text | Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle
photography | Carla Ocampo and Lester Valle
.
———————————————
LOCATION | TRAILHEAD: Mt. Pulag National Park: Benguet – Ifugao – Nueva Vizcaya | Akiki Trail a.k.a. “Killer Trail”, Kabayan, Benguet
ELEVATION | DIFFICULTY: ~ 2,922 meters above sea level (MASL) | Class 2
COORDINATES: 16°35’54.13″N 120°53’56.31″E
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Harrrrr, ain’t Rap Rios’ photo collage an orgasmic teaser to this huge project? It is a summary of the Pulag climb that was, through the camera lenses of Lester, Wing Larase, and of course Rap. For those who missed the entry, check it out at http://thekayumanggitrails.org/2010/01/02/mt-pulag-akiki-trail/
Now let’s get down to business, shall we? We’ve jotted down some pertinent details everyone would wish to know, the moment a light bulb pops out of nowhere with the thought-balloon “An Akiki-Ambangeg Traverse would be a great idea, hm?”
Some specific thought-balloon, that is. And so, here we are with the specifics (as of 10 February 2013)
| EXPENSES (for a group of eight) | AMOUNT |
| Bus fare, Victory Liner (Cubao Station to Baguio Station) | Php 445.00 per head (with insurance) |
| Jeepney Ride, Baguio to Kabayan Ranger Station, vice versa (per head allotment may vary) | Php 10,000.00 |
| Breakfast at an Ambuklao eatery (per head allotment may vary) | Php 600.00 |
| Registration FeeGreen FeeCamping FeeCultural Fee | Php 100.00 per headPhp 50.00 per head per nightPhp 30.00 per head |
| Mountain Guide Fee (Php 2100 for 10 persons, +P100 per exceeding); if more than 10 persons, two (2) mountain guides are required | Php 210 per head |
| Porter Fee (0ptional) | Php 350.00 per day |
| Baguio City, Session Road Dinner (per head allotment may vary) | Php 1300.00 |
| Bus fare, Victory Liner, from Baguio Station to Cubao Station | Php 445.00 per head (with insurance) |
Doing some loose Math would tell that you may have to peg your Pulag budget at Php 4,000.00. A safer budget would be Php 5,000.00 per person (as of February 2013), keeping in mind that there could be emergencies along the way.
But then, preparations for the climb would make you spend MORE cash considerably. Allocate money for the proper Pulag wear (clothes, thermal gloves, waterproof jackets and waterproof hiking shoes that would protect you from hypothermia), equipment (LED headlamps are a must; trekking in the night is highly likely throughout the long Akiki hike), and camp food (think: the Akiki-Ambangeg traverse spans approximately three days. Plan your meals wisely).
Tip for the budget-conscious: to minimize spending for clothes, raid your nearest Ukay-Ukay. Be on the look-out for waterproof Gore-Tex jackets, fleece sweaters, thermal gloves, and if you’re lucky, a pair of wonderful hiking boots or shoes with soles kissable enough to be called “good-as-new”.
The peak season— that’s from December to February— spells H-Y-P-O-T-H-E-R-M-I-A with recorded temperatures from 5 to -5 Centigrade… even less. Important pieces of clothing would be the thermal undershirt/ underwear/ underpants. The tiangge at Greenhills, San Juan has these things aplenty; Filipino balikbayans buy them here before flying to their chilly winter destinations. Then again, almost any Pinoy tiangge or flea market would sell these, especially the underpants, for Php 100.00. Lester bought his at the Marikina Christmas tiangge by the Riverbanks.
In addition, it is also mandatory that you establish contact with Ma’am Mering for your Pulag plans. It is advised that you contact her weeks before the climb for transportation and mountain guide arrangements and other important matters.
———————————————
Ms. Emerita Albas
DENR Mt. Pulag National Park Superintendent
+63919 631 5402
+63929 166 8864 (DENR Ambangeg Office)
(074) 444 2720 – Fax
E-mail address: mossyorchid@yahoo.com
———————————————
GOOD TO GO? HERE’S ANOTHER STERN REMINDER
Mount Pulag is called the “Playground of the Gods” for a solemn reason. Indigenous communities around the mountain consider it sacred… for this, it is very unwise (not to mention EXTREMELY ANNOYING) to engage in boisterous talk— or worse, drunken pandemonium— during the trek, and within campsites. Would anyone do these things inside churches, or mosques, or temples? For shame! The Cordillerans have done us a great favor by allowing us to set foot upon their ancestral holy place, might we not behave accordingly, to humbly return the favor?
