SAGADA - Underground River

Travel Date: November 29, 2015

Manila to Sagada

Echo Valley Tour

Sagada Underground River Entrance

When I learned to our guide that he include the underground river on our sight seeing tour I dint make an argument because we cannot go back to the route we cross from Hanging Coffin, instead we proceed to this place expecting nothing because as I've mentioned before this wasn't part of our activity.

as of writing I've never read any blog inside the sagada underground river, well underground was mentioned but no one wrote about what to see inside this place.

waiting for others

We took hours of non-stop walking from Hanging Coffin some are complaining but we just took the positive thinking of doing some Exercise and what we are doing that time was for the benefits of our health

 Along the way we met the Israeli Couple coming from Bokong Falls, when I heard it I thought we are already near but again I am WRONG!!! we had a little chit chat with them while catching our breath

Chitchat with Israeli Couple

On this route we need to climb and push each other up while our guide take a pull each one (sorry no pictures for that , we are too much concentrating on pushing each other up)

When I heard the rushing river, I thought it is already the Bokong Falls and we are all smiling but the guide says not yet we are too far from it (lag-lag balikat ang mga beauty namin) we took our 10 minutes rest on this rocky road

I thought we are already near at bokong Falls

10 minutes rest

taking some rest

 after 10 minutes we proceed on our never ending walking (be sure to wear proper footwear because the rock is quite sharp and slippery)

Approaching Underground River

 After the Long Walk, we finally reach the underground River, each of us has questions and our guide told us to follow him and so we obliged even there are a lot of hanging questions in the air.

Finally We reach the Entrance of Underground River

Into the Light

Inside underground River

You can noticed some lights, but when we started the walk, we are consumed with darkness and the only light we had is from our Cellphone and flashlight from our guide and go pro.

But when we started to cross the above knee deep cold water, we put all our gadgets inside our bags (naniniguro lang). The Water is too cold and according to Kuya, it was good thing the water is not rushing and I said 'WHAT?!!!"

Scared for my companion and for our safety I kept my silence I just thought that this is just part of the unforgettable experienced and pray hard to God for protection for all of us.

the Only Clear Pictures we had inside the underground River Before we came out to this Cave

Despite using Night mode of our DLSR, we failed to capture the beauty of underground River, all was blurred :(

Then the very dangerous path was when we need to climb one by one in a wooden ladder which I though it about to break, the water is rushing too hard that time and most of them exclaimed their fear and doubts, there is no other way according to Kuya Guide, and so one by One we took our courage to cross the weak wooden ladder

If you think that is the end of our dilemma you are definitely wrong, because once you step out in a small exit from wooden ladder you need to cross the sharp stone and one wrong move, you might hurt yourself badly and so what we did is we crawl our butt for safety.

(no pictures of this activity because our main concern is our safety)

I realized then that 1 over 11 people is not enough for this tour.

After an hour of darkness, we finally saw the light

waiting for others to come out from

Groupie: We Survive Underground River

Again, we thought we already cross the very hard path but again, its a no no, from this point, as the en-route to Bokong Falls, we need to cross the rushing river...




Next Post: Sagada Bokong Falls

 

Sagada - Echo Valley Tour

Travel Date: November 29, 2015

From Manila to Sagada

Underground River

From Echo Valley to Underground River to Bokong Falls and our Last Stop is Sumaguing Cave

As we arrived in Sagada and heard about the congested tour in Sumaguing Cave and No Tour Guides anymore we Check-Inn first in Residential Lodge and Thank God, the favor is in us the moment I got in SAGGAS a guide came and I manage to deal with Kuya guide and after the swift event of everything the Echo Valley Tour Began.

We paid P35.00 each for Tourism fee at Tourism Office, always keep the ticket with you because you need to present it for every activity except Kiltepan Peak.

I mentioned to Kuya Guide that we will just visit the Echo Valley and Bokong Falls as we don't have any idea what to do in Underground River besides we are all tired and weary from 12 hours bus ride just to reach the Sagada.

Cemetery - A traverse route going to Echo Valley

Echo Valley Tour

A Road from Cemetery down to Hanging coffin

down down down....

Rest for Awhile

The enroute of the Hanging Coffin is the Cemetery from there you will traverse the Echo Valley (they called it echo valley because it bounced back the sound once you shout and we tried it for stress release) the place is also packed with tourist and some just came from Hanging Coffin back to Town and we thought that we are going to do the same but no... because of the mis-understanding of our guide from Echo Valley to Hanging coffin we just continue our trek down then that's only the time I asked him where are we heading and why we are not coming back he then told me that we are going to Underground River, surprised then explain to him that underground river is not part of our activity but we cant go back anymore my companion though exhausted agreed to push through nandun nalang din lang ituloy na though I don't have any idea what to see in underground river.

