I actually browsed the itinerary just the day before the trip so I know what to pack and what not to bring. I never expected that this would turn out to be the most tiresome yet most amazing trip I had this year.
Midnight of September 9, our plane took off from Cebu to Manila and past 1am we reached NAIA and met Kuya Avelino, the guy from Aze Travel and Tours who became our driver/guide/alarm for 4 days and 3 nights.
DAY 1
The first day was an all-day van travel. After we landed, we got off for a midnight meal and went back to the van to sleep. The next time we woke up, we were already in Nueva Viscaya (if I’m not mistaken) and stopped by for breakfast around 7am. Another few hours of ride, we were already in Banaue around 10 in the morning. We took our lunch in a karenderya overlooking the Banaue Rice Terraces. After meal, our driver found us a good spot where we could take pictures of the terraces.1. Banaue Arch
2. Banaue Rice Terraces View deck
It was around 4 in the afternoon when we reached Sagada Mountain Province. Our rooms don’t need aircons since the place was already cold. It was even foggy outside and so as our breaths.DAY 2
Our driver became our alarm in the morning. Call time was 4am. We had to prepare really early for the Sea of Clouds in Kiltepan Viewpoint so we could watch how beautiful the sun meets the sea of clouds.3. Kiltepan View Point
So, we never really thought that the second day could be very extreme. We were not anymore following the arrangement of the itinerary but Manong Avelino promised us that we would cover all that was listed if the time and the weather permits.4. Sumaguing Cave
Since the weather was great, we opted for a “normal caving” in Sumaging Cave. It wasn’t normal at all. Thanks goodness I was wearing aqua shoes. It actually saved my life. Jedi and the rest who wore trekking sandals ended up barefooted since there were areas that were so muddy and slippery that their sandals didn’t make it.FYI: No electric lights inside the cave. Our tour guides brought kerosene lamps (lamparilyas) and it made our spelunking experience more challenging!
The day had not ended there yet. We went back to where we stayed, changed outfits, took our lunch and met Kuya Avelino in St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church.
By then, we were thinking that the rest of the afternoon was chill time. Some of us were even in our #OOTD (Outfit of the Day), not expecting that we would be trekking from Echo Valley to crossing an underground river.
5. St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church
6. Echo Valley
Try shouting all your heartaches out loud to the mountains and it will likewise shout back at you. Simply because, this is Echo Valley.We had an easy hike from Echo Valley going down to see the hanging coffins. Easy peasy as it was at first but then after we agreed of proceeding to the underground river, we realized it wasn’t easy after all.
7. Hanging Coffins
8. Underground River
We paid additional fee for the continuation of our adventure to the underground river. We were forced to take off our shoes, crossed the river with teamwork and hiked for another hour to reach the house with the blue roof back to the town.After an hour and a half trek, Manong Avelino picked us up and brought us to a Pottery House. I tried molding one (with major supervision of course haha) and came up with a bowl!
9. Pottery House
It was a long day indeed and since there was still a little more time, we ended the day picture taking at Lake Danum.
10. Lake Danum
Very extreme, yes! In a day, we were able to go spelunking, trekking, crossing an underground river, molding pots and more!DAY 3
We woke up am in the morning for breakfast and got ready for the day’s main adventure. The extreme activities had not yet ended in Day 2. We looked for adventure and so adventure awaited us at Bomod-ok Falls (Big Falls).Two hours of trekking, we reached the biggest and strongest falls I have yet seen. We passed by rice terraces (maybe the reason why we burnt our skin the day after). We also stopped by a little store where we bought iced candy and lumpia (yes a mild snack haha). Then, we struck a pose in a bridge when we almost reached Bomod-ok Falls.
11. Bomod-Ok ( Big Falls / Pongas Falls )
Who wouldn’t be happy this much? We deserved this kind of bath after a long trek under the sun.I cannot intentionally go near the falls because it is really scary and cold.
Going back, we chose the different route which I guess was the long cut (lol) and rode a jeepney back to where Manong Avelino was. We were on top of the jeepney and it was a fun top-load experience!
We were saying hello to the tourists from the other jeepney! Hi afams!
So the day has ended and everything in Sagada was memorable. Serene — this is how I must perfectly describe Sagada in general. As we were strolling around the town, I could always feel the tranquility and simplicity from just looking at the pine trees, the people around and even their houses with colorful windows.
We went back to the town and bought some pasalubong and souvenirs. We had our last night in Sagada and in the morning we traveled early to Baguio City.
DAY 4
12. Halsema Highway
Sea of clouds once more as we traveled from Sagada to Baguio in our 4th day.13. Highest Point
14. Strawberry Farm
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the real strawberry yet. Strawberry and orange picking is seasonal. November-February would be the best time.15. The Mansion
16. Minesview Park
Succulents and cacti are sold in Minesview Park for just 3 for 100. In Cebu, one is for 180 pesos so I never missed buying these though we had a little problem with these plants in the airport.17. Lion’s Head
The last stop is the Lion’s Head along Kennon Road and then we’re back to Manila.It was indeed the most tiresome trip I had this year. We had been to 17 (or more) places for four days. I got body aches and burnt face the moment I was back home but still thanks to Manong Avelino from Aze Travel and Tours for making this trip super worth it and jam-packed!
#SinagadAngSagada
Timeline and Expenses
Here’s a summary of my expenses during this 4D3N trip! Hope this helps!
September 9, 2016 Friday
3AM KFC meal 130 pesos
Snacks at Shell Select 115 pesos
7AM Breakfast: Noodles 35 pesos
11AM Lunch: Terraces View Banaue 125 pesos
6PM Dinner: Happy House Sagada 145 pesos
September 10, 2016 Saturday
8AM Breakfast: Sagada Town 100 pesos
Bought a Sagada Bag 700 pesos
Wild honey 150 pesos
10AM Sumaguing Cave: Normal Caving 150 pesos
Guide Tip 50 pesos each
Lunch at Sagada Town 90 pesos
1PM Echo Valley Entrance 50 pesos
Underground River 70 pesos
Pottery 20 pesos
Pottery molding 100 pesos
4PM Snack: Sagada Choco bread 25 pesos
7PM Dinner: BBQ Sagada Brew 100 pesos
September 11, 2016 Sunday
9AM Breakfast: Sagada Town 100 pesos
Bomod-ok Falls: Entrance + Guide Tip + Jeepney 130 pesos
Snacks: Lumpia 10 pesos
1PM Lunch at Salt and Pepper + Shake 150 pesos + 170 Shake (Paid half with Jedi: 85 pesos)
Souvenirs 350 pesos
Lemon Pie 30 pesos
7PM Dinner at Lemon House 105 pesos (Shared with Jedi)
September 12, 2016 Monday
9AM Breakfast 100 pesos
Strawberry Ice Cream 50 pesos (Paid double because the first one fell to the ground lol)
Strawberry Taho 25 pesos
Pasalubong: Shirts + Items + Jam 1,050 pesos
Lunch at Pangasinan 100 pesos
Total 4, 440 pesos
Travel Package 3, 800 pesos
Grand Total 8, 240 pesos
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