Powered by Jasper Roberts - Blog

Slider

a
Sagada: Travel Guide and Itinerary

Sagada: Travel Guide and Itinerary

, Edit

The town of Sagada in Mt. Province is a tourist friendly destination. Yes, going here from Manila is quite a challenge, but I assure you that it is all worth it. Sagada has a rich culture and traditions, rich with breathtaking scenery and natural wonders. The cold weather and some delicious local treats will surely captivate you.
View from Mt. Kiltepan

How to get there

Sagada is around 275 KM from Manila. You can reach it by bus through the following routes:

MANILA - BAGUIO - SAGADA
Probably the easiest and most convenient way going to Sagada from Manila would be the Baguio route. From Pasay or Cubao, ride a bus bound to Baguio. When you reach Baguio, you can either walk or take a cab to Dangwa Terminal and ride a GL Liner bus that is bound to Sagada. Earliest trip starts 6 AM until 1 PM. The bus leaves every 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on the passengers. Total travel time would be around 12 hours. You can also go to Bontoc, then ride a jeepney going to Sagada for less than an hour.

  • Direct Baguio/Sagada Route:
    • Pasay/Cubao-Baguio: (Victory Liner Bus for 5-6 hours) PhP 455.00/445.00
    • Baguio-Sagada (GL Liner Bus for 6 hours) PhP 220.00

  • Alternate Baguio/Sagada Routes:
    • Pasay/Cubao-Urdaneta: (Five Star Bus for 3-4 hours) PhP 306.00/298.00
    • Urdaneta-Baguio: (UV Express Van for 1+ hour) PhP 110.00
    • Baguio-Bontoc: (GL Liner Bus for 6 hours) PhP 200++
    • Bontoc-Sagada:(Jeepney for 45 minutes) PhP 45.00
GL Liner Bus Schedule
MANILA - BANAUE - SAGADA
A direct trip from Manila to Banaue which will give you a chance to see the Banaue Rice Terraces. Ohayami Trans and Dangwa Tranco (a subsidiary of GV Florida) have trips going straight from their terminals in Sampaloc, Manila to Banaue. Trip schedules are posted on Ohayami Trans website while you can inquire at Dangwa Tranco through this contact numbers (02) 731-2879 or (02) 410-1991.

  • Manila-Banaue: (Ohayami Trans Bus for 9-10 hours) PhP 450++
  • Bus Terminal-Banaue Town Proper: (tricycle for a few minutes) PhP 30.00
  • Banaue-Bontoc: (Bus or Jeep for 2-3 hours) PhP 100++
  • Bontoc-Sagada: (Jeepney for 45 minutes) PhP 45.00
Mountain Province


Where to stay

There are no hotels in Sagada but there are a lot of homestays and inns which is nice because it's cheaper. Rates start from PhP 250.00 - 750.00 per night for each person. The most popular among bloggers is the Residential Lodge, but we didn't stay there since it was fully booked. We stayed at Sagada Homestay and it was nice. Here are some inns and homestays you can choose.
  • Residential Lodge: 0919-672-8744
  • Sagada Homestay: 0919-702-8380
  • Bagalima Riverside Inn: 0947-704-6613
  • Mary Hillz Homestay: 0915-379-4860
  • Shamrock Tavern: 0930-195-5680
  • Sagada Kanip-aw View Lodge: 0928-284-7507 / 0929-816-2233
  • Yabami Bed and Breakfast: 0975-256-7447
  • Rock Inn: 0920-909-5899
  • Saint Joseph Rest House: 0918-559-5934
  • Sagada Guest House: 0918-938-5601 / 0919-300-2763
  • Hidden Hill Inn: 0910-796-7073
  • Ligaya's House and Cottages: 0918-343-8415 / 0920-784-9633
  • Rocky Valley Inn: 0918-403-6018
  • Billy’s Haus: 0921-603-2745
  • Ganduyan Inn: 0921-273-8097
  • Alfredo’s Inn: 0918-588-3535
  • Alapo’s View Inn: 0918-311-3161 / 0921-327-9055
  • Alibama Inn: 0920-813-5797
  • George Guest House: 0918-548-0406 / 0920-607-0994
  • Travelers Inn: 0920-799-2960 / 0919-517-1833
  • Masferre Country Inn: 0918-341-6164
  • Hilltopville: 0912-901-4749

Tours and Activities

There are a lot of activities you can do in Sagada. From sightseeing to extreme activities.
Tourist Registration Area and Information Center

Caving and Extreme Activities
  • Short Course Caving - Explore one of Sagada's caves, Sumaguing Cave. About an hour and a half to two hours of spelunking with rappelling and boulder climbing and crawling and reward yourself with beautiful rock arts and formation. Sumaguing entrance is around an hour walk from town. See some sights like rice terraces and hanging coffins along the way to the cave entrance. You need a guide to do this and fee is around PhP 600+ per person.

