Sagada: That Thing Called Adventure (And Sofia)

A few weeks ago, I invited my friends on a weekend trip to Sagada. 

Nothing fancy. 

It was just a quick escape and a break from life’s never-ending cycle of deadlines, responsibilities, and grind.

Most of them had excuses. 

Some were too busy, and a few left me on “seen.”

But one of them replied with a yes.

The only problem?

She had been dead for over two years.

The person I’m talking about is Sofia.

At first, I thought it was a mistake. 

Maybe there was a glitch in the Matrix.

Or perhaps it was one of those weird moments that made you question reality for a second. 

But the reply sounded like her.

She was excited and impulsive, just like the way she always was about trips we were never fully prepared for.

So, Sofia and I, along with a bunch of friends from Cebu, went on a quick trip up north to explore Sagada.

How did this trip pan out?

And more importantly, who on earth is Sofia?

Don’t worry.

This isn’t some horror movie plot. 

At least, I don’t think it is.

My Sagada adventure with Sofia 

Day 2 at 5 PM: Banaue Rice Terraces 

We would have never made it to the Banaue Rice Terraces if it wasn’t for Sofia.

Sofia, always the optimist, kept us moving. 

When things didn’t go our way, she made sure we pushed through.

I mean.

Our Sagada trip wasn’t exactly all rainbows, sunshine, and butterflies.

There were moments when I thought we wouldn’t have the chance to see the iconic Banaue Rice Terraces.

There were times when we needed someone to take charge and get us over the hump.

And Sofia did everything to make sure to get the best out of our trip.

It was like she always knew what to say to keep us going, even when I wasn’t sure she was really there.

When I was sleepy and exhausted from hours of travel, she kept my energy up.

I don’t even know how she did it.

Maybe it was the way she never seemed to run out of enthusiasm.

Perhaps it was the way she knew exactly what to say when I needed a push.

And as I admired the massive emerald terraces, I realized something.

Sofia had been right all along.

The best moments aren’t the ones you plan.

They’re the ones that find you when you least expect them.

Day 2 at 4 PM: The road from Sagada to Banaue 

Sometimes, I question my decision-making skills when I’m with Sofia.

Fearless, she has led me to many death-defying moments. 

Some were breathtaking and others were flat-out insane and borderline reckless.

And there were a few that made me seriously wonder if I had a death wish.

This drive was one of them.

This wasn’t even in our original itinerary.

The journey from Sagada to Manila was supposed to be simple. 

It was supposed to be a slow-paced drive via Baguio with a few stops along the way.

But nothing is ever simple when Sofia is involved.

Yes, we missed the Banaue Rice Terraces on day 1 because of miscommunication and a Google Maps blunder.

But isn’t it a better and safer idea to travel via Baguio instead?

After all, the driver wasn’t familiar with the roads in Banaue and Nueva Vizcaya.

Plus, this drive had so many obstacles and challenges, including sharp turns, limited visibility, and bad weather.

Did I mention that the road was steep and filled with debris caused by recent landslides?

Even with all these roadblocks, nothing was stopping us from seeing the Banaue Rice Terraces that day.

While it was a unanimous decision to go to Banaue, I could have prevented it because I knew how tough the road was months ago.

Still, Sofia has a way of convincing me to do these crazy things whenever we travel.

No one ever says no to Sofia. 

Not even me. 

Especially not me.

She’d always say “nothing grows from your comfort zone” and “the best moments aren’t the ones you plan.”

She may seem reckless and spontaneous, but she’s fearless and always finds a way to help me grow as a person.

And that’s one of the few things I admire about her.

Sofia wasn’t just about the thrill. 

She was the reason I learned to embrace the unknown. 

She had dragged me out of my comfort zone before and forced me to see the world differently.

And even now and even with everything I knew, I still listened to her.

Well, I just hoped this cold and foggy drive would have a picture-perfect payoff. 

Day 2 at 1 PM: Sagada Pottery

I wasn’t exactly sure what was next on our Sagada itinerary.

Whenever I’m with Sofia, itineraries and detailed plans don’t matter.

She’d always say, Que Sera Sera.

Whatever will be, will be.

From our Sagada accommodation, our guide picked us up to take us on a short drive to another attraction.

