Sagada & Batad 3-Day Budget Itinerary
My friends and I have this yearly holy week escapade and this year was totally amazing. This is not the perfect trip but this is the most awesome outdoor experience that we all did together. We did trekking, caving and spelunking in Sagada and lived like natives while savoring the awe-spiring, breathtaking stairway to the skies in Batad, Ifugao.
This is a 3-day budget travel itinerary to Sagada and Batad which all of you can follow step by step. I want to share with you all you need to know before you visit these two beautiful places in the northern part of the Philippines. All about tourism, tour and guide fees are detailed in the itinerary at the last portion of this blog.
Shall we begin? ?
What to Do in Sagada?
•Adventure Trail
The Adventure Trail consists of a 3 hours trek to the Echo Valley Hanging Coffins passing by the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, entering the Sagada Underground River. This includes forest trails and river crossing. (The trail can be finished in 1.5 hrs).
- Church of St. Mary the Virgin
- Sagada Bell
Forest trail.
This the Echo Valley viewing station. It is called Echo Valley basically because you can hear your voice echoing loud and clear when you make a sound or shout atop. lol
Sagada Hanging Coffins
Sagada is very rich in history and has a unique funerary customs. The people of Sagada claims that this is a 2000 years old burial custom. According to the locals, when a person died, they let the dead body sit on the chair in order to achieve a fetal position, cover it with blanket, put in the coffin and hang by the cliff. This is the belief that a person must exit the world as he entered it like a fetus. And that should be hanged up the cliff so that the dead person will be closer to heaven and their ancestral spirits.
According to also to our tour guide, the main reason why coffins of the Igorot tribe are hanged is in order not to be eaten by dogs or other wild animals if buried in the ground. This is a fascinating burial custom but some historians do not account the claim of said practice as they lacked written evidence.
The trail to the underground river.

River crossing.
Sagada Underground River
We passed through these beautiful wild flowers on the trail…
And red cabbage farm.
End of Adventure Trail.
•Cave Connection
A 40 minutes walk to Lumiang Burial Cave entrance passing by Dokiw Hanging Coffins, emerging at Sumaguing Cave. A 3-4 hours exploration inside the cave. This is a physically demanding activity so be ready before doing this. (This can also be finished in 2.5 hours depending on your pace).
Entrance to Lumiang Burial Cave
Lumiang Cave
Sumaguing Cave
- Mother’s womb or a butt? ?
- Frog pool
Some weird stone formations inside the cave.

I finally saw the light…?Yey! I survived Lumiang and Sumaguing cave connection.
•Kiltepan Sunrise Viewing
Enjoy the morning breeze and mesmerizing sea of clouds at Kiltepan.
Where to Stay in Sagada?
•Panyero’s Homestay

What I like about Panyero’s Homestay is that it is located at the heart of Sagada. It is 2 minutes walk to Tourism Office and 5 mins walk to famous restaurants and cafes. It is also clean and the owner is very nice. The wifi is good of course and just around $5 per night. ?
Do you want other hotels? Book here TravelBookPh
Where to Eat in Sagada?
•Bana’s Cafe
They said Bana’s Cafe have the best breakfast in Sagada. And they are right.
When you visit the cafe, you got to try their civet coffee espresso and experience a Pinoy style breakfast at Bana’s Cafe.
- Civet coffee espresso
Celebrate morning at Bana’s cafe with a great view of these flowers.
•Marfere Country Inn & Restaurant
Located at the heart of Sagada, Masferre offers good food choices. We ordered Pinikpikan and some pork barbecue when we had our dinner.
•Yoghurt House
They have one of the best desserts in Sagada. Yoghurt House also serves western cuisines, mostly pasta, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, steaks and hams.
And of course, your visit to Yoghurt house will not be complete without trying their famous yogurt bowls.
- Yoghurt with Sagada Honey
- Banana, Granola and Strawberry Yoghurt
•Sagada Lemon Pie House
They have a nice interior too and you got to experience a japanesese seating style.
Where to Eat in Banaue?
•7th Heaven’s Cafe
What to Do in Batad?
•Sight-Seeing at Banaue Rice Terraces
Batad Rice Terraces – A UNESCO Heritage site.