After the never ending walking we finally reach the hanging coffin and of course you need to hurry taking pictures because of huge tourist arrived that time and taking a good spot is hard.



Finally the Hanging Coffin



After the hanging Coffin, we proceeded and that's the time I asked questions where we are heading because I thought we are going back to Cemetery like what other tourist do but our guide told us that we need to proceed going down and even though confused we follow him.

As we reach this place we celebrated we thought we already reach the underground river but to our surprise kuya guide told us not yet and then I approached him and asked him again where we are heading because some of my companion are asking too and very tired and we want some rest before we proceed to another activity, he then answered me that we are going to Bokong Falls passing underground River I said what? but I don't have time to argue I just go with the flow and looking to the road we took I though it would be best if we proceed like what he had planned, then I explained to him that underground river is not part of the activity he then realized that there was a misunderstanding but I didn't argue all I want is to rest my feet .

Note: I don't recommend this activity if you have health problem such as High Blood and if you don't used to do some exercise because this is very very tiring and exhausting.

We had a hard time for this activity as we are not prepared for this kind of trekking, we just console ourselves that it just like having exercise with scenic view some are complaining already but we just laugh at our complains (wala naman kaming magagawa diba) we just choose to enjoy the view despite of our sore body.

We met a Spanish couple along the way and we had a little chit-chat with them and turned out that kuya guide is their tour guide yesterday activity, after few minutes we were shocked on the road, we need to climb and most of us is heavy and no exercise but we manage to push each other to get to the top because that's the only way (sorry I don't have pictures of that).

As of writing, I really cant imagine how did we survive that activity but still thankful to God that we made it.

We thought this is the Underground River as we are looking for entrance
hehehehe..  :)

we need to climb this one to reach  the other side

A little rest before another walkathon



Afraid of the dare? yes, we were all afraid because the only source of light we had is from our cellphone and from the flashlight of our guide but the moment we cross the knee deep water we need to secure our gadget on our bags because the river is very cold and slippery, and the only light that helps us then is the light from the go pro and kuya guide flash light.

SAGADA 2015

Travel Date: November 28 - 30, 2016

My first visit in Sagada was 2014 and from there I learned a lot from this trip and so when I decided to invite friends to visit the place again last year 2015 I know I need to assure our accommodation and secure the roundtrip ticket to avoid hassle.

My Friends, Classmates and Co-worker tag along with me on this trip because all of us wanted to escape even for a little time in the stress of work and traffic chaos in Metro Manila.

My previous transport service that I used was Ohayami Bus Line and thanks to google we bump to one site of a blogger forgot the name and found about Coda lines which cater directly from Manila to Sagada, and because of our constraint time, all member agreed that we will no longer visit the Banaue as part of our side trip on this journey.

My Previous Visit in Sagada was kinda relax yet when I get there I encountered problem which I manage to solve with the help of our Almighty God.

Now let me update you with the new transport mode in Sagada if you are coming from Metro Manila. (NOTE: Manila is different from Metro Manila just a bit of information, Metro Manila or NCR is a region in Luzon while Manila is one of the City in Metro Manila).

OHAYAMI BUS LINE

Manila Office: (+63)(02)516-0501 / 0917-561-7344 / 0927-649-3055

Banaue Office: 0905-881-4361

**Better call them for their daily trip schedule for Manila to Banue, they will answer the call from 9:00am to 5:00pm only beyond that time, you need to visit their Terminal lacated at Sampaloc Near Florida Bus Line.

Estimated Travel Time is 9 hours

Please refer to my Sagada 2014 Visit if you opt to stop in Banaue.

CODA LINES

Manila Office: 0927-559-2197

Manila to Sagada with Banaue Side Trip (view point only)  travel time is 12-14 hour

I think that is enough information for you to get to SAGADA and lets begin our story.

Friends, Classmates, Housemates, Officemate except soulmates visit SAGADA last November 2015 and with a Challenge of P3,500.00 each for 2 days 1 night.

After making reservation for our Roundtrip Bus Ticket and for our One Night Accommodation in Residiential Lodge ( 0919-672-8744 - Tita Mary ), we began make a list of activities that we are going to do and considered our budget for everything including food.

Here we go.

November 28 (Saturday)

After Office Hour, two of my co-worker headed to Coda lines to secure our seats while 5 of us will just wait at Balintawak for pick up. Coda Lines was delayed for about 30 minutes departing from the Bus Terminal but it was okey because we are not chasing time this time because the Bus will go directly to Sagada.

