Showing posts with label Sagada. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sagada. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

En Route to Sagada 8th time

One of my favorite destinations in the Philippines is Sagada. I started touring in this majestic place in 2009 and 2016 is the 8th time I have visited this breathtaking spot.


This visit is quite different from my previous visits and from my other tours in the Philippines since my companions are all females!

They are Vianca (aka Cutie), Faith, Marianne, Ashley, Kim, and Regine (aka Madam).


We planned this tour as early as November last year.

Day 1 

Our first stop before going to the bus station was my place of work - FEU. I toured them around the university and afterwards, we went to Coda Lines bus station.


The trip to Sagada was set to depart 9 pm and we arrived 8 pm at the bus station.


Past 9 pm we went off to Sagada and everybody's spirits were very high! We were all excited! 

       Coda Lines (Bontoc-Sagada)
Contact numbers - (0927) 559 2197 / (0929) 521 3247 / (0936) 971 9216

               Trip to Sagada - 9 pm
               Sagada to QC - 3 pm


Day 2 

Past 6 am we arrived in Banaue Rice Terraces. Part of the trip in Coda Lines was a 15-minute stop for picture-taking in the rice terraces.


After 12 hours of journey, we arrived at our destination. Before going to our homestay, we made the necessary reservations in the Muncipal Tourism Office for our tours and paid the Environmental Fee of P30.00.


Afterwards, we went to our homestay and left our belongings.


First part of the tour was the Bomod-ok Falls. We hired a ride to our destination (Victor (0948) 384 3378). After 15 minutes, we reached the jump-off point, paid the guide fee of P500 and hiked. Ate Glo (0936) 870 0921) was our guide that day.


And we started our 1.5-hour trek to the falls. It was already 10 am and the weather was really scorching hot! But we did not mind the weather, we are in Sagada!


The view of the rice terraces was simply phenomenal and superb! The trek in the rice paddies was very entertaining.


Thereafter, we crossed the river and continued in our voyage.


Along the way, we passed by a hanging bridge and we took our souvenir picture.


And after minutes of trekking, we reached the spot!


                      Bomod-ok Falls


After staying for an hour, we left the falls. We had a very tight itinerary and we need to finish it. We did not use the usual way back and instead used the shortcut.


The trail was an uphill climb and we kept on ascending. We passed by huge boulders of rock and the trail was a bit perilous.


     But the sight was indeed relaxing!


After reaching the van, we went back to the town of Sagada. We were suppose to go to the Eco Valley but due to time constraint, the group decided to skip it. From the distance, we saw the hanging coffins. 

We took our hurried lunch and departed to our next destination.


    Second stop was the Lumiang Cave.


Limestone rock formations could be seen along the trail.


And we started our second trek of the day. The trek was good only for 15 minutes.


      And we reached - Lumiang Cave!

Spelunking is one the best adventures on Sagada. There are two kinds of spelunking the 4-hour spelunking from Lumiang to Sumaguing and the second one is the 2-hour spelunking in Sumaguing itself.


After the Lumiang cave visit, we went to our next destination in Sumaguing Cave. Our major activity for that day - Spelunking.


The group was given initial instructions by our guide before we started our spelunking. Guide fee is P1,500.


Thereafter, we started our descent. We were very careful in this activity. We did not want anyone getting injured. 


Although the adventure was really exhausting. The group had the adventure of their lives. According to them, the okey to the adventure was teamwork!


     And they reached the King's Curtain!


They even tested their wits in their rapelling adventure! All of them did it with gusto!


             They survived Sagada!


Past 4 pm, we went to the pottery making site and took a glimpse on how pots are made. We paid P100 for the spectacle.


     Then, we went to Sagada Greenhills.


And went to our last destination for that day - Danum Lake. The group was a bit disappointed since the water in the lake was murky!


Danum Lake is the best spot in Sagada for your sunset viewing. Unfortunately, it was cloudy that day and the clouds took away our expectation.


Past 7 pm, we took our dinner in the town of Sagada and tasted the local delicacy - Pinikpikan!


