Mountain Escape: My Unexpected Trip to Sagada

My twin sister and I spontaneously planned our Sagada trip in just two days. Everything happened so quickly that before we knew it, we were hopping on a bus at Dangwa Terminal (located behind Centermall, Baguio) during the last week of November. It was on twinnie’s rest day, the morning of November 26th, that we set off on our 6-hour journey to Sagada aboard a Lizardo bus.

We weren’t even sure we’d make it to the 8:30 AM trip, as finding a Grab ride from our home in Baguio to Dangwa Terminal was a challenge, good thing sissy drove us off to the terminal as a last-minute decision. November is peak traffic season here in Baguio, with tourists flocking to enjoy the cold weather, which lasts through February.

Sagada, a serene town nestled in the Cordillera Mountains, is also known as Sagada, Mt. Province. I didn’t expect to be traveling so close to Christmas, but twinnie was determined—even if it was just for a few days. I hadn’t traveled in a long time, and honestly, the thought of a 6-hour trip felt exhausting. But in the end, it was worth it. This trip turned out to be quite the adventure, especially since it had been 16 years since twinnie and I last visited Sagada.

Back in 2008, I swore I’d never return. The narrow, winding roads triggered my fear of heights, and the rough, dusty ride on an unpaved road was something I never wanted to experience again. But a lot has changed since then. The road to Sagada is now fully cemented, making the journey far less nerve-wracking. Maybe it’s not just the road that has changed—maybe I have too. After living in Baguio for over a decade, I’ve grown accustomed to mountainous terrains, and they no longer scare me the way they used to.

Reflecting on this trip, I’m glad I gave Sagada another chance. It reminded me that time changes not only places but also perspectives.

Before our trip to Sagada, I did some research to make sure everything would go smoothly. I looked into the best months to visit and what the weather would be like. I also searched for homestays located in the town proper to make it easier for us to get around. According to my findings, the best time to visit Sagada is from November to February. During this period, the town is less crowded with tourists, offering a more relaxed experience. It also happened to be the perfect time for us, as there were no typhoons forecasted for the last week of November.  

My twin and I reached out to a few homestays to inquire about their rates and availability. After comparing options, we found a place we liked and booked it through their Facebook page. The process was seamless—we paid a deposit online, which secured our stay. While we weren’t entirely sure if booking in advance was necessary, we didn’t want to risk arriving without accommodations, especially since we wanted our trip to be stress-free.  

For anyone planning a visit to Sagada, I’ll share our travel itinerary for our 3-day, 2-night stay. While the Internet was incredibly helpful in planning, not all the information was up-to-date or accurate. Traveling always comes with a bit of learning on the go, and I’m happy to share our experience to make your trip easier.  

Upon arriving at Dangwa Terminal, we quickly spotted the booth labeled "Besao-Sagada." We purchased our tickets for ₱330 each. The bus company operating the route from Baguio to Sagada is called GL Trans Corp.

Baguio to Sagada 3D/2N Trip | November 26-28,2024 

D.I Y. Itinerary

Day 1:

8:30 AM: Travel to Sagada via Lizardo bus. There was a 30-minute stopover two hours later.

2:30 PM: Arrived in Sagada. Register at Tourism office. We paid P50 each for the environmental fee and P100 each for the registration fee. 

3:00 PM: Checked-in at Lodge Labanet. Freshen up before heading out for dinner.

4:30 PM: Dinner at Gaia Cafe. We rode a tuktuk and paid P25 per head to get to Gaia from our homestay. 

6:00 PM: Back at the homestay.

Day 2:

10:00 AM: Breakfast at Masferre Country Inn & Restaurant

11:00 AM: Visited Church of St. Mary the Virgin.

11:30 AM: Visited the Sagada Homemade Whole Wheat Bakery. 

We rode a tuktuk again and paid the same fare which was P25 per head. The store was closed when we arrive, but the owner saw us outside and let us in. We bought whatever wheat bread was available at that time since there was no fresh bread available yet.

12:00 NN: Lunch at Sagada Brew.

This restaurant is just walking distance from the bakery.

1:00 PM: Visited Sagada Lemon Pie House.

We just walked here from Sagada Brew since it was just close by. We bought lemon pies as pasalubong. 

1:30 PM: Back at the homestay. Free time. 

We bought pasalubong at the souvenir shop just in front of our homestay during our free time. 

4:30 PM: Dinner at Yoghurt House. 

This is also just walking distance from our homestay.

5:30 PM: Back at the homestay.

Day 3:

3:00 AM: Wake up and get ready for our trip back to Baguio. 

4:30 AM: Checked-out at homestay.

5:00 AM: Travel back to Baguio.

We walked over to the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, thinking it was the GL Trans bus terminal, but the gate was still closed. The gate was scheduled to open at 6 AM, so we were a bit confused. Thankfully, we spotted the bus waiting for passengers at the nearby waiting shed. We managed to catch the 5 AM trip back to Baguio.

To sum it up, our Sagada trip was both memorable and exhausting. A lot has changed since we last visited—the town now has more commercial establishments and homestays. While the food was on the pricier side, it’s understandable given that Sagada is a popular tourist destination.

One thing that stood out, though, was the limited dining options for vegetarians like us. It was a bit of a challenge to find suitable meals. I hope that in the future, more restaurants will include vegetarian options on their menus to cater to a wider range of dietary preferences.

Sixteen years later, Sagada remains the serene and peaceful haven I fell in love with, and it’s definitely a place I’ll return to again.