17 Best Sagada Tourist Spots: Famous Hanging Coffins and Caves in the Mountains

Whether you’re looking for a break from the hot and humid climate of the lowlands, or craving for an exhilarating outdoor adventure, this list of the must-do activities in Sagada will help you create the perfect highlands trip.

1. Visit the Hanging Coffins​

Photo from the Philippine Department of Tourism

High up on limestone cliffs are the Sugong Hanging Coffins. This burial practice is an ancient tradition still practiced by some of the people of Sagada. 

Suspending their deceased loved ones’ coffins up on mountain cliffs are said to bring their souls closer to heaven. The hanging coffins in Sagada can be seen on the road leading to the Sumaguing Cave entrance.

If you want to see them up close, the hanging coffins can be reached by a half-hour hike down a valley. You can also book a Sagada Paytokan walking tour, which also stops at Echo Valley.

2. Go Spelunking at Sumaguing Cave

If you’re looking for an exciting adventure that will test your limits, Sumaguing Cave or Sumaging-Latipan-Lomyang Crystal Cave has got you covered. One of the most famous caves in the Philippines, it has the largest chamber built over the years, with natural rock formations spread within.

When you go spelunking in Sumaguing Cave, you will be getting wet and muddy, so make sure you wear comfortable clothing. At certain points of the trek, you will need to go barefoot so you can get a better grip of the rock. 

Going inside the cave will lead you to the impressive rock formations such as “The Curtain,” “King and Queen,” “The Serpent,” and more. Exploring the Sumaguing Cave will take about 2 hours.

• Book this Sagada Buscalan tour package

Try the more challenging cave connection tour, where you will traverse an underground passage that connects the Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves.

The cave connection, which will have you crawling through tiny tunnels, swimming through underground pools, and rappelling on underground rock faces, will last for approximately 4 hours.

The best way to enjoy Sumaguing Cave is to join a day trip in Sagada that will let you visit other attractions too.

3. See the Coffins at Lumiang Cave

Right by the entrance of this cave are also coffins that have been there for as long as 500 years. The tiny coffins are stacked on top of one another and blend with the surrounding rock.

According to the locals, it’s because the bodies were placed in a fetal position, as it was believed that someone should leave the world in the same position they came into it.

The Lumiang Cave is also at the other end of the challenging Sumaguing-Lumiang cave connection, so you can see the stacked coffins as you end your caving tour.

4. Go on a Trek Across Echo Valley

Another popular spot for the hanging coffins in Sagada is in Echo Valley. It is named as such because of the way echoes are heard throughout the valley when you shout. 

To get there, you need to go past the St. Mary’s Anglican Church and the cemetery and make your way down the valley; the trek to the hanging coffins takes about 15-20 minutes.

After visiting the hanging coffins, you can continue with a trek of Echo Valley; a walk deeper into the valley will lead you to a subterranean river, and the Bokong Falls you can explore before heading back.

5. Go Above the Clouds at Mt. Kiltepan Viewpoint

At 1,636m, Mt. Kiltepan is one of the highest peaks in Sagada, and a great vantage point to watch the sunrise.

Seeing the sun peek out from behind the Cordillera mountains and low-lying clouds is a surreal experience. To get to the mountain, you can book a round trip transport from the town proper.

6. Take a Dip at Bomod-ok Falls

​Also known as the “Big Falls,” the Bomod-ok Falls in Barangay Banga-an is as beautiful as it is impressive, and the hour-long trek during your Bomod-Ok Falls tour is worth the workout.

Before reaching the falls, you will be passing through picturesque rice terraces and down a valley. To get to the falls, you can hire a van to go to Banga-an Information Center to register and hire a guide to take you to Bomod-ok.

7. Hike Up at Marlboro Hills

​If caving isn’t your style, then maybe a hike up the rolling hills is more up your alley. A few hours of hiking will reward you with a 360-degree view of the seemingly endless Cordillera mountains and low-lying clouds interspersed with the grassy hills.

You can also watch the sunrise over a sea of clouds in Marlboro Hills, as this is the less crowded option over the more popular Mt. Kiltepan.

Sagada weather can be very chilly, especially in the early morning, so make sure you don’t forget your jacket when you hike up Marlboro Hills.

8. Walk the Fields at Kapay-aw Rice Terraces

The Kapay-aw Rice Terraces is the nearest rice terraces from the Sagada town proper; it can also be seen from the road leading to the Sumaguing cave entrance. 

You can also take a tour of the rice terraces, while not as big as the ones in Banaue, are just as beautiful and impressive.

