Sagada- Philippines' shangri-la

The Philippine version of Shangri-la, Sagada may not be Utopian but it is definitely remote and exotic. Located 275-km north of Manila (100-km from Baguio) near the provincial capital of Bontoc it's a long day's bus ride starting from the Dangwa bus station in Baguio over the narrow mountain tracks traversing the Cordilleras.

Popular as a destination of foreign adventurers, Sagada features caves that can be explored (even by non-experts) with the aid of local guides, an interesting hike along an underground river, a waterfall and pool to cool off in after a day of exploring, and a quiet serenity only found off the beaten path. The forebears of the current residents practiced an unusual burial practice by hanging and stacking coffins, hewed from tree trunks, in the limestone karst cliffs and caves near town.

Kiltepan sunrise

Sagada sunflower

Sagada's rice terraces

Mountaineer me?!

Bumod-ok falls

Lumiang cave

Photos by Shem