Sagada is a town in the Cordillera Mountains, within the Philippines’ Mountain Province. For years, it’s been a relatively quiet mountain town that has attracted mainly backpackers who want to enjoy the cool mountain breeze and outdoor activities. However, it’s become more very popular in recent years.
Despite the long travel time to get here from Manila, more and more local and international tourists are coming to visit. Though you can get here by bus and vans, it’s an especially great road trip destination for riders. Halsema Highway from Baguio City is an absolute joy to ride full of scenic mountain views (separate road trip guide soon).
To minimize the impact of tourism, local officials and the private sector crafted new guidelines and rules for all visitors starting December 2018. If you’re visiting Sagada anytime soon, these are some of the new rules you should keep in mind. If you’re after a peaceful and quiet vacation, I highly recommend you plan your visit during weekdays and avoid holidays altogether.
New Rules and Regulations for all Visitors to Sagada
- All visitors must register at the Municipal Tourist Information Center and pay P50 for the Environmental / Registration Fee.
- Always bring your official receipt with you. It serves as your entrance pass to the sites.
- NO GUIDE, NO TOUR to all the sites.
- Tours must be done by registered local tour guides. Never engage the services of children.
- Reservation for the Marlboro Sunrise is required. Kindly enlist at the Tourist Information Office. It will be closed once the capacity of 800 pax is reached. Those who do not have a reservation stub will be accommodated the next day.
- Respect all sacred grounds and sites. Minimize your noise when you are visiting the sacred sites and PLEASE DO NOT SHOUT.
- Do not take close photos of local rituals. Ask permission before taking photos of rituals and individuals.
- No wearing of scanty clothes. No necking in public places.
- Park at designated parking areas only.
- No littering. Bring your own disposal bag and throw its contents when you see a garbage bin or when you get back to your lodging house.
- Bring your own bag, preferably an ego-bag when shopping.
- Minimize the use of plastic bottles. Bring your own water bottles that you can refill in water refilling stations.
- Always inform your lodging house if you will not be back by 10:00 at night.
- Minimize your noise especially during night time.
Transportation, Traffic and Parking Rules
Because of the limited road network in Sagada and high volume of vehicles coming in especially during peak season, new traffic and parking rules are now being strictly enforced in Sagada.
- All tourist vehicles (private and agency-owned/hired) are required to park their vehicles throughout the duration of their stay in their hotel parking area or in pay parking areas.
- Only local transport shall be allowed to ferry tourists to identified sites.
- Echo Valley tours and Sumaging Cave is a WALKING TOUR. No vehicles (including local shuttles) are allowed to ferry guests going to these sites.
- Fetching of tourists is only allowed from Sumaging Cave back to the town center. NO PARKING at Sumaging.
- Aside from Sumaging Cave and Echo Valley, all other sites (Bomod-ok, Marlboro, Balangagan, Pongas) can be visited with a local shuttle. Designated loading areas will be in Atey and in front of the Tourist Information Office.
- Drop off point of guests coming from Bomod-ok and Marlboro Hills will be at Makamkamlis areas.
- No parking is allowed along Sagada’s major roads (including in front of restaurants) from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Tourists need to walk around town to visit shops, restaurants, and nearby tourist spots.
- Local Public Utility Jeepneys (PUJs) will be used for all tourists in the town to avoid traffic congestion.
- Tourist vans will be asked to park at the inns and designated parking areas only.
- Visitors are prohibited from leaving cars idling or waiting on passengers for more than 10 minutes
- As an alternative, tourists can use public transportation and/or walk to tourist destinations.
- 1 Day tour for Shuttle only: P2,400 (10 pax)
- 1 day tour for Guide: Tours start at 8:00 am until sunset: P2,200 (10 pax)
Tours in Sagada
Sagada is mainly a walking town. Expect to hike and trek a lot to visit sites and the paths can be quite steep at times. This can can be a bit challenging for differently-abled. For first-time visitors to Sagada and those looking for updated rates, here are some of the activities you can do in Sagada.
NOTE: As of Feb 2019, Kiltepan Peak is closed to all visitors until further notice.
Echo Valley Walking Tours
Eco-Tour: A 3-hour loop hike to the church of St. Mary the Virgin, Echo Valley Hanging Coffins, Sagada Underground River entrance and Bokong Natural Swimming Pool passing through a small river, valley/canyon and rice fields
- Access Fee: P10 each
- Guide Fee: P800: 10 visitors or less (1 guide)
- P1,600: 11-20 visitors (2 guides)
- P2,400: 21-30 visitors (3 guides)
Adventure Trail: 3 hours of trekking passing by the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Echo Valley Hanging Coffins, enter through the Sagada Underground River. Includes forest trails, river crossing before reaching Bokong Waterfalls.
