Getting to Sagada
There are two routes that I know to get to Sagada. The first route is the Baguio-Bontoc-Sagada route and the second is the Banaue-Bontoc-Sagda route. There are no easy routes going to Sagada, for both routes have roads with sharp curves and are on the sides of the mountains. It is not advisable to drive and bring your own vehicle especially you are not familiar with the road; it is much safer to commute.
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| The mountains going to Sagada |
From Manila, you can take a coaster bus going to Bontoc or directly to Sagada. The terminal of the coaster bus is located near St. Luke’s, Quezon City, beside Trinity College. It usually takes 9-10 hours to reach Banaue and another 5-6 hours to reach Bontoc. The roads going to Bontoc are usually besides the mountains.
The view going to Bontoc is very spectacular since you are going up of the mountain. It’s like you are on the very top and you can already see the clouds covering the summit of the mountains. You will know that you are already near Bontoc when you are already going down and when you see the Chico River. The climate also is a bit warmer since Bontoc is a low land area. Bontoc is a small town with rice fields surrounded by mountains. From Bontoc, there is a jeep going to Sagada. It will take 1-2 hours to reach Sagada.
Sagada
The first thing to do when you reach Sagada is to register at the town’s municipal hall. This is their way of ensuring that all travellers are duly accounted for. They will also give you advice on how your itinerary should be. They will also let you choose or assign someone to be your guide during your stay on the place. A guide is given to every five person. If you are seven in the group you will have two guides. The guides are usually for travellers who have planned to do cave spelunking and go to Bomod-Ok falls. These two places are the most visited and are bit prone to accidents.
Places to Stay
There are a lot of transient houses, inns and hotels in Sagada. They are usually located near the market and municipal hall. There are inns that only costs P200 – P500 depending on how large and how near they are on the town proper. Some of the inn are ordinary houses that were converted as inns hence they are a lot cheaper than the usual. These transient houses welcomes overnight stay on their place unlike other inns.
Places to Go
There are a lot of places to go to Sagada. A three days two nights stay would not be sufficient if you want to really take a look at the whole town. Below are some of the most popular places to see:
Sumaging Cave - this is the large cave where most people go. You need a guide to enter the cave. They prohibit travellers going alone inside the cave to prevent accidents. It is best to went there earlier because the rocks are not yet that slippery and you get to have the whole place on your own. The place easily gets crowded since this is one of the favorite places to see. Sumaging Cave is very famous because its different rock formations. Its best to wear light clothing because there are part of the cave that you need to climb, slip yourself between the rock sand pass through waters.
Lumiang Cave - this is a much smaller cave than Sumaging. Travellers who wants to do the cave connection enters at Lumiang cave and exits at Sumaging cave. Just like Sumaging cave it is not advisable to enter the it without a guide.
Bomod-ok Falls - there are two famous falls in Sagada. The Bokong Falls and Bomod-ok Falls. Bokong Falls is a small falls while Bomod-ok is the large falls. You don't neccessary need a guide going to Bomod-ok Falls but just to be safe it would be better to have one. It will take you about an two hours of trekking to get to the falls. The guide is to assist you in taking the fastest and safest route. You will hve to go down the mountain, pass some village and rice terraces to reach Bomod-ok Falls. The rice terraces is a magnificent view going to the falls. There are some part of the trail going to the falls that are slippery.
Bokong Falls - This is a small falls which have a view of rice terraces. Unlike Bomod-ok Falls, Bokong Falls is much easier to find and is just near the town proper.
Echo Valley - First thing to do when you get into hte place is shout your name and then you will know why it's called Echo Valley. It will take about 15-30 mins walk going to the place from the drop-off point. You will have to pass the town's cemetery going to Echo Valley. This is also the same route going to the hanging coffins. The trail is quite dangerous because it is narrow and a bit slippery.
Lake Danum - Looking at a photo of Lake Danum would make everyone think that its just an ordinary lake. Yes, it is a usual lake that is located on the mountains. This is a great place to watch the sunset.
