Trip to Sagada

Last April 08, 2009 Clyde and I decided to continue exploring Luzon. After exploring Ilocos, we decided to go further to the North and experience Sagada. The 5 day trip was made possible by all those people who generously provided various information about this place and Wencel of Byaheng Pinoy blog who referred us to the Lemon Pie House for accomodation.

Some of the things I've learned when planning your trip to Sagada, which I know most people are already aware of are:
1) If you want to enjoy a serene Sagada, do not go there during Holy Week. This indeed is the peak season of Sagada tourism. I however, enjoyed the almost festive atmosphere even though it was Holy Week due to the numerous people who are all excited to explore this place.
2) Book your tickets early if you plan to go there during peak season.
3) There are 2 registered tourist guide associations in Sagada (SAGGAS and SEGA i think). They are all experience tour guides. Do not trek the high mountains by yourself specially if you are not an experienced hiker, (even though I admit it is more fun...). Behind the beauty of the mountain lies a great danger. I believe mountaineers can attest to that.
4) Accomodation in Sagada are so affordable (and I hope they'll be able to keep it that way).

Going to Sagada

We rode the Autobus bound to Banaue but you may also opt to ride Florida (cute pink buses). The bus left Manila at around 10pm. We slept almost the entire trip and woke up the next day at around 7am in Banaue. Since there's only the two of us, we were told to ride the jeepney bound to Sagada with 18 other strangers. The trip from Banaue to Sagada took us another 1 hour before we finally reached our destination.

Sagada Finally!
As soon as we stepped foot at Sagada town proper, we headed to the registration site. I later found out from our guide that registered tourist are insured by the Sagada government and will receive support from them incase any accidents occured during their tour provided they complied to Sagada tourist rules and regulations (I haven't seen the actual provision. This is only based on what I've heared).
We headed straight to the Lemon Pie House where our host Mang Joseph and Aling Katrina welcomed us. While waiting for our rooms to be prepared, we were approached by Jojo, who is also a Manileño and later became our travel buddy.

Touring Sagada

Here are our actual itenirary during our stay in Sagada:
Apri 8, Wed (10:00pm)
   - Departure from Manila to Banaue
April 9, Thur
   8:00am - Arrival at Banaue, breakfast, picture taking
   9:00am - Ride jeep from Banaue, Stop over at Banaue View point and Mt. Polis View point and Bay-ao rice terraces
   12:30pm - Arrival at Sagada, Registration, Rest the whole day since it rained that afternoon
Apri 10, Fri
    7:00am - Breakfast
    Morning activities:  Sumaging Cave spelunking, Sugong Hanging coffins, Lumiang Burial cave and Kapyao terraces
    Afternoon activities: Trek Mt. Ampacao, Visit Lake Danum and Sagada pottery
April 11, Sat
    Morning: Bomod-ok Falls, Undreground River, Sagada Weaving
April 12, Sun
    Morning: Echo Valley, Calvary Hanging Coffins, St. Mary's Church
    Afternoon: Souvenir Shopping

Estimated Expense for 2 people:
Fare               : 1,700 (two way)
Accomodation: 1,500 (at 250/head/night)
Meals             : 1,300 (@ 150/meal x 9/pax)
Tour               : around 3,000 or less for above itenirary and more.. :)

I can't wait to go back there and visit our friend and tour guide Bogan. It was really a lovely place to stay. Hopefully, our next itenirary would include camping in Lake Danum grounds and climbing the so called Malboro mountain where we can catch a glimps of the wild horses of Sagada.

Till then.. Ciao!