“Let’s go to Sagada.”

More than five years ago, just before our college graduation, my friend Tonet invited me to go to Sagada. Tonet and I had always wanted to visit Sagada for a number of reasons. “I don’t think that’s possible given that we’re too busy working on our theses. Perhaps after graduation?” I suggested.

After graduating, while we were walking in Makati, looking for a job, she brought it up again. “I think we should find a job first. And then let’s plan a Sagada getaway,” I dodged. She agreed.

When we finally landed a job, the desire to travel to Sagada was still there. But neither tried to bring it up because we knew there was no way we could squeeze a 3-day trip into our totally toxic schedules. It wasn’t until our company-sponsored outing in 2009 when I finally set foot on Sagada.

Hanging Coffins seen from Echo Valley

When Tonet found out that I had been there already, she made me promise that I should take her with me the next time. Fortunately, Sagada is one of those places anyone would love returning to. A year later, I decided to go back to Sagada. The perfect time glimmered in between Christmas and New Year. I gave Tonet a call.

“You asked me to call you the moment I decided to go to Sagada. The moment has come. You still up for it?”

Tonet’s response was a loud and happy “Of course.”

After 5 years of wanting, it finally happened in December of 2010.

How to Get to Sagada

When our friends found out about this trip to Sagada, they decided to join. After all, because the trip was scheduled on December 27-29, they already had filed a leave of absence from office. Before we knew it, we became a group of 10, composed of college friends and some colleagues.

There are three routes that you can take to get to Sagada from Manila via public transportation: via Baguio City, Bontoc or Banaue. For more information on these routes, please click the links below. They will lead you to a friend’s blog, Visit Sagada, the most useful guide on traveling to and around Sagada that you will find online.

• Via Baguio City 
• Via Banaue
• Via Bontoc

You may also hire a van for 3D/2N. There are many vans for rent for Sagada trips out there and the most common rate we encountered when we asked around was P17,000 for the van rental inclusive of driver’s fee, toll fees, gas and driver’s accommodations. The van and the driver will be with you for the entire trip. This is a good option if you’re a group of 10 or more.

Preparing a 3D/2N Sagada Itinerary

When we were planning our itinerary, we were sure of 3 things:

1. We wanted to join the Bonfire on December 28. It’s an annual event hosted by the Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SaGGAs). Tourists get to party Sagada-style at the Kiltepan Viewpoint (top of a hill) and enjoy good food and music. It was non-negotiable for us. We needed to be a part of it.
2. We wanted to experience two of Sagada’s most popular tourist spots — the Sumaguing Cave and the Bomod-Ok Falls — on separate days because we could already foresee how exhausting it would be.
3. We wanted to pick oranges at the Rock Inn and Cafe!

With these in consideration, here are our initial itinerary:

Day 0: DEPARTURE
07:00 pm – Meet up (Manila)

Day 1: ARRIVAL, LUMIANG BURIAL CAVE, SUMAGUING CAVE
07:00 am – Arrival in Sagada
07:20 am – Breakfast at Salt and Pepper
08:30 am – Check in at Ligaya’s Guest House
09:30 am – Lumiang Burial Cave
10:15 am – Sumaguing Cave
01:30 pm – Lunch
03:00 pm – Echo Valley, Sagada Weaving, Mission Compound
06:00 pm – Dinner
07:00 pm – Rest

Day 2: BOMOD-OK FALLS, ROCK INN, BONFIRE
06:00 am – Wake up call
07:00 am – Bomod-Ok Falls
12:00 pm – Rock Inn and Cafe, Orange picking
03:00 pm – Change clothes, rest
05:00 pm – Prepare for Bonfire
12:00 am – Return to Hostel

Day 3: DEPARTURE, BANAUE SIDETRIP
04:30 am – Wake up call
05: 10 am – Watch sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint
06:30 am – ETD Sagada, Sidetrip to Banaue
08:00 pm – ETA Manila

When my other college friends and colleagues heard about this trip, they decided to join. Before we knew it, we became a group of 10 yuppies. But on Christmas Day, two days before the trip, they backed out one by one until only 6 people were left. We thought about canceling the whole thing. But in the end, we pushed through with the trip. And it was a great, great decision.

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