Sagada Can't Miss Sites - Part 1

I’m posting my list of 9 can’t-miss sites for any Sagada visitor. This list is in just one webpage in the sagada-igorot.com website, but I’m splitting it into 2 blog posts. It may take around 3-4 days to visit and enjoy these places. I’m listing the first 4 in this post; the list includes an American-established institution, rice paddies carved out of whole mountainsides, an unusual burial place, and a huge limestone cave.

The Mission Compound



The Mission of St. Mary the Virgin in Sagada was founded in 1904 by American Missionary John Staunton. Visit St. Mary the Virgin Church (in picture), St. Mary's School, the cemetery, Calvary and the alleged bottomless pit of Kingkitongan. At the cemetery, locate the grave of the late historian and adopted Sagada son, Dr. William Henry Scott. Photo Credit – Mr. Kent Sinkey

Kiltepan Rice Terraces



The Kiltepan Rice Terraces are arguably the most extensive found in Sagada. It got the name from its three bounding barangays: KILONG, TETEP-AN, and ANTADAO. Other Can't Miss Rice Terraces include the Big Terraces in Banga-an and the Rice Terraces on the way to Sumaging Cave and Bokong. Photo Credit – Hatow's Gallery

ECHO VALLEY Cliffs and Hanging Coffins



The Hanging Coffins found at the ECHO VALLEY takes a little bit of adventurous spirit to be able to reach it. Hidden in the dense foliage of the valley, the hanging coffins are "hanged" from the limestone cliff using slabs driven into the rocks. Other Can't Miss Hanging Coffins include the Hanging Coffins on the Way to Ambasing. Photo Credit – Tiff, Marge, Happy and Cindy

SUMAGING, The Big Cave



This multi-chambered cave is a must see for visitors and locals alike. One may choose to go down the tunnel (lower chamber) and/or explore the upper chamber where the "Dancing Hall", the "Cauliflower", the "Dap-ay", etc... are found. Be sure to ask your guide to lead you to the "Giant's Foot". Reserve at least a half day for exploring this cave. Photo Credit – Mr. Kent Sinkey

Other Can't Miss Caves: Balangagan, Matangkib, Lumiang. Crystal Cave is closed due to rampant vandalism. There are plenty of other caves in Sagada that are not yet fully explored.

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How to Behave in Sagada

Tourism requires responsibility. When going to a particular place, it is best to be acquainted with the history and the culture of the people as to facilitate the best relationships between tourists and locals. (That's what travel guides are for.) As for the locals of Sagada, they warmly welcome tourists and visitors AS LONG AS they are respectful of Sagada ways, traditions and unwritten laws. Here are some tips on how one might enjoy his/her stay in Sagada.

ON ATTIRE: Sagada is a temperate place for hiking so it would not be proper for somebody dressed for the beach to be walking around Sagada. To avoid cat calls, do not dress on the skimpy side. Shorts and jerseys are okay... beyond that, you'll get stares and wind burn.

ON GOING AROUND: Always get a registered SEGA guide to lead you around. Vandalism is punishable by local laws as to protect Sagada's natural and manmade wonders. No littering please, keep Sagada clean (and green!).

ON THE NIGHTLIFE: Sagada imposes a 9:00 pm curfew. Lodging and boarding houses strictly follow these curfew and you wouldn't want to spend the night outside with temperatures reaching single digit levels on the Centigrade scale. There are a few bars and restaurants in town where one may get a beer or two but these bars adhere to the curfew. One thing more, there are also NO nightclubs in Sagada.

ON THE PEOPLE: Sagada locals are inherently friendly as long as one knows how to stay in his/her place. If you are taking a photograph with a particular person as a subject, ALWAYS ask permission first. If its a local holiday (obaya) wherein one is not allowed to go to particular places, RESPECT it. Otherwise, something untowards may happen which has occurred many times in the past. Respect Sagada traditions and the gesture will be returned back. A travel guide describes Sagada as " a community where tourism is integrated with life and culture of the place" which really makes Sagada a very pleasant place to stay. Let us keep it that way.

ON DRUGS: If you are going to Sagada to look for drugs, FORGET IT!!! Recent crackdowns by local and national police have led to locals and foreigners being prosecuted and jailed. The locals do not tolerate anybody (tourists and locals alike) who use or peddle drugs. The "high" one gets from the beauty of the place is simply unmatchable!

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Sagada Guides

The local government recognizes the need for protecting the natural wonders of Sagada with the birth of Sagada Guide Associations. There are currently two - the Sagada Environmental Guide Association (SEGA) and the The Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SAGGAS). While the former was the first group created, it is the latter that has currently an upperhand in its web presence. There looks to be a healthy competition between the 2 groups. All tourists are required to register at the municipal hall and visits to most Sagada sites require the help of registered guides. Click on the linked images below to visit the websites of the Sagada Environmental Guide Association (SEGA) and the The Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SAGGAS).

SEGA WEBSITE:



SAGGAS WEBSITE:

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Sagada Itinerary

It is highly recommended to stay in Sagada for at least 4 days to enjoy the place. The following is a suggested 4-day itinerary:

Day 1. If you arrive in Sagada with plenty of time to spare in the afternoon, it would be advisable to visit the Kiltepan viewing peak which is best seen during this time of the day. You may then be able to go to Sagada Weaving for souvenirs. During busy months, it is really best to go to this shop on your first day since you'll probably need to order what you like because they're usually out of stock.

Day 2. Explore the caves in the Southern part of Sagada. Bring food so you can have a picnic in between explorations. You'll probably end up dead tired after these and you may just want to visit sites near the town such as St. Mary's the Virgin Church, Saint Mary's School, Echo Valley, the cemetery and the Calvary in the afternoon or early in the evening.

Day 3. Visit Bomod-ok and the Big Terraces in the northern barangays of Fidelisan and Banga-an respectively. This is a considerable hike and it would be good to bring lunch for there are plenty of nice picnic groves along the way.

Day 4. Go to Mt. Datacan viewpoint in the morning and then try tracing the underground river from Matangkib to Bokong waterfalls in the afternoon. A swim at Bokong would be a nice way to end your stay in Sagada.

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Sagada Restaurants and Cafes

Sagada is fast gaining a reputation for the splendid food offered by its restaurants and cafes. From cafes that serve home-made yoghurt and lemon pies, to sumptous meals cooked by a French chef, there are now plenty of choices for eating out than ever before. Some guesthouses have their own dining rooms but one can always find a good restaurant in town serving delectable dishes for all kinds of tastes.

When in Sagada, sample dishes with local produce - vegetables are fresh and crisp. Look also for locally grown fruits that are not easily available anywhere else in the Philippines. Depending on the season, fruits such as masa flora (passion fruit), persimmon, pomengranate, and pears are available in the market or even in the wild. One can also befriend an i-Sagada for a taste of the heavenly pinikpikan (a local chicken dish) and a swig of tapey (rice wine). I did hear that one restaurant serves pinikpikan at a very high price.

Popular Restaurants include the Yoghurt House, Log Cabin, the Sagada Lemon Pie House, Alfred's Cabin, Rock Cafe, St. Joseph Cafe, Bilig Cafe, and Cuisina Igorota.

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