In 2018, I had a 3-day trip to Sagada with friends and acquaintances.
The trip wasn’t perfect. We had bad weather, and two of us got minor injuries. We also missed some top attractions.
However, despite these setbacks, the trip ended up being very memorable for me and probably for most of our group.
From the beautiful hikes to the acoustic beer nights in the town’s cozy cabins, Sagada gave me memories I’ll cherish forever.
As far as having a unique experience in the Philippines goes, I can always recommend Sagada as a destination worth visiting. This charming, mystical mountaintop town is like no other in the country.
In fact, I can still remember our group inside the shuttle on the way home from Sagada. Everyone couldn’t stop talking about their amazing experiences, and almost everyone, including me, talked about visiting Sagada again someday.
Even after all these years and discovering more beautiful places, I still look forward to visiting Sagada. I have four reasons, and I’d like to share them with you.
1. To Experience More
One thing we realized after visiting Sagada is that three days there isn’t enough.
We left this small mountaintop town wanting more!
If you were in our shuttle as we went home from Sagada, you’d hear us swearing with all our hearts that we’d come back someday. One reason is that we want to explore more of its attractions.
Just so you know, during our trip, we only visited about a dozen of the town’s attractions.
One of them, Marlboro Hills, didn’t even turn out to be a good experience. It was supposed to be the highlight of our trip!
It made me feel like I missed out on the full beauty of Sagada.
… and absolutely, the experience was a tease that really makes me want to go back one day.
Knowing that I can relive amazing experiences and try new amazing attractions, I’m sure a second visit would be totally worth it.
When I go back, I will definitely visit my favorite places like the Blue Soil and Sagada Cellar Door.
If the weather is nice, I won’t miss the Kiltepan and Marlboro Hills viewpoints — places of interest offering a little adventure and a chance to see a sea of clouds.
If I visit Sagada with my parents or anyone who doesn’t like hiking but wants to see a sea of clouds, I’ll take them to Isangwow Cafe. It has a seating area where you can enjoy a possible view of the sea of clouds while sipping a hot cup of coffee.
Ah! Imagine that! I’m so excited.
I’ve already trekked two rice terraces before, but I’m eager to add Sagada’s Kapay-aw Rice Terraces to my bucket list.
During our trip, I noticed that Kapay-aw is smaller than the Batad and Maligcong Rice Terraces I’ve previously hiked.
However, I’m curious about the unique experiences Kapay-aw might offer, so I’m considering giving it a try.
I also want to learn more about the town’s heritage by visiting Ganduyan Museum and by making my own pots at Sagada Pottery.
2. The Sea of Clouds
I’ve traveled to many places and seen amazing things, but nothing has amazed me more than seeing a sea of clouds.
The first time I saw it, I almost cried from a mix of happiness, awe, and relief. It’s an indescribable feeling that I think I’ll always look forward to experiencing.
If you were with me on Mount Pulag, where I first saw the sea of clouds, you would have seen me jumping and laughing like a child who just got their long-awaited Christmas gift.
The sight of the sea of clouds made me so happy! LOL.
Even though I was with new friends, including some girls, I didn’t care how I acted. I was really happy and needed to express it. YOLO!
Since I didn’t experience a sea of clouds in Sagada (Marlboro Hills or Kiltepan viewpoints), it’s definitely one of the reasons I’m going back.
You might wonder, “Why see a sea of clouds again if you’ve already seen it?” Well, I’ve seen it many times, but each time, I fall in love with it even more. It amazes me every single time.
You’ll understand once you experience it for yourself.
Here are my tips for visiting Sagada, including the best time to see the sea of clouds.
3. Because… Mountains
My trips to the mountains, especially Sagada, have been my most meaningful travel experiences so far.
By visiting and climbing the mountains I taught myself the meaningful balance of life which can be simplified into four words: No pain, no gain.
The idea came to me during our talks on the hiking trails, where we often discussed the saying, “The best views come after the hardest climb.”
It’s a very long story, but from this quote, I learned that nature and universe works in balance, with opposite elements working together.
There’s positive and negative.
There are ups and downs.
There’s sacrifice and reward; the hard climb and the best views.
Guided by the idea of balance from the quote we discussed while hiking, I discovered more truths about life that helped me overcome challenges (my stressful 9-to-5 job specifically) and grow.
Some of these truths are:
- You can’t feel happiness without knowing sadness.
- Achievement loses its true meaning without humility.
In a way, mountains also made me wiser.
Still from the idea I got from climbing the mountains, I realized:
- That I should not avoid challenges so I may learn and grow.
- That I should not give up when I’m at my ultimate lows because it’s where I’ll bounce to reach new heights.
Heck, the idea of balance applies even to business and career building.
- You have to make mistakes to be successful.
- Growth and strength come from continuous effort and struggle.
Yes, when life pulls you back, like an arrow, it means it’s going to launch you into something great…
I’m going back to Sagada because I know the mountains always have something new to teach. I believe trips to the mountains are always productive, so I won’t hesitate to go again.
4. Moments with Loved Ones
Thinking about the great memories I made in Sagada, I wish I had shared them with my loved ones.
That’s why I want to go back to Sagada—to make those special moments again, but this time with the people I care about.
Have I mentioned how great Sagada is for bonding with family and friends?
In my opinion, the mountain lodges and cabin restaurants in Sagada are some of the coziest places in the Philippines for spending special moments together.
These lodges and restaurants have a mountain vibe that makes you feel like you’re not in the Philippines.
I love how they offer a unique, peaceful escape from the busy daily life, letting people focus on quality time and deep conversations.
I personally experienced this at Sagada Cellar Door, where my former coworker friends, new acquaintances, and I shared a night of stories, songs, and laughter.
The part I can’t forget is when we sang songs in chorus around the bonfire with the guitar I borrowed.
Sagada Cellar Door isn’t the only place where unforgettable moments with friends and family can happen. Another is the cafe I mentioned earlier: Isangwow Cafe.
I can only imagine how lovely it must feel to share a moment with loved ones, beholding a sea of clouds while sipping a cup of coffee.
Final Thoughts
Now when I think about Sagada, it’s the memories I can create with my loved ones that inspire me the most to return.
Sagada is a special place, and sharing it with the people I care about makes for perfect travel memories that bring me happiness.
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