Updated Travel Guide: Sagada
Fifteen hundred feet above the sea is a small and tranquil town of Sagada in Mountain Province, 275 Kilometers north of Manila. A remote town with so much to offer to anyone who chooses to experience its distinct appeal. With its temperate weather, wondrous caves and cliffs, lofty rice terraces and waterfalls, luscious foods and delicacies, rich heritage and traditions, Sagada promises everyone an unforgettable and truly remarkable experience with nature and culture.
Sagada also embraces its visitors with the warm hospitality of the locals that complements the beauty of the place. Undoubtedly, the charm of this mountain town is still incomparable to most tourist destinations in the country, making it one of Lakwatsero’s favorite destinations, a home away from home, like most local and foreign tourists do.
Whether you are a laid back traveler or more into adventure, young or old, Lakwatsero of any background and age, you definitely have a place here.
Sagada’s Hanging Coffins
Sunrise over the sea of clouds at Kiltepan Viewpoint
How to Get There
There are no direct trips to Sagada from Manila, it can only be reached either via Baguio, Bontoc or Banawe with almost the same travel time and fare.
Via Baguio
Most bus companies heading to Northern Philippines have trips to Baguio. But Lakwatsero prefers Victory Liner, their Baguio bound buses leave the terminal (Manila, Pasay, Cubao and Caloocan) every hour. It is a five to six hours travel for P450.00. The most ideal time to travel is around 10:00 to 11:00 PM for you to reach their Baguio Terminal by 5:00AM the next day. Other bus Lines that ply to Baguio are:
- Dagupan Bus (EDSA cor. New York, Cubao , Quezon City/ Contact No: (02)727-2330) – P430.00
- Philippine Rabbit (Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila)
- Dangwa Transit (Dimasalang, Sampaloc, Manila)
- Saulog Bus – P430.00
- Genesis Bus – P420.00
From Victory Baguio Terminal, catch a cab to Baguio Dangwa Terminal where the buses to Sagada can be found. It is a short taxi ride (around 10 minutes) for approximately P40.00. Then ride a Lizardo or GL Transit bus to Sagada, the earliest leaving Dangwa around six in the morning. The fare is P220.00 (student and senior citizen: P176.00) for a 6 to 7 hour ride passing along the scenic Halsema Highway. Almost the entire stretch is paved and smooth rode except from the junction going to Sagada. The bus will stop in front of the Municipal Hall.
Via Bontoc
Bontoc, the capital of Mountain province is a 12 hours ride from Manila. Cable Tours (Contact No: +639298194688-Manila and +639185215790 – Bontoc) has daily trips to Bontoc, leaving Manila at 8:30 PM for P650.00. Their station is in E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City, on the street beside Trinity College. The trip passes through Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya and Banaue with the entire stretch of paved road.
From Bontoc catch a jeepney to Sagada. These jeepneys leave Bontoc every hour, travel time is one hour, fare is P45.00. You may opt to ride on the jeepney rooftop to enjoy the view and the sea of clouds of Sagada.
Via Banaue
Banaue route is a good choice if you plan to drop by to the famous Rice Terraces of Banawe. Ohayami Bus is the only bus that operates the Manila to Banaue route, their terminal is in Sampaloc Manilla, near UST. Contact No: +639276493055 or (02)-5160501. You may also check out their website at: http://www.ohayamitrans.com
From Banaue, ride a tricycle (P30.00) from the terminal to the Banaue town proper and catch a jeepney or bus to Bontoc for P150.00. It will drop you off near the Bontoc Municipal Hall. From there, ride a jeepney to Sagada for P45.00. You may opt to ride on the jeepney rooftop to enjoy the view and the sea of clouds of Sagada.
