly P200.00++ but it’s worth it ‘cause it’s delicious.
PART 2: ITINERARY
Here’s the itinerary provided by ByaheNiJuan tour:
DAY 0
07:00PM – MOA Open Parking
10:00PM – Trinoma Mall North Open Parking
11:00PM ETD Mnl-Sagada
DAY 01
06:30AM – Breakfast in Banaue (pax own)
Banaue Town
Banaue Rice Terraces View Point
08:30AM – Travel to Sagada
10:30AM – ETA in Sagada
11:00AM – Early Check in. Rest
12:00NN – Lunch (pax own)
01:00PM – Sumaguing Cave or Cave Connection – Burial Cave (Guide Fee Pax own acct. This is optional)
DAY 02
05:00AM – Kiltepan View Point Sunrise Viewing (Subj to weather condition)
06:00AM – Breakfast (pax own)
07:30AM – Bomod-Ok Falls Trek (Guide Fee on pax own. This is optional)
11:30AM – End of Trek
12:00NN – Lunch (pax own)
01:00PM – Sagada Town Tour
Orange Farm (Seasonal)
Sagada Weaving
St. Mary’s Church
Pottery House
Campo Santo (Cemetery)
Echo Valley & Hanging Coffins
05:00PM – End of Tour
06:00PM – Dinner (pax own)
07:00PM – Back to accomm
DAY 03
06:00AM Breakfast (pax own)
07:00AM Check out. Travel to Baguio
Highest Point (Philippine Highway System) Atok, Benguet
10:00AM ETA in Baguio. Start of Tour
La Trinidad Souvenir Shop
Strawberry Farm – Strawberry picking is at a cost (Per Kilo.Pax own acct. This is optional)
Burnham Park and Swan Lake (Baguio)
Kennon Road View Point
Lions Head
12:00NN Lunch (pax own acct)
01:00PM Continuation of Baguio tour
03:00PM ETD Baguio-Manila
09:00PM ETA in Manila
PART 3: EXPERIENCE
DAY 0
We arrived at NAIA terminal 3 by 5 in the afternoon and the people were in a rush and traffic was bumper to bumper. It was my first time in Manila and not to be discriminatory, but it freaked me out a lot. I mean, there are horror stories that happened to people when they got out of the airport. And I was one freakish person who doesn’t want to get the same bad experience. So I cautioned myself by being alert and attentive like a wolf.
Anyway, we headed to Mall of Asia to have dinner and went directly to the meet-up place which was at the open parking just beside the Mall of Asia Arena.
We waited there for about an hour because we needed to wait for the other group, as we were in a ‘joiners’ package.
Anyhow, we hit the road by ten and it was time for a 9 hour drive to Sagada. And that’s when everyone fell asleep. Although we had three major stop overs; each for about 15 to 30 minutes.
DAY 1
Banaue
We arrived in Banaue by 6:00 in the morning and I was still droopy from sleepiness. We stopped by the borderline to where a huge “Welcome to Banaue” marquee stood tall. And there, we got to take pictures like Japanese tourists.
photo courtesy: ByaheNiJuan Travels
And then we pressed on. But then I realized, it was already 8 hours passed and we were still in Banaue. But I got my hopes up when our driver told us that Sagada was already the next stop.
Anyway, we took our breakfast at Banaue Rice Terraces View Point where we could eat while we feast our eyes to the wonderful rice terraces view outside the window.
After, we got to pose once more for pictures of the Rice Terraces as a backdrop.
Sagada
Then it was another 2 and a half drive to Sagada. Oh my Gosh, we were on the road for about 12 hours (stop overs included). And to be honest, it was excruciating.
TIP: Never forget your neck pillow, headphones, phones, tablets, laptops, favorite chairs, tables TV, speakers, wardrobe, your entire house, because it was that exhausting. Just kidding to some of those though.
