Our Family Escape to Baguio That Somehow Ended Up in Sagada

The original plan was simple: take my parents’ newly purchased Nissan Terra out for a proper break-in drive, enjoy the cool weather in Baguio, eat good food, and spend some quality time together as a family.

Since Baguio has always been one of our favorite quick escapes from the city, it seemed like the perfect destination for our first long drive in the new SUV. We packed our bags, planned to simply look for and check into any available hotel upon arrival, and looked forward to a relaxing getaway in the City of Pines.

But as travel often goes, things didn’t quite go according to plan—in the best way possible.

One spontaneous decision led to another, and before we knew it, we were driving farther north through winding mountain roads on our way to Sagada. What started as a simple break-in trip for a brand-new Nissan Terra turned into an unexpected family adventure filled with breathtaking views, unforgettable experiences, and plenty of stories to tell.

This is the story of our family escape to Baguio… that somehow ended up in Sagada.

Our trip started at around 5 o’clock in the morning, when my kids and I were still half-asleep. Traffic was light at that time, so the journey only took about 5–6 hours, including toilet and snack breaks along the way.

We arrived in Baguio City at around 11 AM and spent some time driving around in search of affordable and available rooms for our short family stay—a simple getaway to unwind and de-stress.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to find accommodations that suited our preferences, and most of the places that did were already fully booked. We also noticed that the traffic in the city was much heavier than during our previous family trip a few years ago. If you’re looking to unwind and reconnect with nature, Baguio City may no longer offer the same peaceful atmosphere it once did.

On a spur of the moment, my hubby suggested that we continue driving all the way to Sagada for more nature vibes and serene landscapes. Since he was the one behind the wheel, he figured we could still make it there before nightfall if we left right away.

He wasn’t wrong.

I was completely in awe throughout the entire journey to Sagada. It was my first time visiting Mountain Province, and seeing the massive mountain ranges of the Cordilleras left me speechless. I couldn’t help but admire the breathtaking landscapes that seemed so beautifully crafted by God.

Truthfully, I am grateful that everything aligned for us to be there—the weather, the smooth ride, the experience, and the beauty of nature itself. It filled my senses with wonder and appreciation, despite the thrilling (and admittedly quite scary) drive along the cliffs. 😅

Along the way, we decided to book a decent hotel online while there was still mobile signal and enough battery left on my phone to do so. This is the kind of place where it’s best to secure accommodation before arriving because showing up without a place to stay is practically a very bad idea. 😅

We had lunch at around 2 PM at Bro’s Inasal in Buguias, Benguet. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take photos of the place, but I did manage to record a video, which you can check out through the links below this post.

The scenery there was absolutely beautiful. From the restaurant, you can see the vegetable terraces of Buguias, which are among the many stunning agricultural landscapes found in the Cordilleras. I’ve never seen anything quite like it before, and I would love to return someday to capture more photos through my phone’s lens. It’s a shame I forgot to take pictures while we were having lunch.

There were only a few vehicles traveling along the route, so I was surprised when I saw a bus making its way up the steep roads leading to Sagada. Being a ’90s kid, seeing a bus ahead of us on those mountain roads gave me chills—if you know what I mean. 😂

After several more hours on the road, we finally arrived at our accommodation, RedDoorz at Sagada Sunrise View Homestay, at around 6 PM. Tired from the long journey but excited for the adventures ahead, we settled in for the night.

The air was cold, and there was fog everywhere. The homestay was neat and had a rustic charm that perfectly matched the ambiance of the area. Since we arrived in the evening, we didn’t have much time to explore the nearby spots or take decent photos.

It was just the first day of March, and it was already somewhat chilly in Manila since January, so imagine how much colder it was in Sagada! Haha. After all, the town sits high up in the mountains. In fact, they don’t really need air-conditioning there, and many places can comfortably get by without electric fans for most of the year.

Compared to Baguio, Sagada felt significantly colder to me. Perhaps it’s because Baguio has become more urbanized over the years, with more buildings, vehicles, and people contributing to warmer temperatures.

