Mount Pulag features the best sunrise and the sea of clouds. It is the highest mountain in Luzon and the second in the country. The summit of Pulag is roofed with grass and dwarf bamboos while the lower elevation is a mossy forest sheltering wild animals which includes the endangered Philippine brown deer, giant cloud rat and Pygmy fruit bat.
Travelers around the country and even all over the world keep on coming just to experience and conquer Pulag. I am from the Cordillera and before exploring other places, I promised myself to conquer first this so called ‘playground of the gods’ mountain. I and my friend, Melanie, then joined an organized trip going to Pulag. Unfortunately, this trip was cancelled. The 2 of us then decided to push through. We set our trip on weekdays since the weekends are fully booked for the whole month of April. We opted for the Ambangeg Trail (the easiest trail) since it’s our first time scaling the mountain.
We took a van going to Poblacion, Kabayan in Slaughter, Magsaysay, Baguio City and dropped at Ambangeg, Daclan, Bokod. We looked for riders who would take us to ranger station. The riders first dropped us at the DENR Station for us to register and attend the mandatory orientation given by the DENR. At 2 p.m. we were in our way to the ranger station. After an hour of bumpy ride, we were at the ranger station where we settled our camping and guide fees. We started trekking from the ranger station around 3 p.m. and reached camp 2 after 2 hours. Well, since it was weekday you cannot see influx of tents at the camp site. Actually we were the first ones to set our tent at camp 2 that day. We wandered around the campsite and took pictures.
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| Bumpy ride going to ranger station |
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| started ascending |
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| the lone tent in camp 2 |
The next day at 4 a.m. we started ascending. We reached the summit at 5:45 a.m. A feeling of achievement wrapped us not only because we finally conquered Pulag but we were the first one to reach the summit that day! Hehehe. It was still dark but we were in awe watching the sun peeping and painting the sky with its golden light. At 6am, the sunrays already reached us and you can clearly see the magnificent dense sea of clouds.
We gratified our eyes, mind, heart and soul with this scenic nature before finally descending at 7:30 am. We had our quick breakfast at camp 2 before descending to ranger station. At the ranger station, our riders were already waiting for us. We informed the riders our desire to have side trip at the Daclan sulfur spring which they gladly granted. The riders then took us to Daclan sulfur spring before logging out at the DENR office. At 12 noon we were already waiting for the bus coming from Kabayan going to Baguio.
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| Daclan Sulfur Spring |
"One does not climb to attain enlightenment, rather
one climbs because he is enlightened."
-- Zen Master Futomaki
Note:
- Usually, all weekends for the months of January to April are fully booked of hikers thus the DENR encourages hikers to ascend on weekdays during these months. You can contact Park Superintendent Ma’am Emerita B. Albas at 09199951316 and 09291668864 for further information and reservations.
- Latest Guide and Porter fees (as of July 2, 2014) posted by Association of Local Tour Guides and Porters at Mt. Pulag National Park.
AMBANGEG TRAIL
A. PHILIPPINE RESIDENTS
1 TO 5 HIKERS 6 HIKERS OR MORE
CAMP 2 = Php 600.00 Php 120.00 per person
CAMP 3 = Php 800.00 Php 160.00 per person
B. NON-PHILIPPINE RESIDENTS
1 TO 5 HIKERS 6 HIKERS OR MORE
CAMP 2 = Php 800.00 Php 150.00 per person
CAMP 3 = Php 1,000.00 Php 200.00 per person
AMBANGEG – AKIKI TRAIL
1 TO 7 HIKERS = Php 2,000.00
PORTER FEES (Hatid-Sundo) 15 kilos or less
CAMP 2 = Php 600.00
CAMP 3 = Php 800.00
