SAGADA

Sagada is located 275 kilometer north of Manila and is adjacent to its provincial capital, Bontoc. And after enduring the four (4) long hours of bumpy and dusty ride from Banaue, our group had finally reached the province of Sagada. Everyone in our group was so tired when we reached the place so after checking in at Residential Lodge, we all rested for a few minutes, ate our dinner and then slept early for tomorrow’s activities.
Sagada is well known for its popular activities such as trekking, spelunking, rappelling, hiking and visiting historical sites. It was on our second day, when everybody woke up early and eagerly prepared for one of the highlights of our Sagada trip – “spelunking.” the “Cave Connection,” which is a 4 to 5 hour spelunking activity from Lumiang Cave to Sumaging Cave, so our group just decided to take the spelunking activity at Sumaging Cave.But 3 members of our group decided to take the "Cave Connection", Sadly im not one of them.lol

Sumaging Cave is a frequent tourist attraction and is also one of the most popular caves in Sagada. Also known as the “Big Cave,” this cave served as the Filipino soldiers’ refuge from the Japanese guerrillas during the World War II. It is interconnected to other caves in Sagada such as the Lumiang Cave and one would usually take almost 2 to 3 hours to explore the cave.

As we go inside the cave, each of us tried to hold on tight to the rocks because the steps going down were really steep and slippery. There were also thousands of bats at the cave’s opening so you better watch out for dropping bat guano as you go down the cave. In the middle of the trail, we were then asked by our guides to remove our sandals since it is easier to walk barefoot on the steep rocks.

Inside the cave, one will surely be astonished by the cave’s natural and splendid beauty. You will see different and awesome rock formations with funny and interesting names, tiny waterfalls, a mini pool and magnificent stalactites and stalagmites as you trail down the cave.

For those tourists who are more adventurous and who would want more adrenalin rush, you may also want to try the “Cave Connection.”




The Bomod-ok Falls – or simply the Big Falls — is one of Sagada’s most visited and sought-after attractions. Despite being one of the few sites of interest that is a few minutes’ hike from the town center, countless visitors still brave the long trek to admire the 200-feet tall column of water as it splashes down on the cold pools below.

To get to the Big Falls, one must hire a guide from the Tourism Desk at the Town Hall care of the Sagada Environmental Guides Association (SEGA) or the office of the newly-established Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SAGGAS). For the former, the charge for a group of 10 people or less is a pretty affordable rate of 600 pesos (~15 USD). Use this to your advantage! Look for other small groups who would be willing to split the fee with you. Who knows, you might even make friends in the process.

The trail to the Big Falls would take you on a long and exhausting trek along the sides of countless rice terraces! You literally walk between rice paddies and scale the elevated portions to the lower levels through the use of the sturdy stone walls of the terraces. The ingenuity of these people would totally impress you. The rocks were once in the river bed but thanks to the great minds and muscles of the ancestors of the present day Sagadans, this great construction project is in existence for all of us to see and appreciate.

A picture of me and my girlfriend at Bomod-ok Falls.

ECHO VALLEY
Due to the geography of the velley- one's voice truely echos. Make sure you try this out. It's also fun and interesting to get someone to respond to your echo.

I highly suggest getting a guide to take you to the sites around this area. The echo valley is combined with the burial and sometimes great caves. The echo valley and burial cave will take around 3 or so hours.

to get to Echo Valley, you need to walk through St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Take the steps up to the cemetary. Walk through it. Facing the cross, take the path on the right that leads downhill. Follow the worn paths. From here you should be able to see the hanging coffins in the distance. Don't forget to look around at the higher part of other limestone cliffs -for other burial caves.


May 3-4 and 5 2010