Sagada by way of Microtel Baguio

MANILA, Philippines - We have long dreamed of scratching Sagada off our bucket list of must-visits. So when we found out that Microtel Baguio was (still is, in fact) offering a Sagada package tour, we immediately said yes. This was our chance to fulfill that lifelong dream and it was unfolding right before our eyes. Maybe we should say, Sagada was rolling its welcoming road to us, a path that stretched and zigzagged for almost six hours.

It was, at least for this traveler, a relaxing trip, never mind the sometimes rocky road that jolted us out of our reverie. The calming vegetations, the brilliant morning sun and the reassuring blue sky were the perfect welcoming committee after having spent an evening at Microtel Baguio.

The hotel’s Sagada Tour includes three days and two nights’ stay, good for two persons, inclusive of breakfast and overnight stay at St. Joseph Rest House Sagada; private transportation (Baguio-Sagada-Baguio); and a local Department of Tourism-accredited tour guide. The package takes tourists to the famous burial caves, the Hanging Coffins, and Echo Valley.

We have always known Microtel to be a most trusted establishment, so we took the tour with confidence. As it turned out, Microtel did not disappoint. We appreciated that the transportation has been answered for. That meant traveling all the way to Sagada and back to Baguio in comfort.

Hanging Coffins

The prize, really, was experiencing what others before us have written and raved about. Sagada is the perfect retreat when one wants peaceful and restful vacation. One can just sit back, read a book, and basically just take in the cool weather and the fresh air – with one’s mobile phone turned off, preferably.

Visiting and viewing the Hanging Coffins, the burial caves, and the Echo Valley are a good change of pace from our tired city life. We were able to breeze through all three as soon as well arrived. That meant having enough time to go on our own to the popular Sumaguing Cave, which had interconnecting caves deep inside. If spelunking is one’s thing, then this kind of adventure will definitely work. First-timers may very well have to seek a guide when exploring the cave, tricky paths, dark tunnels, and all.

This was also our opportunity to try the local food offerings. Freshly made yogurt is aplenty in Sagada, and so are the fruits and vegetables. There are American and European cuisines, too, in the menu of Sagada’s restaurants. Some of these eateries are owned by foreigners who have fallen in love so hard for Sagada that they decided to settle here for good. We could definitely see why.

Microtel Baguio resident manager Dean Cid told us why they came up with this tour package. “We always want to offer activities for our guests. With our Sagada tour package, we would like our guests to experience Baguio and its neighboring destinations,” Cid said.

For the Sagada tour, Microtel Baguio has tied up with West Travel & Tours, a local travel agency for logistics and transportation. Cid explained: “We want to be assured that our guests will be well taken care of. We ensured that the travel agency has a comprehensive insurance. So whatever unexpected thing happens, guests will be covered. Microtel has them covered but we also want our guests to be covered outside of Microtel premises.”

Microtel Baguio (left) boasts of 60 comfortable, newly furnished rooms.

“Microtel Baguio will serve as the jump-off point to other memorable destinations. In fact, we have other tour packages should guests prefer to explore other options,” he added.

Cid was referring to the following good-for-two packages: Balatoc Mines Underground Tour, Countryside Tour, and City Tour. The former includes three days and two nights’ stay inclusive of breakfast; ride on the underground locomotive mine train in the famous Vegas Tunnel; and lessons on gold mining. Guests can even become a gold miner for a day, complete with miner’s gear.

The Countryside and City tours offer the same accommodations as the previous packages. The Countryside Tour takes visitors to the Kennon Zigzag View Point, the Philippine Military Academy, Easter Weaving School, Tam-awan Village, and La Trinidad Strawberry Farm. The City Tour brings guests to the mansion, Mines View Park, Camp John Hay, Ibay’s Silver Craft, Baguio Museum, Burnham Park, and the Lourdes Grotto.

“As you can see, it really is the total experience,” Cid said. “We even have a package where you can avail yourself of fares with Victory Liner, our partner. As you go around sightseeing, you have a place called home in Microtel Baguio.”

The hotel boasts of 60 comfortable, newly furnished rooms, each featuring Microtel’s trademark chiropractic healthy-for-the-back beds, cable television, and hot and cold shower, among others. We also cannot say enough how friendly and efficient the hotel staff is.

From left: the author, Microtel Baguio resident manager Dean Cid, business development manager Grace Magnaye, Alden Cedo, and Hatti Fausto.

Microtel Baguio is right in the city and is a neighbor of the Victory Liner Passenger Center. The hotel has its own bridgeway that connects it to the bus terminal, thereby providing greater access and security for its guests.

We can now say that we have finally scratched Sagada off our list. However, it does not mean we will stop visiting it again. Of course, we will. Thanks to Microtel Baguio, the best of Mt. Province has become more accessible than ever.

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Microtel Baguio is located on Upper Session Road in Baguio City. For more information, call (074) 619-3333 or (02) 899-7171, or e-mail at sales@microtel.ph. Visit the website at http://www.microtel-baguio.com/.