That place called SAGADA

That thing called tadhana or I should say "That thing called destiny" Sagada is located at northern Luzon a town in Cordillera mountains, Philippines. It was known with its cold weather, cave, falls and the rich culture that retains until now.

We traveled Sagada with the help of Arrow travel and tours. We paid Php 3,000 each for the trip with Baguio and Banaue side trip. Our driver kuya Alfred who is very friendly serves as our driver and tour guide at the same time.

First we stop at Baguio and witness the Panagbenga festival. Then, from Baguio we traveled to Sagada passing by the Halsema Highway (also known as the Benguet-Mountain Province Road, Baguio-Bontoc Road or Mountain Trail) that  stretches from the city limit of Baguio to the municipality of Bontoc-Mountain Province. Its highest point at 7,400 ft above sea level in the municipality of Atok which is the highest altitude highway in the Philippines.


Places Must See in Sagada

• Sumaguing Cave
• Also known as the big cave is the most visited cave where you can have spelunking. First timers like me can survive this activity because you can explore it through basic caving for the short course. The estimated time needed for this course is about 1-1.5 hours. Guide fee are as follows:
• Php 500 - good for 4 pax
• Php 600 - good for 5 pax
• Php 1,000 - good for 6-9 pax (2 guides)
• Php 1,200 - good for 10 pax (2 guides)
• Php 1,500 - good for 11-12 pax (2 guides)
• Aside from the short course it offers also the Lumiang- Sumaguing Cave connection though we did not try this one our tour guide said that the estimated time needed to explore was about 4-5 hours. Guide fee are as follows:
• Php 800 for 2 pax and add Php 400 for each additional person

Stairs going down the cave

A reminder before entering the cave to maintain the cleanliness of the cave

View from below the cave

Two Elephant facing eaach other

A turtle like limestone formation

• Bomod-ok falls
• The popular falls in Sagada also known as the "Big falls" because it is bigger than any other falls in Sagada. Going to this falls you have to trek 4.2 km going down and another 4.2 km going up. When you reach the Fidelisan town it means that you are already halfway your journey. Here you can have some rest and buy food to eat. At the falls you can take a dip in the cold water that comes from the falls and have some picnic beside it but be responsible on your trash to maintain the cleanliness of the falls. Guide fee cost Php 500 good for 10 pax.

Way going to Bomod-ok falls

The Fidelisan Town

View going to the Big Falls

Finally, at the Bomod-ok Falls

Warning: The water is cold as ice. :)

• Church of the St. Mary the Virgin
• This is the main Episcopalian church in Sagada. It was founded by Reverend John Staunton.  
• Mass Schedule : 
• 6:30am - Mass
• Sundays: 6:30am - Mass 
• 8:30am - Sung Mass 
• 8:30am - Sunday School 

• Echo valley
• It was named echo valley because when you shout at the valley the sound bounce back to you. Going here you will be passing by the St. Mary's church and the public cemetery. On the other side of the mountain you can see the hanging coffins. 

Public Cemetery

• Hanging Coffins
• One of the traditions in Sagada wherein they believed that putting their dead in steep made their love ones nearer to gods. The dead body in here are in a fetal position like that symbolizes the start of a new life and also their first step journey towards the next life.

• Kiltepan Viewpoint
• A viewpoint in Sagada wherein you have to go early in the morning to catch the sunrise. Unluckily the time we went there rained. But anyway we still enjoyed going there.

A cloudy view in Kiltepan Viewpoint

All in all rain or shine you can still enjoy the place. After all, what matters most is that you are with your friends enjoying every moment of you travels.