Where to Go in Sagada, Mountain Province
Gearing up for your next adventures this summer? Well,fasten up your seatbelt as we introduce you to Sagada, Mountain Province
Sagada is a small town in the mountain province of Luzon in the Philippines. Many visit for its cool and refreshing climate, beautiful caves and hanging coffins as well as the serene mountains.
Echo Valley’s hanging coffins are displayed high on cliffs, while centuries-old coffins are stacked in burial sites like Lumiang Cave. The nearby Sumaguing Cave has unusual limestone formations. To the north, Bomod-ok Falls has a natural swimming pool. Rice terraces are carved into the area's surrounding mountainsides.
Adventure awaits everyone in Sagada and it starts the moment you step out of your home to embark on a long journey to the Philippines’ version of Shangri-la. And when you are finally there, get ready for some walking, trekking, rock climbing, spelunking and other other physically challenging activities that will surely hype up your adventurous spirit.
This are one of the few of its many tourist attraction:
SUMAGUING CAVE
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Cave of Sumaguing has remarkably maintained its eternal charisma through the different spiritual offerings and rituals that have been conducted by the old folks for the sake of these unknown and unseen entities, from the world of the unexplained. the Cave of Sumaguing In Sagada has been deservingly referred to as “The Big Cave”. Sagada’s Sumaguing Cave has an entrance gate with apocalyptic inscriptions, together with the comprehensible reminders about the do’s and don’ts upon entering the strict premises of the primal cave of Sagada. The next step to take is by walking a series of well-constructed steps before finally reaching the internal portions of Sumaguing Cave.
For more information, just click the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEvqmp1Ja5Y
Bomod-ok falls
Bomod-ok Falls is also called the Big Falls because, well, it is definitely bigger than Bokong Falls, another popular waterfall in Sagada. Hidden deep in a valley, it takes an hour to two to get here by foot from the main road (and that’s just one-way). Bomod-ok’s cold, cold water cascades from the top of a beautiful naturally contoured cliff to a pool below, forming a 200-ft column of water and wonder. Bomod-ok falls of Sagada Mountain Province is one of the main tourist attraction in the area especially for adventure seekers. The reason for this is that before you even get to the waterfalls and be amazed of its majestic view, you will have to trek across a community, down and up the mountain and through the rice fields. The total trek time would be 3 hours going to the falls and another 3 hours going back to the staging area.
Lumiang cave
The Lumiang Burial Cave is probably the most visited burial site in Sagada primarily because it is usually bundled with the Sumaguing Cave Tour. Sumaguing Cave is arguably the town’s most popular tourist attraction and those who avail of the tour are given a free side trip to the Lumiang Cave. It is also the start point for the Cave Connection, the more challenging of the spelunking options you may choose from.
The cave is hidden several meters away from the road and one needs to go down a steep — and if you’re unlucky and it’s raining — slippery trail. There are parts that are very difficult to traverse but nowhere near dangerous. You just need to keep your balance by using your arms as your third and fourth legs. Some parts are rocky that you might want to watch your step, while some were littered with soft sticks that make music when stepped on.
KILTEPAN ROAD
Situated on the eastern Sagada, around three and a half kilometers from the town center, is Kiltepan Viewpoint, a spot famed for the amazing view of sunrise in Sagada. It is also known as Kiltepan Peak, being the highest point in the area bounded by villages of Kilong, Tetep-an and Antadao. What makes the sunrise at Kiltepan worth seeing is the view of the golden sun as it rises behind the mountains of Cordillera and over the horizon of sea of clouds, it is reminiscent of the same scene in the summit of Mt. Pulag. When the sun is up and the sea of clouds eases away, another awesome scenery will be revealed – the beautiful rice terraces of the three mentioned villages. Arranging a trip to Kiltepan is easy, just book it through the same guide who accompanied you on your other activities or just go to SEGA or SAGGAS office. A van rental costs P450 for the round trip. Alternatively, since it is just less than four kilometers from the town, you can walk your way up there. Allocate an hour or so for the trek, expect some ascends and bring water and flashlight if you are trekking in the dark. You may also setup your tent and spend the night in the area.
ECHO VALLEY
This place was called Echo Valley because of the loud echoes that you’ll hear when you shout in several parts of the area.
The hanging coffins. Animist tribal folk believed that putting their dead in steep crevices made their loved ones nearer to the gods. Though the requirements are unclear, it’s important to note that not everyone is qualified to be buried in this way. For one, the deceased needs to have been married with grandchildren, among other things. Interestingly, while the body is being carried up to its final resting place, it’s considered auspicious if the dead’s blood is sprinkled on you. It means that you’ll enjoy bountiful harvests and much success in life. Because of this belief, everyone tries to touch the body for good luck. While its being transported, carriers of the body bring food in a sangi, which is an indigenous backpack made from rattan. After the body has been placed inside the coffin, the men eat their food — usually rice, kamote (sweet potato), and pork — without washing their hands. It’s an interesting but slightly off-putting custom, the reason for which I do not know. The men then chant prayers asking the dead not to do ill against anybody, and to bring peace and good will to those left behind.
Only then do they bid him farewell.
For more information, just click the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_haLWKQTzg
For more information, just click the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_haLWKQTzg
LAKE DANUM
Lake Danum is also 4 kilometers away from the town center of Sagada which can be done in an hour and ten minutes walk along Sagada's West Road. So you may need to know the time of the sunset and you must be there at least 30 minutes before the sun sets to enjoy the view. Or, if you do not have the time, you may rent a transportation from the tourism center and pay Php 550. The price of transportation in Sagada is hefty eventhough it is only a few kilometers away. This may be due to the reason that Sagada is one of the famous tourism spots in the Philippines, add to it the condition of the roads where most of it are still unpaved and uphill. Lake Danum is a small lake which is a Kankana-ey word (also is prevalent in Ilocano) which means water. It is surrounded by pine trees and its scent proliferate the area making a relaxed atmosphere and one of the best places to camp at Sagada.
For more information, just click the link below!
For more information, just click the link below!
The Underground River of Sagada is the mini-version of the Underground River in Palawan. In Palawan, you can ride a boat and tour what’s inside the cave. In Sagada you have to walk inside the cave and see what’s inside. Well, if you haven’t seen any underground water system like this before, it’s time for you to witness the Underground River of Sagada.
What you will notice is the fact that Sagada has a beautifully crafted river system. No wonder they have a number of falls and the Underground River. Though the cave doesn’t have this jaw-breaking awesomeness of stalagmites and stalactites (‘g’ for ground and ‘c’ for ceiling), it’s a good check for travelers who want to see more of Sagada.
For more information, just click the link below!
FIDELISAN RICE TERRACES
Whether you pass by Aguid or Fidelisan, you have to get through these rice terraces to reach Bomod-ok. Long before the society introduced and learned to use modern technologies for engineering and architecture, farmers from Philippine's Cordillera Central have created great masterpieces - the rice terraces.
For more information, just click the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRW4LRbPvXg
For more information about Sagada. Just click the below!
