Sagada Sojourn
- deanignacio
- Feb 21, 2013
- 4 min read
“Travel is like love, mostly because it’s a heightened state of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.”
Sagada, the misty mountain mistress of the Cordillera region. The place perpetually wrapped in fog and freezing whiteness, the birthplace of the Father of Philippine Photography, the place of juxtaposition between thousand year-old tradition and modernism.
BANER INFO: Activities
Why stay on your bed covered in sheets when you have these outdoor activities awaits you as soon as you drop your bags on your stay of choice.
Witness the Sagada Festival of Lights (Panag-apoy) in November, Begnas (Rice) Festival in March/June and SAGGAS’ Bonfire Festival during the last week of December.
Have a gourmet feast on Saturday night’s buffet at Log Cabin
Hike or rent a van and go to Lake Danum and Sunset Summit
Spelunking (one way or cave connection) at Sumaguing, Lumiang / Crystal Caves.
Hiking Tour (with guide) of Echo Valley, Hanging Coffins, Underground River, Bokong Falls, Cemetery and Calvary Hills
Trek to rice terraces of Kapay-aw, Suyo, Kiltepan , Ankileng, Balugan, and Bangaan
Trek to Bomod-ok and Pongas Falls
Try the mountain tea, the famous yoghurt of the Yoghurt House and the lemon pie of Sagada Lemon Pie House
Sample the local delicacy on the north called Pinikpikan
Look for the wild horses in Sagada’s Marlboro Country
See the spectacular sunrise from a sea of clouds at Kiltepan Peak.
Trek Mt. Ampacao
Visit Masferré Museum, Sagada Pottery and Ganduyan Museum
Buy weaved products at Sagada Weaving and other local shops
White water rafting in Chico River
Mountain biking
Try rock climbing in Echo Valley Cliff
the entrance to Sumaguing Cave
One of the amazing stalagmite formations inside Sumaguing cave
Can you count the coffins? Lumiang burial cave entrance
Getting there and away…
The best way, but not necessarily the cheapest, is to go to Baguio via the Victory Bus (www.victoryliner.com). They have terminals in both Pasay and Cubao and they also have one in Dau, Pampanga. They have buses going to Baguio several times a day and their terminal in Baguio is right at the Upper Session Road. It takes about 5-6 hours to go from Manila to Baguio (Php450).
From the terminal, take a cab to Dangwa station and proceed to Lizardo or GL buses. Please consider that there is bus service almost every 1.5 hours starting at 5:30am till 1 pm only. The non-airconditioned (don’t worry, you won’t be needing air-conditioning the entire trip I assure you) bus trip costs about Php 220 per person and it takes about 5-6 hours to get to Sagada, with two short stopovers for meals and personal necessities. (BANEST TIP: seat on the right side of the bus for fantastic view of the mountain especially on early morning trip)
Typical stop-over scenario
Tips When Traveling to Sagada by Bus
Buy your tickets early within the day, especially during peak travel months of December to May. Be at the terminal at least 30 minutes prior to departure. There are no advance ticket reservation as all tickets purchased within the day should be used the same day, otherwise it will be forfeited
Your baggage may be stowed above your seat or by your feet, while other luggage may be checked into the cargo compartment of the bus.
If you find that the seats are too cramped, or that you are bringing too much luggage, know that it is possible to buy an extra seat just for the luggage or for you to be able to stretch out and be more comfortable in the duration of the trip.
Make sure to bring or buy some snacks. The trip, although one will feast on beautiful views of the majestic mountains of the Cordillera region in the Philippines, can be pretty boring after a while, as it’s “just” one beautiful scenery after another.
One good thing about riding an non-aircon bus is that you can take beautiful photos of the wonderful view of vegetable and rice terraces of Benguet and Mountain Province on Halsema, so keep your camera handy.
Upon reaching Sagada, one gets off at the same waiting shed where one will wait to get on the bus back to Baguio. There is no terminal or depot where one can buy a return ticket, so just know that the return trips follow the same schedule. Just go wait for the bus by the shed when you are ready to leave.
Sunset Summit near Lake Danum
One of the must eat when in Sagada- yoghurt with toppings!
When spelunking, do not stray out of the light
From one generation, to the next…
Accomodation:
So ok, you’re already at Sagada, but where to stay? I got a list of most, if not all of the places to stay in Sagada and nearby towns from the Tourist Information Office. I highly recommend Sagada Homestay for they have the best view of the town area especially if you stay on their attic rooms
Sagada Homestay Inn: +639197028380
George Guest House: +639185480405/+639206070994
St. Joseph’s Rest House: +63927360344
Sagada Guest House and Café: +639189385601/+639193002763
Travelers Inn: +639207992960
Rock Inn and Restaurant:: +639209095899/+639282131149
Isabelo’s Inn and Café: +639289517153
Davey’s Town Inn and Restaurant: +639495944471/+639395061914
Ganduyan Inn: +639212738097
Masferre Country Inn and Restaurant: +639183416164
Green House Inn: +639092549783/+639478351985
Sagada Igorot Inn: +639097578357
Olabinan Rest House and Restaurant: +639284067647
Granma’s Yellow House and Café: +639092549783/+629478361985
Gecko Inn:+639202895471/+639197261114
Residential Lodge: +639296257419/+639196728744
Kanip-aw Pines View Inn: +639266092962
Mary’s Hill Inn: +63194080108
Shamrock Tavern: +639301955680
Yabami Inn: +639497472245
Mary Hillz Homestay: +639153794860
Churya-a Hotel Annex: +639064300853 /+639215331030
Mapia-aw Pension: +639052164055/+639082027969
Ligaya’s Transient: +639183438415/+639207849633
Billy’s House: +639216032745
Green House +639187367831
Davey’s Inn: +639395061914
Alapo View Inn: +639183113161/+639213279055
Alibama Inn: +639208135797
Bagalima Riverside Inn: +639477046613
Canaway Inn: +639182915063/+639107092631
Hilltopville +639129014749
Misty Lodge: +639196918487
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