It is not enough to merely follow the Leave No Trace Principles to the letter. As any thinking Filipino mountaineer should know, and take to heart, we must all respect the beliefs of the Indigenous People, and consequently do more than just keep the place physically clean.
Yes, here in our manifold Mother Land, the mountains demand spiritual cleanliness as well.
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(Two more Pulag articles, coming up. Stay tuned!)
© 2010 The Kayumanggi Trails | All Rights Reserved
Mabuhey! Tumatanggap ba kayo ng contributions? This site is really taking off. Congrats sa inyong dalawa. Painom kaya kayo hehe.
Tumatanggap kami ng contributed artiks, Manong Hokbu. Game na! =)
Sana makapag-team-up ang WWP at PadyakPitik soon!
-Carlita
that jeepney ride from baguio to kabayan, is that really 8,500 or 850 lang?
Php 8,500.00.
- Lester
per vehicle un di ba?
Per jeepney, in particular =)
With special attention on “per head allotment may vary”
=)
-Carla O.
Pano yung arrangement pag small group lang? from 2-5people
hopefully sa April po sana
Hello there!
Please check the table (List of Expenses) in the article above. That pretty sums up the damages for the entire Pulag trip.
TIP: Para mas makatipid sa transpo expenses (JEEP – Baguio – Kabayan, V.V.), pwede po kayong maki-tie up sa mga ibang grupo, lalo na’t maliit lang ang inyong team. Maximum number of passengers in a jeep is 15. Kung 5 lang kayo, di praktikal na umupa ng buong jeep for Php 8,500.00 or so. At hindi rin masaya matagtag sa loob ng jeep kapag nasa dirt road na dahil so sobrang gaan ng load ng sasakyan.
Mainam na kontakin niyo rin si Mang Roger Guzman, dahil siya ang punong tagapangasiwa ng jeep papunta ng Kabayan. Sabihin niyo sa kanya ang inyong sitwasyon para magawan niya ng paraan agad. Ideally, kontakin niyo dapat siya weeks before the climb para swabe ang lahat.
Hope this helps man. Thanks for visiting our blog. Cheers!
Salamat ng marami! hopefully matuloy kami! more power sa blog na to!
Thanks man. Should you need more help / tips, don’t hesitate to ask queries. We are more than willing to help you.
It is also advised that you contact Ms. Emerita Albas about your Pulag plans. Check the latest updates re: weather patterns, mandatory equipment, guide rates, etc. with her. Her contact details are mentioned in the article above.
Good luck sa inyong trip. Ingat kayo at enjoy!
ive been longing to climb akiki trail… trice it was postponed, hopefully this march, it would push trough, i am reading articles blogs about akiki… it seems the same, the experiences and actions… sir/madam any more insights regarding our assault at akiki, 3 lang po kami akyat, we’re not a seasoned mountaineers but sure does we can hike…
its not that i want to compare akiki but im really curious if its a trail same as that of tacadang…
more power! rock on! climb high! be blessed!
Good day!
The Akiki Trail is well-documented in various blogs. I think it is wise to take the experiences of our fellow hikers into consideration as far as our own Pulag plans are concerned.
Siguro ang maibabahagi lang namin na mahalaga ay: MAGHANDA NANG MABUTI PARA SA AKYAT, LALO NA KUNG SA AKIKI TRAIL KAYO DADAAN. It is difficult for not-so-seasoned hikers; physical and mental preparation are a must before undertaking the mission. We strongly suggest you do several rounds of jogging weeks before the actual climb. It is best to be fit for Akiki; the trail is arguably the most scenic of all trails going to the peak. For sure one doesn’t want fatigue to take over the fun.
More Akiki Facts:
- From trailhead to Eddet River is a rolling segment of the Akiki Trail. Very easy to negotiate. The trail starting from Eddet River all the way to the Saddle camp is generally inclined / steep. This is the challenging segment of the trail.
