Trekking and Exploring Waterfalls

BOMOD-OK FALLS

Fidelisan, Sagada (c) Feona Imperial

One popular activity one should not miss when visiting Sagada is trekking. As part of our class’s field trip itinerary, we trekked to Bomod-ok Falls.

How to get there!

Bomod-ok Falls is a 20-minute jeepney ride from Poblacion to the basketball court (drop-off point) in Banga-an. Usually, the adventurers are accompanied by tour guides. 

The trek begins in a basketball court inBanga-an, the entry point to the villages surrounding the Bomod-ok falls. Unlike some other terraces, such trek is made easier through the concrete pathways or ‘pilapil’ built across the maze-like plan of the terraces.

Rice Terraces (c) Feona Imperial

Fidelisan (c) pasyalera.com

It involves passing through not only constructed pathways but climbing uphill and crossing to small bodies of water too.  

The whole trek requires endurance since it can last for almost 4 hours. The time and effort, however, is easily overcome by the picturesque scenery of the expanse of the mountains one can view all throughout the trek. 

(c) Feona Imperial

@ Bomod-ok Falls (c) Gio Mari Marcial

(c) pasyalera.com

Weary hikers can also enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water of Bomod-ok Falls. According to some guides and adventurers, visitors may trace where the water comes from only to find out a picnic grove. :)

Must haves:

* Comfortable and light clothing

* Comfortable and light shoes/ trekking shoes is better

* Walking stick

* Sunblock!

* Bandana

* Cap

* Water

* Money (for restroom purposes)

* Camera

BOKONG FALLS

It may not be as vast as that of Bomod-ok, but it gives an equal extraordinary experience. Situated in the outskirts of the central barangay of Patay, Bokong Falls or Small Falls is characterized by a deeper (20-ft) circular pool at the center.

(c) sagada-igorot.blogspot.com

(c) SAGGAS

"The pool basin as well as the precipice is constantly carved out of solid rock, the result of the continuous beating of the water as pushed downstream." It's beauty is accentuated by the view of the man-made terraces on it footpath. 


Compared to Bomod-ok, the water in Bokong Falls is less cold and is tolerable. There are no shower areas nor dressing rooms though, so hikers ought to change clothes either in waiting sheds or just let them dry. 

(c) lawstude.net

Also, it is relatively easy to hike up Bokong; no need for a guide unlike in Bomod-ok. The hike is even advisable to children. Nevertheless, much care should be observed when in the vicinity since the water level is known to drop dramatically from the periphery.

Sources:

http://sagada-igorot.blogspot.com/2009/11/sagada-waterfalls.html
http://www.visitsagada.com/2008/04/22/tour-bokong-falls-small-falls/