Along the way, I still wasn’t sure where we were going.

Was it Sagada Pottery or Sagada Weaving?

For some reason, it felt like the good old days again.

It transported me to the days when I was an indefatigable hiker and trailblazer.

There was a time when I embraced the unknown and thrived on detours.

It was an era in my life when adventure wasn’t planned, but chased without plans.

Back then, Sofia and I were inseparable.

She was always there on every unmarked trail, in every last-minute trip, and in every reckless decision that led to something unforgettable.

But life has a way of changing you.

You grow older, you get tired, and you start craving comfort more than chaos.

So, I abandoned Sofia.

I chose stability, predictability, and a life where every step was planned before I even took it.

But the thing about free-spirited wanderers like Sofia is they never really leave you.

They wait, until one day, when you least expect it, they show up again, pulling you back into the unknown.

Soon after, we arrived at our destination: Sagada Pottery.

I knew nothing about this pottery and had not read anything about it before the trip.

The thing is, Sofia and I don’t want spoilers. 

We don’t do thorough research about a place because we want to be surprised and blown away.

And it did blow me away.

I was amazed by the skills of the lady demonstrating how they created their pots.

And I was impressed by how they responsibly source their materials.

Then, out of nowhere, Sofia asked a question that most of us already knew the answer to.

That’s typical Sofia.

She never hesitates to say what’s on her mind, and she doesn’t give a damn if she looks ridiculous with her words.

From Sagada Pottery, we hopped back to our vehicle to make a stop at the next target destination: Sagada Weaving.

However, since time wasn’t on our side, we decided to skip Sagada Weaving.

Day 2 at 7:30 AM: On the way to Blue Soil Sagada

After leaving Marlboro Hills, we made our way to Blue Soil in Sagada. 

And things weren’t looking bright on this hike.

The fog hadn’t lifted a bit, and the air was still thick with the morning chill. 

And while the hike wasn’t difficult, the other tourists were already huffing and puffing.

Sofia, on the other hand, was just getting started.

It felt like Marlboro Hills was a warm-up for her.

Plus, her optimism never went down.

It was even infectious.

I was living in the moment, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

It’s not every day I see pine trees towering over me.

And it’s not every day I enjoy the company of a spontaneous, optimistic, fearless, indefatigable adventurer.

Along the way, we made stops to soak up the sights and breathe clean, crisp mountain air.

I was enjoying everything.

The people.

The scenery.

And the feeling of exploring a new place.

After a short break, we resumed our hike to see the otherworldly Blue Soil of Sagada.

As expected, Sofia remained tireless, always a few steps ahead, anticipating the changing landscape.

We kept on hiking until we noticed the landscape slowly changing. 

Moments later, we saw Blue Soil, an otherworldly sight hidden within the mountains of Sagada.

She was right. 

It was like stepping into a different world.

I saw many Blue Soil Sagada photos before, but standing there, surrounded by those pale hues, was something else entirely.

I would have never seen this if it wasn’t for Sofia.

Although I was the one who invited her, she was the one who pushed me to do this.

The truth is, I was a bit hesitant to visit Sagada with other people.

In the Philippines, Sagada is an extremely popular destination, meaning it’s crowded. 

And as a bona fide introvert, I don’t like being in places with thick crowds.

But once again, Sofia convinced me to do something I wasn’t used to or comfortable doing.

Day 2 at 4:30 AM: The hike to Marlboro Hills Sagada 

We arrived at the jump-off point to Marlboro Hills in Sagada pretty early.

It was dark, chilly, and somewhat chaotic with all the vendors and tourists in the area.

Armed with headlamps, we began our hike through the chilly Sagada morning.

The trail was crowded with hikers and tourists, hoping to see the mesmerizing sea of clouds of Sagada.

In some way, this hike reminded me of Mount Pulag.

Fortunately, the trail was wide and well-paved, allowing us to weave through the crowd effortlessly.

I always hike at my own pace.

Depending on my body’s condition, I can be ultra-fast and a little slow in hiking.

This time, I was in excellent condition, meaning I had to overtake a few groups and hikers.

But I wouldn’t be in this condition if Sofia wasn’t around.

A day earlier, she prepared me mentally to explore an enchanting cave in Sagada.

