Explore Sagada: A 3D2N Adventure in the Heart of the Philippines

I woke up in pitch black, disoriented and confused. The cold bit through the glass of the van, and the only thing rocking me back to my senses was the vehicle's uneven motion. I wasn’t in my bed. I was on an overnight ride from Manila, climbing into the mountains of the Cordilleras.

Everyone was still asleep. My niece MM, petite as ever, was curled up beside me, blissfully unaware of the eerie silence outside. Our van had taken a wrong turn, and we were slowly maneuvering back onto the main road on a narrow, pitch-black path with no street lights or houses in sight. My imagination kicked into high gear: ghostly figures, dead ends, cliffside missteps. I whispered a prayer, determined to stay awake until we got out safely.

Finally, dawn broke, and with it, my nerves. We were winding up a foggy mountain road, surrounded by tall trees clinging to cliffs, roofs of homes peeking out from valleys far below. Despite my jacket, the mountain air crept in through every crack. We had made it. We had reached Sagada.

Splendid view from our van - Mt. Province, Philippines

A Change of Plans and a Twist of Fate

Just two days before, I thought this trip wasn’t going to happen. The tour I originally booked was canceled due to a lack of participants. Frustrated but determined, I scoured the internet and found a new agency just in time. MM and I packed our bags, met our group in Manila, and set off on what would become an unforgettable 3-day adventure.

Welcome to Sagada

We arrived after 11 hours on the road. Sagada’s morning air was crisp, and the quaint mountain town greeted us with sleepy charm. We dropped our bags at the guesthouse and set off for breakfast. I had my heart set on the famous Yoghurt House, where I tried their signature Hiker’s Delight - a crepe filled with fresh banana and homemade yoghurt topped with strawberry preserves, served with toast, eggs, and hot coffee. For only ₱140, it was hearty, delicious, and soul-warming.

The Yoghurt House - Sagada, Philippines

Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins

Our first trek took us to Echo Valley, home to Sagada’s iconic hanging coffins. The hike down was steep and slippery. An exhilarating challenge that reminded me how long it had been since my last outdoor adventure. The view was surreal. Coffins, small and worn, hung from cliffs, a haunting testament to Sagada's ancient burial traditions. Each coffin was sized to fit a body in the fetal position, symbolizing life coming full circle. The small wooden chairs tied beside them were used to seat the deceased before burial.

Getting to the site required both focus and stamina. One wrong step could land you in a ravine. But once there, you feel like you've stepped into a sacred place that blends history, culture, and the supernatural.

MM my niece at the Echo Valley - Sagada Philippines

The Hanging Coffins (and chairs) - Sagada, Philippines

It took us an hour going down the steep hill to the hanging coffins and back. Leaving the Echo Valley, we passed by a graveyard, and I thought buried people here cannot and will not “rest in peace” because of the number of people passing this place to and from the hanging coffins every single day.

The Graveyard in Sagada, Philippines

A Protestant church – St. Mary’s Episcopal Church – is just a couple of minutes away from the cemetery. It was built by American missionaries in the early 1900s. MM and I, instead of checking the inside of the church, chose to linger outside; sat on the two stone chairs with a big cartwheel cemented into it. From here, you can get a good view of the town.

St. Mary's Episcopal Church - Sagada, Philippines

My pretty niece -MM- sitting on the stone bench - Sagada, Philippines

A Glimpse into Sagada's Soul

From the cemetery and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, we wandered to Sagada Weaving, where intricate, handwoven crafts are made the traditional way. I picked up a green travel wallet. Simple, sturdy, and pickpocket-proof. A note to visitors: ask permission before taking photos of the weavers; respect goes a long way.

Next, we visited Sagada Pottery, where a local artisan demonstrated how each piece is crafted. Her storytelling, paired with her skill, made this stop unexpectedly memorable.

Trying it out - Sagada Weaving, Philippines

The pottery house in Sagada, Philippines

Cute creation inside Sagada Pottery.

Walking outside at night requires a flashlight, but since it was still early, people could still be found walking around the town. MM and I went for a walk to look for two things: a comb and footwear. It so happened that MM didn’t bring a comb, thinking that she could use mine. Funny, I don’t have one because I got permed hair and I haven’t been using a comb for ages, using only my fingers to comb my hair. We’ve checked all the stores that we could find, from market stalls to sari-sari stores, but none of them sell comb!

We also needed new footwear after our sandals betrayed us on the trail. Our only option? Classic Spartan slippers. Not ideal, but better than blistered feet.

Wrapped in jackets and socks, we tucked into bed early, the mountain chill seeping into every layer. Sleep came quickly.

DAY 2

We woke before dawn and headed to Kiltepan Viewpoint. There, as the sky brightened, a sea of clouds rolled below us. While the sun only peeked through, standing above the clouds, it was magical. Sipping hot chocolate, I was wrapped in the peaceful silence of the mountains.

at Kiltepan Viewpoint - we're above the clouds :) Sagada, Philippines

The SUN - Kiltepan Viewpoint, Sagada, Philippines

One thing I noticed while eating in Sagada, all restaurants that I’ve been to serve only brown rice, a change from my usual white rice. We had breakfast at Rock Inn and Café, surrounded by vibrant flowers and orange trees. Though the food took a while, the serene garden was a lovely distraction.

at Rock Inn and Cafe - Sagada, Philippines

You can spot hanging coffins from the road, but you can get centimeters near a number of coffins at Lumiang Cave. Later that morning, we trekked to Lumiang Cave, where dozens of ancient coffins were stacked in solemn silence. Some were cracked open, exposing bones inside. It was a place of reverence, and we were warned never to touch the coffins out of respect.

Lumiang Cave in Sagada, Philippines

Numerous coffins piled up inside Lumiang Cave, Sagada, Philippines

Hanging coffins can also be seen from main roads - Sagada, Philippines

The rest of the day was spent spelunking. An adventure worth a post of its own. I’ll write about the experience separately.

That night, we dined once again at Yoghurt House, did some souvenir shopping, and caught a local street performance during a wedding celebration. It was the perfect cultural cap to an already extraordinary trip.

Philippines pride and RIDE - Sagada, Philippines

Sagada, You Were Worth It

Looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t give up when my original tour was canceled. This trip tested my patience, my stamina, and my love for adventure, but in return, I gained memories I’ll carry for life. Sagada has a way of wrapping you in its mist, lifting your spirit, and leaving you a little more grounded.

When I’m old, I’ll smile and say, “I’ve been there. I’ve done that. And it was magical.”