Hi, Guys.
Greetings from Mindanao! We are attending a conference in Baguio in October, 2008 and to want to visit Sagada(Sumaguing Cave) and Banaue(bangaan rice terraces) on our way back to Manila.
Please give us (20 pax) some info regarding:
1. bus lines and skeds from baguio to sagada with corresponding fare and travel time;
2. how to proceed from sagada to banaue, bus skeds and fare
3. is the banaue hostel still operational? if not, is there a dorm-type accommodation in banaue you can recommend and please advise re charge/pax/night
4. how to proceed to manila from banaue? bus lines and skeds and fare?
We really need your help regarding the matter as we are simple public sector employees (meaning tight-budget) who long to see these Philippine wonders .
Thank you and more power.
lolitda

1. lizardo bus' first trip is 5am bound for sagada, and every hour thereafter until 1pm. travel time is 6 hours.
2. from sagada, take a jeep to bontoc which is about 2 hours travel; from bontoc, transfer to another jeep going to banaue for another 1 hour ride (last trip leaves bontoc at 3pm).
3. yes, banaue hostel is still operational; there also other lodging houses that are reasonably priced.
4. from banaue, you can take either autobus or victory liner. not sure, but i think they leave around 5pm for manila. both have one trip only.

For TONS of information you can visit this site:

http://sagadagenuineguides.blogspot.com/

=)

The Banaue Youth Hostel has dorm beds in Banaue. Banaue to Manila buses leave at 5:30PM and 8PM.

tinamad ako sagutin questions mo, andami hehe.. check out my sagada page na lang, it'll help you, guaranteed. =)

... and my banaue page din pala.

You might also consider replacing Banaue with Malingcong, just 5kms from Bontoc. Pretty spectacular on a par with Banaue (was just there this morning). I also think that your timing will be unfortunate for the rice terraces because they will not be green - you are post-harvest. You might want to consider Batad or elsewhere if you want that vibrant green.

For a cheaper alternative to Sagada, but arguably more interesting (but no caves), consider Kalinga province for some seriously rugged trekking and interesting views of people, waterfalls, hot springs and, at that time of year, whitewater rafting.