12 Things To Do in Sagada, Mountain Province

Sagada is one of the places in the Philippines that many people want to visit because it has various sites and tourist spots. The activities such as trekking, climbing a mountain and spelunking in the cave are consumed a lot of energy. So, make sure you have the strength and energy when traveling to Sagada.

Here’s my list of 12 things to do in Sagada, Mountain Province.

Cave Connection: If you want challenging activities during your stay in Sagada. Then, indulge yourself to a very exciting and yet worth trying experience. The Cave connection is to entry at Lumiang Cave and exit at Sumaguing Cave. It takes four hours of spelunking and you will enjoy the rock formations inside the cave. Don’t forget to hire a guide, it’s required indeed. They will help you make the journey easy. This interesting and superb activity will surely make your Sagada adventure a memorable one!

Trek to Marlboro Country and Blue Soil Hills: You will see a grazing wild horse and I saw one during my visit when you reached the summit of the Marlboro Country. The view at the peak is fascinating where you can see the sea of clouds. The changing color of the skies is amazing. The heat of the sun will warm up your body as the sun rises. The pine trees, wild strawberries, and flowers will greet you along the trail going to Blue Soil Hills. It’s indeed a beautiful terrain!

Pongas Falls: If you are having fun and wanting to explore more in your Sagada adventure. Then, include Pongas Falls to your bucket list.  Getting to the falls will require you to pass by the small village in the valley. Every local you meet will greet you and smile back to you. And, you will see many rice terraces along the way. Perfect experience!

The Hanging Coffins and the Echo Valley: This is one of the famous attractions in Sagada and it is an easy trek to viewing the area. Some tourist will take down to get close to the hanging coffins. The guide will explain to you about the history of the hanging coffins and the culture itself. The place is quite crowded where every person taking selfies with the coffin. Some people enjoyed shouting with all their heart out in the echo valley. It is because when you shout the voice bounces off in the limestone walls and you hear it repeated.

Bomod-ok Falls: If still have the energy to walk, and then go ahead to the most visited falls in Sagada. The waterfalls stand at 200 feet tall that splashes down to the cold and freezing pool. It takes about one hour to get to the falls. The trail is up and down, up and down. It also passes through the villages and rice fields. It’s a long walk to the beautiful Bomod-ok Falls! 

Kiltepan: Your Sagada adventure will not be completed without witnessing the sunrise over in Kiltepan. This is one of the reasons why tourist flocked in Sagada. The sea of clouds while seeing the enchanting sunrises. When I have time to go back in there again, I will definitely include this place as I was not able to get here.

Mt. Ampacao: After visiting all tourist attractions in Sagada. If you have spare time and still have the strength you can hike to Mt. Ampacao. It’s 1889 MASL. The mountain offers a beautiful view of Sagada. There are two landmarks of this mount; 1) the ranch –some hikers mistakenly call it as the summit, 2) the peak of the mountain.

Lake Danum: On the other side of Sagada, you can visit this lake where you can catch for a good photography with a reflection of the water. You can also take a picture of a sunset at the close by a hill.

The Episcopal Church in Sagada: All activities that you have done on your Sagada trip. You will not forget to visit and thank Him for all the strength and guidance during your stay. The Saint Mary Virgin is the main Episcopalian church in Sagada. 

Sagada's Native Dishes: The native dishes of Sagada that you should try are the Pinikpikan and Etag. Pinikpikan is just like a Tinola (the tagalong of chicken soup), but the taste of it is definitely unique from the Tinola because of the presence of Etag (a smoked and preserved pork).

These are my unforgettable memories in my Sagada escapade. Have you been in Sagada?

A Long Walk to Beautiful Bomod-ok Falls in Sagada

Our next destination in exploring Sagada is Bomod-ok Falls -is called the big falls; however, it is the most visited tourist place for both locals and travellers as this is breathtaking view. The waterfalls are about 200 feet tall that splash down to the cold pool.

We registered right away when we arrived and pay five hundred pesos (we are three in the group). A woman in her trekking outfit is our guide will lead us going to the falls. The sun is already up by this time and we started trekking by then. The trail is going up and down and passes in the rice fields. It takes about forty five minutes to one hour walked. It was already jumped-pack with different tourists from different places and countries.

The trail will across through the rice terraces, the houses and barns. Though, it’s hot already and walking on an open field is worth it because the view is spectacular and you can enjoy the scene while trekking. Our guide is very friendly and talkative. She could tell you about their culture and willing to answer some questions.

So, visiting Bomod-ok falls is a must-see and to enjoy the scene and the cold water. Don’t let your Sagada escapade done without seeing this beautiful big falls!

