Viaje Sagada | Pongas Falls and the Death-defying Trek

This is probably the best part of the whole Sagada Adventure. Pongas Falls is certainly my most favorite destination in Sagada, it is a hidden wonder. But of course, getting into this hidden wonder is not just a piece of cake.

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Day 3 - October 31, 2011

The adventure has not yet halted for us who remained in Sagada. Our next destination would've been the long trek to Bomod-ok falls. But thanks to the newly assembled toll gate along the way to Bomod-ok, our dream of reaching the big falls was delayed for 20 hours (Bomod-ok Falls adventure moved to day 4's activity) .

The sudden change of plan was not really a big deal for us. Instead of taking Bomod-ok Falls, we just decided to take Pongas Falls which is found on the southern part of Sagada.

| Pongas Falls is the newest adventure being offered by SaGGAs. The Pongas Falls adventure was only 3 months old when we visited.

I was really excited to see this Pongas Falls which according to some blogs that I've read is composed of 7 falls. Another thing which made me more excited was the views of the Ankileng Rice Terraces while we're on the road to southern Sagada. After some 25 minutes, we reached the drop-off point.

Our guide told us that reaching Pongas Falls could be done in two exciting ways, one is via the river which is more fun and not so usual but will surely take a lot of time, and the other one is via the long trek along the Ankileng Rice Terraces. The rivering activity sounded more thrilling but since we arrived a little too late (around 4:00 pm), we did the trekking.

The trek started from a shaky hanging bridge then along the sidewalks of the rice terraces, we even passed by a local community. The first 20 minutes of the trek wasn't really that hard. I thought our trek will be just the typical follow-the-trail-until-you-reach-your-destination trekking. But I was so wrong with that. I realized after an hour that I was doing the most challenging trek I've ever done in my life, yet.

the hanging bridge to Ankileng

Robbie and Nikki walking along the side walks of the terraces

Cai and the kids of Ankileng

PTB Bagets in action

lakad pa rin

diyan lang naman kami pupulutin kapag nagkamali kami ng apak.

It was a death-defying trek, deep cliffs on our side, one mistake and we'll cease to exist (12 inches lang ata yung lapad nung nilalakaran namin). It was already 5:00 pm when we had our first sightings of the falls (#anggandalang). We continued our walk, crossed a river and climbed over a boulder then vwala, a hidden wonder welcomed us. At an instant, all the stress caused by the challenging trek are swept away. Amazement was evident, seen upon our faces. For me, it is the best waterfalls I've seen in my entire life.

first sighting of the falls

Kuya Andrew, our guide, at the Pongas Falls

my closest encounter with Pongas Falls

Pongas Falls ♥

After spending an hour savoring the moment with the falls, we left and started the trek back to where we came from. It was already 6:00 pm, darkness now rule over the sky. Our guide led us to another, even more challenging, a night trek. 

Something that I've never done, night trekking was totally the best part of this adventure. Equipped only with head lights and courage, the night trek was a blast. I really don't know how we were able to trek back the same trail we took earlier. If we move to our left we'll surely fall off the cliff, if we move to our right, our whole leg will sink in deep rice paddies. I'd rather get my feet dirty than die falling off the cliff.

Batang Lakwatsero, a certified night trekker

I don't mind getting my feet dirty

By 7:00 pm, we successfully passed Pongas Falls and its death-defying trek. We all deserve a sumptuous dinner at Yoghurt House.

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Viaje Sagada-Baguio Series, Sagada-Baguio Trip for 7D6N (Oct 29-Nov 4, 2011)

Viaje Sagada-Baguio |  Preview to my Sagada-Baguio Series - Preview

Viaje Sagada | The "Topload" Way to Sagada - Part 1

Viaje Sagada | No Sun at Kiltepan - Part 2
Viaje Sagada | I Survived Cave Connection - Part 3
Viaje Sagada | Lost in Echo Valley - Part 4
Viaje Sagada | Pongas Falls and the Death-defying Trek - Part 5
Viaje Sagada | Witnessing the Begnas Ritual - Part 6
Viaje Sagada | The Might of Bomod-ok Falls - Part 7
Viaje Sagada | Blazing Rituals of Panag-apoy - Part 8
Viaje Sagada | Indigenous Flavors of Sagada - Part 9
Viaje Sagada | Soloing the Hanging Coffins of Echo Valley - Part 10
Viaje Sagada | Foodtrip in Sagada - Part 11

Itinerary | Sagada 

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