Among its attractions are towering limestone cliffs, subterranean caves and unexplored forests. Some of Sagada’s caves remain unconquered. Because of their length and depth, Sagada’s natives believe that these caves lead to the center of the Earth.

Other sites to visit in Sagada are the Kitongan bottomless pit and underground river, Calvary Hill, Bukong Falls and Alipine Lake Banao. Sagada has accommodation facilities and can be reached by public buses from Banaue in Ifugao province or from Baguio City.

Arriving in Sagada

The first thing that struck me on my very first entry into Sagada was how pretty it is – the abundance of flowers, pleasant architecture, lots of trees, dramatic limestone outcrops and beautiful views down the valley. It stands at 1500 meters above sea level, so enjoys a climate influenced by altitude and freshness. The indigenous pines that blanket the surrounding mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for this unique community.
Sagada is a prosperous town comprised of mostly farming families and others associated with agriculture. There are no tricycles here, which is a silent blessing. The quality of education that has been available here has been high, especially with the older generation. Intelligence displays itself as a community trait and the peacefulness and stability of the community is obvious at once. Very good English is widely spoken as the second language, rather than Tagalog. The Episcopalian church was the first to arrive here and be accepted, which has resulted in a unique spiritual partnership between the traditional ritual observances and the Christian.
There are many things to do in and around Sagada. If you are like John and I, we love the peace and quiet of the place, its beauty and freshness, the friendliness of the people and the ease with which one can move around. We know that one thing you can do here is rest, read and sleep. You can also walk, trek, go caving, camping, eating etc. One thing you will not find here is a jumping nightlife, unless you bring it with you.

Accommodation

If you would like to stay in the centre of town you have many choices.
My first choice would be the (only) room above the Log Cabin restaurant. It is the most comfortable room in town, with its own bathroom (very nice), cozy décor and its own private balcony with a lovely view down the valley. This would be a lovely place for two, or more. P1,000 per night. Booking is essential. The kitchen downstairs makes great coffee, but meals must be ordered ahead. The restaurant downstairs has a fireplace and serves dinner. Evening meals can be served in your room or on the balcony. For reservations, call Dave Gulian 0920 520 0463.
Sagada Guest House - is on another corner of the plaza. Normal rates are p150 single, p300 double, share bath. P600 for 3 beds, bathroom with hot water. Rooms go up in elevation and price to p800, p1000 and p1200, with kitchen, bathroom with hot water and one with cable TV. These rooms can accommodate 3, 4 or 5 persons. Rooms at the back can be noisy in the mornings with roosters, dogs and pigs giving it their best. There is a rooftop available for viewing the vistas. The restaurant can provide breakfast, lunch or dinner if ordered ahead. At other times it is closed. For reservations, speak to Manang Veron, 0919 300 2763.
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Ganduyan Café and Inn also faces the plaza.

St Josephs Guest House is directly uphill from the plaza. These buildings were once part of a seminary, so a wide variety of room types and rates are on offer, from dormitory accommodation to private cottages, which go up to P1800 during peak seasons. Take either one of two ways up, both by steps and a pathway from the main road and head towards the white building at the top. If you are in a car, take the road past Ganduyan and enter St Josephs from the back car park, where your car can be left securely overnight. Note that during the months from February to May end, they often suffer from water shortages. You may have paid for a room with hot water, only to find that there is no water at all for your whole stay. We have seen a few guests get irate, especially when they still have to pay for the amenities that they did not get. The café is good, as is the coffee.

The Green House is on the right, 50 meters down the hill past the Municipal Hall, behind the Persimoon Café (a popular drinking place). This is an old establishment, a homestay, inexpensive and popular with the hippies.

Sagada Igorot Inn and Olahbinan are also in the vicinity. Both have off street parking.

Mapiya-aw Pension – This would be my choice if I was looking for peace and quiet. It is set off the road 100 meters uphill through a forest and is very pretty and peaceful. You would have passed the sign on the way into town. The Pension was purpose built, all unpainted wood, cosy. In winter you can use either or both of two fireplaces on request. The upstairs fireplace would be gorgeous with friends during the winter months. Balconies are abundant, which is always nice. Regular rates are dorm or single p200. A double room with bath shared with one other room is p600. Families can book both rooms for p1200. There is a lovely double room on the top floor, but the CR is down. Meals can be prepared for you if you order ahead and the kitchen is available for your own meal preparations for a reasonable fee. The garden is lovely. This would be a very peaceful place outside of peak season. The walk into the centre of town takes 15 – 20 minutes and would keep you fit. For reservations call Esperanza Solang – 0921 390.0560.

