SAGADA: 2018 Travel Guide and Itinerary

March 14, 2018

Sagada is a town found in the Cordillera Mountains in the Philippines. I have been here thrice and I keep going back because of its cold-misty weather, the organic food they serve in every restaurant, the crazy-long drive going up to the mountains, the endless trekking and of course its rich culture and history.

Sagada was submerged underwater millions of years ago proven by seashells found on the walls of the caves. From what I have heard, the natives also known as Igorots are very strict in preserving their town meaning they do not let non-Igorots buying lands or setting up businesses in the area.

To me the best time to go here are the months of January to March or October to December.

How to Get there?

Private Vehicle:

Via Banaue - we exited Tarlac City off to Guimba then to San Jose Nueva Ecija - then to Nueva Vizcaya - Bontoc - Sagada. In this route you ccan pass by the welcome arch of Banaue and the Banaue Rice Terraces View Point.

Via Baguio - when you get to Baguio take the path going to Strawberry Farm from the Baguio Public Market. This path has so much curves but you will get to pass by Atok where the Highest Point in Philippine Highway system is.

Google Map is very helpful here in addition to asking locals directions if you are feeling lost.

Commute:

Cubao – Baguio Regular Aircon 445/ head via Victory Liner. Book online here
Baguio – Sagada Ordinary Bus 220/head either via GL Trans Bus Line in Baguio Dangwa Terminal or Lizardo Bus in Slaughterhouse Terminal (starts at 9am). Schedule is 5am – 11:30am with 30 minutes interval. First come first serve.
Cubao – Sagada via Baguio Deluxe 980/head Coda has 3 direct travel to Sagada daily (8pm, 9pm, 10pm). Book online here

Group Tour Packages - there are a lot that offers group tour packages prices ranges from 1800- 3k php they are all over Facebook. The package may include accommodation, tours and transportation already. Pros: cheaper and quick Cons: you have a tight schedule and itinerary is fixed, the van can be crowded

Where to stay?

Kenli-Bed Inn - I would highly recommend this place as it is spacious and offers a view of limestone rock formations in its background. We got the room good for 8 at the basement and we had a garden and the kitchen just right outside our room. They provide coffee and purified water as well. They have a curfew at 10pm and wifi connection is strong at the lobby. Parking is free too. Bring towel and toiletries.

Contact number here: 0995 013 1543

George Guest House - we got to stay at their penthouse. The place is nice and clean. They provide towels and blankets. They have a restaurant downstairs where you can ask for hot water, plates and other utensils. Parking is free too. They now have an annex building too which is new. Contact numbers here:

Main Building: (63) 918-548-0406 / (63) 920-948-3133 (Look for Dora)
Annex Building: (63) 920-607-0994 / (63) 939-902-0996 (Look for Irenuis)

Salt n Pepper - I would less recommend this as they have no parking space, no towels but they provide blankets. They do not allow food inside the rooms except water otherwise you may be charged a corkage fee. They prefer you buy food and coffee at their restaurant. They would only let you use WiFi if you would order at their restaurant.

For other hotels choices you may book via Agoda or Traveloka or see the picture below and just zoom out to see the list of hotels and their numbers.

Where to Eat?

There are many restaurants and cafes to choose from in Sagada and most of them serve good food. Try their coffee, lemon pie, yogurt, etag (preserved dried meat) and pinikpikan. Their vegetables and salads are fresh and the rice they serve are organic.

Sagada Brew - its a small restaurant with a very cozy porch where you can drink coffee, they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their food is really good as I heard from one of the staff that the owner's wife is a kapampangan. The dinner already includes salad, rice, desert and you will choose from different variants of beef, pork and chicken. They serve sandwiches and various coffees.

Yogurt House - we loved all their yogurts and tuna salad was crunchy. They have a small terrace upstairs which is a great place to write journals, sip coffee or drink beer.

Salt n Pepper Diner - their etag sisig is a must try.

Misty Lodge Cafe - loved the ambiance of this place, it was perfect for our last night dinner in Sagada. Surprisingly their blueberry yogurt was also incredibly good. Their food is affordable and their steak is a must try.

Masferre Cafe - the place is like a classic fine dining restaurant, pretty much like an old house turned into a restaurant. You will see different igorot paintings all over and their Lechon Kawali is a must try. They also have a bakery at the entrance.

Lemon Pie House - this is the only place where I have tried a lemon pie which I didn't quite adore as it was too tangy. Most of their menu are chicken like fried, adobo and curry.

Gaia Cafe - this is where a scene in the local movie "That Thing Called Tadhana" was shot. They serve vegetarian foods only. We ordered their brewed coffee served with cashew milk, malunggay and squash chips and the Gaia sandwich.

Sagada Itinerary
There are so many activities to do in Sagada and the following are the most popular:

Echo Valley Tour, Hanging Coffins, Sagada Bell, Sagada Cemetery and St. Mary's Church - this is the nearest place you can go to if you are staying on South road, we just took a walk to get here form our hotel. Please do not forget to pass by the Tourism Office as they would require the receipt # for you to be able to tour Echo Valley. The guide fee is 200 fee for a group of 7.

St Mary's Church

Echo Valley Tour Registration Area

Payment Area

Sagada Cemetery

Hanging Coffins

Sagada Pottery - there is a demonstration of how to make a clay pot or bowl, the fee is P100 per group and then you can do a hands-on as well with a fee of P100 each.

Bomod-Ok Falls - it will take a 2-hour trek or more depending on your pace to get to the falls. Along the way you will pass by a small village, rice terraces fields and a hanging bridge. The water was so cold I was not able to swim.

Lake Danum - this is the best place to witness the sunset, the reflection of the trees to the lake would make you feel you are in other country. Tourist could go overnight bonfire camping inclusive of tent and chicken roasting. Across the lake are pine trees you take great photos with.

Lumiang Sumaguing Cave Connection - this activity is the most memorable and challenging of all. Try it to experience to a total spelunking adventure with your friends. We paid P400 each group of 4 for the guide fee, just visit the SAGAS tourism office. At the entrance is the burial cave and inside you will see so many amazing rock formations while the rest are for you to discover.

Mt. Kiltepan - this is where you will see the sunrise and the sea of clouds. They key is to go here 4am to get the your best shot as the place can become really crowded with tourists. Once the sun has risen, there are stores set up where you can buy Aroz Caldo, Champorado and Brewed Coffee of course. Wear trousers, jacket and bonets as it is really cold up the mountain.