2019 Travel Guide: A Quick Trip to Sagada and Meeting Apo Whang Od for Just 3 Days

Sagada, Mountain Province is one of the places in the famous Filipino movie "That Thing Called Tadhana".  The movie shows the different tourist spots in town and one of them is the Kiltepan View.  Kiltepan view is the best place to watch the sun rising above the sea of clouds.

Latest: 2019/2020 Travel Guide: Trip to Sagada and Meeting Apo Whang Od for Just 3 Days

While Apo Whang-od is considered the last Mambabatok from Butbut tribe in Buscalan, Kalinga. She is famous for doing the traditional way of tattooing, using charcoal and calamansi thorn in creating tattoo.

And I was able to visit Sagada and meet Apo Whang-od for just 3 days and 2 nights.  Here are the guidelines.

Going to SAGADA

Coda Lines provides direct route to Sagada via Banaue.  The travel time is 11-12 hours from Quezon City.  It has 3 stops for your toilet break and meal.  The stops are in Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, and Ifugao.  The latter is my favorite stop because it is in  Dyannara Viewpoint.  It is the best place to see the famous Banaue Rice Terraces.

Below are the recent fares of Coda Lines

Bus Types
SEMI DELUXE
seating capacity: 45 seaters
seat type : reclining Vega Seats
Amenities : DVD/TV/Stereo/WiFi
Fare:  Sagada: 760.00
       Bontoc: 685.00
Banaue: 500.00
SUPER DELUXE
seating capacity : 35 seaters
seat type : reclining Vega Seats with foot rest
with CR
Amenities : DVD/TV/Stereo/WiFi
Food: free light snacks and water 
Fare:  Sagada: 980.00
Bontoc: 935.00
Banue: 555.00

The station is located in Cubao and at the same station with HM transport. Buses leave Cubao at 8 pm, 9pm, 10pm & 10:30pm to Sagada.

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I highly suggest to book in advance so you can choose your seat. Also book your trip going back to Manila from Bontoc as your pick up point.  

Below are the daily schedules and seat plan of Semi Deluxe and Super Deluxe Buses.

Daily Schedule

  

Semi Deluxe

Super Deluxe 

AT SAGADA

Upon arriving at SAGADA, go directly to Municipal Tourism Office to register, and pay the 35 pesos environmental fee.  They offer different tour packages that will suit your schedule. We recommend the Echo Valley Trail Adventure.  This includes the hanging coffins, cave, different rock formations, rice terraces, and Bokong Fall. Sumaguing cave and Kiltepan View packages are also available in the office.  Below are the breakdown of expenses.

Echo Valley Adventure Trail: Php 1000 

Sumaguing Cave: Php 500 
Kiltepan View: Php 500 
Shuttle for Sumaguing Cave AND Kiltepan: Php 350 

Echo Valley Adventure Trail

Bokong Falls

Sumaguing Cave

Kiltepan View

The first day activities are Echo Valley Adventure, and Sumaguing Cave, while Kiltepan View is on 2nd day.

Going to Buscalan, Kalinga via Bontoc

The last trip going to Bontoc is 11 AM.  The jeep to Buscalan  departs at 2:30 PM at Bontoc.  The travel time is 45 minutes to Bontoc and 1.5 hours going to Buscalan.  Please get in touch first with Mr. Johnny Tiggangay 0915 283 7885, tourism officer of Tinglayan, for guide and reservation of your stay.

Buscalan is on top of the mountain that requires great stamina. The climb will take you 30 minutes.

The community is on top

Cooking for our dinner

Meeting Apo-Whang Od and Other Tattoo Artists

Summary of Expenses

Jeep to Bontoc, last trip 11 am: P45 
Jeep to Buscalan – Bugnay junction; only trip 2:30pm : P100 
2 motorcycle rides: P100 (bridge is not yet completed)
Ecotourism fee: P75 
Overnight stay: P250 
Tour fee: P1000 for group of 3.

Going Back to Manila

You should leave Buscalan around 12 noon in order to reach Bontoc by 2PM  if your schedule is 3:30PM.  Buses from Sagada to Manila depart around 2PM and 3PM.

Pick Up Point in Bontoc

Summary of Activities

1st Day 

• Arrival at Sagada
• Your Pick Tour Packages e.g. Echo Valley Trail Adventure, Sumaguing Cave

2nd Day

• Kiltepan View
• Travel to Buscalan via Bontoc
• Overnight Stay

3rd Day

• Early Morning tattoo Session
• Back to Bontoc in the afternoon
• Travel from Bontoc to Manila.

Read: Sagada Municipality Released Tourist Guidelines 
Episode 1: 3 Days and 2 Nights: Sagada and Buscalan Adventure…Sagada
Episode 2: 3 Days and 2 Nights: Sagada and Buscalan Adventure…Buscalan Journey