Ganduyan is the former name of Sagada and it is famous for its natural beauty, its culture and the warmth of its people- the Igorots. The town is located at the Cordillera Mountain ranges in Northern Luzon, Philippines. The word Igorot came from the root word "golot" meaning mountain and it is also the term for mountain people. The Igorot culture is also one of the many reason why Sagada and other parts of the Cordillera is being visited by tourists.
The name Sagada came about when a group of Spanish soldiers coming from Besao met a man near Danum Lake who was carrying a bamboo basket for catching fish. The soldiers asked the man what the name of the next place was. Thinking that they were asking what he was carrying, the man answered, "sagada." From then on the settlement of Biag went down on Spanish records as Sagada.
Popular activities in Sagada includes trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites, nature hikes, and participating in tribal celebrations.
The name Sagada came about when a group of Spanish soldiers coming from Besao met a man near Danum Lake who was carrying a bamboo basket for catching fish. The soldiers asked the man what the name of the next place was. Thinking that they were asking what he was carrying, the man answered, "sagada." From then on the settlement of Biag went down on Spanish records as Sagada.
Popular activities in Sagada includes trekking, exploring both caves and waterfalls, spelunking, bonfires, picnics, rappelling, visiting historical sites, nature hikes, and participating in tribal celebrations.
Located in Sitio Patay, Lake Danum is approximately four kilometers from Sagada Municipal Hall. With its grssy and tree shaded ground, it is perfect place for camping or picnic, and serves as jump-off point to a Mt. Ampacao trek.
Sumaguing and Lumiang Cave. For the more adventurous person one can enter the Sumaguing Cave and exit at Lumiang Cave. At the entrance of Sumaguing cave you will be welcomed with some coffins and human remains that can be seen. There are a lot of small passages that will lead you to the exit which is Lumiang Cave. This activity requires tourists to rappel, crawl, hike, climb and pass thru pools of water. Here you will be able to see the famous rock formations such as rice granary, giant cauliflower, and the Kings Curtain. Upon reaching the exit which is Lumiang Cave you will be able to see a lot of bats at the ceiling of the cave.
Mt. Ampacao is considered as the highest peak in Sagada, thus it offers a breath-taking view of the town and It only takes 40 minutes of walk to reach it coming from the town center.
Hanging Coffins in Echo Valley, Sagada, are predominantly reserved for Igorot elders with families, because it is believed that the younger generations will benefit spiritually from the success of the ‘burial.’ Family members may also wish to carry the corpse to its waiting coffin at the cliff edge in order to be contaminated by the bodily fluids which are thought to contain the talent and luck of their dead relative.
Sagada Weaving is located about half a kilometer before reaching the main Sagada Municipal Building. It is well known to be one of the original sellers of native weaven cloth and for the good quality of the weaved products. There are different kinds of products offered from simple coin purse to the big travelling bags.
Standing proud at the heart of Sagada is a monumental stone church built by American Missionaries during the early 1900’s, The Saint Mary Episcopal Church. The church was founded by the Reverend John Staunton who came to Sagada to spread the Christian faith to its local people.
This picturesque place of century old coffins and beautiful lime stones got its name Echo Valley from the echoes created when one shouts at a distance from the road side.
Bomod-ok Falls in Barangay Fidelisan is probably Sagada’s most popular waterfall. It also means big as there’s also the smaller one, Bokong Falls.