Sagada, Mountain Province, The Philippines

Sagada, a thriving town in the Mountain Province, is an unknown place to me until I got to personally met her in June 2011. I immediately fell inlove with her natural beauty and charm. This place is so blessed with wonderful climate, warm people and peaceful environment. Let me also highlight this fact that in the summer the town's average high is 23 degrees Celsius (73.4 F) which makes this place a perfect summer destination for those who want to escape the scorching heat in the Metro.

Typical Sagada Morning

The trip to Sagada is a 12-hour bus drive from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. From the station (Victory Liner in Caloocan,Cubao or Pasay) in Manila, the bus will take you to Baguio City, a prime city in Benguet. From there, take another bus enroute to Sagada.

Typical Road Scenery Going  to Sagada

The trip from Manila to Baguio City is kinda boring so it's better to take a night trip so you will reach the terminal in Baguio in the morning the following day. The trip from Baguio City to Sagada is simply breath-taking and the morning trip which starts at 6 AM gives you the best view of the endless mountains that seem to kiss the clouds.

Vegetable Terraces in Benguet Province

The mountain slopes in Benguet are studded with vegetable terraces which look like stairway to heaven. It's just amazing to look at them. You're eyes just won't get tired and bored! The country roads winding on the mountain slopes also add to the excitement of every passenger. For the native there, the experience seems to be just alright, but the first-timers like me, it's just fun and exciting! I sometimes worried though because streets there can be perilous as shown by the landslides at some location.

The pine trees covering the mountains and their aromatic scent could relax my senses. The steep roads that sometime ascend and descend finally reached the destination----Sagada.

Where to Get Pasalubong 

While in Sagada, we stayed in a school's dormitory. No time was wasted, after settling down, we embarked on our first adventure---Bomod-ok Falls and Agid Rice Terraces.

Places of Interest in Sagada

1. Agid Rice Terraces 

The Agid Rice Terraces is an extensive series of rice terraces in a wide and deep valley. From the road, the green-colored rice terraces would just mesmerize your eyes and make you stand still for a while thinking of the hardwork these people have exerted in order to finish this masterpiece. What makes these terraces different from the ones in the Banaue is the dikes. The ones in Banaue have higher and bigger dikes that make their Rice Terraces more panaromic. Traversing the dikes, a narrow foot path led us to a river where the other attraction, Bomod-ok Falls, is located.

Agid Rice Terraces

2. Bomod-ok Falls

Bomod-ok Falls is the biggest falls in Sagada. The water coming from a cliff plunges 15-20 meters down into a lagoon where avid bathers can enjoy swimming or just padding in the chilly mountain water. Sagada is situated some 5,000 feet (1500 m) above sea level so be prepared to experience a much cooler water temperature in case you're curious of swimming. It was raining that time which made the water even colder for us.

Bomod-ok Falls

Going down the river was no big deal, but going up again can became an ordeal . The good thing was that we were rewarded with a wonderful experience and breath-taking view of the unspoiled beauty that is Sagada.

The Gang

3. Lumiang Cave

Spelunking is one of the activities that you must do while in Sagada. On your way to Sumaguing Cave, there is a smaller burial cave which you can also visit. It is called Lumiang Cave where old and few newer coffins are stacked. Sadly, evidence of illegal collection can be seen. There's no need to go down the cave because the coffins can be seen from the path above, but for the curious ones who want to have a closer look, respect is of utmost importance.

Coffins inside Lumiang Cave

The View of the Cave from the Foot Path

4. Sumaguing Cave

Sumaguing Cave is also called as the Big Cave and it's really huge! It is a 40-minute walk from the main point of Sagada on the Suyo Road. Interesting limestone formations can be seen inside. It is not advisable to take your cellphones or cameras if you do not have any plastic container because there's a big chance that they will get wet. There are guides that you can hire if you wanna explore the cave and it is of utmost importance that you have a guide because the cave is so huge and there are many ways inside. The guides will also provide you with the necessary equipment such as good lighting and of course support and expertise in climbing.

Entrance to the Cave

Limestone formation

Limestone formation meets crystal clear water inside Sumaguing Cave

5. Hanging Coffins

This was a spooky trek because we had to pass through a public cemetery. You can just imagine The Walking Dead series and your adrenaline will spike up. But anyway, I find it more interesting and adds more spectacle to the trek to the world-famous hanging coffins of Sagada. The trek is a brief 15-20 minute walk from the town square.

Viewing spot for the hanging coffins

To be buried this way, I learned that there is one very strict rule: one has to be married and have grand children.

Hanging Coffins

6. Church of St. Mary the Virgin

It is a stone church built by the American missionaries during the 1900s. It is a vibrant episcopal parish found at town centre.

Interior of the Church of St. Mary  the Virgin