Things to do
Cave Spelunking - Trip to Sagada would not be complete without discovering its caves. This is very thrilling for people who loves to seek adventure. Aside from the limestones formation, the caves become also popular because of the death-defying experience when exploring its interior. There are part of the cave that you have to crawl, squeeze yourself between the rocks and climb smooth rocks by just using your bare hands.
Trekking - Most of the trip to Sagada is done by long walks. Locals always say that you have to feel the Earth by your bare foot. Since the place has a cool temperature its really nice to walk and savor every moment of it.
Eat at Yoghurt's House - This is one of the famous places to eat at Sagada. The place usually gets full during peak season and one must wait for a long line of customers waiting to be seated. Of course, their best sellers are their yoghurt. However they also serve regular meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Swimming - Who says that there's no swimming adventure at Sagada? Bomod-Ok Falls and Bokong Falls are just the perfect place to take a cool splash of water. After a long walk going to these famous destination, you can reward yourself by diving to its cold water.
There are a lot of places to visit at Sagada. Its serene and peaceful surrounding is what make the place a must tourist destination. And since the place is not that accessible it has maintain its unspoiled beauty.
Places to Go
There are a lot of places to go to Sagada. A three days two nights stay would not be sufficient if you want to really take a look at the whole town. Below are some of the most popular places to see:
Sumaging Cave - this is the large cave where most people go. You need a guide to enter the cave. They prohibit travellers going alone inside the cave to prevent accidents. It is best to went there earlier because the rocks are not yet that slippery and you get to have the whole place on your own. The place easily gets crowded since this is one of the favorite places to see. Sumaging Cave is very famous because its different rock formations. Its best to wear light clothing because there are part of the cave that you need to climb, slip yourself between the rock sand pass through waters.
Lumiang Cave - this is a much smaller cave than Sumaging. Travellers who wants to do the cave connection enters at Lumiang cave and exits at Sumaging cave. Just like Sumaging cave it is not advisable to enter the it without a guide.
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| Bomod-Ok Falls |
Bokong Falls - This is a small falls which have a view of rice terraces. Unlike Bomod-ok Falls, Bokong Falls is much easier to find and is just near the town proper.
Echo Valley - First thing to do when you get into hte place is shout your name and then you will know why it's called Echo Valley. It will take about 15-30 mins walk going to the place from the drop-off point. You will have to pass the town's cemetery going to Echo Valley. This is also the same route going to the hanging coffins. The trail is quite dangerous because it is narrow and a bit slippery.
Lake Danum - Looking at a photo of Lake Danum would make everyone think that its just an ordinary lake. Yes, it is a usual lake that is located on the mountains. This is a great place to watch the sunset.
Things to do
Cave Spelunking - Trip to Sagada would not be complete without discovering its caves. This is very thrilling for people who loves to seek adventure. Aside from the limestones formation, the caves become also popular because of the death-defying experience when exploring its interior. There are part of the cave that you have to crawl, squeeze yourself between the rocks and climb smooth rocks by just using your bare hands.
Trekking - Most of the trip to Sagada is done by long walks. Locals always say that you have to feel the Earth by your bare foot. Since the place has a cool temperature its really nice to walk and savor every moment of it.
Eat at Yoghurt's House - This is one of the famous places to eat at Sagada. The place usually gets full during peak season and one must wait for a long line of customers waiting to be seated. Of course, their best sellers are their yoghurt. However they also serve regular meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Swimming - Who says that there's no swimming adventure at Sagada? Bomod-Ok Falls and Bokong Falls are just the perfect place to take a cool splash of water. After a long walk going to these famous destination, you can reward yourself by diving to its cold water.
There are a lot of places to visit at Sagada. Its serene and peaceful surrounding is what make the place a must tourist destination. And since the place is not that accessible it has maintain its unspoiled beauty.
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