Travellers Inn - Further down the Municipal Hall road and just past the Yoghurt House Restaurant is the Travellers Inn, on your left. Rooms are p150 single, p200 double, rooms for 3 or 4 are p300, rooms for more than 4 are p450-500. All with shared bathroom. One single or double with hot bath is p500, bigger than double with hot bath p600. A family room is available, with hot bath, for p1000. A monthly rate is offered for a single at p1000, 2 beds at p1500. The kitchen downstairs would be available for personal cooking for these guests. There is no luxury here, but sometimes that can be nice, especially since the price is good. Lope also has a café, gallery and general store downstairs. If you wish to take breakfast, lunch or dinner here, you must order ahead. Pinikpikan, the signature dish of the Igorot, can be prepared for you by Travellers Inn Café if given 3 hours notice. This dish is unique and will be authentically prepared. It is a complete meal with vegetables, meat, rice and soup. Up to 5 persons p1000. 6 to 8 persons p1500. For Inn reservations call Lope Bosaing - +63 920 799 2960 or aprilmay_25@yahoo.com or lopebosaing@yahoo.com.ph
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George Guest House can be found further down again, on the right. You can’t miss it – it is the most colorful, garish building in town. The interiors are similarly decorated, but the building is new, so all is clean and fresh. Accommodation starts at P175 per person per night with CR (no hot shower). One of the two rooms at the top would be my choice, both with hot bath, of course. One has many beds and is P200 per night each person. The double room has a TV and is P700 for the room. The views are lovely. For reservations call Dora – 0918 548 0406 or 0920 607 0994.

Rock Inn - The junction to Rock Inn is further along the road to Bontoc, then about a kilometer to the guest house. You would need your own car to stay there. I would guess the walk to Sagada would take about 40 minutes. It is set in an orange orchard, so the fresh juice is a must. This facility, which is relatively new, can accommodate large groups and would be useful as a retreat or seminar venue. A student dormitory is available. The dining room is very beautiful architecturally, but the food may be disappointing. Tel +63 920 909 5899.

Restaurants
Log Cabin Buffet. While you are in Sagada, check the time for the next buffet prepared by the local chef. This is a meal not to be missed!!!!. P350 for a buffet of many courses prepared by a European chef? Vegetarian is P290. At the moment, these are on Saturday nights only. It is virtually impossible to get a seat without booking early. You have until Friday evening to book, or, at a push, early Saturday morning. You must pay a P100 deposit with your booking. If you don’t, you may find that your booking was not recorded.

Log Cabin - other nights. This restaurant is also open on other nights, depending on the season. Meals must be booked and ordered before two in the afternoon. Bookings only will be accepted. The menu is broad and offers European influenced meals, vegetables and salads, as well as the usual ‘adobo’ choices. Wine is available. During the cold months there is always a nice fire to sit by.

St Josephs Café is in the same compound as its namesake. Nice setting, lovely verandah upstairs, outdoor seating. The menu on offer is extensive, Filipino, and generally agreed to be good. Generous servings of fresh vegetables can be expected. Coffee is excellent. Bread, sweet and savoury, is baked by our local chef and can be bought by the loaf. This café is open all day and now has indoor and outdoor seating.

Masferres, also in the centre of town, offers an up-market version of the usual fare. It is popular with visitors from Manila. Wine is available.

Yoghurt House is a short walk down the hill and remains one of the favourites among visitors. Yoghurt dishes are, of course, a specialty, served with fruits, granola, pancakes, or mixed as a salad dressing for fresh local vegetables. Pasta, salads, vegetarian meals are all available here.

Ganduyan Inn is in the heart of town and makes one of the best cups of coffee, in my opinion. The yoghurt, banana and honey is divine. Bacon and eggs, bacon sandwiches, longanisa etc (breakfast food generally) is available here. No lunches or dinners are served, but breakfast and yoghurt is available all day.

Bilig Café is downstairs at the market, next to the Rural Bank. This is the old Shamrock, transferred from its original position because of the development of the market building. Basic meals can be prepared there.

Persimoon Café and Bamboo Grill is a relatively new business in town and seems to be popular at night. I have not tried the food.

Cuisina Igorota is almost unknown by outsiders and serves typical Igorot food. It is best at lunchtime. You will find it behind St Theodores Hospital. Just go inside the hospital and ask. A meal costs P60 and could be pork stew, bones soup, pork chop, sinigang, adobo, chicken etc, all served with generous quantities of local vegetables. There is no glamour here.

Co-op Canteen is just inside the mission gates and serves fabulous lemon meringue pie, banana cake or carrot cake. The coffee is good too, or you can have mountain tea. Meals are not served here.

New cafés are regularly opening and closing, so wander around and try them out.

Other local eating houses are dotted in and around the old market, serving mostly meat dishes. If you are lucky there may be a vegetable or two. These meals are most often cheap and designed to fill the local hard working man.