The tour in Sagada will not be complete without a bonfire and before hitting the sack, we enjoyed this activity.

Day 3


We woke up as early 3 am and by 4:30 am we were in Mt. Kiltepan for our sunrise viewing. We paid Mang Victor P2,200 for a package tour of all our destinations.


There was no sea of clouds nor a breathtaking sunrise but again the group did not mind. Everybody was enjoying!


After the sunrise viewing, we went to the Orange Farm.


Around 8 am, we boarded the 5-hour trip to Baguio. Fare is around P170.


After 5 hours, we reached the Strawberry Farm. Everyone took turns taking their souvenir photos and "pasalubong!"


Aftet the farm, we boarded a jeep and went to Burnham Park in Baguio.


The trip in the park will not be complete without the boat ride (P100 only).


Last stop for the day was the Mines View after buying their "ube" in Good Sheperd.


      Thank you guys for this adventure!


    Next adventure - mountain climbing!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

10 of My Best Adventures (Latest)

Every place in the Philippines brings a different touch of adventure 
and every adventure unfolds the same happiness from within ourselves 
and I am sharing the adventures that brought happiness for the past 12 months.

Secret Beach

1. El Nido, Palawan

Topping the list is the adventures in the last frontier in the Philippines. Snorkeling and the island hopping adventures in El Nido, Palawan are the epitome of fun in the Philippines. Snorkeling is best enjoyed in Shimizu Island, Papaya Island, Tapyutan Island, and Secret Beach.

Shimizu Island
El Nido offers a variety of island hopping packages at an affordable price. The island hopping tours range from Tours A-D. You can even combine these packages in order to maximize cost and time doing your island hopping.

Big Lagoon
The island hopping experience will not be complete without experiencing the Small Lagoon and Big Lagoon of Tour A and the Hidden Beach and Secret Beach of Tour C. Best time to go to El Nido is during summer from March to June.



  2. Motor biking and Mountain biking in El Nido

El Nido is known for its pristine waters, white sand beaches and marine wildlife. But only a few people know that it is also a site for biking. Going to Nagkalit-Kalit Waterfalls, Nacpan Beach, and Calitang Twin Beach is a must for bikers. Enjoy the 42-kilometers of mountain biking fun in El Nido!


3. Fortune Island, Nasugbu, Batangas

The island is a sight to behold. A photographer's dream. A place to enjoy tranquil life.
The island has no electricity, barely a telecommunication signal and no source of water supply.


4. Jomalig Island, Quezon

Jomalig is the place where you want to take a respite, camp and simply enjoy nature. With its mile-long white sand beach, rural life and pristine waters, Jomalig is a must for one's bucket list of travel destination in the Philippines.

  
And they ALL agree!


5. Summer trip to Sagada, Mountain Province

Every year I go to Sagada. But this year's travel is different. I went to Sagada on a summer (usually December). The experience was different. The weather may not be that cold but the sea of clouds would surely be a jaw-dropping experience for a traveler to behold!

Twin Lagoon

6. Coron, Palawan 

It was my second time to go to Coron, Palawan. But the place has never ceased to capture my affection for its tourist spots. The likes of Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake and Twin Lagoon are some of the best spots to visit.


Enjoy the island experience in Malcapuya Island.


Or simply witness the sunset as it unfolds at the Coron Bay.



7. Cagbalete Island, Quezon

Escape the hassles of the metro and simply live a simple life and be mesmerized with the sand ripples in Cagbalete Island.


Hidden falls or Buntot Palos Falls
  
8. Hiking Adventures

I made several hiking adventures in Mt. Talamitam, Mt. Batulao, Pangil, Laguna and in Rizal. The most memorable was the Buntot Palos hike with my fellow packers.



9. Dinner at Sun Cruise

Yes, dinner! Watching the sunset at Manila Bay and enjoying the cruise at Manila Bay with your loved one is simply exceptional!




10. Parade of Lights, Tanauan City, Batangas

I am from Batangas and I am proud that finally our city has something different to offer. A tourist attraction to witness and this year was the inception of the annual event.