Mt. Pulag – The Playground of the Gods

My friend Coi asked me to join him in hiking Mt. Pulag and who would say no to “The Playground of the Gods“? Mt. Pulag is home to the picturesque “sea of clouds”, stunning sunrise as well as the Milky Way view. It is the highest peak in Luzon and the 3rd highest in the Philippines. It is also the coldest place here in our country that I’ve been to (4 degrees celcius!).

We joined a group which he found on Facebook and paid 2800 pesos each. The package is inclusive of roundtrip transfers (Manila > Baguio > Kabayan, Benguet), lunch, registration and environmental fees, guide fee and a quick sidetrip to Ambuklao Dam.

We met the group at McDonalds in EDSA Shaw and around 12AM, boarded the bus going to Baguio and arrived around 5:30AM. From Baguio, we transferred to a jeepney going to Kabayan, Benguet. I thought it was just a short ride but it’s 5 or 6 hours away from the City of Pines! You can request for a quick rest room break from the driver and he’ll pull over to a diner or gas station.

Upon arrival in Kabayan, we took the orientation (history and current state of the mountain, do’s and don’ts, etc) and submitted the medical certificate. After the orientation, we again boarded the jeepney and went to the Ranger Station where we built our tent.

TIPS:
– Bring lots of snacks and trail foods!
– Bring 2 or 3 jackets / thermal jacket (it’s super cold there!)
– Bring meds just in case you get stomache ache / fever
– Take it easy, rest if needed.

Also, for your stay in Baguio, you can check Agoda for the hotel / transient houses’ rates.

Let the pictures do the talking! 😀

My trail foods. I would like to thank my sponsors haha