Saturday Market
In the heart of town, popularly known in the Philippines as ‘poblacion’ you will find the weekly market. From first light till about 10.00am the local farmers, producers and vendors sell their fruits and vegetables fresh from the farm. Other foods come from the surrounding provinces. In citrus season the oranges are fabulous and over the Christmas months good tasting strawberries are abundant. The local honey which is sold in large bottles on a Saturday is magnificent – runny and aromatic from the flowers. Feel free to taste the various delicacies on offer. I have been eating the food here for years and some of it is really nice. I especially like the combination of freshly cooked warm sweet corn (off the husk in separate nodules) seasoned with fresh coconut, a little sugar and condensed milk. A filling and satisfying breakfast. Other delicacies include sticky rice cakes cooked in oil with sugar and threaded on skewers, sesame balls, banana cake, boiled peanuts. Most confections have sticky rice or camote (sweet potato) as their base. Of course there is the compulsory arrozcaldo or pancit, found in any market across the land. Don’t forget to have a look at the wag-wag dealers who set up on the street leading from the market. I have bought some of my best clothes from these second hand clothes dealers. You may be surprised.
I know there is often a fear associated with eating food from street stalls, but I can assure you I have never had an incident of upset stomach from any meal eaten in Sagada, and that includes the market.

Sagada Attractions
Limestone caves - Many people come to Sagada to visit the caves. If you plan to do this, it can be arranged at the municipal hall, in the centre of town. Sagada has a Guides Association based there who co-ordinate such adventures. The prices are set and the guides work on a rotation system that assures all of them equal work. These people are skilled mountaineers and cavers so your life is in good hands. You cannot go to the limestone caves without a guide.
The Burial Cave is accessible to most people and can be visited without a guide during off-peak times. The climb down is steep towards the end and probably difficult for the elderly or very young children. This is a fascinating place, eerie and dramatic. Take your camera. Please keep in mind that this place is sacred to the locals, so leave no garbage, cigarette butts etc and do not touch the coffins or try to open them. Respect is appropriate here. The cave is marked on the local tourist map (available in guest houses and souvenir shops in town). The walk down the hill is gorgeous. Don’t hesitate to ask directions from the locals if you are unsure of the way.
Small Falls – Not far from town, this attraction is a disappointment to many. However, in hot weather if adventurous children or adults are involved, leaping from the top of the falls is a favorite pastime.

Big Falls – take the morning jeepney to Banga-an (pronounced Bunga –un) and ask to be let off at the big falls. The jeep leaves from the centre of Sagada and the guides association can tell you the times. Find out about the times for return trips too as you will not want to be walking back to Sagada. The walk down the endless stairs is fabulous, the scenery divine. The falls themselves, once you reach them (1 – 1 ½ hours) are predictably thunderous and dramatic. Swim in the freezing waters if you like that sort of thing, but get advice about the conditions from a guide first. A 17 year old girl drowned there in 2008. Although there were other people there, they were not able to save her in time. The climb back to the road is not for the faint hearted. Allow a couple of hours – if unfit, like me, add another hour.

Ganduyan Museum - Formerly opened in 1984 to 86, the treasures gathered over many years are once again on display in a newly opened small museum just beside Ganduyan Inn. Since the early 70’s, Christina Aben has been collecting antiques, trade beads and artifacts from the Cordillera region of the Philippines. Antique basketry, weapons, farm tools, beads, jars, wooden items and textiles can be seen here. Each display offers an insight into the rich culture of the Cordillera Igorots. Ask if Christina can show you around. Her stories will enrich your experience of the place. If not Christina, then one of her children will always be there to explain the history and significance of the items on display. Entrance fee is P25 each (see pictures on this page)

Fabulous fruit and vegetables – Because of its cool mountain climate Sagada is known for some of its seasonal foods:
Oranges – September to May
Blueberries – end of Summer, April to June
Wild mushrooms, 12 varieties – first 1 to 2 months of rain, May to July
Strawberries – end of rainy season, after sun, October to December
The Saturday market is the display place for what is in season.
Also available at the market:
Local honey - Look for the square bottle where the honey is light coloured and runny. Not always available.
Etag – the local ham or bacon, salted then smoked. Fabulous for soups and stews.

Available generally - Arabica coffee, locally grown and roasted, available as beans or pre-ground.
Mountain Tea, harvested from forest trees, leaves are dried whole and sold by the bag. An aromatic brew, caffeine free, very nice boiled with lemon grass or on its own.
Rice and fruit wines – guava, lemon, pineapple, mulberry, strawberry, rice, persimmon, anything really can be made into wine here. Low alcohol content and sweet.

