Sagada, Mountain Province-Home of Natural Wonders

When we planned to visit the Banaue Rice Terraces, we planned to go to Sagada, Mountain Province, too. It is located 275 km. north of Manila, 140 km. from Baguio. The Trip itself to Sagada is more on an adventure. Long, rocky and winding road.




Mt. Polis-very foggy

"Hanging coffins" is the trademark of Sagada. This is a traditional way of burying people that is not in use anymore. Trekking, explore caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visit historical sites, nature hikes, and participate in tribal celebrations are among the popular activities. Guides can be found upon registration at the tourist-office in Sagada Proper (the main town) for a small fee. You can choose a tour package at the registration office.


Lumiang Cave


The Hanging Coffins

We were lucky because we found a family of 6 persons and we formed as a group so that we could minimize the payment for tour guides and jeepney rental. We chose the tour package to explore Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves, where hanging coffins can be seen. At the back of a transient house where we resided, there is a rice terraces. The climate and crops are like those of Baguio and Benguet: cabbage, tomatoes, green pepper, potatoes, carrots, beans, and other temperate products.


Entrance of Sumiwang Cave

There are many places to stay in Sagada but when we arrived the hotels and houses were already taken. We met a woman by the Name of Rose, her family was very willing to accommodate us but her house was already full of tourists. She was the one who found a shelter for us. Her friend Rose Agpad was not accepting transients because her house is under renovation but because we couldn’t find a place, she was willingly accept us and even those who arrived after us. The people here are very accommodating and warm. They treat their tourists nicely and they even go for extra miles just to make their tourists comfortable.

The tourists said that you have to eat in Yoghurt House when you are in Sagada because this restaurant will complete your tour. True enough this restaurant is really a nice one to dine-in. I love the food but we had to wait for an hour in order for us to be served. There was a long line of waiting tourists to eat. Nevertheless the foods were worth the wait.


Dinner at Yoghurt House

Sagada has many natural wonders. Backpackers and tourists can enjoy the waters of Bokong and Bomod-ok Falls. Other places that can be visited are: Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves, Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls, Rice terraces, Echo Valley, Kiltepan Tower, Underground River, Lake Danum.

Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao Province- a living cultural landscape of unparalleled beauty.

Hapao Rice Terraces


with my sister

Even when I was a child, I dreamed of visiting the well known rice terraces. My sister and I took time to visit this place, more than 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao Province by the indigenous people. We Filipinos referred this as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". The terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rainforests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end it would encircle half the globe.
The Banaue terraces is a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is part of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, ancient sprawling man-made structures from 2,000 to 6,000 years old.



I was really amazed by the site of the terraces, really thankful. Although locals to this day still tend to the rice and vegetables on the terraces, but more younger Ifugaos do not find farming appealing, often opting for the more lucrative hospitality industry generated by the Rice Terraces. The result is the gradual erosion of the characteristic "steps", which need constant reconstruction and care. The high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountains. The knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.
The trip itself is an adventure. The road is literally long, rocky and winding road. I thought it was just a joke that the jeeps in Banaue can carry the passenger on the top load; and it’s true. I was scared and at the same time amazed. There were foreigners chose to ride on the top load instead of inside the jeep. The view is really fabulous and picturesque.





According to the locals the most beautiful and maintain rice terraces is the Batad Rice Terraces, but we were lack of time so we opted to trek to Hapao Rice Terraces, Hapao, Hungduan instead. We visited the hot spring natural pool there; it is not big as much as that of Hot Spring in Bicol. Our tour guide was really accommodating and very patient to guide and guard us as we trail the terraces.

Hot Spring

My sister with our Tour Guide


Hanging Bridge in Banaue