Sagada (traversing the Mountain Trail from Baguio City)

During our get-together last Christmas break, I broached the idea to the Guyz for us to go to Sagada for Summer, May 1-5 to be exact. Since most of the them begged off one after the other, we the usual travel buddies (four of us, Me, Hunny, Ais and Gani.) were at it again, feels like the old times really.   

The Plan is for us to go to Sagada by way of Baguio City through Halsema Highway, so that we can experience, much less, admire the beauty of the so-called Mountain Trail. And since Hunny did not want us to use Goldie, we had to rely with public transportation.

After a brief rest at home, we went to the bus stop in Paniqui, Tarlac along MacArthur Highway at about 2:00AM. After 1-hour of waiting and with more or less 10 Victory Liner buses bound for Baguio passing us, I predicted that our hope for a ride is now hinged on either Genesis or Dagupan Bus because I remembered that it was May 1, traditionally the day when Pista'y Dayat in Pangasinan is celebrated. Hence, the influx of travelers up North.

Deuter...while waiting at the bus stop in Paniqui, Tarlac for our ride to Baguio City.

So we made an arrangement among ourselves to either ride a bus bound for Ilocos or Abra until the bus stop in Sison, Pangasinan and then try our luck there unless the next bus is bound for Baguio, whichever comes first. Fortunately, we were able to hop on the next bus (Genesis) and there are more than enough seats for us four. While the fee from Manila to Baguio is pegged at Php450.00, we only paid Php207.00 since we were already half-way there.

We reached the City of Pines after 3 hours, and went straight to the terminal of Lizardo Transit. It is conveniently located opposite the public market, somewhere near Magsaysay and Bonifacio Sts. The place is really some sort of a Central Bus Station since buses plying different routes in the Cordilleras, and even the Cagayan Valley can be found there. We settled for the bus that leaves at 8:30 AM so that we can still have the time to eat breakfast.

While ordinary buses (without airconditioning) mostly ply the Baguio-Sagada route, there is an airconditioned bus that leaves Baguio for Sagada at 11:30AM. (We were informed later on that a similar airconditioned bus leaves Sagada for Baguio also every 11:30AM). However, with the cool fresh air of the Cordilleras caressing your face, I'd say that the ordinary bus is not that bad when compared with the airconditioned bus. One-way fare from Baguio to Sagada is Php220.00 (similar fare with the aircon bus).

The bus shall pass through the towns of Benguet which comprise the popular "Salad Bowl of the Philippines" because of the countless Vegetable Terraces in the area especially in the towns of Atok, Tublay, and Buguias.

The cold wind is really very inviting, and view is just fantastic. In case you wish to bring a car to Sagada, I highly recommend that you take this route not only because of the well-paved roads but mostly for the one of a kind view of the mountains, waterfalls, terraces, and vegetable gardens. I can feel the adrenaline rush which is actually good since it gave me the chance to observe the road and enjoy the trip.

We had a brief stopover at the Morning Star Eatery somewhere near Atok (two and a half hours into the journey). You can have your meals here, buy food and drinks, or just relieve yourself.

The First Stopover

About 5 to 10 minutes from the Morning Star, the bus will stop by the roadside as the bus conductor say "picture...picture...". This means that you have reached the Highest Point of the Philippine Highway System. It may not be the highest in the world but certainly, it is the best way for you to say that you have certainly arrived. Besides, the views in the area are really stunning. One proof is that Hunny who has fear of heights surprisingly enjoyed taking pictures there.

Onwards, the bus shall continue to zigzag its way along the Halsema Highway until you pass by the Benguet-Mt. Province Boundary Marker as you enter the town of Bauko where the Mt. Data Hotel is located.

The bus shall then have its second stopover at the Mountainview Cafe (where a Caltex Gas Station is also found). It was here that I got the chance for my fabled "Kilometer Post" Photo. Anyways, aside from a chance to stretch those weary back and legs, the view in the area is also amazing. From here, Sagada is just about an hour and a half away (take note we are using public transport here, so you make minor adjustments as to the time).

Once in the town of Sabangan, a river on the right side of the road shall serve as your guide. The coolness of the air shall give way to a little rise in the temperature, but this is only temporary since Sagada is really just twenty minutes away.

At the junction leading to Sagada (opposite is the highway to Bontoc), the bus shall take the left turn and will again start another climb up the mountains and the town center is still a good 10 kilometers. There are some stretches of rough roads here but it is bearable. Besides, the roads are being repaired and cemented at that time.

As advised by Espi (our contact in Mapiya-Aw), we alighted at the road leading to Mapiya-Aw Pensione. It is located after a quarry more or less a kilometer before the town center. It is also here where our service vehicle is patiently waiting for our arrival.

People say that the trip from Baguio to Sagada usually takes 5-7 hours. The allotted difference is understandable because the weather, road and traffic conditions play a big role in this. As for us, we arrived in Sagada from Baguio City in 5 hours and 45 minutes. 

If you ask me, I can vouch that cars can make the trip to Sagada. For comparison, the rough roads leading to the Kapurpurawan in Ilocos Norte, Dahilayan in Bukidnon and Camp Sabros in Kapatagan pales in comparison to the smoothness of the Halsema Highway. So in our next trip to Sagada...oh yes we shall return...I will strongly consider bringing Jaff along.