Exploring Sagada was one of the things that I have been wanting to strike off from my bucket list for a very long time. What keeps me from going to Sagada during my past vacation to the Philippines, is that my vacation always falls in the rainy months of July to August. And I thought that traveling during the rainy season to the mountains is very dangerous due to landslides and unpredictable weather.
But for this year, I and my wife got the chance to push through the plan of going to Sagada. It was now or never attitude. I guess parents in laws, are angels sent from heaven. They promised to watch the kids for few days while we were traveling.
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Sagada is a small town located in Mountain Province, also known as the "Shangri-La of the Philippines" because of its cool weather and well known for its many tourist attractions and the famous Hanging Coffins of Sagada. I knew that I had to endure a very long travel by bus so I pack lightly with basic light clothing, short pants, and Northface jacket to keep me warm for the night.
How To Go.
There are 2 ways to reach Sagada. Via Baguio or via Benguet from Cubao. We chose the later options because I wanted to pass the famous rice terraces in Benguet on the way back to Manila. From Cubao, we took a 1030 pm Victory bus to Baguio. By 330 am the next day we reached the Victory Liner bus station in Baguio. We took another short taxi ride to Dangwa terminal in Baguio to catch the first GL Bus trip to Sagada.
While waiting for the 6:30 am the first trip to Sagada, one passenger informed us that there is a 3:30 am trip to Sagada in Slaughterhouse in Baguio. I have known earlier, I could have adjusted our travel time from Cubao.
The GL left Dangwa terminal at 6:30 in the morning. It was an ordinary bus with no air condition system. The seats were little too hard to the butt. Who needs air condition anyway when the weather is cool.
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| GL Bus going to Sagada from Baguio |
While still in Baguio we passed a cluster of colored houses that resembles the favelas of Brazil. I came to know later that these houses were the project of local artist in Baguio to resemble the shape and color of a flower. As the bus was slowly negotiating the seemingly endless curves and slopes of Halsema Highway going to Sagada, I was entertained by the scenic view of mountains of Cordillera and the occasional vegetable farms along the road. Most of the vegetables that are grown here supply the demands in Metro Manila.
We reached Sagada around 12:30 in the afternoon and quickly walked towards the Tourism Office to pay the environmental fee of P 35.00 each. After paying, we were given brochures of all travel and tour activities in Sagada.
Where to Stay.
There are no luxury hotels in Sagada but there lots of cheap hotel accommodation in Sagada that can suit your budget. For me, we chose to stay at Igorot Inn which was close to the bus stop and center of the town. After a quick lunch at the basement of Centrum building, toro toro style, we booked a CODA Bus ticket from Sagada to Cubao via Banaue.
We returned to the Tourism Office to meet our local guide for the Sagada Eco Tour, Mang Lenard. Sagada requires all visitors to avail of the services of Sagada local guides "for a safe and informative and fun filled journey."
What To Do.
Things to do in Sagada:
Lumiang Cave - Sumaguing Cave connection
Balangagan cave
Bomod-ok Waterfalls
Pongas Waterfalls
Bokong Waterfalls
Eco tours
Kiltepan Sunrise
Lake Danum sunset
Mountain Trekking
Echo valley
Hanging Coffins
Church of St Mary's
Rappelling
The good thing about Sagada is that almost all the tourist destinations can be reached by foot. There are loads of outdoor activities that you can do in Sagada and one of that is the 3-hour walking Sagada Eco Tour.
Our first destination with Mang Lenard, our local guide, was the St Mary's Church in the town. An Episcopalian Church built by Christian missionaries in the early nineties. Next, we hiked a small hill going to the town cemetery where a SAF 44 soldier was buried.
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| the altar of St Mary's Church in Sagada |
We passed also the place where tourist can do the rappelling and echo valley. Next stop was the famous Hanging Coffins of Sagada. Although most of the population in Sagada are Christians, there are still people who observe traditional custom and traditions of Igorots like burying the dead by hanging the coffin to the cliffs. The Igorots don't embalm their dead, according to Mang Lenard. So the place stinks for several days because of the decomposing flesh of the dead.
We crossed a small river and walked for 20 minutes going downhill toward Bokong Falls. Bokong Falls is the smaller version of the bigger Bomod Ok Falls.
