Sagada Serendipity

I've been dreaming of visiting this place for quite some time now and my main intent is just to have a view of the landscape. But destiny, infinite in its wonders offered something more. Something unforgettable. What makes it different from any other destinations is the variety of activities in store for the tourists. I found it to be a place where thrill, pleasure and beauty combined.

Sagada is located in the Mountain Province, Philippines. Back then, accessibility to the place is quite difficult, only a few conquerors dare to set foot during the Spanish Era, thus, it is one of a few places that has preserved its indigenous culture with a little Spanish influence.

If you're planning a visit, the first thing you have to consider is the weather. You may check here for updates: Sagada Weather Forecast. 

On this tour, we had a ''connecting trip''. First, we took a bus from the Ohayami Trans terminal taking us to Banaue. In Banaue, there are public transportations such as van and jeep bound for Sagada.

The other option is by going to Baguio preferably through Victory Liner. Once in Baguio, you can take a cab and tell the driver to take you to the Dangwa bus terminal. There, you'll find buses destined for Sagada, however, they are not air-conditioned.

Our bus left around 9:00 in the evening and we arrived in Banaue at 6:00 in the morning the following day. After having breakfast in a nearby coffee shop, we then search for a van. It didn't take us long to find one since it's a weekday. While waiting for other passengers, we got acquainted with fellow tourists who later became our adventure buddies.

Along the way, we had a glimpse of different magnificent views, especially when the driver would pull over for a break. Finally, we arrive at our destination around 10 in the morning. We checked in at the Residential Lodge ( call +639196728744 or +639081661077 for inquiries) where we made a reservation prior to the trip. We had lunch, washed up, rest for a while, and off we go spelunking in the Sumaguing Cave.

It was my first and mind you, it’s quite challenging. There are times I have to crawl, wriggle my body like a worm and push myself just to get through the holes. Up to now, I'm still puzzled on how the heck did I fit in some of 'em!

They say that this place used to be underwater millions of years ago and fossilized seashells can be seen on the cave walls.

After exploring the caves, my friends visited the Sugong Hanging Coffins located in the Echo Valley. The coffins are quite small because the remains are positioned in a fetal manner (it's what babies look like inside the womb). Though still an ongoing tradition, this privilege is not for everyone. People buried here are considered to be of utmost nobility/rank and should have a natural cause of death.

We woke up very early the next day and started our hike to Mount Kiltepan to catch the sunrise. Having no other guide but a map, we ascended into the forest where we got lost several times. I'm glad we did. The road less taken leads to a perfect spot where we waited as we yearn for the sunlight to gently touch our skin and delicately blinding our vision. Such beauty. Such magnificence. We were in awe!

Once you arrived at the falls, brace yourself for a cliff jump like what my friends did.

This is my friend, Boris. Jumping off the cliff with a battle cry!

We walked ourselves dry heading back to the transport waiting for us at the parking lot. Back in the municipality, we had lunch then went back to the lodge for a little rest. Later in the afternoon while on our way to Lake Danum to have a glimpse of the sunset, we had a stopover for a demonstration of pottery making.

For some reason, while I was watching her, the song ''Unchained Melody'' keeps playing in my mind.

Our last stop of the day is Lake Danum where something funny happened. You see, when we arrived at the place, the sun is nowhere in sight. We then felt a bit disappointed thinking that we already missed the sunset. Then suddenly, it starts peeking slowly from the clouds where it was just hiding. All of us started to cheer!

The following day, we woke up early and started our hike to Mount Kiltepan to catch the sunrise. Having no other guide but a map, we ascended into the forest where we got lost several times. I'm glad we did. The road less taken leads to a perfect spot where we waited as we yearn for the sunlight to gently touch our skin and delicately blinding our vision. Such beauty. Such magnificence. We were in awe!

We enjoyed the serene and cool breeze of the morning air as we make our way back to the town.

Exhausted from the a long walk, we went to Masferré Country Inn and Restaurant to relax and have breakfast. While waiting for them to serve our food,  I noticed a piano around the corner and decided to tickle the ivories. Their dish is great by the way, so you might want to give it a try when you visit.

We had a different route going back to Manila. First, we took a bus headed for the Dangwa bus terminal in Baguio. From there, we took a cab and asked to be taken to Victory Liner Bus Terminal where we bought tickets and got on one of the buses heading back to Manila. 

We calculated the expenses that we incurred in this trip. They are as follows:

Bus Fare from Manila to Banaue -  450 pesos

Van Fare from Banaue to Sagada -  300 pesos

Bus Fare from Sagada to Baguio - 220 pesos

Bus Fare from Baguio to Manila - 455 pesos

Guide fee/Cave - 1,200 pesos for 3 people

Guide Fee/Falls - 400 pesos

Accommodation for 3 days and 2 nights - 2,400 pesos for 3 people

The Experience - Priceless!

TIPS AND TRICKS

1. If you're planning to go spelunking, be sure to waterproof your devices and wear durable clothes that easily dry. Though the guide has a bright lamp with him, it will better to have your own headlamp as well.

2. Chances are, you'll be having a lot of long walks, especially if you're going to Tumabo falls where some of the paths are quite slippery. Wear comfy shoes with good traction to avoid getting blisters and accidents.

3. The food and drinks are not as affordable as we thought it would be even if it is considered a provincial area. Whenever we go out to eat, it cost each of us a minimum of 150 pesos per meal. I realized that the place is already in a ''commercial'' state, so bring enough cash with you.

4. The bus heading for Baguio leaves at exactly 11:00 in the morning and most of the time it gets full. It's much better to make a reservation or go to the bus station as early as possible to make sure seats are still available.

5. During this adventure, I've become acquainted with people from other parts of the country, even with people from different sides of the world and nothing is more rewarding than the gift of friendship. I advise you to invite other tourists to join your group whenever you plan to explore where you may also divide between each of you the fare or the guide fee making your expenses less.

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