By Jungarcia888 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
EXPERIENCE THE CHARM OF SAGADA | TRAVEL GUIDE
Sagada a popular tourist destination in the Philippines, found in the Mountain Province. The place is known for their traditional way of burying people wherein the coffins are hung on the cliffs. The place is favored by many visitors because of its temperate climate, spectacular vistas and amazing adventure it offers.
Tourists visiting the place enjoy several activities like spelunking, waterfalls exploration, hiking, rappelling and much more. The place has trained guides which can assist any visitor at an affordable price.
SAGADADA TOURIST ATTRACTIONS |THINGS TO DO
Photo attribution link – By Andrewhaimerl (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
HANGING COFFINS
Hanging Coffins are one of the iconic elements found in various spots in Sagada. If you are going to Sumaguing Cave, you will see the Sugong Hanging Coffins along the way. Always remind your guide to point out these places. The most talked about hanging coffins at the place is the Sagada Hanging Coffins. Though this requires a short trekking activity from the town.
SPELUNKING | SUMAGUING AND LUMIANG CAVES
Spelunking is one great activity for the outdoor buddies while in Sagada. The Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves are the two most popular caves in Sagada.
Some coffins and human bones will welcome guests at the opening of Sumaguing Cave. The cave which used to be the burial place for the Igorot Elders is just 15 to 20-minute walk from the town proper. Because of the tradition amongst the Igorots of burying people in fetal position, coffins in the place are observed to be smaller in size. Today, locals opted to bury their loved ones in a Christina cemetery but the coffins of the elders stay at the cave.
For those who really has the energy and experience in spelunking, Sumaguing Cave can serve as the entrance and they exit at Lumiang Cave. From the Sumaguing Caves, several small passages can be found which can lead you to exit at the Lumiang Cave. As expected this advanced spelunking activity will require the adventurer to engage in rappelling, a lot of crawling, rock climbing and at times swimming through pools of cave waters. Proper gears are necessary for this activity such as rubber shoes, dry fit attire, headlights/flashlights(also to appreciate different stalagmites and stalactites inside the cave), a dry bag to protect your cameras and other gadgets from getting wet, energy bar, etc.
Spelunking activity requires a professional guide. There are different Spelunking Packages available at the Tourism Center of Sagada. You can choose from these packages depending on your physical prowess and readiness. Two of these packages are as follows:
Sumaguing (Short Course) may take at approximately 2 hours with an average difficulty level. For Sumaguing Cave one can enjoy Rock Formations, some rappelling and rock climbing.
Guide Fee or Sumaguing Cave: P500 for 4 visitors or less | P600 for 5 visitors | P1000 (2 guides) for 6-9 visitors | P1200 (2 guides) for 10 visitors | P1500 (3 guides) for 11-12 visitors
Transport Fees: Optional shuttle service for P350, Last Entrance to the Cave is set at 4 PM.
Cave Connection ( Lumiang to Sumaguing ) This cave course will take around 4-5 hours with a difficulty level of Average to Challenging. Highlights of “Cave Connection” include Burial grounds spotting, some rock climbing, rappelling, crawling, rock formations and wading through cold cave water bodies.
Guide Fee for Cave Connection: P800 for 2 Visitors or Less | P400 for additional visitor
Transport Fees: Optional 2-way transportation for P400, Last Entrance to the Cave is set at 4 PM.
WATERFALLS ADVENTURE | BOMOD-OK AND BOKONG FALLS
Located in Barangay Fidelisan is the Bomod-ok Falls, touted as the most popular falls in Sagada. Bomod-ok Falls is referred to as the Big Falls standing at approximately 20o meters high. The Bokong Falls, on the other hand, is the smaller falls.
Tourist Guides are required for this adventure. On your way to Bomod-ok Falls, you will be blessed by the beautiful scenery of the rice terraces and native villages.
As expected, the waters in the falls are really cold. But people are really tempted to take a dip the moment they arrived at the place.
Sagada rice terraces – by Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
MARVEL AT THE RICE TERRACES OF SAGADA
One of the must-see features of Sagada is the Rice Terraces. These spectacular rice terraces were built to plant rice in the mountainous areas.
Not as huge as the one in Banaue, but Sagada Rice terraces has its own charm. Its magnificent architecture is composed od small rocks painstakingly piled one on top of the other creating nice walls and stair like effect.
TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDERS
Sagada being one of the top tourist destination in the Philippines flooded by thousands of visitors each year is facing a danger to be destroyed may lose her beauty and charm. So here’s The Happy Trip’s some tips and reminders for any travelers planning to visit the place.
Respect for the place, people, and culture. Many sites in Sagada are regarded by its people as sacred. Do not vandalize, nor leave your garbage during your adventure. Always ask permission when taking photographs of the people especially if you plan to post it on the net (well, this must always be the case anywhere). Just take pictures of the burial sites and coffins, but don’t disturb it in any form such as touching, vandalizing, etc. Respect local rituals whenever you have the opportunity to witness one.
Bringing of the refillable water container and extra pouches for your garbage are a good choice.
Sagada benefits from its tourism, hire only accredited guides to keep you safe during your adventures. Any accidents might affect the image of the place.
Bring your mobile phones with extra power banks are a must to maintain open communication when something happens.
The roads in Sagada are narrow, so please observe road courtesy when driving. Park your car at any designated place. Whenever possible, walk when browsing some shops or restaurants. Besides, you will enjoy more the beauty of the place when walking.
Help in the conservation of the environment by registering and paying the environmental fee of PHP 35.00 at the Tourism Center.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen when visiting during summer. Cameras are a must.
By yeowatzup from Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany (Sagada, Cordilleras, Philippines) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
WHERE TO STAY WHEN IN SAGADA
Sagada has various cheap accommodations ready for any guests visiting the place. Please click below for the List of Hotels and Homestays in Sagada.
SAGADA TOURISM CENTER
Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center
Address: South Road, Sagada, 2619 Mountain Province
Phone:0908 757 6444
HOW TO GET TO SAGADA
Sagada can be reached through Baguio City or Banaue.
If you are taking via Baguio Route, take a bus from Manila, you can opt to take the Victory Liner night bus at around 10 Pm so that you will arrive the city at 5 am. The moment you arrived Baguio City, take a taxi to Dangwa Terminal. If you arrive on time you can take the GL Liner first trip to Sagada scheduled at 6 am. The bus has 4 trips to Sagada every day. Travel time to Sagada is approximately 6 hours.
Please take note that during Holy Week, only 1 Bus operates. It may not be wise to travel during this period.
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