Mt. Pulag DIY Hike: A DIY Guide to Luzon’s Highest Peak

Mt. Pulag Hike Details 

• Location: Mt. Pulag is found between two (2) administrative regions: the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and the Cagayan Valley Administrative Region (CVAR) (R2).
• Days required / Hours to summit: 4-6 hours / 1-2 days
• Features: Sea of clouds, Dwarf bamboo slopes, pine forests
• Difficulty Level: High (due to extreme weather conditions) and trail
• LLA:  N16 30 36 E120 50 20 and 2922 meters above sea level (MASL)

Introduction 

My churchmates and I were determined to climb Mt. Pulag, Luzon’s highest peak, last  October of 2019. Although climbing Mt. Pulag is difficult, nothing compares to the thrill it imparts to every mountaineer. Climbing not only allows you to bring home unforgettable experiences, but it also encourages you to meet new people.

For this blog, I’ll be sharing my personal experiences during the climb and other important information you may need to know, in case you decide to hike and experience Mt. Pulag trails. 

About Mt. Pulag 

Near Kabayan, Benguet, Philippines, Mt. Pulag is a 17.4-kilometer trek and the 2nd highest peak in the Philippines and highest in Luzon. This mountain is recognized for being a difficult but rewarding climb for travelers who want to see the fauna and flora.

The climb up Mt. Pulag might be difficult and time-consuming, but it is well worth it. Mt. Pulag boasts one of the greatest sunset and sunrise landscapes, especially when you’re 2,922 meters (9,587 feet) above sea level.

Preparing for the hike

If you are planning to hike and reach the peak of Mt. Pulag, here are a few key points that I’d like to mention before bluntly going on the hike (for safety purpose). 

• Medical Certificate. Unlike other hiking locations, the local municipality requires a medical certificate presented before embarking on the hike. I personally suggest you get a medical certificate before the hike, because if you’re to acquire it on the day itself, it’s going to take a long time. 
• A Guide is a MUST. As much as you’d want to reach the peak by yourself, everyone who climbs Mt. Pulag is required to have a local guide, should you decide not to join a tour group. 
• Pre-climb Meeting. Tourists and mountaineers are required to attend a pre-climb meeting, which is one of the safety precautions provided by the locals. This meeting provides an overview of the trip along with information on how to prepare for it.
• Abrupt hiking is never good.  Hiking is an excellent kind of training for all of us, but for excursions like this, I recommend that you train beforehand to ensure that you are physically fit. Jogging, running, core workouts, and circuit training are all effective ways to prepare for lengthy and high-altitude hikes like Mt. Pulag.
• Mountaineer’s Creed. Finally, keep the mountaineer’s motto in mind: “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.” It’s essential to RESPECT the flora and fauna ecosystems you’re exploring while you’re hiking or on a tour.

How to get to Mt. Pulag

You may either take a bus to Baguio from Manila or hire a car for your group. Take a jeep from Baguio to Kabayan, Benguet, where the DENR Visitor’s Center is located. From Baguio, it takes around three (3) hours to get there.

Overall, the trip from Manila to Kabayan, Benguet, would take nearly 12 hours.

I’ve attached a link to Mt. Pulag below, so you can easily find a route you’re convenient with and you can easily navigate through.

Essential items for hiking

One of the most important and helpful tips for hiking is to pack light. Here are some of the things you must bring for your Mt. Pulag National Park hiking. 

• Hiking Clothes. When trekking Mt. Pulag, make sure to bring warm clothing. Clothes like, leggings or trek pants, socks, a lightweight rain jacket, cap, thermal jacket or fleece, hiking shoes, and gloves are among the essentials. When you get to camp at Mt. Pulag, layering is essential since the temperature on Mt. Pulag often drops to 1°C, but some hikers have reported temperatures as low as -5°C. Luckily for us, the temperature at that time (October) was not so cold. 
• Hiking Gear and Equipment. Apart from essentials like backpack, umbrella, cap, first aid kit, water, food (snacks) and sunblock. I suggest you bring a headlamp instead of a flashlight. Most tourists start trekking at around 3 am (when it’s still dark) to catch the sunrise view at the summit to witness the sea of clouds. Using headlights will be much more convenient for you. 

Trails in Mt. Pulag 

To explore and reach the peak of Mt. Pulag, every mountaineer has four (4) options, two (2)  of which are most commonly known. The easy climb through the Ambangeg trail (half-day climb) or the much harder Akiki trail (2-day climb).

Ambangeg Trail

This is the simplest of the four available trails. Many hikers have referred to it as simple as seeing rolling pathways and wide-open landscapes, merely a walk in the park. 

Akiki Trail

If Ambangeg is a stroll in the park, Akiki dubbed the “Killer Trail” since it is more difficult-physically and it takes about two to three days to complete. This route offers magnificent views of the Eddet River and Marlboro Country, despite its difficulty.

Tawangan Trail 

Hikers might begin their journey on the Tawangan Trail, which is the furthest out. Through the Tawangan trail, hikers are able to view  Mt. Tabayoc, Luzon’s second-highest peak, as well as the four lakes Tabeo, Ambulalakao, Iculus, and Detanapco, 

Ambaguio Trail 

The longest path is Ambaguio, which is the toughest of the four. Because the path has been cemented and includes steep ascents and mossy woods which is very rarely traveled.

The Mt. Pulag Hike

As a child, have you ever dreamt of flying amongst the bird and just enjoying the puffy white clouds above? Or was it just me?

This is most likely the primary reason why many visitors decide to conquer Mt. Pulag. After all, how could you not? When you reach the peak of Mt. Pulag, you will be delighted by a spectacular view of the Mt. Pulag sea of clouds, which resemble soft and fluffy cotton balls.

Our hiking began when we rented a van going to Mt. Pulag. My friends and I left at 4 am to catch the beautiful sunrise Mt.Pulag offers. Once we reached the peak to enjoy the Sea of Clouds, we were really mesmerized by the calmness it showed us. To show you guys what I’ve been rambling about, you can watch this short vlog I’ve prepared. 

After this tiring but very much fulfilling climb, we arrived home at 3 pm. Stay tuned for more DIY hiking trips! Be sure to tag on Facebook!

Trip Expenses

Overall our trip expense was approximately Php 4,850 (95.78 USD). This includes the environmental fees, van rental, medical certificate, food, and other personal expenses. Our climb to Luzon’s highest mountain will always be a memorable experience. 

DISCLAIMER: The expense breakdown below is an approximate and overestimated amount. 

Expense Breakdown 

• Medical Certificate – Php 100-200 depending on where you acquired a medical certificate 
• Van Rental –Php 1,790/ person  
• DENR Fees – Php 200 
  • A registration fee of Php 200 is required by the DENR office before climbing the mountain, apart from it. This is also the place where you have an orientation (for safety). 
• To Ranger Station – Php 350
• Guide Fee –  Php 600/ 5 persons
• Food – Php 200-500 

Approximately every person on our trip had an expense of Php 3000+. Again this expense breakdown is an overestimate of the actual expenses. To view updated rates for Mt. Pulag adventure, you can follow their Facebook Page below: 

I hope you found my Mt. Pulag blog trip helpful! For those of you who are planning to hike to Mt. Pulag or other mountains like Mt.Balabag or Mt. Nagpatong feel free to comment here or reach me through my social media for questions and clarifications! I’d be more than happy to help!

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