Hanging Coffins of Sagada: Dark Tourism 2024
If you’re looking to discover the ancient traditions and beliefs of the mountain province Sagada, the famous hanging coffins is a great way to start. Join the Paytokan walking tour or Eco Valley tour and head to see coffins from hundreds of years ago hung high up on the cliff face by the indigenous Igorots.
Unsure if dark tourism is for you or want to know more, read on and explore our complete guide to the Sagada hanging coffins.
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For a stress-free organised Sagada tour, check out this 4-Day Sagada & Banaue Rice Terraces Tour From Manila on GetYourGuide.
Where Are The Hanging Coffins?
Sagada is a mountain province located in North Luzon, Philippines. There are many sites across Sagada but only one is open to tourists. The hanging coffins in Sagada are located in Echo Valley which is only accessible with a tour guide on the Paytokan Walk or Eco Valley Tour.
How To Get To The Hanging Coffins, Sagada?
When you arrive in Sagada you must register with the tourism office. Once you have done this you can head to a tour provider who will organize your walk and guide. They will lead the way to the famous hanging coffins site.
How To Get To Sagada
There are two ways to get to Sagada , the first a direct bus and the second includes a stop in Baguio, known for its cooler climate.
The most convenient is the direct Coda Line Corporation overnight bus, which can take you from Quezon City in Manila, directly to Sagada. You can choose between semi deluxe, no toilet (₽760) and super deluxe buses, with a toilet (₽980), both make stops along the way. The buses all leave in the evening, the timings are 8pm, 9pm, 10pm and 10:30pm. We recommend booking your bus with 12Go.
Sagada is also accessible by bus from the city of Baguio (4 hours). If you’re arriving in Manila you will need to get a Victory Liner bus up to Baguio first. Then get a taxi (₽80) to the GL Trans Terminal where you can catch a bus to Sagada (₽220). Please note the last bus of the day leaves at 1pm.
Top Tip: We recommend hiring a car to explore Luzon if you’re a confident driver, there’s so much to see which by bus alone is hard to access.
Sagada Hanging Coffins History and Tradition
Why Are The Coffins Hung On The Cliff?
The main reason the coffins are perched so high on the cliff face is due to the belief that this would bring them closer to their ancestors and closer to heaven. The corpse is also considered to be safer away from animals and the famous head-hunters who would hunt for heads from different provinces and take them home as trophies.
Traditions Of The Hanging Coffins
The coffins are carved from tree trunks by the elderly themselves or by their family members. Once they have died the ceremony of their death will take place which includes different rituals and practices that are unique to the Igorot people.
The dead will be placed on a wooden chair (a sangadil) and covered while friends and family pay respect and mourne. During this time the cadaver is smoked to mask any smells. You can still see some of the chairs placed next to the coffins on the cliff. To bring good luck the dead are carried to their coffin, mourners try to touch the corpse as it is believed the blood of the deceased will transfer success and skills.
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They are placed in the fetal position as it is believed they should depart the wrath the same way they entered. This is why some coffins are very small, their bones may even be broken to fit inside the coffin.
How Long Has The Tradition Of Hanging Coffins Been Going On For?
It is believed the tradition is over 2000 years old with the coffins seen today over a century old. The last burial occurred in 2010.
As Spain colonized the Philippines they brought over Christianity and now many people of Sagada choose to be buried at the church which you can also visit. The tombs have open sections ready for partners and relatives to be buried together.
Common Questions About Visiting Echo Valley
How Much Is Entrance Fee For Sagada’s Hanging Coffins?
The cost for the Echo Valley Tour is ₽300 for 10 people
The cost for the Paytokan tour is ₽1000 for 10 people
How Long Is The Walk To The Hanging Coffins?
The Eco Valley Tour is a 30 minute walk with some steep sections and steps.
The Paytokan Walk takes 2-3 hours but you get to experience lots of what Sagada has to offer including coffee farms, Bokong Falls and Latang Underground River.
How Did Eco Valley Get Its Name?
Echo Valley earned its name from the remarkable sound that would bounce back at you after a shout. However you are no longer allowed to hear the echo out of respect of the Hanging Coffins placed here.
Best Places To Stay Sagada
Sagada Mountain Province holds a special place in our hearts. We truly found a home away from home here and loved our time spent in the mountains and above the clouds. There are lots of accommodation options and we recommend you find somewhere that is walkable to the tourist information centre where you’ll register and sort tours. One of Sagada’s rules is you have to use their local transport to get to the attractions meaning a local hotel or hostel is vital.
We use Booking.com and HostelWorld for all of our stays around the world!
Below is a list of top accommodations we recommend for Sagada Mountain Province:
Top Things To Do In Sagada
There’s so much to do in Sagada especially if you enjoy hiking. You could easily spend a week here exploring every nook and cranny and learning about the unique culture of the elders in the village. Here’s our top picks:
Top Pick: Marlboro Sea Of Clouds
Worth the early morning wake up, you can experience the famous sea of clouds on top of Marlboro Hill.
Can’t Miss: Sumaguing Cave
Go spelunking in one of The Philippines biggest caves, see different rock formations, subterranean rivers and explore the underground world of Sagada.
Best Waterfall: Bomod-ok Falls
Something still on our list as it was closed due to a burial ceremony when we visited. We were told this is the best waterfall in Sagada by our guide and host.
Off The Beaten Track: Bessang Pass
Fancy an adventure? Why not drive the Bessang Pass to or from Sagada. A winding mountain road with incredible views which is slightly nail-biting.
Other Things To Do In Sagada
Echo Valley Paytokan Walking Tour
Pongas Falls
Lumiang Cave
Essential Travel Items You Need
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Top Tips For Travelling The Philippines
If you’re visiting the Philippines here are our top travel tips:
Book flights in advance - they can become expensive if you leave it last minute… oh and check your luggage allowance to skip expensive check in fees at the airport. Don't forget your Apple Airtags to track your bags
Agree on taxi prices upfront - when getting into a tuk-tuk, tricycle or taxi, make sure you agree on a price or they have a meter, so many tourists get ripped off with a huge price tag at the end of the ride.
Take it slow - don't feel the need to see all the islands, we recommend picking a few and doing them properly. See the island in full, find some locals and sing Karaoke..
Embrace the chaos and get stuck in, the locals are friendly and love to help and share information about their home!
For a checklist of what's needed to pack for your trip, read: How to Pack for Backpacking to South East Asia: Backpacking Essentials and Accessories
We love our DJI Mini for all of our drone shots!
Final Thoughts on Sagada’s Hanging Coffins
For us this insight into the cultural history of Sagada was fascinating and really connected us to the place and people we had met during our time here. Seeing the coffins hung precariously on the cliff face is thought provoking and being surrounded by mountains and nature grounds you in the moment.
We would recommend visiting the Hanging Coffins and Sagada was one of our favourite places we went to in the Philippines.
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your Philippine adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
For our Filipino friends: Maraming salamat sa pag babasa, hangang sa susunod nating pag kikita, mamimiss namin kayo, mabuhay ang pilipinas! Salamat
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