I have been told that you go to tourist information center and ask there. Just like that. But of course, be discreet. If they say no, they won´t make a big deal out of it. But we didn´t come to Sagada to smoke weed. We wanted to experience few of the countless attraction the place and its surroundings have to offer. We found a hostel called Misty Lodge. It was a charming wooden house with well groomed garden. The stuff was so nice and friendly (I might use these words quite often for Philippines), so we ordered the room without even seeing it. We hired an obligatory guide and went caving for 2 hours. In Europe or Australia, the cave would be probably covered with warning signes, you´d walk on a given stairway and touching of anything would be out of the question. Not in Sagada. The guide lit up his lanthern, we took our shoes off and went in. It was quite an adventure at times. When the guide suggested to have a break before going further, we knew it would be interesting. He hanged by his hand from a rock and swung us 2 meters down with the other hand. At the information center on the way back, we asked for other things to do and found out it was plenty. I wanted to go camping. When I went in a local reggae bar on the way back to the Misty Lodge, a local mountaineer advised that the highest peak around is called Mount Sisipitan, has 2600 m and it reachable in one day. I was hooked.
The next day morning by the down, I began my hike to Mount Sisipitan, with a camping gear, a lot of water and fruits. I reached the village of Bangaan, where the tourist officer told me there was a war two weeks ago. Militants fighting rebels. I coudn´t believe that. But if I insisted, I´d have to take a guide for sure. I said I won´t probably go. In the next village, the local woman encouraged me not to pass the last house for it is „pure mountains“ there only. Fine by me. When I passed the last house and the local rice terraces, it just went upward. The few trees turned to a jungle and I was getting lost again and again, scratched by the bushes and slowly giving up. But I always found and alternative path. It was a challenge and it was already late afternoon when I reached the summit. Would you believe that there was no viewpoint, just trees around? So I sat on a tree branch and took a selfie which could have been taken in any other forest down there. Anyway, the descent was quicker and when I passed two freshly wooden carved coffins with lids deep in the forest, I remember the lady talking about the war. I´m gonna be honest with you, I was scared. Before I reached the closest village, I caught few leeches, fell and dislocated my shoulder and put it back by pulling my arm forward like they do in movies. It was too late for camping and the words of my traveling guru, Doňa Morris, about a tent being useless for backpacking, proved to be right. The local people passing from Bangaan to Sagada gave me a lift and for a question how much did I owed them, they answered – a smile. It was a lot to ask, but I paid.
Before leaving Sagada, I met Frank, a Filipino guy, who traveled the world and came back to spend some time here. Over a coffee, he gave me so much valuable information about traveling Philippines, that it was game changing for me. I coudn´t be more grateful.
Travelers advice:
The next day morning by the down, I began my hike to Mount Sisipitan, with a camping gear, a lot of water and fruits. I reached the village of Bangaan, where the tourist officer told me there was a war two weeks ago. Militants fighting rebels. I coudn´t believe that. But if I insisted, I´d have to take a guide for sure. I said I won´t probably go. In the next village, the local woman encouraged me not to pass the last house for it is „pure mountains“ there only. Fine by me. When I passed the last house and the local rice terraces, it just went upward. The few trees turned to a jungle and I was getting lost again and again, scratched by the bushes and slowly giving up. But I always found and alternative path. It was a challenge and it was already late afternoon when I reached the summit. Would you believe that there was no viewpoint, just trees around? So I sat on a tree branch and took a selfie which could have been taken in any other forest down there. Anyway, the descent was quicker and when I passed two freshly wooden carved coffins with lids deep in the forest, I remember the lady talking about the war. I´m gonna be honest with you, I was scared. Before I reached the closest village, I caught few leeches, fell and dislocated my shoulder and put it back by pulling my arm forward like they do in movies. It was too late for camping and the words of my traveling guru, Doňa Morris, about a tent being useless for backpacking, proved to be right. The local people passing from Bangaan to Sagada gave me a lift and for a question how much did I owed them, they answered – a smile. It was a lot to ask, but I paid.
Before leaving Sagada, I met Frank, a Filipino guy, who traveled the world and came back to spend some time here. Over a coffee, he gave me so much valuable information about traveling Philippines, that it was game changing for me. I coudn´t be more grateful.
Travelers advice:
- a Jeepney/van from Batad to Sagada is about 300 PhP
- do stay in Misty Lodge, the palce is flawless. Clean, neat, equipped with all information you need and friendly stuff to take care of you. Electricity plugs in rooms, drinking water, wi-fi, hot shower and even a toilet paper for no extra charge. It cannot get much better that that
- have lunch at Yoghurt house
- Log Cabin is the place to dinner at, but you have to pre-order your meal until 3 pm
- if you´re on a tight budget, go to a basement of a building left from the town hall – great chicken or pork adobo to be found there
- or just have Balut anywhere for about 18 PhP
- there a camping sites at Lake Danum or Mount Ampacao
- don´t go to Mount Sisipitan, there are more fun things to do around, like seeing waterfalls, sunrises and sunsets, checking hanging coffins, or hiking for days in the beautiful mountains surrounding Sagada
- if you´re coming back down to Manila from Sagada via Baguio, make sure you book a Victory Liner bus (Baguio - Manila) in advance, they use to be packed
Thank you!
Dan
Dan