Final December earlier than Christmas, we spent nearly per week in Sagada simply to benefit from the cooler climate. This beautiful city within the Mountain Province might be the closest place you may get to experiencing winter within the Philippines. At any price, it’s all the time a respite from the summer season warmth. The cooler temperatures within the months of November to February dip to lows of 15°, although the common temperature all yr round is eighteen°, which is superb contemplating the 40° warmth index we’re presently experiencing in Manila.
Sagada presents an important vacation spot for outside fanatics, with adventures like spelunking, mountain climbing to waterfalls, mountaineering, and extra. Since we had completed many of the normal excursions throughout earlier journeys and motorcycled from Manila to Sagada and again in 2019 earlier than the pandemic lockdowns, we determined to deliver bikes on our newest journey as soon as Sagada reopened to tourism final yr.
Going round Sagada on two wheels supplied a special expertise from our earlier journeys. It gave us a way of transport to get to the eating places within the outskirts of city that require longer walks, in addition to a enjoyable and free exercise to do there for a couple of days.
Except for Batanes, Sagada is among the the highest locations I’ve ever biked round within the Philippines.
Sagada is a fifth class municipality within the Mountain Province within the Philippines. Residence to the well-known hanging coffins, Sagada is taken into account one of many prime locations within the Cordillera area. It’s about 20 kilometers from Bontoc, the provincial capital, and 396 kilometers from Manila by way of Halsema Freeway, which till 2019 was formally acknowledged as the best altitude freeway within the Philippines.
One of many bucket record rides amongst bikers within the Philippines is the Sagada Loop, an epic 800-kilometer experience from Manila going up and again down. This often takes a number of days as a result of distance and elevation.
Sadly, not like different international locations which have secure and devoted trails for bikers, this additionally entails having to move via congested cities early on from Manila after which coping with vans, buses, and vehicles alongside the nationwide freeway.
By personal transportation:
Should you don’t have a lot time to spare and wish to simply get pleasure from biking in and round Sagada itself, you’ll be able to deliver bikes up by automotive and use that as your base for going round. Attending to Sagada by personal automotive usually takes a 12-15 hour drive.
By public transportation:
By public transportation, it’s now simpler to get to from Metro Manila by way of the Premium Level-to-Level Coda bus strains, which travels straight from Cubao to Sagada by way of Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao, and not using a stopover in Baguio anymore. The journey time from Manila to Sagada (and vice versa) can also be 12 hours. The benefit of the bus choice is you’ll be able to sleep and get up in Sagada the following morning, contemporary and prepared for an journey.
For this explicit experience, we introduced our bikes by way of CODA Strains bus, which has a terminal in Cubao. To suit the bus storage compartment, you simply have to disassemble tires and safe bikes within the cargo compartment.
Right here’s the precise location of the bus terminal and Cubao: Coda Strains Cubao Terminal: Monte de Piedad nook Maryland Road, Cubao, Quezon Metropolis.
And right here’s the place the ticket workplace in Sagada: Coda Strains Sagada Terminal. Poblacion Tadian Group Middle, Poblacion, Sagada, Mt. Province. The buses often park alongside Staunton Street or the Mission Compound Parking space subsequent to the Sagad Group Courtroom in entrance of the city church.
Each day journeys for the Manila to Sagada route are restricted, however you’ll be able to ebook your tickets simply on-line right here. The voucher will likely be despatched by way of electronic mail, which you’ll be able to print out and alternate for an precise ticket on the terminal itself. In some instances, they settle for in case you simply present screenshots in your cellphone, however more often than not, they require the precise printout for his or her reference.
Contact data:
Manila to Sagada schedule and bus fare
Coda Strains has two sorts of buses:
- Deluxe – 45 pax seater w/o CR – P1,300
- Tremendous Deluxe – 35 pax seater w/ CR – P1,400
You’ll be able to ebook tickets by way of the PHBus on-line ticketing system or get discounted tickets by way of Klook right here.
- Spelunking at Sumaguing Cave
- Cave connection / Lumiang to Sumaguing Cave
- Go trekking to Bomod-ok waterfalls
- Go to the Hanging Coffins
- Echo Valley
- Kiltepan Viewpoint* (nonetheless closed to vacationers)
- Marlboro Hill
- Sagada Blue soil
- Go food-tripping
- Sagada Weaving
- Sagada Pottery
Take word that this can be a very chill bike itinerary mixed with numerous food-tripping for six days. To maximise time, most first-time vacationers to Sagada often spend solely 2-3 days and mix journeys with different locations within the North like Baguio or Banaue.
