SAGADA - BANAUE TRIP 2013

I am starting out my very first blog, to give very helpful tips to travellers like me, above 40 years old.

What did I bring for this trip?

5 gallons purified water, water bottles beside me that I can easily reach while driving, loose pants, sandals, plenty of snacks for the kids and adults, and talkative companion to keep me awake.  

May 2013

We started out late evening, leaving at 11pm.  I was driving my car; friends are in another 2 vans.  

Tip:  Find out which driver knows the route, and advise driver to wait at major crossroads (in case you lose the convoy).  

Driver in 1st van drives so fast, that I had a hard time catching up...good thing I have this Garmin GPS with me.  We took San Simon exit in NLEX, all the way up to Cabanatuan City, where we got stuck in heavy truck traffic.  We should have taken the SCTex-La Paz route instead, to avoid Cabanatuan.  Look-up this route in Google maps.

I already lost the convoy in Dalton Pass, so I was driving alone until I reached the intersection in Bagabag (watch out for this fork after Solano in Nueva Vizcaya).  GPS says to take this route to Banaue, so I called up the other van to confirm this route.  The other van has taken the highway going right (wrong way!), which is going to Isabela.  Now, they have to make a U-turn and head back to Bagabag.

Tip:  better go to the toilets in Solano gas stations, as there will be no more along the way to Banaue.

Banaue rice terraces

We reached Banaue at 7am, and had breakfast at People's Lodge...nice meal of rice and beef tapa.  Toilet in the second floor will be always occupied, but there is another one downstairs.  We drove to Banga-an, along very muddy and bumpy road (under construction).

Tip:  If you are going to Sagada from Banaue, you can skip this Banga-an rice terraces, as there will be plenty of terraces-up-close along the way to Sagada.

Banga-an village

We hiked a little to a small hut where an Igorot lolo sits.

Wear ordinary clothing during the hike in Banga-an, as you will be walking along paved pathwalks (slippers, rubber sandals, shoes are ok).  We drove back to Banaue town proper and had lunch at Banaue Homestay...very cozy and friendly staff.  After lunch, we headed straight to Sagada.

Took more than 2 hours from Banaue to Sagada.  The view from the mountain top was majestic.  Watch out for the right-turn going to Sagada, along Halsema Highway, after Bontoc.  Road is still being repaired, so prepare for a bumpy ride going to Sagada town proper.  We found our home for 3 nights, in the Rock Inn and Cafe, a few kilometers before the town proper.  Rocky driveway, so we have to let our cars crawl.  Rooms were ok, just for sleeping.  We took a room with 3 double-deckers, so 6 people can stay here.  We had our dinner there (do not order the spaghetti).

Woke up in the morning amidst thick fog, wow!  Even though it is May, prepare for thick sleeping attire (sweater and cotton jogging pants).  We drove to Bana's Cafe for breakfast of rice and bangus...coffee is freshly brewed (nice aroma!).  Bought Sagada Tshirts in nearby store.

After breakfast, we drove to Sumaguing cave to explore.  

Tip:  Wear dry-fit shirts and shorts, rubber sandals or trekking shoes (prepare to get wet), no need for jackets (although it will be cool inside the cave; you can see your breath while inside), caps/hats; bring ziplock for all electronic gadgets, waterproof cameras, headlamps, small backpack, light water containers (you will need not more than 1 liter inside),

You can wear sandals or shoes while walking inside the cave.  The guide we hired (there will be plenty waiting near the cave entrance) carries a gas lamp to light the path, but still you might want to have your own headlamp (don't bring a flashlight as you need both hands free).

cave entrance

A few minutes of walking, sliding with your butt, sometimes on all fours, before you reach a point where the guide will tell you to leave all footgear (take off shoes, slippers, sandals), as we need to walk barefoot.  From this point, we walked on wet ground and small springs, and sometimes have to slide on rocks and cave formations.  Cold is bearable and not too much; water is just like something from the ref.  Be very careful on one spot, where I slipped and slide on my back to a very deep, cold, pool of water.  I was wet from head to toe.  Thanks to the ziplocks!

after the wet fall

rock formations inside the cave

We spent the whole morning for the cave exploration.  You will marvel at God's wonderful creation and His awesome designs!
 Lunch back to  town proper.  After lunch was the hanging coffins tour (you can wear anything).

pathwalk to hanging coffins

jumpshot near coffins

Next, we drove to Bokong falls.  Walked a little, down to the falls, and did some jumps.  Very nice, cool swim to wash off all the dirt from caving.  Water was tolerable.

bokong falls jump

Next day was the trek to the Big Falls, or Bomod-ok Falls.  We drove to the barangay road, and hiked for almost 2 hours along rice terraces (concrete pathwalks).  Walking sticks are provided by the guides.  Wear slippers or shoes, hats, and sunblock.  Bring raincoat or jacket, as there can be some rainfall.  There is a small toilet in the barangay center.

choose your stick

hike along rice terraces to Big Falls

Seeing the Big Falls was a great relief, after a lot of walking along paved pathwalk; just bring along your water container, food, and camera and swimwear if swimming.  

We had a picnic by the falls.  And went swimming in the freezing pool, something like water with ice cubes.  If you stay more than 30 minutes, you will likely have cramps (I did).

freezing waters

 Walked back via a different route where van was waiting.

On our last night, we had a bonfire in the Rock Inn.  Bonfire area has a roof, so don't worry about the evening dew.

Special bonus for us:  Look for the tree with plenty of fireflies, inside the compound of Rock Inn.  That was an awesome sight at night.  Praise God for this nice experience for us and the kids.

We drove back to Manila via the Baguio route.  If you want to buy vegetables for pasalubong but don't want to pass by Baguio market, there is a vegetable trading post in La Trinidad, right behind the market.  Prices seem cheaper than Baguio.