Moreover, winter apparel is a must, from head to torso, hands, legs, feet, etc. And bring a handful for more layering. Pulag is the coldest point in Luzon and perhaps in the entire country – with temperatures as low as -5 degrees on a fine day. Just imagine how it would be like on a bad, rainy day. That spells disaster.
Tents with full flysheets are recommended. Goal is to keep yourselves dry throughout the night. Without a fly, the insides of your tent will condense and will render everything wet. Thermal sheets (earthpad) is also a top priority.
May nakalimutan pa ako for sure. =) Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Todits lang.
Uy, you may also want to check out our other Pulag article
http://thekayumanggitrails.wordpress.com/2010/01/11/legend-of-pulag-reflection/
that’s a reflection of a not-so-seasoned hiker as well, and that would be me
mag-jogging lang kayo araw-araw, kaya nyo yan! go go go!
-Carla
hi! good afternoon po. Balak ng aming grupo umakyat ng pulag via ambangeg sa march 19-20, lahat po kami ay baguhan. Ano po ang maipapayo nyo, mas mabuti bang makipag deal kami dito sa maynila ng mga guide w/ tour packages or mag simula sa baguio, then rent ng jeep to DENR and ranger station? Mahihirapan ba ang isang baguhan mag asikaso ng itenerary at pag renta ng sasakyan papuntang pulag? 8-9 kami sa grupo. Salamat po.
Hi Mark!
Bago ang lahat, maraming salamat sa pagdalaw sa blog na ito
Tungkol sa mga katanungan mo re: kung ano ang mas mabuting gawin para sa preparasyon at aktwal na pag-akyat sa Pulag, narito ang mga saloobin/payo ng mga bumubuo sa KT.
Nabanggit mong baguhan kayong lahat sa grupo (so we assume your group hasn’t been to any minor/major climbs before; very minimal camping experience). Siguro mas mainam na kumuha na kayo ng mga Manila-based tour packages with reputable/experienced mountain guides para iwas hassle sa grupo ninyo at para magabayan kayo nang mabuti dahil hindi rin biro ang pag-akyat sa Pulag, basta’t sapat lamang ang presyuhan (ang average na presyo via Ambangeg ay naglalaro sa Php 3,500.00 – Php 4,000.00 per head; kung mas mataas pa diyan ay medyo overpriced na. Kung mas mababa naman ay tiyak marami kayo sa grupo). Sa pagkakaalam namin, KASAMA SA RESPONSIBILIDAD NG MGA TOUR GUIDES NA NAGO-OFFER NG TOUR PACKAGES ANG MGA SUMUSUNOD:
- Jeep Rental (Baguio-Ambangeg)
- DENR Registration Fee
- Pulag Mountain Guide Fee
- Facilitator’s Fee
- Tent + other equipment (depende kung sinong tour guide ang nago-offer)
- Food
- Itinerary
Kung tipo ninyong ayusin ang logistics at planning nang kayu-kayo lang/hindi kayo maga-avail ng mga tour packages, kailangan ninyong makipag-coordinate kay Aling Mering (DENR Mt. Pulag Park Superintendent). Sa kanya ninyo makukuha ang info tungkol sa contact numbers ng jeepney rental services, info sa fees, dos and don’ts, essential things to bring/consider during the climb, etc. Pinapayo rin namin na magsama kayo ng at least ISANG EXPERIENCED NA PULAG HIKER. Itineraries – maraming naka-post sa internet esp. that of Pinoy Mountaineer website.
Another thing to consider for a Pulag climb is the type of clothing to be used. Dri-fit/quick-dry shirts and shorts/pants ang pinakamainam na gamitin sa akyat. Magdala din kayo ng makakapal na panlamig (winter apparel kung meron, sweaters, bonnets, gloves, raingear/poncho) dahil nagsi-zero to subzero temperature sa campsite kapag gabi/madaling-araw. Hypothermia ang kalaban so gumamit ng mga tamang kagamitan (waterproof/weatherproof tents, apparel, footwear, etc.) para protektado kayo.
Ito na lang muna sa ngayon. Tanong lang po kayo kung may hindi malinaw o kung may dagdag katanungan pa kayo.
Regards,
Lester Valle
KT
Wow ayos! Dami kong napulot na info dito, Lester. Padyak kasi kami from Baguio to ranger station sa October 29. Very informative site. Gamitin namin yung mga tips na nakuha ko dito.
