Mt Pulag - Benguet, Mt Province
Mt. Pulag is known for its majestic sea of clouds and its diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a must-visit for adventurers and nature lovers alike. In 2022, it was declared as a protected landscape which according to the laws means that the “use and enjoyment of the protected landscapes must be consistent with the principles of biological diversity and sustainable development”.
Climbing Pulag has always been on our bucket list, and fortunately, our friend Ann (Thanks, Ann!) invited us to join them. To ensure we were well-rested and prepared for the hike, we drove to Baguio the day before the group meet up.
We’ve been to Baguio in multiple occasions but it was the first time we stayed at El Cielito and they did not disappoint. When we checked in, we told them we’ll be checking out early the next day as we are camping at Mt Pulag and asked them if we can leave our car as we have a service going to Pulag and they didn’t hesitate- they even proactively offered to prepare to go breakfast for us!
We left the hotel around 3:30am and made our way to the designated meeting spot where the van was waiting for us along with the rest of our group. We left Baguio City at 4 am, drove for about an hour to DJA Medical Clinic for our medical certificates, a requirement for anyone hiking at Mt. Pulag. Here, they assess your blood pressure, respiratory rate, and pulse rate to confirm your readiness and suitability for the mountain ascent. There is a restaurant downstairs where the group had their breakfast
After breakfast, we traveled for an additional two hours to reach the Mt Pulag Protected Landscape Management Office for our briefing. All hikers must participate in the orientation session with their assigned group, and fortunately, our group arrived early and was part of the first batch. We arrived around 7:30 am, the orientation started at 8 am, and during the wait, we bought the blockbuster Mt. Pulag Tahoo. We tried Kuya’s Ube-coffee and Strawberry-coffee taho - both were equally satisfying.
At the orientation, we watched a video detailing Mt. Pulag's history, what to anticipate, the trails, and more. Here are a few highlights of the discussion:
Trail Information: Mt. Pulag is the third-highest peak in the Philippines, offering breathtaking views of sea clouds at the summit. There are two trails leading to the top, each varying in difficulty and scenery - Ambangeg and Akiki
Weather Conditions: The weather can be unpredictable depending on the season, it was mentioned that temperatures can drop significantly at night, so warm clothing is a must.
Camping and Accommodation: Camping options are available in designated camp sites only. It has to be booked in advance due to the limited space.
Ecological Considerations: The significance of responsible trekking, we were reminded to respect the environment by not leaving any trash behind and following the "Leave No Trace" principles.
After the orientation, we returned to the van and traveled for approximately 30 minutes to reach Baban’s homestay where we would spend the night. Baban's is a family-owned residence with numerous rooms and beds to host hikers. Their rules are straightforward - clean up after yourself and wash your own dishes.
We arrived at noon, they are still preparing our lunch. After settling in, we explored the area and found a carrot farm near the homestay. The farm offers a scenic mountain view, and for 100 pesos, you can pick flowers and carrots.
After lunch, we decided to rest in our assigned room and organize our belongings. Dinner was served around 6 pm (yep, puro kain kame! binusog kame masyado sa Baban’s!). Lights out at 9 pm as everyone tried to rest and recharge for the upcoming hike.
The call time was set for midnight. The group gathered in the common room for a light breakfast and to get ready. By 1 am, the jeep arrived to pick us up. Approximately 30+ people stood in the back of the jeep, holding tight onto metal rails as we travel to the ranger station.
At the ranger station, we started by praying for a safe hike, a briefing, and were assigned a guide for each group. The ascend began around 1:30 am. As per our guide, that morning there were 300 people, and you could clearly see a stream of headlights moving along the trail.
We hiked for approximately 1.5 hours from the ranger station to reach Camp 1, then another 2 hours to get to Camp 2. Keeping track of time was challenging with limited breaks. Despite wearing multiple layers of thermal clothing, a thick jacket, bonnet, and gloves, it was still cold especially when you rest longer than 5mins.
Upon reaching Camp 2 at approximately 4 am, we took a short break before heading on a two-hour climb to the summit. We arrived just in time for the sunrise, we missed the sea of clouds but a clearing provided a glimpse of the stunning beauty of Mt. Pulag. It was breathtaking!
We stayed at the summit for around 30 minutes to capture some photos before beginning our descent. The intense cold became too much for both of us; we wished to stay longer but the freezing wind made it difficult to even move our lips.
Mt Pulag sunrise
Descending was a lot easier with presence of sunlight, allowing us to clearly see the trail. The mossy forest stretching from camp 2 to camp 1 was enchanting, with a variety of large trees, flowers, grass, and the sound of birds and insects, it will make you feel like you’re in a totally different dimension. It took us about 5hrs to get from the summit back to the ranger station. Every minute was worth it!
At the ranger station, a van was ready to transport our group back to Baban’s. We returned to the homestay around 11 am, where we rested, took a shower, had lunch, organized our belongings, enjoyed a cup of coffee over mountain stories and we left at 2pm.
It was truly one for the books - we checked off items from our bucket list and met new friends.
We paid 3900 each with the following inclusions:
Van transfer (2-way transfer Baguio-Pulag)
DENR Entrance fee
Cultural fee
Guide fee
Environmental fee
Medical certificate
Homestay with hosted meals (Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, lunch)
Climb Certificate
If you are looking for a reliable coordinator for your Pulag adventure, connect with sir Greg Galicia or Natnat. They will both make sure you’ll have a great time!
Things you’ll need:
Thick jacket
Gloves
Bonnet
Thermal wear
Thick hiking pants/leggings
Headlamp
Water
Hiking pole
