Walking Tour: Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins

On our third morning in Sagada, we decided to check out Echo Valley and the Hanging Coffins. It’s located near the cemetery and just a five minute walk from our guesthouse. After finishing breakfast, we then prepare our things that we’ll be bringing for the “walking tour” or so we thought it was.

photo b Cai, pp by me: Survivor Sagada

After crossing the bell, the church and the cemetery, we then found the trail leading to Echo Valley. Darwin is leading the group as he claims his familiarity with the area. We often stop from time to time for some obligatory photo ops and a breather. Although it was an easy walk/trek, we’re still full from the breakfast earlier so a slow phase is essential. But the trail leading to Echo Valley was just the start of our so called “walking tour” turned trekking.

Echo, Echo, Echo…Repeat ‘till fade

I find echo/echoing fascinating, I remember when we got to our first house, my immediate reaction was to shout “hello” and immediately the sound resonate back to me (given that the house is still empty) and I never stop saying “hello” for 2 minutes or so afterwards. I’m having the time of my life until my mom told me to shut up as it gets irritating...”Hello! Hello!! Hello!!!”

Fast forward to 2011, checking our itinerary, I found out that we will be visiting Echo Valley. It puts a smile on my face; imagine a vast valley that will echo back to you. I could shout as long as I can in there, right… “Hello! Hello!! Hello!!!”

Fun Facts: Echos happen because a sound bounces off things. To create a good echo, it requires good distance, and the sound must bounce back --- the sound must hit a smooth surface somewhere. (Sorry, I just need to add this information, lol)

Echo Valley has limestone cliffs that reminded me of El Nido town. The lush green surrounding of the valley is very relaxing, plus the cool mountain breeze that refreshes you after the trek helps you regain your strength for some more trekking. There is a certain point in the valley where you can already see the Hanging Coffins below while another vantage point will give you a view of the town.

On our way to Echo Valley, I was already thinking of what words to shout, I want something epic for this epic adventure in Sagada, but the moment we reached the place, the only word that I could master was…” Hello! Hello!! Hello!!!”

We stayed there for a couple of minutes of goofing around, shouting a hundred words and wasting time with more photo ops before trekking down the hill to see the Hanging Coffins on a much closer range.

Witnessing Tradition: Hanging Coffins

Echo Valley is also home of the Hanging Coffins, an ancient funeral norm of hanging coffins from mountain cliffs that are being practiced by the Igorots. The purpose of suspending the casket from the mountain rocks is to bring the deceased closer to heaven.

The coffins are made from carved and hollowed-out wood. Usually, the elderly carved their own coffins, but if they are too weak or ill, their families prepare their coffins instead. The dead are placed inside their coffins, sometimes breaking their bones in the process of fitting them in. The coffins are then hung into place through the use of projecting beams.

Strong legs is needed if you want to visit and see the Hanging Coffins, the trek downhill is a bit of a challenge. I wonder how long the ceremonies last when they hung one of the deceased. We only stayed there for a good 30 minutes or so to appreciate an ancient ritual that was being practiced by the people of Mountain Province for almost 2000 years now.

Fun Facts: The last known burial was dated 1992

Climbing back up the hill is another story, but thanks to the previous activities we managed to reach the top faster than expected.

We then said our goodbyes to five friends who are going home earlier than the rest of the group. After the Echo Valley and Hanging Coffins Walking Tour, the 12 castaways are down to 8 and the adventure continues…(this is the start of the Team Sagada Separation Anxiety Syndrome that lasted I think for 3 weeks now and counting hahaha)

Sagada Series:

Preview of Things to Come: Sagada

Long Ride to Sagada, ways on how to get there and back.

Sunrise at Kiltepan Peak --- Epic Fail

Connect the Dots: Lumiang - Sumaging Cave Connection

Falls from North to South (Part 1)

Falls from North to South (Part 2)

Walking Tour: Echo Valley & The Hanging Coffins

Witnessing Traditon: Begnas (Rice Ritual)

Witnessing Traditon: Panagapoy

Food Trip up in the Mountains: Sagada and Baguio