Past 10:00pm pick up by Coda Bus, after settling our seats and bags, we say a little prayer of God's protection and for the Blood of Jesus for covering from any works of the enemy and I even ask God to give us the strength and enjoyment to see His wonderful creation for this trip.

Fortunately, we were able to sleep for the whole night and when we opened our eyes we are already in the boundary of Banaue, We made a stop over at Banaue View point but unfortunately, we weren't able to see the Rice Terraces because of the fog surrounds the area but we manage to take a picture on the road and

Banaue Viewpoint

forgive me for not editing this one from my screenshot but this is the only
pictures we had inside Coda Line Bus Using Go Pro

Because we failed to see the Bananue Rice Terraces we ask the Bus Driver to stop in this place for photo opt

I suggest that if you are a fainted heart I don't recommend you to seat on the window side because of the road is too risky and steep. My friend besides me keeps holding her breath while the driver carefully maneuver.

view on the road

A couple asked to join us when ate loisa hear that it was my second time in Sagada, my friends agreed with is so we can split the cost of all the activities.

We made our last stop in Bondoc, and at that time, I really can feel the coldness in my bones, hungry and tired I just bought coffee and milk, others bought cup noodles as their breakfast, while me I just ate one piece of bread from my friends and sip my hot coffee to awaken my sleepy body.

Exactly 9:30am arrived in Sagada a total of 12 hours travel from Manila, I asked the driver where could I get the ticket that we reserved back to manila and while talking to the Coda Line Conductor I heard that SAGADA is already congested because of the long holiday and no tour guides available.

My travel buddies was worried as they don't want to waste time waiting because we only have limited time.

As I mentioned before, I visited SAGADA last 2014 and I had some little knowledge about it and so just to ease their worries I told them to check inn first at Residential Lodge, the moment I put my bags I run fast going to SAGGAS to get a tour guide, the in-charge person told me that there are no guides anymore and the Sumaguing Cave is congested and there are a long que of line, when I heard it I prayed to God and He listened to me some guide came and lay down our activities, he told us to prepare for only 15 minutes but I ask him to give us 30 minutes because we need to eat first and change and our room is not yet ready and so we agreed.

I run back to Residential Lodge and gave them the good news, then ate only noodles and tita mary was kind enough to give us rice for a fee because we don't have any time to go to the nearest resto, fortunately ate loisa has a pack lunch of adobo and rice and she share it with us. Thank you Lord.

After quick Brunch and change our clothes the guide arrive with and the long day of activity began...

our first stop is the Echo Valley

Manila - Banaue - Sagada

Manila-Banaue-Sagada

I’ve been wanted to visit this place since I started reading travel blogs, Sagada is always on my bucket list. As much as I want to set my foot on this place finances and my work schedules forbid me, but I promised myself that 2014 as a gift for myself I will be travelling Sagada even I’m alone.

I called the Ohayami Bus 3 weeks before the trip and asked them to reserve a seat for me and will pay it a week before the date of my departure. But unfortunately, when I visited them to pay for my ticket it was fully booked and they said I had no reservation, I had no choice but to adjust my date of departure.

A month before the trip, I texted and e_mail some of my chosen accommodation but did not received any reply from them, I did not worry about it, I just thought that I just acquire it once I get there and that was the  worst move that I’ve done on this trip.

Day 1 

I was kinda excited about this trip, I will be alone and finally I can say Hello to SAGADA and say my “HI” to Banawe, I left home 1 ½ hours before my schedule trip in Sampaloc, I was surprised when I learned that most of the passengers are foreigners, you can count the Filipinos on this bus.

At 10:00pm, the bus left Manila, my seat mate is a Filipino and she’s going home to Lagawe, we had a little chit chat and when I woke up, it’s already 5:45am, I didn’t know how many bus stops we had and when did my seat mate left, my eyes was hurting because of the sunrise, but I forced myself to wake up to have a sightseeing along the way.

Arrival In Banawe

6:45am, the Ohayami bus park near the Tourism Office in Banawe, I asked some locals the exact location of Peoples Lodge to have my breakfast.

Scenic View from People's Lodge Viewpoint

Peoples Lodge offered a breakfast Meal ranges from P100.00 to P150.00, they also have free wi-fi and had a scenic view at their back and feast your eyes on this spot while waiting for your breakfast.

 The food was blunt for my taste maybe because it was too early and I don’t usually eat my breakfast at 7:00am

P120.00 Meal

Being alone in this unfamiliar territory was not really scary, why? because this is still Philippines, and people can communicate in English and Tagalog aside from their dialect, and I read in some forum and blogs that Banawe and Sagada has a low crime rate, I just observed my surroundings, smile and I didn’t  hesitate to ask some locals.

