Conquer Sagada with Travel Factor

When in Manila, you’ll find yourself constantly making excuses to get a break off your hectic schedule just to explore the various attractions and countless destinations the Philippines has to offer. From breathtaking beaches, unparalleled party scenes, and photographic landscapes, the country provides only the finest form of entertainment for every stereotype.

If for a certain moment, what you seek is thrill and adventure, Something you won’t see on a normal day, and if you are hungry for snippets of unstained Philippine culture, then pack your bags, man up, and conquer Sagada. And what better way to do that than with Travel Factor.

          

View of the road towards Sagada 

Last Feb 16-18, I participated in one of Travel Factor’s featured destinations. Visiting Sagada was really nothing I expected. I’ve heard only a few things about province and I felt I needed a change from my usual beach outings. As most people would know, Sagada is a peaceful area situated on the higher regions of the archipelago, home to abundant crops and humble indigenous Philippine people. What the lucky few know is that it conceals natural wonders that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

              

Trekking towards Bomod-ok Falls 

        

Travel Factor was born in 2006 when a group of individuals decided to take a different approach to travel and wanted to share their passion with others. Years later they’ve managed to make the best-kept secrets of any destination accessible to everyone at reasonable fees. In cooperation with Victory Liner’s Biyaheng Victory, any of their featured destinations (both local and international) will immerse you in a carefully thought out list of activities that will make your stay worthwhile and hassle free yet pocket friendly.

It’s one thing to travel with close friends and loved ones, but it’s a totally different experience to explore a new place with a set of new faces. Travel Factor‘s trips can accommodate more or less 40 people and will give you the opportunity to meet new individuals. 

Experience a luxurious and comfortable life + affordable rates and plans. Click here.

The moment we  reached the road towards Sagada, I was welcomed by a stunning view of rice terraces and fresh green mountains. The morning sun woke me, lighting up the cheeks of my companion, and displayed the perfect moment, one that I could hardly witness in Manila.

  

We  settled in a cozy little inn that gave the comforts of home at a rather conservative cost (which is, of course, already included in the travel package). After devouring our hefty lunch, we then prepared ourselves for the start of the weekend of adventure and the unknown.

The journey began with a trek down to the famous Bomod-ok falls. It was long and treacherous, not for your ordinary couch potato. If not physically fit, you’d have to come equipped with the guts and hungry for thrill of the continuous battle of keeping your strides confined between the tiny steps towards the foot of the mountain. There’s but a thin line between coming home with a great story and falling head first on the sharp rocks no matter how pretty the view or dramatically you would’ve ended your life (just kidding).

The reward after going through what seemed like ten thousand miles is the enchanting view of the waterfalls. Taking a dip in the ice-cold lagoon, said to posses healing powers, would make you feel instantly recovered and prep you for the climb back up.

Bomod-ok Falls 

A tiring day would only end perfectly with a good night’s sleep and an equally beautiful wake up call (a trip to the Kiltepan viewpoint). We welcomed the next day with dozens of other vacationers enveloped in blankets of mist and a sea of clouds atop a peaceful mountain. After a few minutes of enduring 15 degrees is the relieving warmth of the sun complete with the picture perfect view. 

  

 Sunrise at Kiltepan Viewpoint 

You’d never leave Sagada without plunging into one its tourist friendly and pretty caves (pretty deadly if you ask me). One of their key attractions is the activity known as Spelunking. I know, it was also the first time I’ve ever encountered the term in my life. In simple words, it is basically the act of cave exploration, though it wasn’t that basic at all. 

Sumaging is the more popular one, done by the majority, as it is less tedious and has plenty of graphic rock formations. The cave connection activity though, would start off in Lumiang, which is ideal for those who seek to push themselves and take them back to their chilhood where adventure was only defined by playing in the neighbors’ backyard. Now this is the real deal.

From the beginning to the end, you’ll find yourself constantly twisting, turning, rolling, and getting absolutely dirty all over so don’t expect to tackle it in your glamorous clothes or the cave will eat you alive. I didn’t think I was fit to do any of that but the good thing about being in a tour group of random people is that you’ll feel a sense of confidence and a natural stimulant to get it done because you wouldn’t wanna be called a ‘wuss’. It was really interesting going on that trip with an elderly couple who I felt had more spunk than me, again one of the perks of traveling with Travel Factor.

You’ll instantly develop new relationships because you’ll find yourselves pushing each other to the end. You’ll learn to trust that the guides know what they are doing and throw away all your worries and put your heart and soul into every move.  The caves are wonderful and will keep you on your toes and your adrenaline pumping like crazy. 

If thrill and adventure is not your thing and you’d rather vie for rich cultural experience, the package also comes with a walking tour that would take you to explore breathtaking views with historical assets that can give you the relaxation and enlightenment you might be looking for. 

Sagada is known for being one of the three participating regions that practice the virtue of keeping their loved ones in hanging coffins at the time of death. Burial is one of their distinct traditions and they are very careful when it comes to placing their family members in their final resting places, depending on the cause of death. 

Cavalry Hills

Aside from the traditional cemetery in the Calvary Hills, a short walk down to Echo Valley would give you a view of the Hanging Coffins and entertain you with the magic that happens within. From the name itself, any noise you make would be reiterated back, which is not only entertaining but truly magical. 

Echo Valley

Now like what I said, Sagada is full of glorious secrets: Including food. How can a place bountiful of fresh produce serve food that tastes awful? It doesn’t make sense. Aside from the food served by our inn, Alibama, well known for their Pinikpikan, we  frequented a few of the go to places such as Yogurt house and Lemon Pie House, both known for their desserts, Yogurt and Lemon pie (obviously).

So when you’re done with your pasalubong shopping and whenever you have free time, explore the native cuisine because i’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.Gaia is a secret spot near the caves with an amazing view that serves vegan food. Since you’re already in an environment that forces you to sweat out and detoxify, why not go all out and feed your soul guilt-free food as well?

Squash Noodles and Vegan Burger from Gaia 

All in all my experience with Travel Factor can be summed up into one word: Exceptional. For a minimal amount of 4950 php, I can say that it was money well spent. The organisers were very accommodating and created the atmosphere of one huge family. They also made sure that our (possibly) one and only trip to Sagadawas a memorable one. 

When in Manila, step out of your comfort zone and surf Baler, climb Mt. Pulag, and CONQUER SAGADA with Travel Factor for a worry free and amazing escape. 

Travel Factor  Participants 

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Thrilling journeys, unforgettable experiences: a guide to Banaue and Sagada

Taking on the arduous trip to this mountain paradise, with its breath-taking vistas and challenging adventures, will be well-rewarded

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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How many long weekends have you passed up without taking a much-deserved vacation? Next time, take a few days off and make Sagada number one on your must-visit list.

Few places deserve to be labeled “breathtaking” as that quaint village in the Mountain Province. And yet for all the beauty and challenge of Sagada, the journey there is undoubtedly as unforgettable as the destination itself.

One route to explore would be via Ifugao, which offers a constant visual feast along the way. The trip can start from Quezon City at the Victory Liner bus terminal at the corner of East Avenue, where travelers can take the Tuguegarao-bound bus.

There is a choice of either the air-conditioned bus for P575, or the deluxe bus for P750. The deluxe bus of Victory Liner has add-ons—light snacks, an onboard toilet, and a roomy capacity of 29 seats (each fitted with footrest), ensuring extra elbow room and leg room to guarantee travel comfort.

The trip is seven hours ending in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya.

Another option is to book a 20-seat coaster with MM Fariñas Travel and Tours to shuttle your group from Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya to Banaue for P8,000, back and forth.

Upon reaching Solano, walk a few steps to the jeepney terminal and get on a jeep going to Ifugao at P105 per person for a two-hour ride without stops (the first trip leaves at 6 a.m.).

Eighth wonder of the world

Alight in Ibulao, Kiangan, in Ifugao and travel to Banaue, dine there and pose for souvenir photos, with the Eighth Wonder of the World as your backdrop. You might consider staying a while for a more immersive day trip to the awe-inspiring rice terraces, which is now 2,000 years old.

Dotting the scenery are images of rice gods that farmers make from fern while waiting to harvest rice.

In Ifugao, it is still a thrill to see the fog descending on the mountainscape, no matter how many times one has seen it happen in other places.

While there, we recommend staying at the Banaue Hotel at P2,000-P,3000 for twin-sharing. There are also other bed-and-breakfast inns that will suit various vacation budgets.

From Banaue, one can proceed to Sagada via Bontoc on a jeepney at P180 each. The path is winding, often rugged, and in some parts quite narrow that only a single vehicle can be accommodated at a time, but the road is safe. Through some stretches of the journey, be daring enough to travel “top load” (sitting atop the jeepney) for a more intense and orientation-shifting view of the grandeur below—that is, if if you’re not scared of heights or too cocky as to be careless.

Throughout the trip are reminders of the rich tradition and abundant nature in the Mountain Province: a stray bayawak on the highway, pine trees that act as sentinels of the mountains, cold and crystal clear water gushing forth from the highlands which travelers freely fill their water bottles with, and local people chewing betel nut or nganga.

Of course, the highlight of the trip is reaching Sagada. Find a place to stay in once you reach the town. St. Joseph Resthouse near the bus stop is one of Sagada’s most easily accessed accommodations and, with its garden motif, is quite charming.

Occupancy ranges from dorm rooms (for two and four, starts at P500) to private cabins. Once settled in, register at the municipal hall so you can get a guide to accompany your group during spelunking and hiking. The tours and trails will push you to your limits, create a profound shared experience with your co-travelers and even with strangers, and give you a better understanding of why travelers who have been to Sagada keep returning.

Enlivening swim

The Bomo-od Falls offers an enlivening swim at the end of more than an hour’s worth of hiking through sloping pastures, which may not be as grand as the terraced fields in Banaue and Batad, but are still fascinating in their own right.

Before dawn breaks the next day, station your group at the peak of Kiltepan to welcome the chilly sunrise and see the world from just beneath the sky. Then navigate the crevices of Lumiang Burial Cave, a place you must treat with reverence, and if you’re fit and game enough to go on spelunking for more hours, continue to the underground labyrinth of Sumaging Cave, where the rock formations both challenge and awe.

Other places worth visiting are the Anglican Church, Yoghurt House, local bars for tasting Sagada wine, coffee, or tea, the Masferre museum, Sagada weaving shop, and restaurants that offer the local delicacy, pinikpikan, among others.

The heart of every dream destination is its people. In Banaue, the residents are warm and accommodating, while in Sagada, the locals are gracious and maintain a courteous distance. People there delight in living simply, and although they may have gotten used to the presence of tourists, visitors should always, always remain respectful and undisruptive to the culture and the people.

Sagada’s pabaon for the audacious, risk-taking traveler is the life-altering experience of reconnecting with oneself, with nature, and with the Divine. It will be hard to bid the mountain paradise goodbye, but know that you can always come back.

With a trip costing in the vicinity of P5,000 per person, one can have a dream Banaue and Sagada vacation. For the patient and passionate adventurer who can find joy in the eventful 12-hour trip from Manila to the hidden Eden that is Sagada, the reward is the journey itself.

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