Her words of encouragement awakened the inner explorer and adventurer in me.

Of course, Sofia was buzzing with energy.

She was optimistic and excited to admire the stunning sea of clouds.

She said it would be absolutely stunning.

But I wasn’t so sure about that.

I’ve chased enough sunrises and mountains to know that nature doesn’t always cooperate.

And I felt like this morning was one of those times.

When we finally reached the top, there wasn’t a single sea of clouds.

I wasn’t wrong.

There was a sea of crowds, but that was not what we came there for.

All we saw was the thick, white, unmoving fog.

Surprisingly, Sofia was unbothered.

She stretched her arms, inhaled the crisp morning air, and smiled.

We were standing in front of a giant, blank canvas of nothingness, yet she was happy to see all of it.

I thought she was going to be frustrated.

I thought I’d complain about waking up so early for this.

But Sofia wouldn’t let me.

She had always seen beauty in places where others saw disappointment.

Sofia always finds joy in the experience itself, rather than the outcome.

And in that moment, I was infected by her optimistic energy and outlook.

She also mentioned that the best was yet to come. 

Sofia said the next stop would be surreal and feel like stepping into another planet.

Day 1 at 5 PM: Hanging Coffins of Sagada

It was late, and we still had a couple of Sagada attractions to see before we called it a day.

Earlier, we had a few wrong turns from Baguio to Sagada when our driver had problems with Google Maps.

But now, there was no more confusion.

 No more uncertainty about directions.

Only the certainty of time running out.

We had to move fast.

Since we arrived late and are on a tight schedule, this might be our only chance to see this mysterious and slightly eerie burial site.

And we did see the modern cemetery and the viewing deck.

Even better, we saw the Hanging Coffins of Sagada before it got dark.

Afterward, we went back to the base, snapped pictures of the beautiful church in Sagada, and called it a day.

We ate dinner, explored the town a bit, and went back to our homestay.

It was a nice and cozy place to stay in Sagada.

With consecutive sleepless nights and the cold Sagada weather, I fell asleep pretty quickly.

And Sofia’s words suddenly faded.

Day 1 at 2:30 PM: Sumaguing Cave

I’m not going to lie.

I was scared to explore Sumaguing Cave.

Heck, I even asked my friends in this group who had been to Sagada if it was easy or doable.

As someone who has climbed the highest mountains in the Philippines, I shouldn’t feel this way.

But ever since I injured my left ankle in Mount Kalatungan, something changed.

The fearless hiker in me faded. 

And in its place? 

Doubt. 

Hesitation. 

And a voice saying that I’m not the same adventurer anymore.

Before we entered the cave, I had imagined the slippery rocks, the deep, shadowy drops, and the uncertain footing.

I knew this was doable. 

I knew others had done it before.

But this cave still made me nervous.

And once again, Sofia came to the rescue. 

She reminded me of my mountain explorations and my major hikes in Mount Apo, Mount Dulang-Dulang, and Mount Hamiguitan.

Somehow, it was working.

I began to regain my confidence in every step and every challenging part.

And soon, we completed exploring this cave in Sagada, unscathed.

Day 1 at 11:30 AM: Our Sagada accommodations

We were late.

The wrong turns and detours from Atok to Sagada have affected our itinerary.

Thankfully, we had passionate guides who wanted to help us maximize our trip, despite the setbacks.

They told us to move on, let go of the past, and focus on the next Sagada activities.

Strange.

That’s something Sofia often tells me when things don’t go according to plan.

Day 1 at 10:00 AM: Lost in Luzon

Sofia had to take charge.

She had to be assertive to make sure we’d still safely reach Sagada, even if we’d be late.

That’s something I have learned from Sofia.

She taught me how and when to be assertive.

Sofia has helped me, a wallflower and introvert, expand my horizons and learn how to communicate effectively with others.

If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have survived as a leader in a corporate setting.

And I wouldn’t have traveled solo in many places across the country if she didn’t teach me how to be confident.

Eventually, Sofia figured it all out.

She found a way how to get back on track, and reach Sagada safely.

And we did get to Sagada, after some nervous and uncertain moments.

I wondered what our Sagada trip would have looked like if I hadn’t invited Sofia weeks earlier.

Weeks earlier 

I had no idea why I sent that invitation. 