At the end of the rice terraces is Pongas Falls or the “Small Falls,” where you can take a refreshing dip before heading back.  

9. Have the Perfect Cup of Coffee at Sagada Brew

Photo from Sagada Brew

Sagada is the perfect place to take things slow. Linger over a cup of freshly brewed coffee at Sagada Brew. You can try their brewed coffee, Café Americano, Cappuccino, and other coffee drinks.

Pair your coffee with their chicken pesto sandwich or adobo flakes sandwich. If you plan to eat lunch or dinner there, they also serve set meals.

Try their Sagada Orange Chicken made with Sagada oranges. They also serve mountain tea.

10. Learn More About Sagada at Ganduyan Museum

Make sure to drop by this museum, located right in the middle of the town proper, to learn about Sagada’s rich history and culture.

On display in the Ganduyan museum are a collection of traditional sculpture, weapons, tools, jewelry, and more. The tour will feature a brief discussion of local culture and history by the museum’s owner.

11. Take a Dip at Pongas Falls

The hidden gem of the Kapay-aw Rice Terraces, the Pongas Falls is a refreshing and fitting end to your walk across the rice paddies.

It’s smaller than Bomod-ok, but it is just as impressive. Fees to the Pongas Falls are included in the Kapay-aw Rice Terraces tour.

12. Satisfy Your Meat Cravings at Salt & Pepper Diner

Photo from Salt & Pepper Diner

This small, homey diner is tucked away on the second floor, above the offices of the Sagada Genuine Guides Association (SAGGAS). They serve hefty meals, so this is the perfect place to load up before you go on your hikes—or to recover from them.

Try their bestsellers such as pepper steak or their rosemary chicken for a delicious experience. You can choose if you want your dishes to be served with rice, potatoes, or pasta.

13. Spend Time at Bokong Falls

Affectionately called the “Small Falls,” Bokong Falls is the “easier” trek compared to the one going to Bomod-ok Falls. You can go to Bokong Falls as part of your Echo Valley tour. 

It’s a smaller, less crowded site, so you can go for a dip and take lots of photos of the scenery without getting fellow hikers in your shots.

14. Eat in Front of a Roaring Fire at Log Cabin

Photo from Log Cabin Sagada 

Fight off Sagada’s chilly nights with a meal at this cozy restaurant, famous for its weekend buffet specials. Its menu is primarily a fusion of European and Filipino, and you have a selection of roast meats, salads, pasta, vegetables, and wine to choose from.

The restaurant is a bit on the small side, so reservations at least a day before is a must. It is also open for dinner only. They also host dinner buffets during weekends. 

15. Make a Dessert Stop at Lemon Pie House

Have your fill of tart and tangy lemon pie and pair it with Sagada mountain tea at Lemon Pie House.

They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals that are budget-friendly. The restaurant is open daily so you can try their delicacies whenever you want to.

16. Go Orange-Picking at Sagada Rock Inn & Café

One of the most unique experiences you can do in Sagada is to harvest fresh oranges at Rock Inn and Cafe. After paying the entrance fee, you’ll be given garden sears so you can cut the stem of the oranges trees easily. Your payment will depend on how much oranges you harvested.

After getting your fill of fresh-off-the-tree oranges, you can head over to their Café Bodega to sample their dishes. Try their pork sinigang or their chilly chicken curry.

17. Shop at Sagada Weaving

If you are into traditional weaving, head to Sagada Weaving Center to see their beautiful and intricate patterns. It’s located near the Main Sagada Municipal Building and is well-recognized for selling good quality items.

You can buy different products made with their weaved fabrics like coin purse, shoulder bags, to traveling bags. Product prices are comparatively cheap to those offered in the other weaving centers outside the province.

Plan Your Getaway to Sagada Today!

Photo from the Philippine Department of Tourism

Whether you’re looking for a break from the hot and humid climate of the lowlands, or craving for an exhilarating outdoor adventure, this list of the must-do activities in Sagada will help you create the perfect highlands trip!

Because of the influx of people, the local government has mandated that all tourists register at the tourist information center and book their professional guides from there for the guests’ safety and security. 

Be a responsible tourist and respect the Sagadans’ sacred sites. A trip to Sagada will give you a greater appreciation of the Philippines’ pre-colonial culture; soothe your senses with cooler, fresher, cleaner air; and renew your love for the outdoors.

Are you planning to visit Sagada, Mountain Province this year? Make sure to check Sagada tours and activities so you can make the most of your vacation in the Philippine highlands.