Day 1
After departing from Cubao at 9:00 pm, we arrived in Sagada at round 8:00 am (roughly 11 hours journey time). After leaving our baggage at our inn, we biked round city, had breakfast and went round whereas ready for check-in time at midday.
Our first cease was The Shire of Sagada, a gorgeous new hobbit-inspired lodging home that has a restaurant for in-house visitors.
After breakfast, we biked to Ambasing Bus Ruins, a non-functional bus parked below a grove of pine timber that’s grow to be a photograph spot for vacationers.
This space presents scenic view of cliffs.
We additionally checked out GAIA Cafe, a treehouse-inspired cafe identified for serving vegetarian and vegan meals. Since we had breakfast already, we simply had espresso and dessert.
The cafe serves good native desserts like Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies you could pair with Sagada Espresso, Mountain Tea, fruit shakes, or beer.
After checking in and sleeping many of the afternoon, we resumed biking within the afternoon, since we wished to go to Sagada Cellar Door, which is barely open from 5pm to 9pm.
We bought a exercise biking up the steep Sagada-Besao highway as much as Sundown View and Pizza Bar, which is roughly 3.3 km up from the principle city correct.
NOTE: This identical highway results in Lake Danum, which is now closed as the realm has now been taken over by one other municipality. Excursions to Lake Danum are now not supplied by the Sagada Tourism Workplace.
Then we capped the night time with some craft beer and sausages by the hearth at Sagada Cellar Door, the house of our favourite Cerveza Sagada.
It was actually chilly and darkish going again all the way down to city. Should you’re biking at night time, I extremely suggest you deliver bike lights.
Day 2
Day 2 was one other simple day for biking simply going round the principle landmarks in cities.
We had espresso at St. Joseph’s Inn and handed by the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, the principle Episcopal church in Sagada.
For brunch, we biked down the Staunton Street to Rock Inn and Cafe (about 2.6 km from the city correct).
This space has a brief off-road path and a few enjoyable downhills from the principle highway. After consuming, we simply walked across the orange orchard.
Then we biked to the highway resulting in Kiltepan Peak. The world right here was quieter, however the highway was nice.
Sadly, Kiltepan Peak stays closed to vacationers. There are numerous canines within the space, so watch out in case you’re biking right here and simply decelerate everytime you encounter canines.
We additionally stopped to take a look at the view at Isangwow Cafe by the Clouds, the the other way up home by Ampanga Heights.
There’s a minimal payment for picture-taking inside. It’s also possible to get pleasure from espresso, meals and purchase souvenirs right here.
Within the night, we simply parked the bikes on the inn and walked to have dinner at Log Cabin and dessert at Yogurt Home (because it’s a bit arduous to park bikes on the eating places on the principle road).
Day 3
On the third day of our journey, we determined to go on a Sagada City Loop, taking place to the Halsema Freeway (Baguio-Bontoc-La Trinidad Street) by way of the Staunton Street and going again up the Mabisil-Payageo-Balili Street.
This turned out to be the spotlight of our journey. Whereas on the map, the space we coated was solely 30 or so kilometers, it felt loads longer. Cordillera kilometers are value much more due to the steep parts and photo-worthy stops round each nook. We began our experience round 9 am, nevertheless it was nonetheless chilly.
The view of the mountains taking place roughly 12 km is superb. I used to be torn between desirous to cease and take pictures or simply benefit from the lengthy steady downhill rush.
We had been hoping to eat someplace alongside Chico River, however there weren’t numerous institutions apart from sari-sari shops, so we simply determined to have a late lunch till we bought again as much as Sagada. We simply had our snacks and occasional with the view of the river.
The highway that goes alongside Chico River is good and flat, however since there was such an extended downhill, it’s inevitable that the highway going again up will likely be uphill. It was a sluggish paced climb going again up, however fulfilling due to the cooler climate and nice views alongside the best way.
Whereas going again up, we handed the doorway to the Blue Soil Hills, so we determined to test it out and simply rent an area information from the shop promoting snacks and souvenirs within the space.