Walking in Sagada
Walking is one of the great pleasures here. There are no tricycles in Sagada so just strolling around town can be relaxing and picturesque. With only 3 roads it is difficult to get lost and friendly locals are always happy to help if asked.
The pathways – behind the main roads are a network of pathways, mostly cemented, that connect the houses and villages that make up the municipality of Sagada. To get a real sense of the place you can follow these and discover the various dap-ay (meeting places and sites for rituals, such as the bugnas) as well as the ambiance of suburban life. The dogs will bark like hell because you will be a stranger in their midst and some may look fierce, but these animals will not attack. A dog that attacks a human is dead meat. You cannot get lost following the paths as the main roads are never far away. These walks are pretty, accessible and easy.

Pathway to Datil – On the road behind St Josephs guest house car park there is a pathway leading off to the right which will take you through the gardens and rice fields behind the town. This is a lovely walk. A couple of hours at most would be required for a casual stroll, depending on how far you want to follow the path (which eventually does run out).

Mt Ampacao – Lake Danum – Banga-an ridge walk – There are two walks to take, one from Lake Danum to Mt Ampacao, the other from Banga-an to Lake Danum. Each one follows the ridgeline of the mountain range and offers some spectacular panoramic views as well as the usual pleasures associated with walking in natural forest and grassland. Take lunch and water, sun and rain protection and a guide. These walks are difficult without a local guide as many paths thread through the mountains and getting lost would be a real possibility. Both walks are well worth taking if you are in town for a while. I have done both, so being super fit is not required – it just takes a little longer. The guides are surrounded by this beauty all of the time, so do insist on taking your time, stopping for lunch or to admire the view, otherwise your guide may race you through it all in a couple of hours and that would be a pity. Make sure you don’t leave ugly garbage calling cards.

Kiltepan – On your way into town you will have passed the sign to Mapiya-ao Guest House. From that side road there is a path on the right (that I haven’t taken) leading to the top of the hill called Kiltepan. Locals can show you this, or ask at the guest house further up the road if you have missed it. When you reach the top, pass over the grassy open space, heading to your left. There you will find a path to follow for just 20 metres or so. To your left are little paths leading down to some rocks, where you can sit and ooo-ahhh at the spectacular scenery and endless mountain panorama. This is a favourite place for John and I to bring guests in Sagada. Camera heaven.
Echo Valley. It is best to take a guide although not necessary. Go in the morning before it gets too hot. Give yourself a few hours to wander, look at hanging coffins, sit by the river, get sort-of lost, walk through the tunnel of the underground river (Take a big torch with good batteries – the caverns are vast). There are lots of paths in echo valley and easy to take the wrong turn. Just remember there are 3 caves – one is dry, the second is where the river enters the underground caverns and can be entered only for a short distance, the third is where the river flows under Sagada to the other side of the hill. We found a way back into town by retracing our steps from the last cave for about 50 metres, then followed a track leading up the hill on our right. We came out behind the Caltex gas station on the main road. You can pass through the underground river and find a path on the other side which takes you back to town, but be prepared to wade through quite deep water at the far end and be careful of the very slippery rocks you have to climb to get out – it is not easy, but we have done it. DO NOT attempt to follow the underground river after heavy rains. Two people drowned in this cave about four years ago, during a typhoon.

Hiking, camping, staying for a while

If you are a person who really enjoys walking, hiking, camping etc it would not take long to find someone to go with you. The local men and women are instinctive mountaineers. The first step would be to have some time to ask around or meet people. In time there would be just the right companion willing to take you to places they know. John and I and other members of our family have gone off into the mountains camping many times, one roped down a waterfall, then went caving at night (not in Sagada caves). We paid our guide …… per day, but carried our own pack.

A place we have been to most is called Buasao ( pronounced bwa-sow ), a 5 ½ hour walk for me from Banga-an (pronounced bunga-un ), carrying everything I need for 3 days, including shelter. The path passes through pockets of old mossy forest, crosses streams and a river, climbs and ends on a flat patch at the centre of which is a curious stone structure. Next to that we make our camp. Many wonderful days and nights have been spent around the fire at Buasao. Adventurers can set off from there on further explorations and day hikes. Local knowledge is essential on these trips as the mountains around Sagada have been roamed by the army from time to time and not all people you encounter can be trusted. A strong male Igorot at your side is a passport to safety.

Mountain Biking - This is not my thing but enthusiasts come from all over to play in the mountains around here. If this is something you would like to explore, call Steve (+63 919 698 8361). He is the local expert and may be happy to have you join him on some rides.

Driving to Sagada and things around

John has a Suzuki Vitara, fitted with Old Man Emu suspension and mud tyres. Good ground clearance. This car takes most things on offer around Sagada, such as:

Kiltepan – There is a road going up to Kiltepan which can be found on the left…..a couple of kms from Sagada on the way to Bontok. There is a concrete shelter opposite the junction. When forks appear in the road take the one most used. If it comes to a house, it was the wrong one. When you get to the clearing at the top, park. Walk along the path that leads from the left corner. 20 meters to your left is a breathtaking view. Find a rock to sit on and enjoy. Early mornings are gorgeous, as are sunsets and the ‘golden hour’. The last, steep, uphill stretches of the road can be slippery.

