Top Five Things to do in Sagada

Watching the sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint

It's time to unplug and do some adventures! Here are the top five things to do in Sagada. 

Background: Sagada

Sagada is a 5th class municipality in Mt. Province situated about 400 kilometers north of Manila. This idyllic municipality can only be reached by land travel. It has a cool climate all year round, with a stunning view of the Cordillera mountain range. Activities in Sagada include hiking, spelunking, foodtripping, swimming, and many more. 

How to get there

There are several ways to get to Sagada but if you are coming from Manila, the most convenient way will be to ride a bus from Coda Lines. Their buses are brand new with comfy seats, and for safety, has two drivers driving alternately. 

The beautiful purple bus of Coda Lines

One thing I also love about this bus line is that they have a sidetrip to Banaue Viewing Point. I was able to witness the world famous Banaue Rice Terraces which made our Sagada Trip more awesome. 

Banaue Rice Terraces

Coda Bus Line Terminal had already moved from near Trinity College since 2015. Their buses now shares terminal with HM Transport in Cubao. 

Top Five Things to do in Sagada

1. Mt. Ampacao traverse to Lake Danum

Sagada seen from above 

Looking for a dayhike while in Sagada? Worry no more. You can definitely squeeze a minor climb to your Sagada experience by climbing Mt. Ampacao. Its trail difficulty is  2/9 which can be managed in 1.5 - 2 hours of relaxed pace. Feast your eyes on the scenery of the Cordillera mountain range and the town of Sagada below. Then, to make it more worthwhile, do a traverse to Lake Danum for sunset viewing and picnic.

Lake Danum

2. Hike to the Marlboro Hills, traverse to Blue Soils, then explore Sumaguing Cave Connection

Sunrise at Kamanbaneng Peak, Marlboro Hills

The best time to hike to Marlboro Hills is early in the morning. Start as early as 4:30 to make sure you witness the majestic sunrise and the awesome sea of clouds. This requires about a 30-minute hike to a gentle trail but it is less crowded than Kiltepan Viewpoint. After watching the sunrise, you can hike towards Blue Soil for about an hour. 

Walking up and down the Bluesoils

You will pass by pine forest, rock outcrops and many beautiful sceneries before reaching Blue Soils. Blue Soils is like snow-covered hills sprinkled with blue dye. It is an incredible view that it seems you are in other country. If you inspect the soil, you will notice that the soil if somewhat powdery with evident shade of blue. Climb and play in a place that you fancy as a child. 

Now if you still have energy, you can complete this traverse by going to Sumaguing Cave Connection on foot, but if you have extra budget, you can charter a van for P250.  

Sumaguing Cave: What animal are we sitting on?

From Blue Soil Hills, you must hike for about 45 minutes before you reach the Sumaguing Cave Connection. Take note that the trail will be a cemented uphill road which can be brutal if you are not accustomed to hiking. Upon reaching the cave, be prepared to be mesmerized by the awesome limestone formations, stalactites, and stalagmites within the cave. Aside from that, guides have these particular way of entertaining the guest by letting you identify what animal or object resembles the natural rock formation inside the cave. Take a look at the photo. What animal resembles the rock where the bloggers are sitting on? The answer at the end of the story.

4. Watch Sunrise at Kiltepan View Point

Sit atop the same rock where Angelica and JM sat in the film "That Thing called Tadhana"

Sagada's sunrise is just too dang awesome that there are multiple viewpoints to see it. The most popular is the Kiltepan Viewpoint (because this is one of the sets of the film "That Thing called Tadhana). You can hike or charter a vehicle to take you here for P250. Sacrifice a bit of your sleep to watch as the sun slowly creep above the clouds. 

5. Central Sagada Tour

Hanging coffins of Sagada

The Echo Valley Tour encompasses multiple locations and activities within the town of Sagada. It means hiking and sightseeing and most importantly, learning the culture of Sagada. This tour is physically extraneous and at the same time educational as the guides explain the significance of things that you will find along the way. 

Locations included in the Echo Valley Tour:

• The Church of St. Mary the Virign
• Sagada Cemetery
• Echo Valley
• Hanging Coffins
• Sagada Underground River
• Bokong Natural Spring

Shout at the top of your lungs at the Echo Valley

Scene along the trail of Central Sagada Tour

St. Mary the Virigin Church

Inside the Sagada Underground River

A Note for Everyone

1. Coda Lines only has two trips at night. One at 9PM and the other at 10PM. One way will cost you P720.00. Reserve early as the bus gets immediately fully-booked.

1. As you can see, most of our destinations are interconnected and mostly done on foot to save money. A budgetarian Sagada Trip can be done but you have to sacrifice some hours of sleep and degree of comfort. (opportunity cost). 
2. Meals are very expensive. Instead of going to restaurants, I recommend to buy your food from stores catering for the locals. We always have our lunch at the market eatery while dinner is in the local ihaw-ihaw (grilled barbeque) in front of Igorot Inn. This saved us considerable amount of money.
3. Respect the locals. It was given emphasis by Kuya Baste, our guide, that some tourists treat the people and their houses like they are some kind of display in a museum. Respect boundaries!

BONUS: The answer to the question is a TURTLE.

 So, are you ready to go? Grab your backpacks and just go. Check out our other entries for other destinations. Peace out!