Pongas Falls
Sagada Cemetery
Where to Stay
Since Sagada embraced tourism, a couple of inns and lodges sprouted in almost every corner of the town proper and surrounding area. But Lakwatsero’s top pick of course is the Residential Lodge, owned by very kind and accommodating Tita Mary Daoas (Contact No: +639296257419/+639196728744). It is a three-storey lodge equipped with free WiFi, with a common area per floor where guests could watch TV or interact with other guests. Room rate is as low as P250.00 per head per night for a room with common toilet and bath, and P300.00 per head per night for a room with own toilet and bath. Free coffee and tea for all 
Other places to stay are:
- George Guest House (Contact No:+639185480405/+639206070994)
- St. Joseph’s Rest House (Contact No: +63927360344)
- Travelers Inn (Contact No: +639207992960)
- Rock Inn Cafe (Contact No: +639209095899)
- Ganduyan Inn (Contact No: +639212738097)
- Sagada Guest House (Contact No: +639189385601/+639193002763)
- Masferre Country Inn (Contact No: +639183416164)
- Yellow House Inn (Contact No: +639092549783/+639478351985)
- Gecko Inn (Contact No:+639202895471/+639197261114)
- Sagada Kanip-aw View Lodge (Contact No:+639282847507/+639298162233)
- Shamrock Tavern (Contact No: +639301955680)
- Yabami Bed and Breakfast (Contact No: +639497472245)
- Mary Hillz Homestay (Contact No: +639153794860)
- Churya-a Hotel Annex (Contact No: +639064300853 /+639215331030)
- Mapia-aw Pension (Contact No: +639052164055/+639082027969)
- Ligaya’s House and Cottages (Contact No: +639183438415/+639207849633)
- Billy’s Haus (Contact No: +639216032745)
- Green House (Contact No: +639187367831)
- Alfredo’s Inn (Contact No: +639185883535)
- Alapo View Inn (Contact No: +639183113161/+639213279055)
- Alibama Inn (Contact No: +639208135797)
- Canaway Inn (Contact No: +639182915063)
- Hilltopville (Contact No: +639129014749)
- Misty Lodge (Contact No: +639994459899)
Alternatively, if you prefer camping, you can just pitch a tent in Lake Danum, Mt. Ampacao, Marlboro Hills, Calvary Hill or in Kiltepan
Inside Lumiang Cave
Activities
With the variety of activities to choose from, places to see and foods to eat, Sagada is truly an adventure, nature and food haven. Here’s the (growing) list of it:
- Spelunking in Sumaguing, Lumiang or Crystal Caves.
- At least three hours of cave connection from Lumiang to Sumaguing (or vice versa)
- Tour of Echo Valley, Underground River, Bokong Falls, Cemetery and Calvary Hills
- See the hanging coffins up close and see the other ancient burial sites
- Try rock climbing in Echo Valley Cliffs
- Walk through the rice terraces of Suyo, Ankileng, Balugan, Bangaan (on the way to Bomod-ok Falls) and Kiltepan
- Trek to Bomod-ok Falls and Pongas Falls
- Commune with nature and culture of Sagada
- Try the mountain tea, the famous yoghurt of the Yoghurt House and the lemon pie of Sagada Lemon Pie House
- Taste the local delicacy called Pinikpikan or battered chicken
- Experience the Saturday night buffet at Log Cabin
- Look for the wild horses in Sagada’s Marlboro Country
- See the sunset at Kiltepan Viewpoint
- Walk to Lake Danum
- Trek Mt. Ampacao
- Witness the Panag-apoy and Begnas Festival
- Visit Sagada Pottery and Ganduyan Museum
- Buy weaved products at Sagada Weaving and other local shops
- Experience the year-end bonfire at Mt. Ampacao
- White water rafting in Chico River
- Try biking in Sagada
Check out also my “What to do in Sagada” post that lists the activities that are best for first timers in Sagada.
Lemon pie and tea from Sagada Lemon Pie House
Sample Itinerary and Budget
Here’s the 3D/2N itinerary that I followed during my my first visit to Sagada in 2007. You may follow or tweak it depending on your liking. Estimated cost for this trip is around P3500 – P4000
Day 1
2230H: Departure from Victory Liner Pasay
Day 2
0350H: Arrival at Victory Liner Baguio/Taxi to Dangwa Terminal
0400H: Arrival at Dangwa Terminal/Breakfast
0530H: Departure of Lizardo Bus to Sagada
1115H: Arrival at Sagada
1145H: Lunch
1300H: Spelunking – Lumiang to Sumaguing Cave Connection
1700H: Finish Caving
1900H: Dinner
Day 3
0630H: Breakfast
0730H: Trek to the Big Falls (via Bangaan Rice Terraces)
0830H: Arrival to the Big Falls
0930H: Trek back from the Big Falls
1030H: Back to the starting point of Big Falls trek
1130H: Lunch
1300H: Rock Climbing
1500H: Tour Echo Valley, Hanging Coffins and Underground River
1700H: End of Tour
1900H: Dinner
Day 4
0630H: Breakfast
0700H: Departure from Sagada to Baguio
1300H: Arrival at Baguio/Lunch
1400H: Shop and Some tour of Baguio
1800H: Departure from Baguio to Manila
First publication: May 2, 2008
Updated: November 23, 2012
hi,
i hhave set a plan of travelling to the northern part of luzon. like laoag, vigan and pagudpud by plane.
