Trip to Sagada

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This rather short trip to the mountains lasted for 54 hours, it started from Victory Liner Bus Terminal in Cubao at 12 midnight last Wednesday and ended 6 o'clock Friday morning in same terminal. The actual length of stay in Sagada is less than 24 hours nevertheless my mission was accomplished.

My choice for this trip is to take the 5.5 hour overnight trip to Baguio route and board the 7:30am bus to Sagada which will take another good 6 hours scaling the length and steep slopes of Halsema highway.

The latter gives a great vista of the Cordillera, passing mountain communities that thrive because of mining industry, feeling at the edge of the cliff in every blind corner turn with the mighty Chico River that reappears every now and then, seeing countless pine trees scattered throughout the mountain ranges and wild flowers that cost a gem elsewhere and the countless small waterfalls that suddenly puff out of nowhere.

To avoid the 'pain in the ass' 12 hour trip via Bontoc-Banaue route- (Cable Bus Terminal at Bontoc leaves daily at 3pm ) after an overnight stay at St. joseph's Inn and upon accomplishing my mission, I took the 1pm (last) bus to Baguio City. The bus was half-full and it was raining in Halsema but from time to time I still got to peek from my window to validate my recollection of Cordillera's magnificence.

Try doing this marathon trip , but for better appreciation of Sagada, I advise you to stay longer. For me, Sagada is not a mere destination , a true Sagada experience lies in the whole journey.