sagada budget and itinerary

We are all obsessive-compulsive about something. Cleaning, making lists, getting a chord down pat. Mine's mapping out travel itineraries. This one, I made last year when I thought I could make a sidetrip from Laoag to Baguio and Sagada before heading back to Cebu. It didn't push through (but hopefully someday it will), but maybe someone else could use it. So use away.



BUDGET Manila-Baguio-Sagada-Baguio-Manila: P6,000

Day 1

2230H: Departure from Victory Liner Pasay P460

Day 2

0350H: Arrival at Victory Liner Baguio/Taxi to Dangwa Terminal P40
0400H: Arrival at Dangwa Terminal/Breakfast at Mang’s Cuisine Dangwa P100
0530H: Departure of Lizardo Bus to Sagada P220
1115H: Arrival at Sagada, Sagada Homestay Check-in P500
1145H: Lunch at Francis’ Restaurant P150
1300H: Tour Echo Valley, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and Hanging Coffins
1900H: Dinner at Sagada Lemon Pie House, buy cinnamon bread P200

Day 3

0630H: Breakfast
0730H: Trek to the Bangaan Rice Terraces, Kiltepan Viewpoint P500
0830H: Demang Village
0930H: Lumiang Burial Cave

1030H: Lake Danum

1130H: Lunch at Yoghurt House P200
1300H: Masferre’s pink house, Villias Jefremovas, Ganduyan Museum P25
1500H: Visit a dap-ay, pottery workshop

1900H: Dinner at Masferre’s Café P200

Day 4

0630H: Breakfast
0700H: Departure from Sagada to Baguio P220
1300H: Arrival at Baguio/Lunch at Oh My Gulay! P170
1400H: Shop and some tour of Baguio
1800H: Departure from Baguio to Manila P460

*Sagada Homestay 639197028380, 639187173524, 639194982181, 423-0085 or Sagadahomestay@yahoo.com

*Yoghurt House: cheese pasta and fried chicken, and strawberry-granola-banana (P80)

*Masferre’s Café: Lechon kawali and sinigang na baboy

*Sagada Lemon Pie House: Lemon Pies P18.00/slice - P140.00/pan, Mountain Tea: P15.00/cup

*Oh my Gulay! Top floor, La Azotea building, Session Road, Baguio City

*Ganduyan Museum - Formerly opened in 1984 to 86, the treasures gathered over many years are once again on display in a newly opened small museum just beside Ganduyan Inn. Since the early 70’s, Christina Aben has been collecting antiques, trade beads and artifacts from the Cordillera region of the Philippines. Antique basketry, weapons, farm tools, beads, jars, wooden items and textiles can be seen here. Each display offers an insight into the rich culture of the Cordillera Igorots. Ask if Christina can show you around. Her stories will enrich your experience of the place. If not Christina, then one of her children will always be there to explain the history and significance of the items on display. Entrance fee is P25 each (see pictures on this page)

*Strawberries – end of rainy season, after sun, October to December

*Etag – the local ham or bacon, salted then smoked. Fabulous for soups and stews.

*An artist who lives in Baguio has designed and prints a really good range of ‘Sagada’ T-shirts, mostly in black on white. Ganduyan Souvenirs stocks the complete range in all sizes.

*Pottery - There are locals and foreigners who produce fine pottery from the local clay. It is OK to visit their workshop which is about 1.3km from the centre of town on the road to Besao. It is on the right and a little obscured. Lovely views on this walk.

*Try cinnamon breads in bakery P15-40

*The Echo Valley Tour

The name of the place was taken literally from the bouncing of sounds unto the walls of the Sagada Limestone Valley. But the oldies from the place call it "Paytokan" (jump place :))
Municipal Hall (25 mins), Community basketball and volleyball court, The Centennial Bell, Mission Compound, Saint Mary’s School- first and only private high school , Cemetery, Calvary, Jump-off point/cliff look-out, Burial site- turn left, Rock climbing site, Hanging coffins (5 mins), Highest stacked coffins in Sagada

*Kiltepan

On your way into town you will have passed the sign to Mapiya-ao Guest House. From that side road there is a path on the right (that I haven’t taken) leading to the top of the hill called Kiltepan. Locals can show you this, or ask at the guest house further up the road if you have missed it. When you reach the top, pass over the grassy open space, heading to your left. There you will find a path to follow for just 20 metres or so. To your left are little paths leading down to some rocks, where you can sit and ooo-ahhh at the spectacular scenery and endless mountain panorama.