Sagada is a beautiful and quiet town high up in the mountains of northern Philippines. Through the years, it has built a reputation as a top destination for tourists looking for an escape from the heat of the summer season or the noise of the metropolis. Both Filipinos and foreigners have sworn to the beauty of this majestic place.

The most common route to reach Sagada is through Manila and Banaue. The following is a guide on the best and safest trip you can plan.

1. Reserve a ticket at the Autobus terminal in Manila.
AUTOBUS
1455 Loyola St. corner F. Cayco St., Sampaloc, Manila.
Contact nos.: 4934111 / 0921-2685526

A ticket costs about P462 during the peak seasons (summer and holidays). The bus leaves at exactly 10pm.

2. From Manila, it will be a 9 hour trip to Banaue. There are about 4 rest stops along the way. Because the trip is at night, you can just spend the whole evening sleeping.

3. You will arrive in Banaue the next morning. Immediately hire a transportation, usually a jeepney, to take you to Sagada. You can have your breakfast in one of the restaurants in Banaue and afterwards, if you're not in a hurry, you can view the world-famous Banaue Rice Terraces.

4. It is a 3 hour trip to Sagada through unpaved and rough roads that zig zag around the mountains. The view along the route is beautiful.

5. You will arrive in Sagada at noon. Find yourself a room at the many inns there and then take your lunch and shower. It is now up to you how to plan your stay.

Learn more about Sagada and the things you can do there by visiting the blog, Sagada Philippines.

About the author

Mj Ces is a frequent visitor of Sagada and has introduced the place to his friends, even accompanying them on some trips. Visit his blog at http://sagadaphilippines.com/ Sagada Philippines.

Sagada Mountain Province - Photo by Magalhães