Mount Ampacao – It takes a gutsy car to get up here and an experienced driver, but if you can make it is well worth the trip. The peak of Mt Ampacao is the site of a cell phone tower, eerily lit at night, clearly visible in Sagada. To reach the road you drive downhill toward Ambasing. Please drive cautiously in Sagada – children playing, dogs, chickens, jeeps could be around any bend. When you reach the Ambasing Elementary School on your right, take the road that runs alongside it and head uphill. Keep going up, closing gates behind you, until you reach the grassy clearing at the top. The actual peak and tower are higher still – not accessible. Find a good spot to park where you can see the view back towards Sagada. You may need to walk a little around the hillside to get the full impact of the view, in which case you should turn on the car alarm. On one of our visits mischievous boys were playing around the car and fortunately set off the alarm. Your other choice is to take someone who is prepared to stay with the car, like a lad from the guest house or a guide.

Besao - (pronounced bess-ow) is a relatively small town 6 km away over the mountains. On the way you will pass the turnoff to Lake Danum on your left. I always enjoyed these short exploratory trips as the roads wind through lovely mountain forest country and cultivated fields. Besao is well known for its sunsets, though I have not been there at the right time to enjoy it. Dirt road most of the way.

Banga-an and Aguid are two towns to drive to on the second of three roads out of town. Once again, it is not far, but the scenery is nice. Concrete road to Banga-an.

Suyo is downhill all the way. Take the road past the municipal hall. Take the first left turn and follow it all the way down to Suyo. You will pass lovely views of the rice and vegetable fields and drive through pine forest. A walk through the fields of Suyo is a lovely thing to do if it is not too hot.

Things to buy in Sagada
An artist who lives in Baguio has designed and prints a really good range of ‘Sagada’ T-shirts, mostly in black on white. Ganduyan Souvenirs stocks the complete range in all sizes. This shop also commissions work from Kalinga - beaded bags and purses – very nice – also, the fantastic headgear of the head-hunter, made by an old man who has always made these ritual symbols of the warrior’s success – expensive, large, but extraordinary! Traditional basketry has always been a favourite of mine and I have found Ganduyan to be the best suppliers. Their weavers copy the traditional designs and their work is very fine. The basket weavers, however, are getting old and the baskets are becoming scarce. Prices in this shop are fixed.

Sagada Weavers is famous for its sturdy locally woven cloth which is made into backpacks, overnight bags, smaller bags and purses, wallets – all kinds of things. A local industry worth supporting. Many other shops now sell locally woven cloth and bags, backpack, wallets etc

Masferre’s ‘A Tribute to the Philippine Cordillera’ is a book of black and white photos taken by Masferre (a resident of this town) during the late 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s. The images are beautiful and have captured the people of this region in a way that is no longer available to the photographer. Have a look at the book – a wonderful souvenir of this unique region. Masferre’s Restaurant displays many of his pictures on the walls. There are many souvenir shops in Sagada and probably many treasures to find. Don’t forget to bargain for the best price.

Pottery - There are locals and foreigners who produce fine pottery from the local clay. It is OK to visit their workshop which is about 1.3km from the centre of town on the road to Besao. It is on the right and a little obscured. Lovely views on this walk. Even if no one is there it is OK to look around…..(Its nice to know that there are still places like this.) Please, please do not touch the work

Curfew - Sagada has observed a 9.00pm curfew for many years. This is a farming community and most people are up before dawn to go to the fields, so closing down at 9.00pm makes a lot of sense. The stores close, the restaurants stop serving food and the streets become quiet. The curfew is also a way of controlling public drunkenness – a problem in many other towns. People can do whatever they like within the walls of their homes and most restaurants will remain open until you leave and not pressure you to do so. There is no problem about being out after 9.00 or past midnight. It is just very quiet. “Curfew” can conjure up all sorts of images and often tourists are troubled by it. There is nothing to worry about in this paradise

Important Dates

Keep these dates in mind when planning your trip to Sagada. These are good times to stay away, as any 4 day public holiday or vacation in the Philippines is met with mass exodus from Manila. This means guest houses are full, restaurants are full, the caves are full, the roads are choked etc etc.
New Year, Easter, All Saints day, Labor Day – stay away. School and university holidays can present problems, but students most often choose the cheapest options.
The town fiesta occurs on the first weekend of February, plus the Thursday and Friday before. People from all of the surrounding villages and towns come to trade, to buy and to enjoy this opportunity to mix and mingle. Vendors descend in their hundreds. The Fiesta usually opens with a cultural presentation, which always involves gonging and dancing. Games are played, plus the fabulous tug-o-war between men of different villages. Women usually get a chance in the open category. For those who enjoy the culture of the fiesta in the Philippines and don’t mind the crowds, this can be an interesting time in Sagada.