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| Bokong Falls |
After a short photo op near the falls, we walked uphill toward the Sagada Weaving. I was excited to take a photo but was met by a sign that no photography is allowed inside. In Sagada Weaving, the shop produces quality bags, wallets, and other accessories.
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| Sagada Weaving |
We walked back to the town for 30 minutes to conclude our Eco Tour.
What to Eat.
The best way to know the place is only to explore its places but also try the local cuisines. After walking and doing a short hike for 3 hours during the Eco-walk Tour, we were feeling drained because of the overnight travel, we decided to eat. First, we went to the Pinikpikan Haus Restaurant to try the Pinikpikan.
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Pinikpikan served with Red Rice
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For animal lovers, you will frown how the chicken is cooked and killed. The chicken is slowly killed by beating the chicken with a stick. By doing this the blood will clot to the surface enhancing the flavor of the chicken. The chicken is put over the fire to burn the feathers. Pinikpikan is cooked like sinigang but with a "burned taste". Slices of Etag are also added.
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| Etag or smoked meat |
Etag another local cuisine is a smoked pork meat in Sagada. I reckon that in earlier times, Etag is one way of preserving the meat.
Another restaurant to try is the lemon pie at Sagada Lemon Pie House. The restaurant is located further down the road, about 10 minutes walk from the bus stop.
The Sagada Lemon Pie House is owned by Joseph Daoas. It was Joseph's mother, Elena Daoas, a native from Candon, Ilocos Sur (married to Bartolome Daoas, originally from Poblacion, Sagada) that started it all. It was her original recipe and she passed it to Joseph that later improved the recipe to make it taste even better.
It took 12 years for Joseph to perfect the recipe. He experimented to get the right amount of flour for the crust and the right texture for the filling. It was five years ago when the lemon pie reached its greatest improvement. But of course, it didn't end there.
In 2008, the Sagada Lemon Pie House was opened to the public for the first time, but it wasn't a hit. So Katrina decided to bring her lemon pies to the public market, downtown Poblacion, to get better sales. Soon, more and more people buy their pies, and the rest is history. Nowadays, you can taste some of our lemon pies in local stores and restaurants in Sagada. Just ask where the Sagada Lemon Pie House is and anyone from town can tell you where it is. We also serve freshly brewed coffees, egg pies, and even pastries.
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For breakfast the next day we ate at the Strawberry cafe. I got the third serving of red rice this time. I assumed that white rice is not available in Sagada. We tried also the Yughort House Restaurant. I ordered Banana and Granola Yugort with honey. I am not fun of fresh yogurt, though. I like to eat frozen yogurt. The ones being sold in the malls in Dubai.
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Our Breakfast. Corned beef Omelet served
with Red Rice |
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| Banana and Granola Yugort |
I actually attempted to do caving at Lumiang Cave - Sumaguing Cave connection. I cancelled it because my knee was hurting from previous day eco tour.
The next day we boarded the 3;30 pm Coda bus for our 13 hours trip direct to Cubao. We were able to at least get a view of the Rice terraces while passing Banaue in Ifugao province.
Travel Tips in Travelling to Sagada.
- Check local weather before traveling to Sagada. Chances are you will get stuck in the mountains due to flooding or road closures due to landslides.
- The best time to travel to Sagada is during the cold months of December to January to experience the cold weather
- Be physically fit. Some tourist activities can be physically demanding
- Be prepared to travel 13 hours from Manila to reach Sagada
- You can save a lot by doing the tourist activities in groups
- Try native cuisine
- Explore Sagada by foot
- I saw an ATM cash machine in the Tourism Center but bring cash just in case
- You eat toro toro style at the basement of Centrum Center
- Try to catch the 330 am first trip from Slaughter, Baguio if you want to reach Sagada earlier
- TRY THE BANANA CAKE AT SAGADA COOPERATIVE NEAR CODA BUS STATION. It's one of the best Banana cake I have ever tasted.
- Bring battery bank and extra memory card for photos.
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SAGADA MUNICIPAL TOURIST INFORMATION CENTER
Poblacion, Sagada, Mountain Province
2619 Philippines
Email add: sagada.mayor@gmail.com
https://wwwfacebook.com/sagadatourism
open: 7:00 am
close:6:00 pm
Hotlines:
Sagada PNP 0908 225 8115
Municipal Tourism Office 0999 991 1801
