Planning an adventure trip to Sagada is not that easy. You must consider availability, budget, how to get there and the weather. Since we are a small group of traveler we make sure the trip would be budget friendly and that's how it started.
Almost two weeks before our
planned date for the trip we are rushing to find where we will stay for
3days/2nights and upon reviewing blogs we come up to choose among Kanip-aw
Pines View Lodge, George House and Residential Lodge.Trying to communicate with
them through e-mail Kuya Oscar of Kanip-aw was the very first
to entertain our inquiry, since it is our first choice we closed the
deal by depositing 50% for reservation. For 300 Php per night per head. I know
we made a good decision.
4 days before our trip we are all
set to get the Manila-Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada route but unfortunately we cannot
physically go to the bus company and make reservation, the other bus company
that offers the same route wasn't able answer our calls so we fall to the last
option Manila-Baguio-Sagada route. Where to ride is not a big deal actually
since we were bound to our work schedule so no matter what route it is, we'll
take it; So long as we could go to Sagada.
Nov 28, 2013 9:00pm we go
directly to Victory Bus terminal hoping to get into 10pm bus trip, but tickets
already sold out the next schedule will be 1am and we feel bad about it.
Suddenly, one of us remember that there is another Bus company that offers the
same schedule and we try to go to Dagupan Bus terminal and 9:45pm schedule
still available and so we got the ride. At exactly 4:45 we arrived at Baguio City,
upon getting there we have to go immediately to Dangwa terminal thru taxi for
the first schedule of Bus going to Sagada. It's 5:30am and Sagada trip will
start at 6:30am so we buy ticket first and had breakfast at the Good taste
restaurant. Ordering Wanton and Mami was so perfect for that very cold morning.
6am we have to be at the bus to get a good seat or else we'll be in the middle
seat slots. At exactly 6:30 we started travelling from Benguet to Mt. Province
for 6 hours, Yes it was a very long journey but you'll be surprised by what the
mother nature has prepared for your way, it's the indescribably view of
mountains, rice terraces, pine trees, rock formation and almost
zero visibility because of clouds and Fog. That was really amazing
Bus travel experience.
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| Stop over going to Sagada |
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| Dangwa Terminal |
At exactly 12:45pm Nov 29, 2013 we arrived at Sagada, Mt. Province, First thing to accomplish is to register at the municipal office (35php) for security and tourism purposes, they'll also give map with Itinerary guide. Afterwards we have to go find Kanip-aw. All Inn and Lodges there are walking distance from the municipal office so you don't have to worry of might losing your way. Upon reaching the lodge, Kuya Oscar Immediately welcomed us to our room and we were really surprised by the beauty of what we've seen straight from the window of our room. A perfect place for us!. After placing down our backpacks we immediately had our Lunch at Sagada's Lemon Pie House. We felt boated at that time, they really had big servings of food but the purpose of it is for heavy activities. For those who are not fan of lemon pie I suggest you just take the egg pie for happy dining :)
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| creepy right? |
After that we go immediately to our next destination which is the Echo Valley by walking; we walked along the american inspired cemetery while Kuya Aldrich telling us the history why from the traditional hanging coffins they have now the american inspired cemetery and he let us find out why it is called echo valley. Upon reaching the hanging coffins stories came along and questions pop-up and so we learn their culture. Going down from the valley the next thing you'll see is the historical Episcopal Church and history fed up with matching pictorials again. After that long walk we realized our stomach needs and it was shouting for breakfast so we go straight to Yoghurt House where they serve garlic rice for breakfast and same as many restaurants in Sagada they also had huge servings. Next thing I know is we're sleeping in the lodge hehehehe.. :P
At exactly 1:30 pm we're already heading to the northern part of Sagada where Bomod-ok falls is located. Tour guide will be designated by the information center of Aguid and we have to pay 500php before going to the next destination. Each one of us given a bamboo stick by our guide kuya Harold for us to use as a tool for going up down the mountain or simply means "tungkod" it is a very perfect timing since our legs still chilling and couldn't walked properly; we walk and walk for about 2.3 km with matching up and down, slippery path and the hardest part is walking in the slippery rice terraces where there is a thin layer of spaces which is intended for walking but there's still a very rewarding feeling every time you take a glimpse at the very beautiful creation of God, nothing compares to that wonderful natural formations from nature. Upon reaching the falls we were all mesmerized by its own beauty it’s as if it has its own way of relieving our muscle pains to get in touch with its cold running water and slippery huge stones. Tourist were not allowed to go directly under the falls because of the strong current at that moment but we still got the best of everything by playing with it in the flow of water thru the stones. After capturing that precious moment we walked again for 2.5 km until we get into the village where all service/vehicles were parked.
