Hanging Coffins Sagada: Travel Guide 2023

For an immersive journey into the Igorots’ profound history and vibrant culture, your next destination must be the Hanging Coffins Sagada. These suspended burial sites serve as a poignant embodiment of the rich cultural legacy of Sagada and are an essential stop on your Sagada adventure. Let me take you on a recount of our own experience, share insights into the remarkable locales we explored in the vicinity, and furnish you with a comprehensive travel guide to the Hanging Coffins Sagada.

Post Updated: October 11, 2023. We replaced old travel information with newer details from the local tourism office of Sagada. We also added a new way of getting to the Hanging Coffins and provided the contact information of the accredited tour guides’ associations. New pictures are also added in this post.

Hanging Coffins Sagada History

The captivating tradition of hanging coffins in Sagada carries an extraordinary history spanning over a millennium. The Igorots, deeply rooted in their beliefs, had compelling reasons for choosing this unique burial practice. One fundamental factor driving this age-old custom was the apprehension among elderly Igorots about conventional underground burials. They feared that burial in the soil would hasten the body’s decomposition. Another significant concern was the pre-Hispanic era, marked by tribal conflicts and headhunting. Families worried that their deceased loved ones’ heads might become gruesome trophies in the possession of rival Kalinga tribes. Thus, it made perfect sense for the Igorots to place their departed on the sides of cliffs.

This practice wasn’t just pragmatic; it was deeply symbolic. The Igorots believed that the higher the coffin, the greater the significance of the departed family member. They saw it as bringing their loved ones closer to heaven and the ancestral spirits. What’s particularly intriguing is that the coffins are smaller than one might expect, as the deceased is laid to rest in a fetal position, symbolizing how we exit this world mirrors how we enter it. When you witness these hanging coffins in person, you can’t help but be moved by their profound cultural significance. They stand as a testament to the Igorots’ enduring heritage and are a vivid reminder of preserving and cherishing our cultural traditions.

How to Get to Hanging Coffins Sagada

Visiting the Hanging Coffins is part of the Paytokan Walking Tour. This walking tour takes visitors to the Mission Compound, Baw-eng Creek (also known as Echo Valley), and the Sagada Hanging Coffins. Additionally, the Paytokan Walking Tour has the following options:

Matangkib Exit

Visitors availing of this option will take them to this small underground river access known as Matangkib. The river connects underground, going to different cave networks in Sagada. There will be an additional PHP 10 per person for tourists who want to take this exit.

Rock Climbing

Additionally, there’s an optional rock climbing activity at the Paytokan Rock Wall to level up your Sagada adventure. It costs PHP 500 per person, and the fee includes safety equipment, a personal belayer, and unlimited ascent and descent.

In summary, here are the costs and details of the Paytokan Walking Tour:

How to Avail of the Paytokan Walking Tour

Before visiting Sagada, contact one of these tour guide associations for tour arrangements:

The local tourism office of Sagada requires visitors to book an accommodation and register online on their tourist registration portal. Click here for more details. Furthermore, your chosen association will provide shuttle services, a tour guide, and other tour arrangements.

My Travel Experience at the Hanging Coffins Sagada

To visit the hanging coffins in Sagada, you must avail of the Eco Tour (also known as Paytokan Walking Tour). It is a 3-hour loop hike from the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, traversing the picturesque Echo Valley with a historical visit to their famous Hanging Coffins. We also availed the Matangkib exit, which introduced us to the Sagada Underground River Entrance. The highlight of this tour is no other than the hanging coffins, but the other places to visit are also interesting.

Church of St. Mary the Virgin

This church was built during the 1900s by American Anglican missionaries. With its historical significance and spiritual influence for more than a century on the people of Sagada, this church garnered recognition as a cultural heritage site.

The facade is enveloped with fantastic foliage, and its adobe walls are dappled from the leaves of the pine trees. The view on the right side of the worship house is breathtaking, with endless mountains on the horizon and the smell of fresh green grass.

Inside the church, the atmosphere is cool and comforting. Despite its age, the overall structure is still intact, which shows the people’s dedication to preserving this historical landmark. The interior is also embellished with ornate stained glass in the centerpiece and wooden pews arranged orderly along the nave.

Baw-eng Creek (Echo Valley Sagada)

This place earned its name from the resounding echo that greets a shout, and the echoes are genuinely remarkable. The valley is a tapestry of limestone formations, towering pine trees, and a captivating mountain range vista, painting a vivid and striking landscape.

I perched on a limestone outcrop, gazing in awe at the surrounding scenery. The cool breeze gently caressed my skin, and the sun’s warm embrace awakened my senses. It was a truly magnificent experience that seemed to mend not just my body but my soul, leaving me refreshed and invigorated.

Sagada Hanging Coffins

We climbed down a cliff from the Echo Valley to reach the famous Sagada hanging coffins. Seeing these hanging coffins in person truly speaks to the importance of culture and reflects the rich heritage of the Igorots.

Matangkib Exit

From the hanging coffins, a narrow and steep passageway is underneath it, leading to the Matangkib, also known as the Sagada Underground River Entrance. Amid the slippery trails, we were rewarded with beautiful foliage, wildflowers, and small rivers flowing slowly in peace. After half an hour of hike, we reached the underground river entrance and rested for a while.

The orifice of the underground river is impressive. We enjoyed the sound of birds echoing all over the place and the sound of the stream flowing timidly during our rest. The site is scattered with small, rounded rocks perfect for creative and fun activities.

Summary: Hanging Coffins Sagada

The Paytokan Walking Tour, punctuated by the mesmerizing Hanging Coffins Sagada, offers a soul-stirring journey through the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. As we explored Echo Valley and beyond, we encountered the echoes of the past and the vibrant traditions of the Igorots. This unforgettable adventure allowed us to appreciate the delicate balance between culture and nature, leaving us with lasting memories of a place where history, spirituality, and the environment converge in a harmonious symphony. It is a testament to the unique magic that this destination has to offer.

This post was originally published on March 27, 2018, and updated on October 11, 2023.