  • Cave Connection - If you're looking for more challenge, then take this one. This activity is around 4-5 hours, depending on traffic inside the cave. You'll be exploring Lumiang Cave and Sumaguing Cave. The entrance is at Lumiang Cave, which is connected to Sumaguing which you will be exiting. Guide and entrance fee is PhP 800+ per person.

  • Balangagan Cave - Another cave exploration with fine pure white flowstones and stunning stalactites. Just be sure not to touch any rock formations since it is very delicate and sensitive. Around 5 KM from the town center, you can reach this either by vehicle or just walk.

  • Crystal Cave - You won't see this offered in tours at the tourist center since they want to preserve this, due to some vandalism and chipping of those centuries-old speleothems. You can ask your local guide for this activity. It costs PhP 2000.00 per person.

  • Rock Climbing and Rappelling - Climb a 30-meter high rock wall and rappel down at Echo Valley. It costs PhP 800.00 for one person and PhP 400.00 per person for 2 or more. The activity has no time limit and all equipment are provided.

  • White Water Rafting/Canyoneering - Both activities will last a whole day and cost PhP 3500.00 per person, including the equipments and guide.
    • Spelunking in Sumaguing Cave

Waterfalls
  • Hike to Bomod-Ok Falls - One of Sagada's famous waterfalls, this activity requires you to hike for about an hour and a half (3 hours back and forth). Beautiful rice terraces are seen along the way. You can check my post here for Bomod-Ok.

  • Pongas Twin Falls - The falls is located in the southern part of Sagada. It is around 45-minute hike and a vehicle is required to get to the jump off point. A vehicle rental costs PhP 650.00 and guide fee is PhP 600.00.

  • Bumayeng Twin Falls - Another twin falls, drop point is also in Brgy. Bangaan but the hike is 3 hours just by going. It costs PhP 2500.00 for 5 pax, with a packed meal included.

  • Bokong Falls - A small falls but has a very nice pool located in Central Sagada, It is the most accessible waterfall among others. You can hike to this by yourself, but it's a little tricky, so I suggest to have a guide for PhP 200.00 or better if you would take the tour below.
    • Bomod-Ok Falls

Hiking and Sightseeing
  • Central Sagada Eco Tour - Sightseeing along the most accessible tourist spots in Sagada. The tour starts from St. Mary's Church then to Echo Valley, Hanging Coffins, Sagada Underground River and Bokong Natural swimming pool. Tour costs PhP 600.00 (max of 10 pax) or you can DIY like we did here.

  • Mt. Kiltepan - Watch the sunrise at Mt. Kiltepan. The best time to do this activity is summertime, since the chance of a cloudy weather is lower. It also offers a magnificent aerial view of rice terraces and mountain ranges. You either walk going here or rent a jeep for PhP 500.00.

  • Lake Danum - End the day with a sunset it Lake Danum. It is around 20 minutes away from the tourist center. You can drop by Sagada Pottery and Sagada Weaving along the way. Vehicle rent is PhP 550.00.

  • You can also do some trekking:
    • Mt. Ampacao Traverse - PhP 800.00 (max of 10 pax)
    • Grassy Land/Marlboro - PhP 600.00 (max of 10 pax), 2-3 hours of back trekking
    • Langsayan Danum Traverse - PhP 1000.00 (max of 3 pax), 3 hour hike or more
    • Mt. Sisipitan - PhP 2000.00 (per pax)
    • Mt. Polis - PhP 1500.00 (max of 3 pax)
    • Hanging Coffins in Echo Valley
    Rice Terraces


Where to Eat

You can check here for some food establishments in Sagada
  • Sagada Lemon Pie House
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Yogurt House
  • Strawberry Cafe
  • Sagada Brew
  • Log Cabin
Try it all
Lemon Pie from Sagada Lemon Pie House

Itinerary

3 days, 2 nights Suggested Itinerary:
  • Day 1: Manila-Baguio-Sagada
    • 10 PM - Departure to Baguio
    • 5 AM - Arrival in Baguio (breakfast)
    • 6 AM - Departure to Sagada (6 hour trip with 1 bus stop)
    • 12 PM - Arrival in Sagada (registeration, check-in, lunch)
    • 2 PM - Echo Valley Tour
    • 4 PM - Lake Danum
    • 6 PM - Back to Lodge (dinner and rest)
  • Day 2: Hike, Caving
    • 4 AM - Wake up time (coffee)
    • 5 AM - Sunrise at Mt. Kiltepan
    • 7 AM - Breakfast
    • 7:30 AM - Hike to Bomod-Ok Falls
    • 12:30 PM - Lunchtime
    • 1 PM - Cave Connection
    • 6 PM - Back to Lodge (dinner and rest)
  • Day 3: Going home :(
    • 6 AM - Breakfast/Souvenier shopping
    • 7 AM - Depart from Sagada to Baguio
    • 1 PM - Depart from Baguio to Manila
Cheers from  Sagada!

SHARE ON:

Hey there, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed reading my article and helped you out with some travel tips and ideas. Please do leave a comment if you have some comments or suggestions and I'll gladly answer it. Cheers!

1 comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )