Surviving Sagada

Set on the cordillera mountain ranges in the Philippines, Sagada has a mystique charm that attracts even the most highly urbanized individual as magnet attracts the hardest of metals.  With its numerous caves, its majestic falls and its rich culture, the once quiet Igorot village is now one of the Philippines’ top destinations.  However, special preparations need to be done for a perfect Sagada holiday.  Here are some real travellers’ tips:

Consider the Weather

While people might say that a visit to Sagada can be done any time of the year, there are places in Sagada that cannot be reached by the ordinary visitor when it is raining.  The following places may be impossible to visit:

1. Bomod-ok Cave aka Big Falls – the trek is partly cemented but partly rocky.  The latter becomes very slippery during a downpour.  However, during a sunny day, one needs to be equipped with a hat or an umbrella and some sunblock because the sun could be scorching at times. 
2. Sumaguing Cave – there are 3 parts of the cave.  The first part is very steep and slippery even without rain.  Thus it becomes more treacherous with additional water seeping in.  Plus, a storm can make the visit fatal.  There was a tragic incident that happened there when a guide gave in to the request of a visitor.  Both the guide and the visitor died inside the cave during a flash flood. 
3. Lake Danum – though not much harm can befall a tourist during a downpour, a visit to the lake may not be as beautiful if the purpose is to see the sunset.  It gets really foggy and cold out there.  However, the cold night could be perfect for a great camp out too.
4. Kiltepan, Mount ampacao and the Marlboro country are all on elevated areas that need to be trekked.  Thus, when it rains, the paths get slippery and foggy too which, like Lake Danum, will block the view.  
5. The pottery may be closed during a rainy day because the area has but a roof with nothing else to protect the people getting wet when the rain is accompanied by wind.
6. Marlboro Country – it gets really slippery.  
7. Echo Valley

It was a summer time when we went.  The forecast was that it would drizzle a bit and the coldest would be around 14 degrees Celsius.   But to me, it felt colder than that.  The warmest in Sagada is around 20 degrees.  It can get very cold in the Mountain Province specially when it rains.  It’s the one place in the Philippines where leather jackets may be appropriate.