- Guide Fee: P1,000 for 10 visitors or less
- *31 and above P100 each.
Echo Valley Hanging Coffins: 30 min hike from the information center to have a close-up view of the coffins.
- Guide Fee: P300 for 1-10 visitors (1 guide)
- P400 for 11 visitors (1 guide)
- P600 for 12-20 visitors (2 guides)
- P700 for 21 visitors (2 guides)
- P900 for 22-30 visitors (3 guides)
- P1,000 for 31 visitors (3 guides)
- P1,300 for 32-40 visitors (4 guides)
- P30 head: 41 pax and above
- Access Fee: P10 each for Echo Valley Walking Tour
Lake Danum / Sunset
Leave for Lake Danum at 4:30 pm. 20 minutes drive from the town center. Transport Fee: P550 – 1-10 persons. P55.00/person for more than 10 visitors.
Waterfalls
Bomod-ok Falls: 3 hours hike (back and forth) from Bangaan
- Guide Fee: P500 for 1-7 visitors
- Barangay Fee: P10/visitor
- Transportation Fee: P650 two-way vehicle hire via Aguid; P500 two way vehicle hire via Bangaan
Pongas: 1 hour hike from Brgy. Suyo.
- Guide Fee: P600 for 1-10 visitors
- Transportation Fee: P650 two way
Bokong
- Guide Fee: P300 for 1-10 visitors
- Transportation: P250 two-way
Spelunking (Caving)
Cave Connection: 40 Minutes walk to Lumiang Burial Cave Entrance, passing by Dokiw Hanging Coffins, emerging at Sumaging Cave. 3-4 hours exploration inside the cave. Physically demanding.
- Guide Fee: P1,000 for 2 visitors or less (+500 each additional visitor)
- Optional: Two-way transportation: P400
Sumaging Cave / Short Course Caving: 1 hour walk from the town center, passing by the Dokiw Hanging Coffins, Lumiang Burial Cave Entrance, Kapay-aw rice terraces and entering Sumaging Cave. 1.5 hours exploration inside the cave.
- Guide Fee: P800 – 4 visitors or less (1 guide)
- P900 – 5 visitors (1 guide)
- P1600 – 6-9 visitors (2 guides)
- P1800 – 10 visitos (2 guides)
- P2,400 – 11-12 visitors (3 guides)
- P200/person for 13 visitors or more
- Optional: Two way transportation: P350
Balangaan Cave: 30 minutes drive to Balagagan. 1.5 – 2 hours cave exploration inside
- Guide Fee: P650 – 4 visitors or less
- P800 – 5 visitors
- P1,300 – 6-9 visitors
- P150 each for 10 or more visitors
- Transport Fee: P650/10 visitors or less
Reminders for Caving
- What to wear: Shirt (loose t-shirt), shorts/loose pants; rubber sandals/flip-flops/rubber shoes; Optional: Gloves, helmet (Ph50 rental)
- No entrance to the cave after 4:00 pm
- Expect waist-deep water in some parts of Sumaging Cave
- No urinating inside the cave
- Don’t leave your trash inside the cave
- Caving is not advisable for those with a phobia of heights, close spaces, heart ailment, asthma and injuries
Sightseeing
- Route: Dokiw Hanging Coffins viewpoint, Lumiang Burial Cave entrance
- Guide Fee: P300 for 10 visitors or less
- Optional: Two-way Transportation: P350
Rock Climbing and Rappelling
- No time limit, equipment provided. Around 30 m high
- Guide Fee: P800 for 1 visitor. P400 each for 2 or more visitors
Mountain Trekking
Mt. Ampacao Traverse: 3 hour loop hike from town center to Lake Danum view point than to Mt. Ampacao and down tot he village of Demang or Ambasing or vice versa. Guide Fee: P1,200 – 10 visitors or less
Grassy Land / Marlboro: 2-3 hours of trekking. Good sunrise viewpoint.
Lagsayan Danum Traverse: 3 hours hike or more, passing through mossy and pine forest. Guide Fee: P1,000 – 3 visitors or less
Mt. Polis: Nestled between Mt. Ampacao and the Grassy Land / Marlboro. It provides a good view of Sagada. Guide Fee: P1,800 – 3 visitors or less
Marlboro Hill – Blue Soil Traverse: A 4-5 hour trek. Sunrise viewing at Marlboro passing by pine forest; down to blue soil. Guide Fee: P1,600 for 1-5 visitors. P300 each for 6 pax and above. Transport Fee: P1,350.
Boodle Fight Meal: Includes a Bonfire at Danum Lake. Early arrangement is required. Minimum of 4 for only P1,800.
NOTE: The new rules, rates and information above are based on the official brochure of the Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center and other tourism advisories posted around town (collected Feb 2019). For other inquiries, please contact them directly.
