Hanging Coffins of Sagada

Great trekking experience! 10/10 would recommend visiting when you go to Sagada. There's quite a bit of stairs, but the path is clear and paved. You'll need a guide to be able to enter and walk to the coffins, but it is very worth it. It's interesting to learn about their culture and the story behind the hanging coffins.

It’s a great add to your itinerary when visiting Sagada.

Awesome views, learning of a new culture and just a peaceful place. I kind of sometimes yell at my kids and the guide reminded me to speak softly in respect to the dead. 😁

We met beautiful golden retrievers Yoshi and Nala here 😊 and if you feel like it, rock climbing is also available. P500 per climb, all-in. That includes rock shoes if you didn’t bring your own.

You just register as a tourist and boom a guide. No guide, no entry.

The impressive parts of this attraction are the hanging coffins themselves. They are creepy, but in a serene and peaceful way. But the more I think about it, the more I admire the process of how they actually implemented this. Wow. Truly a wonder.

It was soooo hard but refreshing to climb 😌 it took me an hour to reach the coffins but I think it is just because I lack exercise. It took us about 8 mins to enter as our tour guide was running a bit late.

The hanging coffins provide a glimpse into the burial customs of the native people of Sagada. We first passed through the modern cemetery erected on top of the mountain. The view up top provided a view of the unique rock formations scattered atop the landscape. We eventually descended 200 meters down the stairs and walked to the edge of a cliff, coming face to face with the hanging coffins. The coffins were unusually small, as if it only contained half of the body. The local guide explained that the corpses were actually situated into a fetal position before being enclosed in the coffin. They believed that one should leave life the way they entered it. It was a very interesting look into the culture still present and thriving in this mountainous region.

History in a park over a local cementery.. history being shared via tour knowing were they come from and how they are today.. blessed to all who help or countrymen.

A walking adventure. Must have strong legs 3 hour walk with many stops. Starting with the old church and the burial ground. Did you know that it is trDiton that when the husband dies, they also prepare the wife's grave there out of always 2 coffin places.
Walk further down on varying steps from smooth stones to clay shelf. sometimes there is something to hold on to
arrived at the lime rock and can see some wooden chests behind the rock wall. The guide tells us that chests are hanging or lying in caves after this valley/ lime cliff. The ride quickly sets down to a coffee plantation.. Local judgment makes the whole process tremble! From selecting the bean to drying and then roasting. Taste this coffee and compare with yours. We continue down to the stream that flows into the tiled cave where we begin to climb up a small steep and long path. A nice adventure.

I was lucky enough to have such a humble and engaging guide during my Paytokan walk tour. I love how passionate manong Anghel was in telling stories about the hanging coffins and burial cultures of Sagada. Seeing it up close is so surreal I could only hope that like the hanging coffins that last for years, cultures like this will be carried out for years to come.

What the name implies, the Hanging Coffins of Sagada are coffins that are hanged on the sides of cliffs and cave walls. Ropes and wires are used to suspend the coffins, which are constructed from hollowed-out wood. The Igorot people have a traditional burial style that involves hanging coffins, which is thought to have been used for more than 2,000 years.

This burial custom stems from the Igorot people's beliefs in the afterlife. They think that the closer a body is to heaven, the higher it is positioned. The dead are also said to be protected from wild animals and floods by the hanging coffins.

Experiencing the Sagada Hanging Coffins is a totally unique experience. The graves are situated on the cliff's edge and are clearly visible from a distance. Visitors must make a short climb to the cliff wall to get a better look. They will learn about the history and culture of the Igorot people as they travel and enjoy stunning views of the landscape in the area.

The Hanging Coffins of Sagada are uncannily spooky, but the location is also very tranquil and quiet. In addition to the sound of the surrounding river, the coffins are surrounded by beautiful flora.

In general, everybody visiting the Philippines must check out the Hanging Coffins of Sagada. The unique cultural significance of this site, combined with its natural beauty, make it a truly unforgettable experience.

It was a privilege to visit the hanging coffins in Sagada. We booked a guide at the local tourism office in Sagada town. Learning about the burial culture and seeing the final resting place of Igorot elders was so intriguing. I recommend getting a guide as they can explain so much and tell you about things you otherwise would have missed. The Philippines really does have such a varied and interesting culture. Highly recommend coming here.

We hiked across Echo Valley to the Hanging Coffins to see this unique burial tradition of the Igorot people of Sagada. It was believed the hanging coffins brought good luck and prevented floods and landslides in the village and the height at which the coffins were hung signifies the social status of the deceased. However, this form of burial is no longer practiced today.

You need to do a light trekking to get to the place. You also have an option to go further until you reach a cool coffee shop in the middle of the forrest, a river and a falls.

It takes around a half hour hike to see the hanging coffins and around another to get to the caves and coffee shop. Be sure to hit the tourism office before going here. We had to go back for a 15min walk to get a ticket and hire a tour guide.

A wonderful experience! 35 years ago my father visited the hanging coffins describing it as a free for all. There were no restrictions or guide requirements so coffins would get vandalised and damaged. This time by paying a guide we were educated on the history and tradition of the hanging coffins and how we could visit them respectfully. He told us about the different rituals which would occur to allow tourists to peacefully visit the site. We were more than happy to pay a local guide as not only does it help tourists contribute to the wider economy but ensures more people in the local community receive benefits. Our guide provided us with amazing insights into the area, something I was grateful for. Although many of the coffins have disappeared due to being damaged by an earthquake, it is still worth visiting in order to develop a greater appreciation for the history and traditions in Sagada

Definitely a must when going to Sagada
The hike is not too difficult, in fact we saw a number of "not so young" people doing the Echo Valley hike. Our tour guide (tour guide is a must) was a strong elder woman who knows the place very well. She also knows the tradition and we enjoyed her stories and learned a lot from them. Off the beaten path is a coffee shop, so if you're up for an adventure, the coffee shop is a must to try, as you will also help the local business. Just be ready to walk longer and do some difficult trails.

High up on limestone cliffs are the Sugong Hanging Coffins. This burial practice is an ancient tradition still practiced by some of the people of Sagada.

Suspending their deceased loved ones’ coffins up on mountain cliffs are said to bring their souls closer to heaven. The hanging coffins in Sagada can be seen on the road leading to the Sumaguing Cave entrance.

If you want to see them up close, the hanging coffins can be reached by a half-hour hike down a valley.

Tourism fee is 100 php. Walking Tour guide fee is 1500

We had some exciting experience while at the hanging coffins and echo valley. This is because the rain started to pour so heavily that we got drenched on our way back. Not everyone who goes there will be having that experience. The hanging coffins site and echo valley is a sacred place thus everyone is encouraged to keep their voice to a minimum. You are not allowed to go to the site without a tour guide. Total fee is 200 pesos plus 10 pesos each person in your group. Total time of exploration is about 1-2 hours.

Truly amazing to see how the Igorots have preserved their culture and traditions.

Also love how the guides not only share trivia but also make sure that tourists are orderly, which is a huge factor why Sagada is clean and well kept despite the number of people visiting everyday.

A great burial tradition in Sagada, a must place to pay a visit. Be ready for a short trek from the parking area, a guide cost 300 pesos and they are all English speaking. Entrance fee is 10 pesos per head. Their cemetery is the epitome of till death do us part, a tomb is already prepared for the remaining partner. Their hanging coffins plays a vital role in their culture, and it's great that this place is being preserve and tourist can still pay a visit.

Great walk, easy even on your own. The trail going to the valley is on the right side of the hill. Steep but not too hard. Walk along the valley is easy and sight with coffins really impressive. Do respect the place!