Blue Soil Hills, identified domestically as Kaman Utek, is a patch of limestone rocks with a tint of blue surrounded by thick pine timber. Most vacationers get right here by way of the Marlboro Hill traverse, however it’s also possible to simply hike to the Blue Soil space alone.
The hike itself from the jump-off level was about 1.1 km and takes about 20-Half-hour relying in your tempo. The route is just not bikeable due to the terrain. From afar this hill appears to be like a bit like snow, including to the wintry really feel of the place.
After backtracking on the mountain climbing path, we resumed biking, passing via the Sagada Blue Mountains Cabin, the doorway to Sumaguing Cave and Lumiang Cave, and ultimately GAIA Cafe.
Acquired to like views like this!
We had late lunch at Rust N’ Wooden, a easy cafe and memento store that serves rice meals.
This Bohemian roadside eatery presents rice meals, ramen, pasta, sandwiches, contemporary fruit shakes, crepes, home made yogurt, and even a couple of vegan choices like Vietnamese Spring Rolls, Japjae and Taco Salad and extra.
After greater than 7 hours on the highway, we made it again to our inn round 4pm. The transferring time recorded by Strava was simply 3:27 minutes due to all of the picture ops, the hike, and meals stops.
Later that night, we had a celebratory dinner and drinks at Salt & Pepper Diner.
Day 4
The fourth day of our journey was a relaxation day from biking. Artwork went for a path run within the morning, whereas I scouted out the remainder of the eating places on the town like French Crepes for analysis and checked some retailers for souvenirs.
We regrouped for lunch at Misty Lodge and Cafe, one among our all-time favorites within the space.
After dinner at Sagada Homestay Inn & Restaurant, we went again for extra beer at Sagada Cellar Door, as a result of beer is life. This time, we determined to stroll to make the journey longer.
Day 5
On the fifth day, we simply checked out Googlemaps and determined to discover the highway resulting in Bomod-ok Falls, which we hiked to earlier than. Whereas there was once mountain bike trails in a few of the areas resulting in Marlboro Hill, bikers are now not allowed in sure sections.
The highway supplied one other nice experience with scenic views of mountains, rice terraces and cliffs.
On the best way again, we had lunch once more at Misty Lodge to strive their steaks and burgers.
We caught up with some article deadlines at GAIA Cafe whereas having espresso.
On the best way again to the inn, we seen Piitik Wines Honesty Retailer alongside the highway for fruit wines, so we did a detour for some wine tasting and ended up interviewing the proprietor for an additional story.
After dinner, we watched some pre-Christmas festivities that night time on the group heart.
Day 6
On the morning of our sixth and final day, we simply did some last-minute memento searching for ukay finds, espresso, and fruit wines. We stopped for a snack of yogurt at Toast Avenue and Co., a brand new Korean-inspired cafe on the town.
Because the bus leaves Sagada at 2:00 pm, we had a final lunch at Salt & Pepper Diner earlier than testing and bringing the bikes to the church.
It was an extended bus experience again, with a stopover in Nueva Vizcaya for dinner. After 12 or so hours on the highway, we lastly bought residence at 3:00 am and biked again residence.
For a roundup of simply eating places, try my separate meals information: The place to eat and drink in Sagada (2022).
There are numerous budget-friendly lodging choices and homestays inside the Sagada city correct relying in your choice. Discover choices the place to remain in Sagada right here:
- RedDoorz@Sagada Dawn View Homestay
- Sagada Guesthouse by Sagada Rooms
- Isabelo’s Inn and Cafe
- Kanip Aw Pines View Lodge
- Shamrock Tavern Inn
- Sagada Lodging Properties
- Misty Lodge and Cafe
- Grandma’s Yellow Home
- Sagada Resthouse
- Masferre Nation Inn
Sagada – St. Joseph Resthouse
Throughout most of our visits to Sagada, we often like staying at St. Joseph’s Resthouse. It’s centrally positioned close to the church, strolling distance from many of the restos and close to the bus station. Except for the common rooms in the principle constructing, in addition they have cozy cottages if you would like slightly privateness.
NOTE: For parking, they’ve a spacious parking space for vehicles behind the inn (going up the Besao highway). Should you’re bringing bikes, getting as much as the parking space is a brief however steep experience. For safety, you’ll be able to simply deliver bike locks and lock it close to the parking space, or deliver all of it the best way to your cottage (via the steps).
