Breakfast at Pinikpikan

After exploring Echo valley we had our breakfast at Pinikpikan Haus located at Dao-Angan, Sagada. It is popular in Sagada because of its known dish called Pinikpikan. It is a very flavorful chicken dish from the mountains of the Cordilleras. Pinikpikan derived its flavor from the coagulated blood, burned feathers, and Etag, a cured and aged meat.

They also serve various menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Among it's sumptuous dish is the Sizzling Sisig Rice with Egg only for 120.00.



Click here for their Menu

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin

After exploring the wondrous sites at the Echo Valley, we visited the vibrant Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a known landmark at the center of town. The Episcopal Church celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2001 with much of the activities centered in the town of Sagada.--- wikipedia.org

The Trail at Echo Valley

We proceeded to Echo Valley to see the abundance of nature through its beautiful landscapes and to further discover the rich historical culture of Sagada.

The Echo Valley is said to be shaped like a large megaphone producing any sound that echoes and vibrates across the valley that is why it is called as such.



























The Echo Valley of Sagada is also one of the best places to see Hanging Coffins in the Philippines. Our tour guide, Allan, said that the practice of Hanging Coffins started when the Igorot tribe of Mt. Province believes that the bodies of their dead loved ones will be elevated in a higher place, then, it will be closer to their ancestral spirit.

Sunrise at Kiltepan View Point

The following day, Saturday, we were already awake at 4:30 in the morning because we were excited to see Mr. Sun Shine at Kiltepan Veiw Point.









We rode a jeepney going to Kiltepan. It was still dark and the weather was really, really cold that we were all chilling. There were many people already when we reached Kiltepan who had found their own spots to see the sun shine.  They were all ready with their cameras, videos and celfones.  We were able to find a good place but unfortunately, we failed to see the sun rise because the fog was too thick.









We decided to leave Kiltepan at past six in the morning to explore other places in Sagada. And to make our trip a little bit more fun and exciting we tried riding on top of the jeepney called TOP LOAD. It was a very wonderful experience. We were yelling, shouting our hearts out as the jeep started its engine. Our shouts and yells were louder as we passed through the rough roads as if we will to the road. When it went smooth sailing, we were embracing the cold wind and I loved the feeling. Really!




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I survived the Cave Connection (Lumiang and Sumaguing Cave)

After feeding our hungry stomachs, we rested at the lodge, fixed ourselves and prepared for the extreme activities that await us --- the Cave Connection. The Lumiang Burial cave and the Sumaguing Cave.

There are two options for cave connection: First is the ordinary caving which is about 2 hours for 150.00 and the extreme caving for  about 4 hours for 400.00.  My husband and I opted the extreme caving because it is where the adventure is.

It was a four hours of climbing up and down the giant rocks. It was indeed tiring but the experience is the best thing that will keep you going.  We do climbing up and down the huge rocks using rope. We walked on  a steep and slippery rocks. We passed through waters that were above our waist and passed on a skinny wholes. There were times when I looked up and down, I told myslef, "hay, kaya ko pa ba ito?" But then, I was able to do it til the end. I mean, you really have to be determined. To be focused. To exert an extra effort. To be positive and to enjoy, of course.

As you enter the cave, you will be welcomed by the stinky smell of the bats. It's totally dark inside that is why you have to follow the light of the lamp that your tour guide is carrying with him. The rocks were wet and slippery that is why most of the time we walked bare footed. The beautiful rock formations were amazing. The result of the imagination of the locals of Sagada gave names to the various rock formations inside the cave like turtle, king's curtain. chocolate cake, pregnant woman to name  few.

The cave connection was really long and tiring but for me it was really full of fun and joy. My husband and I were lucky to be with the company of young people and to be guided all along by Allan, our tourist guide who was very jolly, patient, humorous and full of trivia. The bats, beautiful rock formations and just the thought that there is something like this made it more meaningful and truly an unforgettable experience for us.

There are a few things you have to consider when you decide to do the cave connection.

1. There is no turning back. Once you enter the cave, you really have to finish it until the end.
2. Always follow the instructions of your tourist guide.
3. Ask for light if you feel you cannot see your steps. 
4. Wear comfortable clothes. Wear shirts and shorts. For girls, you can also wear leggings (para di makitaan when climbing up) and to avoid bruises as well.
5. As much as possible, make sure your hands are care free. Do not hold anything for you will use your hands all the time when you star climbing up and down the rocks
6. Wear comfortable slippers. 
7. Bring a small back pack instead of a sling bag to put all your valuables.
8. Bring zip lock if you plan to take your celfones with you.
9. Bring water.
10. Have fun.

We finished the caving at around 7 in the evening. We can proudly say, we survived Sagada! Yeheeey!!! We headed our way back to the lodge. We took a bath, ate dinner, rested and went to slumber to charge ourselves for the following day's activities.

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