Maybe it was habit, loneliness, or just deep down, I knew I needed her.

Sofia always says yes, to every detour, challenge, and idea that most people would hesitate to do. 

That’s who she is.

Or rather, that’s who I was.

Here’s the thing.

Sofia isn’t real.

She’s not real in the way people expect.

She’s a voice inside my head and the free-spirited person I used to be.

Or perhaps she’s the person I’m still trying to become.

She’s an acronym of one of my personalities. 

She is a Spontaneous, Optimistic, Fearless, Indefatigable Adventurer.

S-O-F-I-A.

She’s my other self, the part of me that refuses to be caged by society, logic, and responsibility. 

She’s the reason I book last-minute flights, the reason I step into the unknown without a plan and the reason I never say no to an adventure.

And for a long time, I thought I lost her.

Life happened. 

I grew up, got promoted, settled into a routine, and started measuring my choices in terms of risks instead of possibilities. 

Sofia faded into the background, drowned out by deadlines, analytics and practicality.

She was a part of me that once thrived in the unknown.

The part that chased trails instead of schedules.

The part that believed that the best moments weren’t the ones you planned.

At some point, I had let her go.

I had traded spontaneity for structure.

Adventure for routine.

Chaos for comfort.

And yet, she had never truly left.

She had just been waiting for the right moment to pull me back.

And when I invited my friends to Sagada, she came back.

Day 2 at 6 PM: Bound for Manila 

On our way back to Manila, I scrolled through my phone, looking at the photos from the trip.

Hiking trails.

Misty landscapes.

Laughing friends.

But I couldn’t find a single picture of Sofia.

I had spent the whole trip talking to her, listening to her, and following her lead.

But in the end, Sofia had only ever been a reflection of the person I used to be.

And hopefully, she’s the person I still could be.

I locked my phone, looking out the window at the city skyline.

The adventure was over.

But something told me this was only the beginning.

And that thing was called Sofia.

What province does Sagada belong to?

Sagada belongs to the province of Mountain Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of the Philippines.

Is Sagada farther than Baguio?

Yes, Sagada is farther than Baguio if you’re coming from Metro Manila or other lowland areas. Baguio City is about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from Manila, with a travel time of around 4 to 6 hours by bus or private vehicle. Sagada is about 395 kilometers (245 miles) from Manila, with a travel time of 10 to 12 hours, depending on the route and weather conditions.

What is the best season to go to Sagada?

The best season to visit Sagada depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for, but generally, the cooler months from November to February are ideal.

Why do tourists visit Sagada?

Tourists visit Sagada for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and thrilling outdoor adventures. This small town in Mountain Province is a top destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those looking for a peaceful escape.

How to get to Sagada?

The best and most convenient way to get to Sagada is to book an organized tour. It’s convenient, affordable, and ideal for people who are busy to plan their own trips. If you prefer to go with this route, I recommend sir Greg. He wasn’t the operator for our Sagada trip, but is one of the best out there.

Sample 2-day Sagada itinerary 

Day 0

• 09: 00 pm – Assembly time at designated pick-up point 
• 10: 00 pm – EDT designated pick-up point 

Day 01

• 06: 00 am – ETA Banaue
• 06: 30 am – Breakfast (own account)
• 07: 30 am – Banaue Rice Terraces View Point 
• 08: 00 am – EDT Banaue to Sagada
• 10: 00 am – ETA Sagada Echo Valley Tour 
• 11: 30 am – Early lunch (own account)
• 12: 00 pm – Check-in 
• 02: 00 pm – Sumaguing Cave – Lumiang Cave (optional)
• 04: 00 pm – Sagada Weaving
• 04: 30 pm – Sagada Pottery
• 07: 00 pm – Dinner Time (own account)
• 08: 00 pm – Socials

Day 2

• 04: 30 am – Marlboro Hills + Blue soil 
• 10: 00 am –  prep up 
• 11: 00 am –  early lunch + abandoned house
• 12: 00 pm – EDT SAGADA 
• 04: 30 pm – Atok Benguet (2nd Highest Point) 
• 06: 30 pm – ETA Strawberry farm (Early Dinner & Pasalubong Buying)   
• 11: 00 pm – ETA Manila