Sagada, Mountain Province
Once in a Lifetime Experience
by: Jessica Hernandez
Sagada is a small and tranquil town of Mountain Province, approximately five thousand feet above the sea. A remote town with so much to offer to anyone who chooses to experience its distinct appeal. With its temperate weather, wondrous caves and cliffs, lofty rice terraces, majestic waterfalls, luscious foods and delicacies, rich heritage and traditions, Sagada promises everyone an unforgettable and truly remarkable experience with nature and culture.
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My Personal Experience
Traveling is an extraordinary experience every person needs. It opens you a whole new world out there and reveals your inner strength. There is nothing quite like traveling, like seeing a new place for the first time or returning to a favorite place. People of all ages, from all countries, travel to foreign places for many different reasons – namely work, family and leisure. Whether by plane, train, ship or automobile, travel is generally a pleasurable experience, at least for the people who can financially afford comfortable and safe methods of travel.
So last April 2016 I decided to go to on a vacation trip together with my two best of friends so that I can tour them to my mother’s province which is Benguet. At first we stayed four days in the city of Baguio to explore the different tourist spots and famous landmarks there. After that we already go to Benguet and stayed for a week. We also had a chance to visit the province of Mountain province which is 3hours travel up to Benguet, we experience the different adventures and tourist spots in Sagada which is more fun and exciting because I’m not only with my friends but with my whole family there. I am very glad because we are all together and they are very competitive especially the place that we been through includes physical activities.
Destinations in Sagada
Far and away the most frequented destination in Sagada, Sumaguing Cave is an awe-inspiring cave system that will simultaneously amaze and test you. Popular for its stunning rock formations and potential for danger, this cave is an absolute must-do for any first-time visitor to Sagada.
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Sumaguing Cave is a lot of fun but be warned that it can be dangerous so it should NEVER be attempted without a guide. It’s pitch black and many of the rocks are very slippery. Losing your balance and hurting yourself is a real possibility. Apart from keeping your balance and watching your step, it isn’t physically demanding but it does have its challenges (ie rapelling up and down a 10-ft rope).
After Sumaguing Cave, the hanging coffins are the second most popular attraction in Sagada and another must-do for first-time travelers. It’s pretty amazing to see them up close, especially the ones perched high up on the side of the rock!
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To get to the coffins, go to St. Mary’s Church and the cemetery. Walk past the cemetery and make your way down into the valley. From the top, it’ll be a relatively easy 15-20 min hike to the coffins. The coffins are easy enough to find on your own, but it is possible to get lost in the valley. For your own safety and peace of mind, you may want to hire a guide from the tourism office for just PHP 200 (up to 10 pax).
Bomod-ok Falls. Also known locally as the “Big Falls”, you need to first make your way to the information center in Barangay Banga-an. It’s about an hour’s walk from St. Mary’s Church. It’s a nice, leisurely walk with good scenery, but you may want to hire a van considering that the next half of the trek involves a shitload of steps. You can arrange for a van at the tourism office for PHP 650 round trip.
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Once at the Banga-an information center, you can hire a guide for PHP 500 (up to 10 pax). You’ll then begin the hour-long trek down to the falls where you can go for a swim in the freezing waters if you like. I’ve read that the way there is fairly easy. It’s the trek back up all those steps that’s tough.
Lumiang Burial Cave is located just a few meters before Sumaguing Cave. At its mouth is a pile of stacked coffins that are different from the ones you see hanging in Echo Valley. Apart from the big pile on the ground, many are wedged high up in cracks that run along the cave’s walls. It makes you wonder how on earth the locals got them up there!
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As mentioned earlier, there’s a more advanced spelunking route called the Lumiang-Sumaguing cave connection that starts here.
Kiltepan Viewpoint is a terrific way to start your day in Sagada. The highest point in the area, it’s known for its breathtaking views of the sun rising from behind the Cordillera mountains over an ocean of clouds. Made famous (or infamous) by that Tadhana movie, the spot has been flooded with tourists lately so this may be an activity best enjoyed during the off or shoulder seasons. Around 4 km from town, vans can be arranged at the tourism office for PHP 500 round trip. They’ll pick you up from your hotel at 5AM.
I’ve never done this but orange picking at Rock Inn & Cafe is another popular activity in Sagada. From September to February, you can pick and eat as many oranges as you like within 30 minutes for PHP 50. If you want to bring them home, then you can do so for PHP 60 per kilo. The oranges are said to be at their best in December.