Bontoc to Sagada

Regular jeepneys to Sagada leave from a side street just off the main road in Bontoc. Anyone you asked could tell you where. Tricycles are handy when luggage is involved and cheap too. The first jeep leaves at 8.30 am, then on a regular basis after that until 5.00 pm. It leaves when it is full. The trip takes 45 minutes. If you are very lucky you may find the front seat unoccupied (indicated by no bag or jacket on the seat). Leave a bag of some kind if you want to wait elsewhere, as this will reserve the two best seats for enjoying the fabulous views between Bontoc and Sagada. In the back section, of course, you have lots of company and sleeping children, but the views are obscured by small windows and fellow passengers. The other alternative is the roof. This is a popular and sometimes necessary mode of transport and I would guess the best way to get the full impact of the terrain and its beauty. Beware the hot dry weather! You will most definitely eat a lot of dust on the way up the hill if you sit on the roof in summer. Parts of the road are still a very rough ride, I would say inaccessible, for standard saloon cars.

Leaving Sagada

(You wont want to) You will have no problems getting out of town. Jeepneys leave regularly for Bontoc, where you can take other transport on to Banaue – Manila. Last jeep leaves at 1.00 PM. Buses leave from Sagada that can take you to Baguio with fantastic views!. The buses leave regularly from 5.00 AM till 1.00 PM.

Budapest Hotels

Are you looking for hotels in Budapest? Hotel Charles is a great 3 star Hotel in the center of Budapest. We offer fully equipped studios, apartments, rich buffet breakfast & cheap prices.

It is a nature lovers paradise waiting to be explored with its luscious greens, waterfalls and natural beauty. Located between Mount Makiling and Mount Banahaw, this sunken resort is about 1000 feet below the sea level. The main attractions of this place are the waterfalls, natural springs and pools. The warm swimming pools are naturally heated by volcanic rocks while there are cold pools with water constantly flowing from the mountaintop.

For visitors wanting to stay overnight, the resort offers cottages with veranda overlooking the natural gardens. They offer welcome drinks, buffet lunch, dinner, breakfast and merienda. They even have a band of folk singers that serenade guests on their tables. There is a bar/cafe and a souvenir shop. The amenities include the function rooms, picnic groves, chapel, gazebos, darts, volleyball and more.

The trip from Manila to Hidden Valley is about one hour and a half. You may take the South Superhighway to exit 52 (Batangas/Lucena), then head towards Laguna City/Alaminos.

A number of springs with hot, cold and soda water, lace a forest of huge fruit trees, tropical shrubs and flowering plants. A concrete path connects the pools and leads to the jungle’s interior where a waterfall has cut a gorge down the mountainside.

The resort has cottages for overnight stay and restaurants. It is an ideal base for visiting the surrounding provincial towns of Laguna and Quezon. - butikilyo.com

The marine park’s oceanarium features 20,000 exotic and colorful fishes, most of which are endemic to the Philippines. The opening of the marin park has been deferred from December 2007 to February 2008, because of a minor fire last year, which caused the construction delays.

Completed was the first phase of the project, which include the main facility and oceanarium, a magnificent glass and steel structure featuring a 25-meter long, 220-degree curved acrylic walkway tunnel, where guests can view the country’s different marine species.

Set for completion later in the year are the open water marine habitats, a shopping mall, restaurant row, hotel, and multi-purpose function facilities.

Pictures below is taken when we visit the said aquatic park:

This was the picture of my girlfriend near the aquarium of goldfish.

And this one is the entrance of the said park.

This is the video clip of Manila Ocean Park taken from Youtube.

Aliwan Festival is a festival that merge all the popular festivals in the Philippines in one single event. Different Regions and Provinces around the country will display products, craftsmanship, culture and show their most innovative ideas. The three day celebration will attract local and foreign visitors because they will see Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity. In the 7th Edition of the Aliwan Festival 2009, there are more than 3,000 dancers, musicians, craftsmen, and even acrobats that will compete in this celebration for streetdancing, float design, and the search for Reyna ng Aliwan in their colorful costume and beautiful smile.