Ebook rooms at Sagada – St. Joseph’s Resthouse by way of Fb. Cottages begin at P1,800/night time.
Misty Lodge and Cafe
Should you don’t wish to keep in the principle city correct and like a quieter place with entry to good meals on a regular basis. Misty Lodge and Cafe is an efficient guess.
This cozy lodging home inside the premises of the highest Sagada restaurant presents free Wi-Fi in all rooms.
Ebook rooms at Misty Lodge and Cafe by way of Agoda.
Rock Inn and Cafe
One other doable place to remain in Sagada is Rock Inn and Cafe, a lodge and restaurant positioned in a rock farm with an orange orchard.
Primary options right here embody a a big enclosed restaurant for bigger teams and households and a small open air part that provides a view of the backyard space and gazebo with a fireplace pit.
Ebook rooms at Rock Inn and Cafe by way of Fb.
The Shire of Sagada
One of many latest lodging choices on the town is The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit-inspired dwelling often known as The Shire of Sagada. Reopened in Could 2022, The Shire is has room encourage by characters in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fictional middle-earth.
The rooms right here with backyard and mountain views all have iconic spherical doorways and are named after ebook and film characters like Gandalf, Legolas, Gollum, and extra. Due to its hidden location and fantastically designed interiors, the lodge is in style with {couples} on the lookout for a secluded keep.
Ebook rooms at The Shire of Sagada by way of Agoda.
The Hut by the Brewpub (Cerveza Sagada)
The Hut by the Brewery is a 130-year previous Banaue native home from the neighboring Ifugao tribe positioned inside the premises of the microbrewery Cerveza Sagada / Sagada Cellar Door.
If you’d like a quiet and distant location and easy accessibility to craft beer, this hut is correct in entrance of the bar’s bonfire space. The brew pub accepts different visitors for wine, beer and dinner from 5 to 10 PM, however you’ll have the place just about to yourselves within the morning.
Ebook stays at The Hut by The Brewpub by way of Airbnb.
- Mild jacket/windbreaker for rides. You sweat loads with the hassle, however it could possibly get chilly at night time and early morning.
- Tumbler – refill water when you’ll be able to
- Snacks for the rides (most eating institutions are concentrated within the city correct. Should you’re driving farther from city, it helps to have some mild snacks, bread or vitality bars)
- Money esp. small payments (whereas Gcash is accepted in some institutions, it’s greatest to have sufficient money and small payments with you when eating out)
- One of the best time to go to Sagada is from the dry season from November to April. These months are colder. It may get wet and extra landslide susceptible in the course of the months of June onwards.
- For a high quality expertise, keep away from touring to Sagada throughout peak season like Holy Week and lengthy weekends
- To avoid wasting on breakfast, we introduced our personal espresso press and beans and simply purchased bread from sari-sari shops. We ate out for lunch and dinner as a substitute.
- We additionally purchased a gallon of water from the sari sari retailer and refilled every time we went out
- Sagada is a really small city with slender streets, the place locals stroll to get round. It cannot accommodate a really excessive quantity of automobiles, which is what occurs on a regular basis throughout peak season. To keep away from site visitors, Sagada has established a Park & Stroll ordinance, the place vacationers are required to make use of native transport or stroll round city or to the websites. You’ll be able to’t actually use your personal vehicles to go round a lot for sightseeing.
- Handle your expectations. Throughout peak season, you’ll be able to anticipate heavy site visitors on roads, some vacationer spots, eating places and on the vacationer data heart.
- Water scarcity might be anticipated if there are too many vacationers at a time. Cellular & web entry could also be unhealthy on account of congestion. Some areas should not have a powerful sign.
- Tips & limitations have been set in place by the group on peak days for everybody to have an fulfilling & secure time.
- Restrict & handle your trash. Convey your individual refillable water bottles to cut back rubbish. Segregate trash at your lodging too. Don’t litter in vacationer spots.
- Avail of the companies of accredited tour guides & lodging institutions.
- Be respectful of native tradition, heritage websites & different visitors.
- Hold the amount of your music, laughter & chattering managed.
- Vacationers are suggested to decorate appropriately & maintain shows of affection personal.