The Tappiya falls was closed for trail construction when we visited. Don’t miss it when you come by Batad.
Where to Stay in Batad?
•Ramon’s Homestay
Mang Ramon and his family is well-known in Batad, Ifugao. His homestay is always chosen by the travelers around the world because of the Nipa Hut experience and his knowledge in history. He has been featured several times in television and prints.
Do you want other hotels? Book here TravelBookPh
This is an almost 100 years old Nipa Hut or “no nail” house. Hut 2 is a special hut because Mang Ramon, the owner, was born there. We were honored to have slept in that hut and we have enjoyed the experience. Sleeping in a nipa hut means no comfort room and no light. We just had our sleeping mats with mattress. And if you got to pee in the middle of the night, you need to go down to the common comfort rooms.
It was a fun experience to wear the native Ifugao attire.
We had a souvenir photo with the famous Mang Ramon and his cousin. We were lucky because not everybody got a chance to see him in person. Mang Ramon really speaks the English language so well.? I heard him being interviewed by an American traveler. I was amazed.?
Here is our detailed itinerary. We are a group of 4 friends. It is recommended to travel in a group in order to save from tour and transportation rates.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 0
9 pm – Cubao-Sagada via Coda Lines (P720 Regular AC, P1050 Super Deluxe)
Day 1
8:00 am – Arrival in Sagada
8:20 am – Register in Tourism Office (P35 Environmental Fee). Check guided tours.
8:30 am – Check-in Panyero’s Homestay (P300/night)
10-11:00 am – Brunch at Bana’s Cafe (P180)
11:30 am – Start Adventure Trail (P800/person adventure trail+cave connection, 3 hours trek to Echo Valley Hanging Coffins, passing by the Church of St. Mary’s the Virgin, enter Sagada Underground River). Includes forest trails and river crossing. P10 environmental fee per peson.
2:00 pm – Cave Connection (Lumiang Burial Cave entrance, passing by Dokiw Hanging Coffins, connecting to Sumaguing Cave). 3-4 hrs cave exploration which we have finished in 2hrs.
4:30 pm – Back to hotel
7:00 pm – Dinner at Masferre (P92)
8:00 pm – Visit souvenir shops (P450) optional
8:30 pm – Snacks at Yoghurt House (P120)
9:30 pm – Back to hotel
Day 2
4:30 am – Kiltepan Sunrise viewing (P85/person or 6/500 per van or jeepney rental – minimum of 11)
7:00 am – Breakfast at Sagada Lemon Pie House (P160)
8:00 am – Back to hotel
9:30 am – Travel to Bontoc (P50)
10:30 am – Arrival in Bontoc
11:00 am – Depart Bontoc to Banaue with stop-over at Mt. Polis (P150)
1:00 pm – Arrival in Banaue and Registration at Municipal Tourism Center (P30)
1:20 pm – Late lunch at 7th Heaven’s Cafe (P162)
2:00 pm – Viewpoint Sightseeing at Hiwang Village (P30 entrance, P100 transpo/person)
3:00 pm – Travel to Batad (P250 trike/person or P150 jeep until 3 pm only)
3:50 pm – Arrival at Saddle point
4:20 pm – Trek down at Ramon’s Homestay (P250/night). We stayed at Nipa Hut #2 which regular rate is P300/person because there’s no more available regular rooms.?
4:30 pm – Start Sightseeing (P100/person)
6:30 pm – Back to Ramon’s Homestay
7:00pm – Dinner (P140)
9:00pm – Lights out
Day 3
6:00 am Wake-up call
7:00 am Breakfast (Cup noodles)
7:30 am Photo ops with Mang Ramon with Ifugao native costume (leave token)
8:10 am Trek up to catch the 9 am public jeepney to Banaue
9:00 am Left for Banaue
9:10 am Arrival in Banaue (P150)
9:20 am Banaue to Solano, Nueva Vizcaya (P105)
12:30 pm – Lunch at Kaboodle Grill (P200)
1:30 pm – Solano to Cubao/Manila via Tuguegarao buses (P350)
10:30pm – Arrival in Manila.
