'Byaheng Victory' goes to Sagada
MANILA, Philippines - It’s more fun in the Philippines. And there is this one place in the country best known for its cool weather, courteous folk, awe-inspiring landscapes, and a load of gripping adventures — Sagada.
The best time to travel to Sagada is from December to May. For first-timers, it’s the Sagada locals who would make such a great impression. They seem to be trapped in their traditional way of life, greeting strangers and tourists with timid smiles yet serving them heartily. There are lots of inns and lodging places in Sagada, same with numerous diners and eateries. The crime rate is relatively zero with most inhabitants familiar with one another.
This highland town is also famous for its centuries-old hanging coffins, lush rice terraces, majestic pines, and addictive aromatic coffee, the Arabica, and mountain tea.
But what adventurers like the most about the place are its caves, famed for their intense spelunking experience.
On June 9-12, “Byaheng Victory” invites travelers to explore, discover and enjoy Sagada like they have never done before.
With Travel Factor, one of the biggest adventure tour providers in the country, every Byaheng Victory tour is likely to be unusual and amusingly unforgettable.
They are the same group that brought the distinctly successful Visita Iglesia Road Trip in Pampanga last Holy Week and the trekking adventures in Mt. Pinatubo in Pampanga and Mt. Pulag in Benguet.
These tours are under their “tunay na (real) joyride” campaign, the Byaheng Victory, a series of local group tours initiated by premier bus transportation company Victory Liner.
What to expect?
• Spelunking at the Sumaguing and Lumiang Caves, an easy trek with a number of amazing rock formations made even fascinating with their naughty names such as the King, the Queen, and the Giant Fudge, among others.
The more able and daring ones may opt for Lumiang Cave with its slippery slopes, skimpy entrances, and coffins at an arm’s length.
• Sing or shout at Echo Valley. One will start his trek from above and as he treks down the valley, lots of pine trees, lush greenery, and gigantic stones will welcome him until he is led to the hanging coffins. As the name suggests, shouting there will produce echoing sounds.
• Eat, drink and be merry. Sagada has a number of real good diners, each promoting its own specialty. The Yogurt House is a cozy restaurant that offers, aside from yogurt, pasta, rice dishes and vegetable salads. Servings are pretty huge and can be shared by a couple or may be consumed by one hungry soul.
Sagada Lemon Pie House is another unique establishment offering lemon pies and hot lemon tea with free access to the Web.
Sagada is just a small town yet it offers more than these. First-timers will fall in love with the place and frequent travelers will repeatedly come back again.
Only 45 slots are available for the Sagada tour. Reserve a seat now for as low as P4,950.
The tour package includes bus and jeep transfers, lunch, dinner and breakfast, tour guides and conservation fees, travel insurance and a Byaheng Victory souvenir item.
Assembly is late night of June 9 at Victory Liner Cubao station. Participants are expected to be back in Manila early morning of June 12.
For reservations, call (632) 746-5119 or 0917-8475341, e-mail at tours@travelfactor.org or visit www.travelfactor.org. Like facebook.com/byahengvictory and follow at twitter.com/byahengvictory.