Dingalan: DIY Guide

Dingalan, Aurora: Batanes of the East

Want to experience Batanes but do not have the budget yet? Worry no more. There is a cheaper and far nearer alternative for that. Let me introduce you to Dingalan, Aurora. Here are the tips on how to experience Dingalan DIY Style. 

Dingalan, a third class municipality in the province of Aurora. This rustic town offers many activities that will surely satisfy the wanderer in you. 

How to get there

Take note that going to Dingalan entails 4 - 5 hour land travel and multiple transfer of vehicles. 

1. From Manila to Cabanatuan

The first leg of the trip to Dingalan is the bus ride going to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, You have two choices here. If you're from northern Manila, you may opt to pick your ride in Cubao. If from south like us, it will be more convenient to ride in Pasay. Five Star Bus has a trip as early as 4 am. 

Fare - P192.00

Travel Time - 3 - 4 hours

2. From Cabanatuan to Dingalan Town Proper

The second leg is the ride from Cabanatuan to Dingalan, Aurora. Like the first one, you also have two choices here. Either you take a bus or ride a van. 

Fare - VAN, P100.00 BUS, P80.00

Travel Time - 1 - 2 hours

Important Note: Bus may take ample of time to wait for passengers. 

3. From Dingalan Town Proper to Feeder Port

This leg only takes about 10 - 15 minute tricycle ride. Feeder Port serves as the registration area for tourists and to hire your guide for the trip. 

Is hiring a guide required?

Hiring a guide is mandatory. The rate is P200.00 per destination. I recommend Ate Alicia, our ever jolly, cool, and caring guide of our trip. 

Ate Alicia even cooked and prepared our big meals for the entire trip. 

You may contact her at this number 09103452715

Where to Stay in Dingalan

There are transient houses near the Feeder Port. Rate for private rooms are around P1,500.00 a night. Or you may opt to rent a nipa hut at the White Beach instead. Rates varies but a nipa hut with  a private bathroom cost about P1,500.00. 

What Do To in Dingalan

1. Beach Bumming in White Beach

White beach is not really white. So do not expect Boracay-like sand. According to our guide, the sands here were white before but a great landslide occurred which caused its grayish shade. Well, white sand or not, it is still a very good place to take a dip. 

How to get there

From Feeder Port, you may ride a boat or walk along the beach to reach the white beach. 

Boat rentals is P800.00 back and forth plus the guide, so P1000.00. 

If you decide to walk along the beach, you only have to pay for the guide but you'll have to walk for about 30- 40 minutes.

Pebbles, yikes! Oh my tuhod. 

Cute Doggos accompany us all the way

2.  Watch the sunrise at Dingalan Lighthouse

Sunrise above the Pacific Ocean

Be one of the first Filipinos to receive the sunlight. Since Dingalan is directly facing east, you will be rewarded with an unobstructed view of the sun as it slowly rise above the Pacific Ocean.

How to get there

Difficult roads lead to beautiful places. This requires you to take a 30-40 minute uphill trek from White beach, complete with a bit steep assaults, roped segments, and muddy trail. But it is worth all the hardship. The initial part of the trail was flat but muddy. Then you will pass by a small stream where you can rest for a bit. Here, you will find a junction. Take the trail leading to the right as the other trail will lead you to the Mountain View Deck. 

We started hiking around 5 AM from White Beach to make sure that we will witness the sunrise. 

3. Have a Rose and Jack Moment at the Mountain View Deck

I can show you the world

Lamao Cave can be seen from here

This is where everything becomes so surreal. It's like you're inside a post card. Feel the strong wind blowing from the ocean while listening as the waves crash to the natural seawall. 

We stayed the longest here. Just communing with nature. 

How to get there

From the junction mentioned earlier, take the trail leading to the left. The trail here is steeper, with longer roped segment. To go back, just backtrack the trail. 

4. Swim at the Tanawan Falls

Have a refreshing dip in the cool, clean waters of Tanawan Falls. Getting here means a ride and a bit of hiking but it's worth every effort.

How to get there

From Feeder Port, you will have to rent a tricycle going to the Tanawan Falls jump off. The ride is about 10-15 minutes. From the jump off, you will have to hike through an open trail for about 15-20 minutes.

Tricycle Fare - P300.00 back and forth. Max. 4 passengers
Environmental Fee- - P20.00/pax

Other Places to Visit

Our visit was cut short because of rough seas. We haven't visited the following places due to the advise of the local registration of its potential risks.

1. Lamao Cave - P400.00 boat ride

2. Umiray Intertidal

3. Matawe Beach

Tips for Dingalan DIY

1. Be prepared for a lot of hiking. Numerous locations require lots of walking. 

2. Wear comfortable pair of sandals or reliable slippers.

3. Consider the date in planning your trip. If you want to visit all the sites, then it is best to visit Dingalan during the summer. But if you want to have the sites to be somewhat secluded, then visit during "Ber" months. There will be fewer visitors but there is no guarantee that all the locations will be accessible. 

4. If ever you want to do Dingalan DIY Style, remember that the LAST VAN from Dingalan to Cabanatuan leaves at 2 PM. 

5. Stock on cash, there is no ATM in Dingalan. 

6. No 711, Alfamart, Ministop, or other convenience stores can be found in Dingalan. BUT you can buy all the necessities in the Public Market. 

Well here it is. Your guide to Dingalan DIY style. 

Thanks! Check out our other DIY guides. 

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