After the stroke of midnight, second of September, Shervin and Gabe greeted me a ‘happy birthday’. We were aboard Autobus, and we were traversing Nueva Ecija, bound for Banaue. Prior the trip, I couldn’t choose between Sagada and Tuguegarao. If I choose sagada, it’s going to be my seventh time there, though I’ve never celebrated my birthday in Mt. Province yet. And I have never set foot on Cagayan, so it was a tough call. My final decision? Go to Sagada, then to Tuguegarao.

I spent half of my birthday on the road. We were even stranded for a few minutes (Bontoc-Sagada) after a part of the mountain was deliberately blasted to “prevent a landslide”. We watched a bulldozer clear the rubble, while drinking our Infinit Cocktail (we bought from Ministop across Autobus’ Manila station, and hoped to drink at a stopover just after midnight – which obviously did not happen).

I will not bore you any more of what happened to us after that, instead, I will provide some new information I have gathered from Sagada’s Municipal Hall. I do not know when they implemented these tour packages, but they sure weren’t present the last time I visited.

Please take note that the following bits of information were copied off a brochure given away by Sagada’s Municipality. I thought, knowing these beforehand can help tourists come up with an itinerary (and appropriate budget) before heading here especially those with limited time, i.e. weekend travelers:

Southern Sagada:

Cave Connection (4hours)

Sugong Hanging Coffins viewpoint

Lumiang Burial Cave

Kapay-aw Rice Terraces viewpoint

P800 for 1/2pax

Optional Ride: +P400

Southern Sagada Package 2:

Short Course Caving (2hours)

Sugong Hanging Coffins viewpoint

Lumiang Burial Cave

Kapay-aw Rice Terraces viewpoint

Sumaging Cave

P500 for a group up to 4pax

Optional Ride: +P350

Central Sagada:

Eco-Cultural Tour

Echo Valley hanging coffins

Underground River entrance

Bokong (Small Falls)

P400 for a group of up to 10pax

Northern Sagada:

Bomod-ok

Big Falls

Fidelisan Rice Terraces

Northern Sagada Villages

P600 for a group of up to 10pax

Optional Ride: +650

Eastern Sagada:

Lamagan/Marlboro Country

Limestone Formations

Wild Horses

P600 for a group of up to 10pax

Western Sagada:

Ampacao

Mountain Trek

Demang Community

P600 for a group of up to 10 pax

Eastern Sagada (start at 4:30am):

Kiltepan

Sunrise View

Rice Terraces

P450 for a group of up to 10pax

Western Sagada (start at 4:30pm):

Lake Danum

Sunset View

Pottery Shop

P450 for a group of up to 10pax

“Choose your own adventure”, the brochure’s header says. And when you do, please take note of a few reminders:

*Wear a comfy shirt, and shorts (denims will give you a hard time!).

*Be ready to get wet in Sumaging! Waterproof your gadgets, don’t depend on your guide to carry all your stuff for you.

*Though guides bring lamps for caving, bringing your own headlamps and flashlights will help illuminate the pitch dark chambers and may help prevent accidents.

*Be courteous, greet locals that you meet along the way.

*The municipality’s packages are on a fixed price. Do not haggle anymore, the money that we pay them will be a big help to the locals.

*If you’re traveling alone, or in a small group and you think you can’t afford a certain package, inform the municipal’s office so they can set you up with another group. It’s also a good idea to ask fellow tourists from your hostel, they might be up for the same adventure!

*Respect the implemented curfew. Although tourists aren’t really prohibited from walking around town in the evening, don’t make any unnecessary loud noises – like shouting to call someone’s attention (err, I can’t state any other example, but I guess you know what this reminder means!).

*Make friends with locals! It’s what cultural exchange is all about.

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