Contact info
- Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center
- Address: Poblacion Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines
- Contact number: 0917-1345353 (call only)
- Email: tourism.sagada@yahoo.com
- Website: www.sagada.gov.ph
- Business hours: 7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Hi Mam Kara,
Thanks for the information. It is very helpful to us since we will visit the place on May 4-10, 2019. By the way do have a sample itinerary in Sagada.
God Bless.
Hi Rogel, I don’t really like to follow a strict itinerary when I travel and we already did a lot of stuff during previous visits years ago, so medyo chill na yung last trip. You might find this one written by my friend useful: Sagada Sample Itinerary
Thanks Ma’am Kara! This is really useful especially the new rules. Thinking of going sometime this May. I’m already 47 and has a relatively sedentary lifestyle. What’s the minimum fitness level if I’m to do just one of the caves? Do I need hiking boots for Sagada, especially if going caving? Thanks!
Hi Christine. You will have to submerge in water during caving in Sagada, so I recommend outdoor sandals with straps or rubber shoes with good traction. Caving is a popular activity, and while it’s challenging, I know a lot of people who live relatively sedentary lifestyles have been able to do it. 🙂
Hi, do you have any news if the kiltepan sunrise still closed until now? planning to visit sagada hopefully next week, and this is one of the things i really wanted to see. 🙁
Hi Niko. Friends who just came from Sagada said that Kiltepan is still closed. As an alternative, you can hike to Marlboro Hills & trek to the Blue Soil area.
Does the reservation for the Marlboro Sunrise capacity of 800 pax usually reached even in weekdays? What is the other ways to reserve early even we’re too far.
Hi Aaron, I suggest you register for the Marlboro Sunrise as soon as you arrive for the next day to be safe. Generally, there are less tourists during weekdays. I think the 800 capacity is only reached during peak seasons, long holidays and weekends.
Hi, are they really not allowing private cars to roam around the area? It’s really hassle riding jeepney especially if you have a lot of things that you wanna bring with you around.
Hi PJ. Those are the new rules according to the local ordinances so that they avoid traffic because the streets are really narrow. You have to understand that local officials want to manage the traffic situation and Sagada is really best explored on foot. Even if you bring your private car, you may not be allowed to park along the main road, so hassle din. You can use it to go to certain restaurants and other hotels that have their own parking spots.
Hi Kara, Id really love to visit Sagada. I just wonder if it’s fine to travel with my 5 year old child.
What can you say about it?
Thanks so much!
Hello Dimple, the long travel time getting there and types of activities (ex. caving, hiking) usually attract backpackers and more adventurous types. The main town proper is meant to be explored on foot, which can be tiring for seniors and younger kids because the roads and hiking trails are steep. If you don’t mind walking around town or carrying your kid, you can still enjoy the cooler weather and sample the different local restos. You can also hire local transportation to take you around. Based on my experience traveling with my nephew, Baguio is a more kid-friendly alternative. Hope that helps.
Hi Kara, I’m planning to visit SAGADA early next year. I would like to go on spelunking (caving) but i have a 9yrs old adventurist daughter it okay if I bring her with us in spelunking?
Also is kiltepan is now open?
Thanks much!
Hi i plan for a solo travel in sagada, is possible that i will join only when i go with the different tourist spots.. Where to inquire this info?
Hi Kara, thank you for sharing. We are 1st timer to visit Sagada this Holy Week and I like to visit Blue soil and Mt. Pulag, is this possible? Any recommendation a cheapest place to stay and a tour package. We are also glad to join to other group to get a cheapest price. By the way, how long it take from manila to sagada? Our flight will be at Manila on April 8, in the morning and planning to take a next day trip by bus o shuttle next day (early as possible) and maybe the tour in Sagada will be April 10, hoping. Can this be possible?
Hi Ethel. There are direct buses to Sagada via Coda Lines. Travel time is about 12 hours. Mt. Pulag is in a different area from Sagada town proper. You might find this suggested itinerary useful.
Hi there, I have a quick question regarding the guide and transport fees. I understand that the guide fee is divided by the number of people on the tour, so it can vary depending on group size. But I’m unsure about the transportation fee. For example, is the 500P per person or is it also divided by the number of people in the group?
I’m trying to plan my budget to be sure I have enough cash, so clarification would be really helpful. Thanks!
Transportation fee refers to the cost of the vehicle (usually a jeep for hire), so you divide that by the number of people in your group.
Thanks! That’s what I was guessing, but since it wasn’t indicated the same way the guide rate is, I wanted to double check.
Thanks for your help and for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and detailed blog.
If I’m traveling alone will they pair me with other people on tours (to divide the cost)? Or do I have to find folks myself?