EXPENSES
Total – P4,889 (almost US$100) each
HOW TO GO THERE
- Coda Lines – bus direct to Sagada. Book here http://www.phbus.com/coda-bus-lines/
- Ohayami Trans – bus from Manila to Banaue only. Book here http://ohayamitrans.com/book-now.html
- Dangwa Tranco Inc. – Manila to Banaue only via Solano. For more inquiries: (02)781-5849 / (02)743-3809
CONTACT
Sagada Municipal Tourist Information Center located at Poblacion, Sagada, Mountain Province, Phils.
Email Add: sagada.mayor@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/sagadatourism
Tour Guide in Batad – Jonathan
Cellphone #0928-3328592
Have a fun visit to Sagada & Batad! ?
May 3, 2017 @ 7:30 pm
Your photos are beautiful and really interesting. This looks like something for you younger people to enjoy with all the hiking and stuff. But when I was in my younger days I would have loved to visit and explore.
May 3, 2017 @ 7:43 pm
I’ve never been to Sagada or Batad but they both seem like such gorgeous destinations. They views from the Batad Rice Teraces are simply breathtaking.
May 4, 2017 @ 8:38 pm
It’s a UNESCO Heritage site..
May 3, 2017 @ 8:28 pm
Wow, I love all these photos! I need to get here, stat. One day, I hope.
May 3, 2017 @ 9:15 pm
Oh my gosh you make me want to go there right now! What an interesting area of the world. I have never ever even heard of those hanging coffins! I totally can’t wait to go on a trip like this.
May 3, 2017 @ 10:59 pm
What an awesome adventure! These pictures are phenomenal and I’m sure they don’t do these places justice. I would love to go to both of these places.
May 3, 2017 @ 11:11 pm
Wow, these photos are incredible – what a journey! Those hanging coffins are so unusual…I would love to see and take pictures myself.
May 3, 2017 @ 11:42 pm
My family and I are SO going to Sagada and Batad on our next trip! I can’t believe how beautiful it is there. It’s totally amazing.
May 4, 2017 @ 12:15 am
This 3-day budget travel itinerary to Sagada and Batad sounds like fun! I’m thinking the same approach could be done with any other type of trip? I’d love to see the Philippines one day. I searched Sagada Hanging Coffins because I wanted to learn more about this unusual practice. Your pictures look amazing and you wrote a lot of recommendations of places to visit and eat.
May 4, 2017 @ 8:34 pm
Go visit the Philippines! 🙂
May 4, 2017 @ 12:23 am
Wow, it looks like so much fun! I honestly have never even heard of this place before today, however now I’m intrigued to read up on it more!
May 4, 2017 @ 8:33 pm
The rice terraces of Batad is a UNESCO Heritage site. 🙂
May 4, 2017 @ 12:48 am
Wow! This looks incredible! My husband and I have been talking about exploring the world with our girls and I think I will have to add Sagada and Batad to the list!
May 4, 2017 @ 8:32 pm
Yes! it’s a UNESCO Heritage site, so you should visit Batad.
May 4, 2017 @ 2:24 am
I have never heard of this place but it looks amazing!! The views are gorgeous and that is one hike I wouldn’t mind going on.
May 4, 2017 @ 2:56 am
Wow what an amazing looking place to visit, how eeary does the wall of coffins look. Thank you for sharing your photos.
May 4, 2017 @ 3:31 am
Ahhh SO jealous! THIS is my kind of trip! Eco Adventure is THE BEST! I also would love to eat at Bana’s Cafe!
May 4, 2017 @ 3:36 am
This seems like an amazing adventure and the coffins hanging off the cliff? I have never seen anything like this and the story behind it just gave me chills! Cave’s are my thing! If I know I’m going somewhere on vacation that has caves, I’m all in and this cave looks so much more amazing than the ones I’ve been in. I would LOVE to be able to travel to such places like these!
May 4, 2017 @ 8:32 pm
They are amazing!
May 4, 2017 @ 3:45 am
This is such a beautiful post!
Your pictures are stunning, and the details about everything you saw and learned are just beyond words. I can not imaging ever wanting to leave 😉
May 4, 2017 @ 6:39 am
Your trip looks amazing through the photo journey. I would love to visit some day!
