It’s the first place to go to after you’ve settled in one of the hotels, unpacked and have had your first meal. Sagada’s Echo Valley and the surrounding area provides a good overview of what to expect as you go around the town.
From the town hall, i.e. the Tourist Center, it’s a 5-minute walk up towards the hospital and to the right fork of the road. The first noticeable construction is an old Episcopal church and a 1921 bell immediately manifesting American religious influence in a town known for preserving its roots very well. Call it diversity and co-existence of convictions if you may, and is not much different from the Christian-Buddhist inclinations of the Chinese clans in Binondo.
Behind the church is the town cemetery where World War veteras’ graves are conspicuous even at a distance.
Further along is the great rock formation in the image above, marking the hillside walk to Echo Valley. A warning to those with fear of heights, it gets worse from here. The way is easy enough on a summer day, but things get a little more complicated after an afternoon rain shower (which are not very uncommon in Sagada – in my experience, it’s about only 1 in every 5 days where you get through the afternoon without a little rain).
After about 5-10 minutes of walking from the cemetery, one can already stop and do what most people come to Echo Valley for – SHOUT OUT LOUD to the other side of the hill! It’s amusing for the first five minutes, but if you’re anything like me, and does not get stoked at the sight of rock formations and flora and the occasional grazing fauna, it does get tiring pretty quickly.
One important thing to stress out is that tourists need to be very careful when walking around. While most spots around Sagada require you to be with an official guide, the Echo Valley is so accessible, it’s easy to forget that you’re walking on a cliff side. In 2005, a tourist fell off a cliff while taking pictures and was killed on the spot.
But it doesn’t end there yet! If you look close enough, from this distance one can clearly see the hanging coffins of Sagada’s deceased elders. There are two coffin clusters immediately visible, with more down the valley, obscured by the trees.
If you choose to go down the hillside, the Underground River awaits, and is also one of the entry points for the highly-prized Sagada Cave Connections.
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[...] strength. Despite being short on time, we still got to visit the Burial Caves, Sumaging Cave and Echo Valley. I was able to see a lot of things but it was disappointing that we didn’t get to see [...]
Pingback by Visit Sagada » Travel: My First Trip To Sagada — March 6, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
My guess is that most people who go to Sagada visit the place to SEE rock formations, hanging coffins and other things that aren’t in Manila. If they’re not into that then they shouldn’t have gone. Sagada is an outdoors person’s getaway.
Comment by Benj — March 14, 2008 @ 6:29 pm
Do you a guide to go these places? is trek shoes needed or just a plain sandals/ flip flops enough?
Comment by Karlo — April 4, 2008 @ 8:52 am
i mean do you need a guide? =)
Comment by Karlo — April 4, 2008 @ 8:53 am
Guide?
For a first timer, I guess you’ll need a guide. But personally, it’s so near and fairly accessible. Just watch your step. It’s a long way down.
As for shoes, yeah, flip-flops could work. It’s an easy walk. Of course, trek shoes would give you traction.
Comment by Benj — April 4, 2008 @ 11:03 am
[...] Echo Valley – Despite being very close to the town center, Echo Valley exudes a very serene atmosphere. As the name suggests, the valley’s topography is perfect for propagating echoes. [...]
Pingback by Visit Sagada » How To Tour Sagada — May 11, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
i love this place even as a first timer i was truly amazed and would plan to go back next year advice to newbies one trip is not enough!!!!
Comment by Maliksi — September 9, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
I was really charmed by Sagada. I’ve been there Dec of 2008. And have promised to go back. Unfortunately, was not able to make it last year. But this, time i’ll be true to my promise. I’ll be there by Mar 10-12,2010.
Can’t wait to see you again, serene and unique Sagada…
Comment by Ena — March 2, 2010 @ 11:57 pm
san naman po ako makakahanap ng tour guide? ako lang kasi mag isa and 1st time kong pupunta.. sa labas po ba ng mga hotels may mga tour guide ng available? safe naman po db?
Comment by ehra — March 7, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
1. Town hall.
2. Go to the town hall.
3. Of course it’s safe. Just be careful!
Comment by Benj — March 7, 2010 @ 9:44 pm
I went there alone with no guide or whatsoever. You won’t need a guide, just research the area before you go there.
Comment by Stan — August 15, 2010 @ 10:35 pm
[...] MORE… Posted in Travel « Bomod-ok and Bokong Falls, Sagada, Mountain Province, Luzon You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. [...]
Pingback by Echo Valley + Hanging Coffins of Sagada + Underground River | Backpack the Philippines — February 28, 2011 @ 11:47 pm