Kiltepan Sunrise and lost in the Forest

As my body enjoying the cold weather in bed and having a good sleep, and still want to sleep, but we have to wake up very early, before the break of the dawn. And this is the start of our Sagada Adventure: Survival Challenge J

We leaved our lodge in full gear to conquer the morning cold temperature. And we have to walk about 3 and half kilometers. Going to Kiltepan peak, you had two options, First, by your feet, walk/trek for about 30-45 minutes. Second, you can rent a van that may cost 450 roundtrip, you have to arrange or book it to SEGA or SAGGAS office. For us, we choose the first, aside from being a budget travelers, we want to seize the place and experience each adventure and challenges that Sagada offers.

To trek going Kiltepan, doing it in early morning, you need to bring flashlight, for roads are still dark and expect some ascend and rough roads along. Bring also water and good stamina J . During our visit, there are only few groups choose to walk. Most go for van rental, and all of them passed us along the road and of course get ahead of us on the site. After our long walked for about 45 minutes we reach the site. Walking is bit tiring, but all worth it. I really enjoyed the cold breeze around as my jacket balances to keep me warm.

All visitors who got ahead of us are already on their best spots for the sunrise. There are more than a hundreds of visitor on the site. We wait for a couple of minutes for the magnificent sunrise and take some photos. Indeed, it was beautiful.

As the sun arises, we leave the site and took another adventure. I read through some blogs about the Malboro country in Sagada and how to get there. Though most blogger noted that there’s no clear signs headed to the site thus some are get lost in the middle. From Kiltepan, we went straight following the trail on the left side at Kiltepan entrance. Believing on my brave instinct, it’s the right way going there (hahahah). We walked thru a wide path until we reach a pork way, the area seems for logging trees. There is no one to ask for right direction. We take both ways, (one at a time) Going further, I’ve enjoyed all over with the pine trees, forest flowers, spiders, etc… not having a worry that we might get lost… And the history, we got lost in both in middle of the forest. We go back, failed to found Malboro Country L . Thus, having us a reason to visit again Sagada very soon.

Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins in Sagada, Philippines

Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins are the easiest and most accessible spot destination in Sagada. A few minutes of walk from the town proper. You can a lot a minimum of one hour for your itinerary, or it may take long depend on your photo shot and energy going down and up to the Valley.

Going there, we passed on the giant Bell and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and we also stay for minute to offer a prayer. Before I forgot, we don’t have a guide, but a family ahead of us is very kind enough to share and ask us to join with them J.  Headed straight from the Church and take left lead us to Cemetery uphill. Their white gravestones are in different sizes but smaller than in usual or common cemetery. The atmosphere around give me goose bumps. We stay a minute and offer a moment of silence and prayer for all the departed one buried in the area.

From the cemetery going beyond following the trail, sloping down, until we reach the side of the hill

were we shout out our names and echoed back, that’s way it I was called the Echo Valley. Adjusting a few steps, it was already a viewpoint for the Hanging Coffin below. Far beyond, you could see coffins hanged on the side of the cliff. Be caution in making steps, you may carried away by the view and make a wrong step, you might fall down and get hurt.

After do some shout outs and taking photos at Echo Valley, we descend following again the trail down to get closer to the Hanging Coffins. This time, the family we’ve joined and the guide decided to go back already. All of them don’t have enough energy to go down and up again because they have already a long day from Bomod-ok Falls. It took up about 10-15 minutes going down and reach the side of cliff were the coffins are hanged. We just take a few shots of picture and go back as darkness already meandering the site. 

Going up is an extra challenge, so it took us more time. And it’s almost dark when we got again to St. Mary Church. Then we had bread, to feed our hungry stomach, we bought it from the two kids at the side of the church.

To Explore Sagada!

After our wedding last December, these would be our first travel as husband and wife. Hubby, is the one who choose our first couple destination. And I'm very much agreed for SAGADA. And we both decided to do it during Holy week.

Of course, I'm the one in-charge for preparation and list of itinerary. Since, we have 4D & 3N, I make some side trips for us to explore more Mountain Province, not only Sagada. We're bound for Manila-Banaue-Bontoc-Sagada-Baguio-Manila. :)

Holy Week is peak season. So, I make an early bus reservation at Ohayami bus transit thru online. For inquiry and details visit their website http://www.ohayamitrans.com/ .  I do also some research, read blogs and reviews about Sagada for us to have insights about the place, tourist spots, foods, culture, traditions, it's people and more for our safety guidelines.

Excited big time to explore and survive Sagada!