Cheap Accommodation in Sagada | George Guest House

I went to Mountain Province with my travel buddies. It was four days of vacation in the beautiful place where I can have a peace of my mind and indulge some physical activities. My friend booked us our accommodations at George Guest House for three nights in a room which good for three persons.

It is located in Dao-angan, Sagada, Mountain Province and only five minutes walk from the town proper, and very accessible to most of the popular restaurant in Sagada.

Blue Room

The location is easy to find. The establishment has a restaurant, too! So, if you don’t feel to go out to look for a resto. Then, you can just ask the staff and they will cook for you. The food is not so special though. But, has reasonable prices.

It is also walking distance to Church of St. Mary the Virgin and the road will also take the tourists to the Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves, burial caves and trail towards Mount Ampacao.

The room is clean, with private hot and cold bath, a viewing deck for each room, cable, and wifi is available, but on the upper floor the wifi signal was poor. It is in front when the sun rises. The staff/owner of the hotel is nice, friendly, and accommodating.

Jeff and the owner of George Guest House

photo from GGH website

We appreciated the hospitality of the staff and we satisfied for service, too! So, overall we enjoy our stay. Thanks for visiting!

Happy travelling!

-Marco

For Room Rates, visit:  http://georgesagada.blogspot.com/

Mt. Ampacao Traverse to Lake Danum

On the third day of our Sagada Escapade, after quick lunch we immediately change our clothes and meet Joey, our guide. We are all tired from our activities earlier, but we still pursue our mission for that day.  We began to walk heading to the jump-off site of Mt. Ampacao. It’s in Ambasing Elementary School.

It is one of the must-visit tourist spots in Mountain, Province. It offers a superb view of Sagada and surrounding villages.

Background

The mountain is located in Sagada, Mountain Province; it is 1889 MASL, two hours to reach to the summit which offers a beautiful scene of Sagada. The jump-off is at Brgy. Ambasing.  There are two important landmarks of the mountain; the first one is ranch which some hikers mistakenly call it as the summit, and the second is the peak of mountain.

The first summit is the ranch where you can pitch tent here if you stay overnight. However, additional thirty minutes going up to the peak of Mt. Ampacao. It’s a concrete trail and there’s a part also that are rocky. Pine trees are everywhere throughout the trails which give common shade that helps hiker not feel the heat of the sun. The weather, obviously, is still cold which I truly like during the climb.

It’s around one to two hours trek depending on the pace and another twenty to thirty minutes from the ranch to the summit. It has a Smart Cell site at the peak of Mt. Ampacao, which is denoted that it is the highest point. You will see the panoramic view of the mountain at the summit. It is truly wonderful! It features the Mt. Sipsipitan, Mt. Polis, Bessang, and Mt. Tirad.

Then, we back to ranch and take the trail to Lake Danum to catch the sunset, but unfortunately we didn’t the catch sunset. Traversing to Lake Danum is another two hour trekking. Then, returning to town proper by foot.

Getting there

Ambasing Elementary School is the jump-off point of the mountain. It is easy to follow the trail that hiring a guide is an optional. But, if still need a guide, and then visit Saggas office near junction of Sagada in the two main roads of Sagada. For us, we hired a guide because we traverse from the summit to Lake danum.

First thirty minutes is on a concrete road and another thirty minutes of walk across the rough and rocky roads. Reaching to the summit is very easy though there are some part of the trail became steeper and steeper.

My heart is beating and I felt that I can't make it any longer on the grounds that the trail got to be steeper and steeper. Obviously, I can make it to achieve the summit! The views are really refreshing.

More photos here...

Itinerary

02:00 PM – Meet the guide

02:30 PM – start walk to the jump-off, Ambasing Elementary School

03:30 PM – arrived at the Ranch, taking photos

04:00 PM – arrived at the peak, take snacks

04:30 PM – back to Ranch, and then trail to Lake Danum

05:45 PM – arrived at Lake Danum

06:15 PM – back to town proper

Guide Fee: 600php

And this is my 13th conquered mountain! Hooray!

Happy climbing!

Marco

Saint Mary the Virgin in Sagada

Before heading to our next activity, we passed by at the only church in the town. This is a well-known landmark in the town of Sagada –is the only town in the Philippines that is almost Anglican where in 95% of locals baptised into the Episcopal Church of the Philippines. It is located at the Episcopalian Mission compound and it was sanctified on the 8th of December 1921. 

Behind of the church is the school of Saint Mary’s Highschool, the Calvary Hills and fifteen to twenty five minutes hike is the echo valley, and you can see the hanging coffins. You can pass by at the Sagada Cemetery before you reach to the echo valley. Truly a nice view at the back!

However, we’re able to get inside the church because it was open and able to take some pictures in it. So lucky! And, minutes after the mass had begun. The church is quite small, but it simple and looks nice. The altar has rocks at the back which looks so different.

This should not be missed when visiting the place!