Our room was cozy and comfortable enough for all five adults and two kids. However, it didn’t have a water heater, so imagine having to brush your teeth and take a quick shower using ice-cold water before crawling into bed and calling it a night. 😅

The next morning, we woke up at 5 AM to witness the magnificent sight of the sun slowly rising above the mountains. Watching the morning mist drift through the valleys as the dark sky gradually transformed into beautiful shades of gold and yellow was simply mesmerizing. At that moment, Sagada had officially stolen my heart.

That being said, I am now unofficially adding a trek to Mt. Pulag to my bucket list! Haha. As long as my knees can still keep up, of course.

My hubby isn’t exactly the hiking type, though, so I’m not entirely sure how that plan will unfold. 🥹

After savoring and capturing the beauty of the sunrise, we had breakfast at the homestay. To our surprise, the silog meals cost almost twice as much as what we’d normally pay in Manila. I can confidently say it was the most expensive silog breakfast I’ve had in my life so far. 😂

Still, with that breathtaking mountain view, the price felt justified. The food was delicious, the servings were larger than expected, and the overall experience was something we couldn’t have enjoyed anywhere else. So yes, my wallet may have flinched a little, but my stomach and heart were happy. 😅

*most expensive silog meals encountered so far 😅*

Since this was a spontaneous trip, we mostly explored Sagada at our own pace and missed some of the destinations that are usually included in a well-planned itinerary. If you’re thinking of visiting Sagada yourself, you may check out the links below for tours, activities, and experiences that can help you plan your adventure.

The usual check-out time for most accommodations is 12 noon. However, as much as I wanted to stay a few hours longer, we still had a long journey ahead of us and no idea what the road would bring. To make the most of the daylight and the favorable weather conditions, my mom decided that we should check out early, at around 9 AM.

Since the homestay had Wi-Fi, we took advantage of our internet access and used Waze to look for the best and fastest alternative route back home. We wanted to avoid the road we had previously taken, especially since we had encountered several roadworks and one-way traffic sections along the way.

Our chosen route led us through the Mountain Province–Ilocos Sur Road, also known as the Tagudin–Cervantes–Sabangan Road, which passes through Bessang Pass. And wow—what a drive it was.

The route had even more twists and turns than the one we took on the way to Sagada. It featured countless steep ascents and descents, dramatic cliffside views, and breathtaking mountain scenery that left me both amazed and terrified at the same time. It was one of those moments when you wish you could sleep through the scary parts while somehow staying awake to admire the view. 😅

As nerve-racking as it was, I’d love to return to Sagada and travel this route again someday. But next time, I’d probably say a hundred extra prayers for good weather and safe travels.

I also couldn’t help but wonder how people manage to drive along these roads during heavy rain, especially large trucks. Do they take a different route? Maybe. During our entire drive, I only remember seeing three or four vehicles passing through the same road. That alone made the experience feel both remote and unforgettable.

It was almost 3 PM when we finally started feeling hungry from all the traveling. We had already been on the road for nearly six hours and were only halfway home.

I searched for good restaurants along our route, and we eventually decided to have our late lunch at Denisia’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant. One of the things we immediately appreciated was the spacious parking area, as well as the small outdoor space where the kids could run around and enjoy the swing chairs while waiting for our food.

The meal was well worth the stop. The food was delicious, and the servers were warm, friendly, and accommodating. After hours of driving through winding mountain roads, it felt like the perfect reward.

It had been a long day, but by then, both our stomachs and our hearts were full.

*stopover at Denisia’s Grill and Seafood Restaurant*

Conclusion:

Looking back, what started as a simple family break-in drive for our new Nissan Terra turned into one of the most unforgettable journeys we’ve ever had. From the cool streets of Baguio to the unexpected detour into the breathtaking landscapes of Sagada, every twist and turn of the road gave us something to remember. It wasn’t just about the destinations—it was about the shared moments in between.

This trip reminded me that some of the best travel experiences are the unplanned ones. The long drives, the sudden changes in route, the chilly mornings, the fog-covered mountains, and even the tiring parts all came together to create something truly special for our family. It’s a kind of exhaustion you don’t mind carrying because it’s filled with meaning and memories.

If you’ve ever had a spontaneous trip that ended up becoming unforgettable, I’d love to hear about it. Have you been to Baguio, Sagada, or somewhere in the Cordilleras too? Feel free to share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below—I’d be happy to read them. ❤️