Here are the unofficial list of contingents in the Aliwan Festival 2009:

1. Lakbayaw of Tondo, Manila
2. Pakalog Festival of Santolan, Pasig
3. Panagbenga Festival, Baguio City
4. Pamulenawen - Laoag City
5. Ibon Ebon of Candaba, Pampanga
6. Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan
7. Luyang Dilaw of Marilao Bulacan
8. Boling boling Festival - Catanuan, Quezon
9. Fiesta de Toros of Nasugbu, Batangas
10. Lapay Bantigue Festival of Masbate city
11. Pulang Angui of Polangue Albay
12. Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
13. Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
14. Kasag Festival of Banate, Iloilo
15. Karatong Festival of Dulag, Leyte
16. Buyugan Festival of Abuyog Leyte
17. Kadayawan Festival - Davao city
18. Tuna Festival of General Santos City
19. Halad Festival of Midsayap, Cotabato
20. Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
21. Buklod Festival - Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan
22. Kalilintad Festival of Mamasapano
23. Samba de Regatta

Schedule of activities:

Streetdance Forum (CCP Silangan Hall)

• One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
• Band Concert and Pasakalye (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)

April 24

• One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
• Aliwan Festival Queen Talent Competition (Star Theater, 1:30 p.m.)
• Aliwan Festival Queen Pageant Night (Aliw Theater outdoor stage - 7:00 p.m.)

April 25

• One Town, One Product Shoppers Bazaar
• Grand Parade (Aliw Theater Complex to Quirino Grandstand - 4:00 p.m.)
• Awarding Ceremonies (Quirino Grandstand - 9:00 p.m.)

THE WEBSITE

TravelManilaPh.com is a website created to provide information, views, backgrounds, pictures of places that is considered as tourist attractions in the Philippines. With the help of this website, people who wants to travel and explore the wonderful places such as beaches, resorts, cool mountains and even heritage places like Corrigidor and Fort Santiago. All of this tourist spots in the Philippine is included in this simple website. Take a peek at Filipinos’ history and culture mirrored by century-old churches, ancient forts and modern museums. See the best of nature in our white-sand beaches and three-layered virgin forests. Discover the Philippine islands. Blessed with an extensive coastline, the Philippines is ringed with unspoiled beaches first-class resort facilities. Its deep-blue, crystal-clear waters offer about 40,000 square kilometers of coral reefs teeming with a wide variety of marine life. Endowed with a temperate climate, the Philippines offers a perfect treat to enjoy the sunlight. Lying in southeast Asia and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, the Philippines boasts of unsullied beaches, spectacular sunsets, luxuriant pastoral lands, cool mountain weather, brilliant man-made resorts and dazzling islands. So, check out now and explore Philippine vacation spots.

]]> http://www.travelmanilaph.com/travelmanilaph-an-online-philippine-directory/feed/ http://www.travelmanilaph.com/el-nido-palawan/ http://www.travelmanilaph.com/el-nido-palawan/#comments Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:48:33 +0000 admin http://www.travelmanilaph.com/?p=316 El Nido (officially the Municipality of El Nido) is a first class municipality and managed resource protected area in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 420 kilometers southwest of Manila, and about 238 kilometers northeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan’s capital.

The municipality, covering a land area of 465.10 square kilometers in the northernmost tip of mainland Palawan, is bordered by the Linapacan Strait in the north, the Sulu Sea in the east, and the South China Sea in the west. It is composed of 45 islands and islets,[4] each has its own unique geological formations. The highest peak is at Cadlao Island, towering up to 640 meters above sea level.

Like the rest of Palawan, it is part of the Eurasian Plate, a plate that is entirely separate from the Philippine Plate to which the rest of the Philippines belongs. The limestone cliffs here are similar to those that can be found in Ha Long Bay in Vietnam and Guilin in China, as well as Krabi in Thailand, all of which are part of the Eurasian Plate.

According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 30,249 people in 6,311 households in its eighteen barangays. Eighty-five percent of the population are living in the rural barangays, while only fifteen percent of them are in the Población area.

Gov. Espino said he is pushing hard to promote tourism in Pangasinan as part of the overall development plan of his administration. Cited as the main reason for the improved tourism program in Pangasinan was the grand transformation of the capitol building, from an old rickety one built in the early 1900, to become one of the best capitols in the entire country today. The capitol is now a premier tourist come-on of the province, serving as the official house of all elected provincial officials.

In the early part of his administration, Governor Espino vowed to make the capitol the centerpiece of tourism in Pangasinan. Also undertaken, aside from the refurbishing of the capitol building, was the repair of the adjacent Kalantiao, Malong and Finance buildings and its component areas such as the Veterans Park and Lingayen beach front. The provincial government-owned Capitol Resort Hotel has also been refurbished to serve as a venue for the various functions of the provincial government and the public.

To boost tourism, the provincial government bought six eco-tourism buses that could bring tourists to any point in Pangasinan after they had visited the capitol. Espino said the provincial government’s Tour Assistance Program provided tour and escorting services produced seven DOT-certified/accredited tour guides through a first-ever Tour Guiding Seminar. Aside from these, the province has also 18 active tour guides who are all employees of the provincial government. About 7,000 visitors and more than 16,000 others, mainly students from private, public, state colleges and universities, have already availed of the tour guiding services from the capitol to the different towns of the province. Another historic undertaking of the provincial government was the launching and provision of six shuttle buses that ferry employees to and from their point of destination for free.

