Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ACTIVITIES IN SAGADA
Sagada offers a host of thrilling outdoor
activities
, including
treks
through remote mountain
villages and secluded valleys. The most reliable company for adventure sports is the
American-run
North Luzon Outdoor Centre
(
T
0919 698 8361,
W
luzonoutdoors.com).
TREKKING
One of the most popular hikes is to see the
hanging co
ns
in
Echo Valley
. It's only a
25-minute walk to the co
ns, and it can be done alone with a map (souvenir shops sell sketch
maps for around P25), but there are numerous paths and it isn't unknown for people to get
lost. On the whole, it's better to take a guide (P200/group) who can also fill you in on local
history and traditions. The co
ns can also be visited as part of the popular three-hour Central
Sagada Eco-Tour (P600/group) - ask at the Sagada tourist information centre (see opposite).
After the co
ns, the path takes you along a short stretch of an underground river at Latang
Cave and ends at the
Bokong Waterfall
on the eastern edge of Sagada, where you can swim.
The waterfall can also be reached from town without a guide in about half an hour, although
it's easy to miss the steps on the left about 500m beyond Sagada Weaving. Other guided hikes
offered by the tourist o
ce and Sagada Genuine Guides (see opposite) include a walk to the
Bomod-ok Waterfall
, rice terraces and villages north of Sagada (3hr); a dawn trip to a scenic
area of rice terraces known as
Kiltepan
(1hr 30min); and a trek on
Mount Ampacao
(3-4hr).
CAVING
Caving
in Sagada's deep network of limestone channels and caverns is exhilarating but
potentially dangerous. Many caves are slippery and have deep ravines. A small number of
tourists have been killed, so it's essential to hire a reliable, accredited
guide
.
The most commonly visited cave is
Sumaging
(P500 per four visitors, plus P350 for
transport), also known as Big Cave, a 45-minute walk south of Sagada. The chambers and rock
formations inside are eerie and immense, named after things they resemble - the Cauliflower,
the Rice Granary and such like. Guides with lanterns will take you on a descent through a series
of tunnels you'll only be able to get through by crawling, ending in a pool of clear water where
you can swim. Ideally you should wear trekking sandals, but otherwise shoes can be left at an
appropriate point and the final sections negotiated barefoot.
Like many caves in the area, Sumaging was once a burial cave, although there are no co
ns
or human remains there now. However, a standard caving itinerary will also include a visit to
the entrance of
Lumiang Burial Cave
, a short walk south of Sagada and then down a steep
trail into the valley. Around a hundred old co
ns are stacked in the entrance. Pointing at them
is considered the worst kind of bad luck; lizards, on the other hand, are auspicious - you'll see
their images carved onto some of the co
ns.
Lumiang is also the starting point for the
Cave Connection
trip (P800 for one or two
people, P400 for each additional person; transport P400), which heads through passages
linking it to Sumaging. It's a three- to four-hour excursion and not for the faint-hearted; it
might be best to try Sumaging first. At points you'll need to descend a few metres without
ropes, jamming your limbs against the rock walls and edging your way down.
RAFTING
Rafting
is possible on the
Chico River
from July until early January, although at the beginning
of the season it may only be possible to raft the upper sections. October and November see the
most pleasant weather, but the highest water is in December and early January, making it
possible to go further downstream. You normally spend 1hr 30min-2hr in the water (P4500/
person for four or fewer, P3000 for five or more). If there are just two of you they might be able
to offer a bare-bones trip as a training exercise for their team, at P3500/person. Alternatively,
they will try to add you onto a larger group.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
The mountainous landscape around Sagada offers rough terrain and remote trails that are ideal
for
mountain biking
. Most tracts are steep and technical, and mainly suited to experienced
individuals. Some back roads provide less technical riding, but there are still extended climbs.
The cool mountain temperatures, fresh clean air and scenic beauty make this one of the
country's best spots to explore on two wheels.
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