While having my breakfast, someone approach me if I am going to SAGADA, and I said yes, so he asked for P300.00 and wrote my name in a yellow pad and informed me that they will call us once we leave.

At 8:30pm, we left Banawe going to SAGADA, again, most passengers are foreigner, the jeepney will make a stopover to some Tourist Spot to take some pictures (this is the advantage of taking this route). I met a French guy, we had a good conversation while on road, together with his 2 companions they are roaming around the Philippines and he asked me if I already travelled abroad, I said NO because I wanted to explore my own country first before I go out in my neighboring country so I can boast how beautiful it is, and I don’t want to be ignorant in my native land and he agreed with me, he even asked for some recommendation where to explore because they are planning to extend their vacation here.

I met also a Filipino Priest from China and his assistant from Poland together with a soon to be priest, a native from Banawe serves as their guide, I asked them if I can tag on their sumaguing cave and agreed to divide all the expenses (sumaguing cave and van rental).

My Sumaguing Cave Companion

11:45pm Arrived in Sagada. After our registration at Tourism Office (P35.00) we get also guides and van for our activity on that afternoon. As I said, I don’t have any confirmed accommodation and I was shocked to know that all the Lodges and Inns were fully book till Monday, they can only accommodate me for a day, and I need to check out next day, after scouting 10 lodges I finally gave up and check inn at George Guest House, I immediately change my clothes, I just leave my worries about my next day accommodation, I don’t want to ruined my vacation, I just Prayed  and ask God’s favor to give me another one night in Sagada.

And now… Let me take you inside Sumaguing cave…

 The tour guide will give a briefing about the caving and will tell you the do’s and don’ts so listened very carefully.

The cave was quite slippery, I know I had no practice on this activity but I just keep on praying for God’s protection upon us, Our light from the Lamp died when we reached the Curtains, and so, my companion from Poland doesn’t want to continue, but the Priest encourage me to go on and they will just wait for me and I nodded and I didn’t regret because I wouldn’t be able to see this one.

The Caving was very tiring and we are all famished the moment we went back to the “light” ;)

Going up is much easier than going down, the cave was been packed when we headed back to our entry point. We bought food to feed our stomach and relax our sore feet before we proceeded on our next destination, our other companion bid his goodbye to us because he need to catch the last Jeepney back to Bontoc.

I didn’t bother to climbed down because my feet is already shaking and I’m not sure if I still can make it to go back if I dare to climbed down, so I just took some shot from above.

Last Destination..

I really don’t have a good shot on those hanging coffin so I just waited for my two companions.

We shared 267.00 each (for 3 person) for this activity and as we parted ways, the priest says something like this “Ella, if you will encounter some problems or troubles, don’t hesitate to go with us, you know where we are staying right?, I said “Yes po, thank you!” (po, means giving respect) See, God gave me good people on this trip.

I run to the guesthouse and took a quick bath, the heater was not working properly so I just suffer from the freezing  water  L

At that moment, I was thanking God for giving me such people like them and gave me a safe trip from Manila to Sagada and for giving me strength to finish my “extreme activity” (for me!) on that day and again for providing even a one night accommodation and pleaded again to give me another one night.

The Guesthouse provide a free wi-fi and good thing the signal in my room is good, I scouted some accommodation in Baguio but unfortunately it was also fully booked because of the long Holiday and the forthcoming festival, as I mentioned, I don’t want to worry that much, after a few calls and negative feedback accommodation in Baguio, I took a little nap and pray.

At 5:30pm I decided to have my early dinner at Salt and Pepper

 

Salt and Pepper - P280.00 Meal (Missed it already)

 And because my whole body is aching and the temperature was getting cold I ended up getting back to my room and rest instead of roaming around the community, I packed my things again and prepared myself for check out next day, but I was hoping for an opportunity and that I leave it to God.

Lesson Learn No 1. Make an advance reservation for you accommodation and make sure you call them not text or e_mail to confirm your permanent home. J because as I inquire some locals there that SAGADA right now is one of the most visited place in North.

Lesson Learn No 2. Do not panic, just pray to God to give you peace of mind and wisdom on what to do. Panic will not relieve the situation, it will just ruin everything as the

Proverbs 6:3 “Trust in the Lord will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and he shall direct your path” and Another Verse is “Commit to the Lord all and all your plans will succeed”

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MOTTO: DO NOT WORRY ON THE THINGS THAT IS OUT OF YOUR CONTROL

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