Dec 1, 2013 our last day at
sagada. Woke up 6am for taking a long walk all the way to Rock Inn and Cafe
where our last activity is located. Orange picking, yes, we will harvest our
own oranges for pasalubong. There’s 50php entrance fee for the farm and they
offer eat all you can of oranges while picking and 50php per kilo for your
harvest. It was fun activity since we we're taught what and how to pick our
oranges while tasting it simultaneously. Right after that activity we
decided to dine at Rock Inn restaurant, prices are almost the same with other
restaurants in Sagada as well as the food. Since that's a half day activity we
had to rush buying pasalubong at the downtown to be able to get into last
schedule of bus trip going to baguio. So, we ended at exactly 11am bid goodbye
to lodge owners and settle our bills, we are really thankful with how our
stay-in turns out. And so, that's how our Sagada trip ended, we had to get in
early at the bus terminal before 12 noon for us to have a good seat going to
baguio and travel time again..
People in Sagada were blessed and maybe because they know how to be contented from what God has prepared for them, appreciating, taking care of God's land and not longing for anything that is not needed for living. And I think that's what the most important thing they taught us just like what kuya Alrich said when we asked if they still go to any other urban area for buying or maybe take a city living "hindi na namin kailangan umalis nandito naman lahat ng kailangan namin. pagkain, damit at iba pang pwede ibigay ng paligid". Considering living in sagada is very simple than what we have here in the metro, they do not have condos, bars and even malls but they can survive. We always asked for too much even we don't need it not realizing that we are so blessed to have everything at one place and be the first to experience the innovation around us. If you really think that you're living like a miser by doing routine or maybe getting burn-out with your status quo then, go and break the chains, visit sagada take time to unwind to realize how blessed you are and revive your energy to continue striving for a good living.
GUIDE FOR OUR TRAVEL EXPENSES:
| Expenses good for 3 persons | |||
| Transportation | Food | Accomodation, Guide and service | |
| Downpayment for Lodge | 900.00 | ||
| Bus Fare: Cubao-Baguio (Dagupan Bus) 445/head | 1,335.00 | ||
| Taxi: Baguio proper - Dangwa Terminal | 50.00 | ||
| Breakfast: The Good taste restaurant | 210.00 | ||
| Dangwa Terminal - Sagada 220/head | 660.00 | ||
| Lunch at Lemon Pie House | 495.00 | ||
| Service: cave connection activity | 400.00 | ||
| Guide Fee (Cave connection) 400/head | 1,200.00 | ||
| Service: For Kiltepan and Echo Valley | 650.00 | ||
| Guide Fee (Kiltepan, Echo Valley/Hanging Coffins and Church) 200/head | 600.00 | ||
| Brunch: Yoghurt House Restaurant | 510.00 | ||
| Service: to and from Bomod-ok Falls | 600.00 | ||
| Guide Fee: Bomod-ok Falls addtl: 10 entrance fee | 530.00 | ||
| Dinner: Kusina Ysagada | 393.00 | ||
| Entrance Fee: Orange Farm (eat all you can for oranges) 50/head (50php per kilo of take home oranges) | 150.00 | ||
| Brunch: Rock Inn & Café | 510.00 | ||
| Lodge payment for Balance (300/head) (Kanip-aw pines view lodge) | 900.00 | ||
| Bus Fare: Sagada- Dangwa Terminal 220/head | 660.00 | ||
| Taxi: Dangwa Terminal- Baguio Bus Terminal | 90.00 | ||
| Bus Fare: Baguio- Cubao (Dagupan Bus) 445/head | 1,335.00 | ||
| TOTAL: | 4,130.00 | 2,118.00 | 5,930.00 |
| divided by 3 persons | 1,376.67 | 706.00 | 1,976.67 |
| GRAND TOTAL of expenses per head: | 4,059.33 | ||
Thank you :)