i was wondering if the plan of taking the bus from manila to laoag is possible with stopovers is doable.
the plan is:
manila- zambales (anawangin and the other coves)
zambales to baguio
baguio to sagada
sagada to pagudpud
pagudpud to laoag+vigan
and then back to laoag to manila by plane.
i was thinking setting a one travel schedule all the way to the north instead of seting an apart tour of pagudpud and sagada.
please need your advice.
Hi Bleue,
Been there with my officemate last Sept 6. The long trip was really tiring we even encountered a landslide along the way. But thank God it was all worth it. We stayed at Tita Mary’s Residential lodge (truly highly recommended). The caves were awesome, especially the rock formations inside Sumaguing Cave. Its just sad we missed the Lemon Pie house.
We’re planning to go back summer next year to try the cave connection and Mt. Ampacao trek. This time i’ll make sure we’ll never miss the Lemon Pie house.
Thanks Bleue for the info posted here. It really helped us a lot. More tours and more blogs to you!
hi po…am planning to go to sagada this OCTOBER??is it wise for this time of year??
Hi, me and my friends are planning a road trip on Sept. But we will be in Laoag first then travel down to Sagada. Can you give us tips on how to get there? Bus rides, schedules, fare rates and those stuff. Some of the sights and places we wanted to see in Mt. Province are Bontoc, Banaue – the rice terraces and Sagada itself.
Can you recommend an itinerary for us? That we would be able to cover these places. Thanks!
hi sir. ask ko lang po which is the best and easiest way to go to sagada, via baguio, banaue or bontoc? im planning a trip in june 5-8 sana. thanks =)
Hi! Thanks so much…will follow your advice.
Looking forward to communing with nature!
Regards,
just to let you know, the sagada lemon pie house quoted you on this post. you can check the url below to see what we wrote:
http://sagadalemonpiehouse.blogspot.com/2009/02/our-comments.html
Hi.
Which is the easiest and cheapest way to get to these places: sagada, baguio, and pagudpud?
Thanks..
Hi!
Thanks for the response. I intend to stay for 3D/2N exclusive of the bus travel from and to Manila.
thanks in advance for the advice. God bless u
is it okey to go for sagada from baguio by saturday 6am, then go back for baguio the following day around 11am? do you the group can already enjoy? thanks
Hi!
Need an advice/idea for itinerary for a female solo traveler.
Thanks a lot!
hai, actually im pure sagadanian but im living here in america. . .. .your column is great that you are making our place more exciteful
maybe we will go their this vacation. .
I mis Sagada. . . thank you very much.
Matago tao tako amin..hehe its hard to pronounce now!
hi, ask ko lang if safe pumunta sa kin sa sagada with a heart problem, kasi its a long walk daw and matataas and mga roads. problem ko kasi madali ako hingalin… is there a way na di ako maglakad? hows the tranportation there?
thanks and have a great day…
Hi, Lakwatsero. We are planning to go to Sagada this Christmas Season. Do you think it is wise to go there considering it’s going to be sooooo cold? Our group consists of 8 adults, 1 teenager, 1 10-year old and a 4 year old. What’s the best place for our group to stay? Can we already make a reservation for the hotel and tourist guide? How much do you think will we spend for a 5 day stay there (hotel, food, guide, entrance fees to the spots, etc.)? Thanks so much. We are so excited to visit Sagada especially after reading this site.
atwzzz…………coool
I am planning to go to Sagada and stay at the best possible accommdations – with best view and complete amenities. Also, who should I contact to serve as my tour guide? Thanks so much for all your help!