Sacred sites and stunning sights in Sagada

Map of Mountain Province (photo from the web)

Taking at least 12 hours land travel (by bus) from the country’s capital Manila is the Mountain Province, a landlocked area located in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. The province is famous for its mummy caves and hanging coffins which are commonly found in Sagada, a fifth class municipality and neighboring to the provincial capital Bontoc. Sagada is an idyllic mountain town that composes a balance between peaceful remoteness and expediency.

While this mountain town draws tourists that seek adventure and a chance to reflect and commune with nature, Sagada even showcases its legendary way of life. Activities that drawn people encompasses visiting historical sites, nature hikes and trekking, spelunking and participating tribal celebrations. Visitors are required to register (for safety reasons) in the tourist office and the convenience of having a tour guide for a small fee is a kind accommodation.

Echo Valley ( photo from the web)

Hanging coffins (photo from the web)

wooden coffins @ Lumiang Cave (photo from the web)

The Echo Valley is well-known place of interest and sacred site in Sagada where you can find hanging coffins, an impressive cultural heritage on how the locals preserved their dead ancestors. Other attractions in Echo Valley are the rock climbing and of course shouting your lungs out and hear it echo back. Another sacred and quirky burial site is the Lumiang Cave, where wooden coffins are stacked against the wall.  

Sumaguing Cave (photo from the web)

 

Dubbed as the "Big Cave", Sumaguing Cave with its extraordinary limestone formations and large chambers is one of the best points of interest in Sagada where spelunking and rappelling is a matchless experience and a must-try.

Finally, the sunrise at Mt. Kiltepan is another stunning sight in Sagada. It offers a breathtaking and magnificent view and a quiet solitude that soothes wary hearts and souls. And for my part, one of the best sunrises I have witnessed and revered like a walk in the clouds experience.