These buses are also utilized by all provincial employees in their study tours and in the conduct of their “Employees Tour and Team Building ” program. The Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center was also rehabilitated to enable it to continuously host regional, national and international sporting events. At the same time, Gov. Espino announced that the province has some 300 hectares of foreshore land in the northwestern part of Lingayen that is set to be converted into a sprawling eco-tourist zone.

I am proud to be a Pangasinense

Mayon Volcano

It is located on a convergent boundary between the Eurasian and the Philippine Plate. Where a continental plate meets an oceanic plate, the lighter continental plate overrides the oceanic plate, forcing it down. Magma, formed where the rock melts, may be forced through the earth’s crust. One such exit point for the magma, is Mayon. Like other volcanoes located around the rim of the Pacific Ocean, Mayon is part of the “Pacific Ring of Fire”.

Mayon Volcano is the main landmark of Albay Province, Philippines. It is ten kilometres (6 mi) from the Gulf of Albay, in the municipalities of Legazpi City, Daraga, Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Tabaco City, Malilipot, and Santo Domingo (clockwise from Legazpi). It rises 2462 m (8,077 ft) above the gulf.

Mayon Volcano is the Philippines’ most active volcano and is considered to be the world’s most perfectly formed volcano for its symmetrical cone. It is a basaltic-andesitic volcano.  The upper slopes of the volcano are steep averaging 35-40 degrees and are capped by a small summit crater. Its sides are layers of lava and other volcanic material.

A smaller park, which offers a venue for relaxation is also within close distance. The Paco Park, which was built as a cemetery in 1820, is now a frequent site of mini-concerts and musical performance by the country’s finest artists.

The park is surrounded by trees and plants, which are properly identified. Behind the park is the Paco Hong Giarn Taoist Temple. Nearby are the New Swiss Inn, with bar, restaurant, and delicatessen, and the Park Hotel, with lounge, restaurant, and swimming pool.

Not far from the area is the Manila Zoo on Adriatico street. Manila Zoo, the country’s largest and oldest, hosts international and indigenous animal species such as the Tamaraw and Philippine crocodile. It is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The northern part of Metro Manila takes pride in maintaining two animal sanctuaries, Parks and Wildlife Nature Center and the Malabon Zoo. The former, located at the corner of Quezon Ave. and the Elliptical Road in Quezon City serves as the protection center for exotic animals confiscated from smugglers and illegal collectors.

A stone’s throw away is the Quezon Memorial Circle, a park noted for its 30-meter-high monument of former President Manuel Quezon. Its underground chambers house the Quezon City Museum and Art Gallery. The Malabon Zoo and Aquarium, located along Gov. Pascual Avenue in Potrero, Malabon also has a collection of interesting fish and animals. It is open everyday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In Makati City, an air-conditioned zoo at the Glorietta mall is frequently visited by parents and their small children. The area also has a small playground.

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Enchanted Kingdom, a short five-minute ride from the Sta. Rosa Tollgate of South Luzon Expressway, brings the closest version of Disney-type leisure in the country. The theme park, managed and operated by Amtrust Leisure Corporation (ALC), offers educational entertainment tours to students and “gastronomic treats” to families.

The P1.2-billion park, which has been operating since July 28, 1995 was conceptualized by Landmark Entertainment Group and designed after the Knott’s Berry Farm, America’s first amusement theme park located in Buena Park, California. It is a member of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). As such, it provides visitors with thrilling rides, stunning sights, and wondrous experience.

In the words of the Enchanted Kingdom operators, “the place is an active mix of thrills, attractions, entertainment, food service, celebrations and shopping set amidst an enthralling place that presents the past and the future, the quaint and the sophisticated, the picturesque and the dazzling in one unique package.”

Enchanted Kingdom is an aggregate of seven theme zones: Victoria Park, Portabello, Brooklyn Place, Spaceport, Jungle Outpost, Midway Boardwalk, and Boulderville. These zones serve as enclaves to 21 thrilling rides and attractions meant to provide daring visitors with a sense of flight, twist, twirl, and other acrobatic stunts.

The rides include the Grand Carousel, Flying Fiesta, Rialto, Space Shuttle, Log Jam, Wheel of Fate, Condor, Up Up and Away, Roller Coaster, Anchors Away, Dodgem, Stone Eggs, Air Pterodactyl, Swan boats, and Bump n Splash. In the near future, the park is set to introduce other exciting rides such as the Kiddie Train Ride and the Rio Loco River Rapid Ride.

Aside from the rides, Enchanted Kingdom also charms its visitors with various treats such as the fireworks show every weekend, dance presentation by the park’s in-house talents, theater shows, seasonal shows, well-manicured gardens, classic American brownstone facades and establishments, and a variety of characters and mascots led by the Wizard.-

For more info visit  TouristClick.com