May 4, 2017 @ 7:07 am
This looks like amazing places to explore. I am always looking for new travel destinations. I love your photos.
May 4, 2017 @ 7:55 am
This sounds like an amazing a 3-day budget travel itinerary to Sagada and Batad. It would be interesting to stay in a Nipa Hut that is that old and to learn all of this awesome history. This would be something I would love to do one day. Thanks for sharing all your amazing itinerary with all these historical sights and your awesome experiences.
May 4, 2017 @ 8:01 am
My goodness .. what incredible photos. They are as pretty as postcards. The Batad Rice Teraces are so cool .. especially from the overhead view. And the Kiltepan sunrise is spectacular. Way to go Mother Nature! Thank-you for sharing these two very special places with your readers
May 4, 2017 @ 8:39 am
What a very interesting place to visit. Those hanging coffins really surprised me. Beautiful photos!
May 4, 2017 @ 9:08 am
This sounds like such an amazing adventure. You did so much cool stuff. I don’t know if I would be save enough to o explore those caves. I get claustrophobic.
May 4, 2017 @ 10:20 am
This 3-day budget travel itinerary to Sagada and Batad sounds like a great adventure! My husband hope to do trips like this after the kids are a bit older. A great way to see the country and be adventurous!
May 4, 2017 @ 11:47 am
There were some interesting sites on this trip. Those hanging coffins are interesting to say the least. It is fun to study some of the customs of other cultures,
May 4, 2017 @ 12:01 pm
All of your photographs are gorgeous!! Those hanging coffins are interesting!
May 8, 2017 @ 11:40 am
Thanks Ricci 🙂
May 4, 2017 @ 7:37 pm
What an incredible trip! Sounds like there are so many amazing things to see. I would love to go to a place like this, where you can check out history, scenery, good food, etc.
May 4, 2017 @ 9:04 pm
I always think caves are an awesome place to explore until entering one and start to get clastrophobic! ugh! What a great adventure you had I enjoyed reading about it.
May 4, 2017 @ 9:07 pm
Wow this looks like such a great place to visit. Such pretty places to see and enjoy. I need to look into this place!
May 4, 2017 @ 9:35 pm
There are so many beautiful pictures here that it’s hard to narrow it down to ones I like. I like pretty much them all. The cave looks like it was a lot of fun. But the hanging coffins one . . . it just does something to me. I’m not sure what I feel about it but it does move me.
May 4, 2017 @ 10:54 pm
That place is stunning! The rice terraces are so beautiful, it is really worthy to be tagged as a UNESCO Heritage site. The hanging coffins and the underground river sounds like unique places to visit!
May 4, 2017 @ 11:38 pm
Been to both places and it is sure one of my memorable trips. After bearing the long road trip the view and scenery to this haven town is all worth it. The Lemon pie in Sagada lemon pie house is a hit and everyone should try their regular egg pie it is delicious as well. Just a tip ordering food in rests in this place takes time so one should have a little patience.
May 4, 2017 @ 11:49 pm
Wow. I really enjoyed looking through your trip and if we ever plan on visiting this country for a trip, I will have to refer back to your blog on some budget tips! I love that you captured everything that you all did so beautifully. Your pictures were breath taking. <3
May 5, 2017 @ 12:45 am
What a fun hike! Love the butt rock-interesting shape there. I would love to roam this area
May 5, 2017 @ 1:03 am
Those are some very beautiful photos. I’d love to take a trip here sometime. I think it would be fun for my husband and I.
May 8, 2017 @ 11:26 am
Thank you. Pls. do visit. 🙂
May 5, 2017 @ 1:15 am
Well this place looks amazing! I love taking new adventures. I had never heard of this place before but I am intrigued to find out more about the location.
May 5, 2017 @ 2:48 am
I had no idea there were so many things to do in Sagada Batad. So beautiful there!
May 8, 2017 @ 11:25 am
Thanks Kelly!
May 5, 2017 @ 3:14 am
I definitely would enjoy taking a trip here. The Sagada Underground River seems most fascinating.
May 5, 2017 @ 4:32 am
This is something I would like my children to see when we visit Philippines. ARe those purple cabbage edible?