In Sagada, we checked in first at Villa D’ Familia. And upon entering: we can smell the scent of coffee enveloping the entire premise, making it feel like I’m in Starbucks, only it’s a house… and I’m not exaggerating. The scent of fresh coffee was euphoric; it even gave me an idea to do the same with my future house… and I don’t drink coffee. We found the source of the scent which was a coffee dispenser beside the door. And the best thing was that IT-WAS-FREE! My partner’s inner child giggled as if it was an award from getting a perfect score in an exam.
photo courtesy: Eden Pancho
Anyway, the house was cozy and clean. And what I liked about it was the hot and cold shower which was the silver lining to the cold weather.
photo courtesy: Eden Pancho
Sumaguing Cave
Then our adventure started at Sumaguing Cave. It is the famous cave in Sagada where you could choose between two adventures: first, the connection or second, the short route. In the connection, you have to walk, crawl and swim for about five hours from the mouth of the cave where you could also discover some damaged caskets of dead Igorot ancestors, to the final exit cave. In the short route: its entre is on the exit part of the connection to where you only need thirty or shorter minutes to climb down the bottom of the slippery cave. Well, it depends on who you’re with. In our case, people are too selfie freaks that they take about 10 minutes to get ‘the shot’. And it’s difficult to get ‘the shot’ because of total darkness.
I had, for a fact, found difficulty in climbing down due to the damp walkway with inclusions of bat-shit we call ‘guano’. The locals suggest climbing down barefoot because slippers and shoes are slippery. Well, you could always use expensive caving shoes, if you can afford.
And that’s what I did. I climbed down barefoot, and it was ew to say the least. But it was worth it. The cave was huge and gorgeous. The water flowing on every level was freezing, it made my feet numb. And the difficulty in going down was a bit rough, especially for chubby people like me. But I tell you, it’s all worth it.
Like with other famous caves in the Philippines: this one has lots of formations in it ranging from religious to indecorous.
TIP: Bring underwater cameras and dress lightly and properly since you’d be wet from this experience.
DAY 2
Bomod-ok Falls (trail)
photo courtesy: ByaheNiJuan Travels
The next day, we prepped ourselves for a long walk to Bomod-ok Falls which is a famous spot in Sagada. We went to a certain place that has a narrow one-way road and did a short orientation on what to do. Then they gave us sticks because sometimes snakes glide across the cemented walkway… like a casual jaywalker. But thankfully it didn’t happen.
Anyway, the trail was 45 minutes to an hour long, but it was not difficult to manage walking downwards because as I’ve said, the walkway was cemented (mostly). While on the trail, you’ve got to gaze upon the gorgeous Sagada mountains to which all you can do is sigh… then appreciate.
When we arrived at the falls, we got to see boulders of rocks surrounding the place and there are only a few spots where you can actually take a dip. The current of the waterfalls was also strong at that time.
After taking antidepressant selfies, we got to dip in the FREEZING water. And Oh my God. I only dipped for 5 seconds because it was dead freezing: my balls had to squeeze just to compensate for the cold. Oops.
The rainbow totally heightened my gayness.
We didn’t take much time there: although it was beautiful, there’s really nothing much to do there. So we hike back up to which we found harder than climbing down. My partner, I and most of my fellow mountain hiking rookie friends almost died in the process.
TIP: For inexperienced hikers: Pack lightly. Just bring money, clothes for changing and water. There is a stop in the middle of the trail to where you could rest and buy some snacks. There’s also a snack-bar at the falls’ location.
Anyway, there was one thing that caught my attention when we were doing the hike. We heard explosions followed by rumblings on the ground for two to three times. And when we asked our tour guide on what it was: she explained that there’s gold mining underneath the mountain we were walking. That explains weird carts that are strangely set up in one place, and some sacks of soil everywhere, only to find out they weren’t just normal soils: they had silver with it.
Orange Farm (Seasonal), Sagada Weaving, St. Mary’s Church, Pottery House
After, we went back but unfortunately the Orange Farm was not in its full bloom so we had to ditch that one. Also, we didn’t experience the Pottery House. I didn’t know why, but I think it was because these experiences are seasonal.
photo courtesy: ByaheNiJuan Travels
Like with Sagada Weaving, to where you could see women weave local fabrics and even sew them into useful items like wallets, bags and etc. Thankfully, Sagada Weaving was available at that time, so we got to see the weaving process and the items in their store.
At St. Mary’s Chruch, we got to wander around the beautiful yard that has a lot of pine trees and green grass.
photo courtesy: ByaheNiJuan Travels
Campo Santo Cemetery (Devil’s Mountain)
It’s freaky to say the least, but after St. Mary’s Church we head up to the Hell Mountain, Campo Santo Cemetery. It’s called such because on all souls day, people gather at the top of the hill to start a fire on the tombstones of their loved ones, to which formally is called ‘Festival of Lights’.
Although, we didn’t experience the festival itself: you could Google it and see the cemetery turn into creepy hell-like scene from the movies. It’s already creepy with only the tombstones, how much more if there are flames… all over the hill.
Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins
After the cemetery, we headed straight to the Echo Valley where you can scream your lungs out and hear your voice echoing; like screaming, “WALANG FOREVER!” which is a trend.
trail to Echo Valley & Hanging Coffins
Right after that, we get to do another hike down to another creepy spot: Hanging Coffins. And mind you, we’ve been to several hiking activities and my legs were already sore!
TIP: Switching hot and cold water could ease up the muscle soreness.
Anyway, the Hanging Coffins experience became creepier when the tour guide explained that the reasons of their Igorot ancestors in doing such are pure negativity. Like when one dies due to inauspicious or unlucky circumstance or when one dies in the middle of farming or hunting that they considered jinxed, and many other discomforting reasons.
The tour guide also explained that there are a lot of hanging coffins on mountain cliffs at another spot further than the ones in Echo Valley.
Day 3
Kiltepan Viewpoint… or not
It was our final day in Sagada and it has to start at Kiltepan Viewpoint… or not. Well, our driver suggested us not to do the hike up the viewpoint because, he says, it’s far, cold, the view is not that good as it’s blocked by trees, and the place is crowded.
This was actually proven by friends who have gone to Kiltepan viewpoint. They agreed to what our driver told us that the hype, because of the film, is bogus. That’s beside the fact that the exploited viewpoint is too crowded. My friends’ photo even resembles MRT rush hour in Manila, or religious processions. They were also dissatisfied with their Kiltepan experience… but not us.
Since our only purpose on why we were there is to see the sun rise behind the mountain while the sea of clouds astonish us: our driver suggested another spot that’s more appealing than in Kiltepan Viewpoint.
And, he was right. This was our 180 degrees stunning view:
Although, the spot to where we were is less safe since it’s just beside the road and the cliff respectively, but the consolation was the view. And we were careful so we won’t fall off the cliff though.
Anyway, I get to see the sea of clouds and the sun slowly rise while at the same time, checking the experience off from my bucket list. It was so beautiful and placid; my soul could agree that for the short time I was gazing on the killer view: I felt inner peace.
TIP: IF your sunrise-sea of clouds viewing is on the 3rd day, I suggest for you to buy something to eat the night before since you will not really stop to some restaurants since they’re basically closed in the early mornings and you’d head straight to Baguio.
Halsema Highway, Atok, Benguet
After the rejuvenating experience, we then headed to Baguio. And I dare you not to close your eyes when you’re on your way, especially when in Benguet because the view of the mountains is absolutely breathtaking. It’s one of the best experiences I had of the tour.
apologies ’cause technically this is in Banaue, but when you reach Benguet part, there are a lot of mountains with Rice Terraces as well to which I think has a more gorgeous view in than in Banaue.
Then we reached to the most dangerous highway in the Philippines, the Halsema Highway. It is the highest highway in the country that’s infamous for road accidents… or shall I say, cars falling off the cliff accidents, because the street is not just narrow, but blind curves and reckless drivers are everywhere. Not to mention the slippery roads during wet seasons.
Anyway, when we got to the highest point of the highway, we got to see the amazing view of the mountains of Benguet.
And right after that, we went to La Trinidad (to where we buy some strawberry jams and souvenirs), Baguio and back to Manila.
PART 4: TAKEAWAY
Going to Sagada is NOT easy as a pie especially when you do it DIY. You’d have to take into account the restlessness of the time you’ll be spending inside the van or bus from Manila to Sagada and vice versa, and working your way through the spots in Sagada which some are far. I am not halting you to do DIY, but I’m advising you not to. Instead, hire an agency that could take care of the itinerary.
Sagada was just a photo on our house calendar, and with visiting the spot was a dream come true. I realized how clever nature and culture unified is. Also, I get to try delicious food and pure coffee delight in Sagada which you can read on my other blogpost WHERE TO EAT IN SAGADA. By the end of the trip, my takeaway was that Sagada, while it’s a hassle ride: it’s still worth the try.
PART 5: COSTING
NOTE: This breakdown is for 1 person only & doesn’t include souvenirs.
Airfare – P900.00
Tour Pacakge – P2,580.00
Food – P2,000.00
Tour Guide fees:
1. Sumaguing Cave P150.00
2. Bomod-ok Falls P100.00
TOTAL – P6,630.00 or roughly P7,000.00
One Setting Travels 