May 8, 2017 @ 11:25 am
Yes, they are edible. It may sound weird but they call it red cabbage. lol
May 5, 2017 @ 4:40 am
OMG. This looks like an amazing adventure! I’ve never heard of this location but your itinerary shows it’s a great place to visit. I love hearing of different cultures, but I’m not sure how I would have handled seeing the coffins. I know death is a fact of life, but to have it out in the open like that? But, it’s an interesting theory of how we should leave our bodies the same way we come in. And love your shadow posts! Those were awesome!
May 8, 2017 @ 11:23 am
Thank you Jacqui! 🙂
May 5, 2017 @ 8:31 am
These photos are so lovely and beautiful! I really want to travel around the world and my next destination is Philippines! I would love to visit Sagada soon.
May 5, 2017 @ 10:13 am
This is really great place to go! love this so much! It is really awesome and exciting!
May 5, 2017 @ 1:35 pm
My friend went there earlier this year and I was also amazed at her photos. I would love to go one day.
May 8, 2017 @ 11:22 am
Please do! Sagada is great and Batad is heavenly.
May 5, 2017 @ 1:55 pm
I would love to be there and witness that beautiful sunrise. So awe-inspiring. I wish to be in a lot of places but it is the time, the responsibility and the finances that hold me back. Someday, I know, someday.
May 8, 2017 @ 11:21 am
Please visit Sagada & Batad!
May 6, 2017 @ 4:06 am
Your photos are amazing. I would love to do the adventure trail and explore those caves.
May 8, 2017 @ 11:18 am
Thank you Claire!
May 6, 2017 @ 6:09 am
Great travel recap on a budget. I would love to try the Lemon Pie House.
May 6, 2017 @ 8:58 am
What a beautiful trip. Those Batad Rice Terraces are gorgeous. And the caves, I’d definitely love to do those. It looks like you had a blast. I’d most definitely love to visit Sagada and Batad!
May 6, 2017 @ 1:56 pm
The hanging coffins are a bit unsettling, yet fascinating at the same time! I’m surprised that I have never heard of them before.
May 6, 2017 @ 3:36 pm
omg you captured some awesome moments. love love love
May 6, 2017 @ 10:50 pm
Sagada and Batad are definitely very scenic with a lot of places to explore. The hiking and spelunking are right up my alley. I would love to go for a visit one day.
May 7, 2017 @ 11:48 am
The hanging coffins are so cool to learn the history behind, being closer to heaven and keeping the bodies from being eaten by dogs! Looks like an amazing journey to experience!
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
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May 8, 2017 @ 10:58 am
Love your photos of that amazing trip… I would like to go on that adventure some day, looks educational to dive into another culture and it also looks fun!
May 8, 2017 @ 11:17 am
Thank you. Batad is stunning!
May 8, 2017 @ 8:46 pm
That is absolutely stunning. A friend of mine from the Army ended up marrying a Pinoy woman and he plans to retire there when he’s done. It’s stunning.
May 9, 2017 @ 9:44 am
Those rice terraces look beautiful and the food is making me hungry! looks like a fun time.
May 11, 2017 @ 10:06 pm
Sagada Batad looks like the perfect adventurers’ destination!! So many things to learn, explore and discover!! I love it!
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Im planning to drive to sagada thru baguio. Im thinking if i cn also drive fr sagada to batad? Or shld i leav the car at sagada and take public commute to Batad?
Fr sagada, can i jz do a day trip to batad? (We jz want yo see the rice terraces). Cn we leave by 9am and get back to sagada by 6pm?
May 8, 2018 @ 11:37 pm
Hi I am sorry for late reply. I was away for some time. I think it will be unwise to leave your car in Sagada then go back again after you go visiting Batad. If you leave Sagada at 9am and do public transpo, that would take you 3-4 hours depending on availability of public utility vehicles. Let’s say you arrived in Batad around 1pm. You will not have enough time to see Batad as the last trip of jeepneys from there is 3pm. It’s quite tiring to do a day trip to Batad from Sagada. I would suggest you to use your car, stay overnight and leave in the morning for you to experience the beauty of Batad.