Tanong: Yung bang arkila sa jeep na 8,500 ay one-way lang o balikan na?
Hallers pareng Allan!
Kumusta? Mahaba-habang padyakan iyang Baguio – DENR Babadak Ranger Station. Magdala ng maraming happy thoughts
Kuha kayo maraming pics, magandang rutang iyan.
Iyong jeep rental na Php 8.5k ay balikan na. Pero kung one way lang , that would be around Php 4.2k (o depende sa haggling powers
15 ang max passengers, so plan accordingly depending on your group’s headcount.
Cheers man! Ingat kayo. Tsaka check for weather updates din bro, bagyo season pa rin.
Lester
Oo, mahabang padyakan nga daw iyon kaya nagtitraining din kami. Around 70 kms. Kung free kayo, join us.
Ah so balikan na pala yung arkila na yun. Ayos, mas makakatipid.
OT:
Pwede nyo ba akong i-add sa inyong blog roll?
http://padyakadbentyur.porjuan.com
Add ko din kayo. Hehe. Good for SEO. Hehe! Salamat.
Sure bro
All for the love of cycling. Cheers!
Hello po. Plan po sana namin mag-hike this December 2011(Dec 23 onwards po siguro) sa Mt Pulag via Ambangeg trail. 3-4 lang po kami sa barkada 19-20 years old po kami. Dito po kami sa Baguio ngayon naka-board (nag-aaral kami sa SLU). Paano po kaya yung itinerary namin? Ok lang po kaya this December, ano po suggestion niyo kasi masyado atang malamig. Pwede po ba kaming dumeretso sa DENR-baguio para mag-inquire about this. Ok lang po sa amin makisabay sa bigger group pero hindi po namin alam kung kanino malalaman at kelan may event. And yung updated phone numbers nga po ng dapat i-contact. Thanks po. BTW, bago lang po kami sa hiking activity (pine tree planting activity sa mababang hills lang po ang na-hike nami dito sa Baguio).
Hi Joven,
Kumusta? Salamat sa pagdalaw ninyo sa blog ng KT
Mainam na ruta ang Ambangeg trail para sa mga nagsisimula pa lang mag-hike tulad ng grupo ninyo dahil ang daang ito ay pwedeng pang-overnight lang at di gaanong kahirapan.
Mula DENR Ambangeg office (kung saan nagkakaroon ng pre-climb seminar ang mga umaakyat), isang (1) oras na jeepney ride papuntang DENR Babadak Ranger Station. Mula Babadak, mga apat (4) na oras na lakaran papuntang Mt. Pulag Ambangeg Trail main campsite. Kung nais ninyo makarating sa main campsite bago magdilim, mga madaling araw dapat (5am) ang alis sa Baguio.
Ang major issue lang sa Pulag ay ang sobrang kalamigan ng panahon dito, lalo na kung papalo na ang gabi (hanggang madaling araw). Bagamat medyo madali ang Ambangeg trail ay hindi naman biro ang kondisyon ng klima sa campsite nito (malamig ang Disyembre, noong nagpunta kami ay nag-zero degrees Centigrade mga alas-dos ng madaling araw). Kaya sa aspetong ito, kailangan ninyo ng assistance sa camping skills at iba pang outdoor survival skills na tanging maibibigay lamang ng isang experienced hiker-guide. Mas mainam kung may makakasama kayong bihasang hiker.
Kung nais ninyong makita ang detalye ng akyat ng KT noong 2009, maaari ninyong basahin ang mga article na ito para magkaroon kayo ng general idea sa lugar
http://thekayumanggitrails.org/2010/10/14/recorders-notebook-mt-pulag-climb-via-akiki-trail/
http://thekayumanggitrails.org/2010/01/11/legend-of-pulag-reflection/
Updated ang mga contact numbers dito Joven, pati iyong mga rates ng jeep, guide, etc. ay ganoon pa rin.
Eto na muna sa ngayon. Kung may mga katanungan pa po kayo o kung may hindi malinaw sa inyo, mag-reply lang po kayo dito.
Lester
Ok thanks po. Update ko po kayo if ever man na matuloy po kami sa December.
Hi Joven!
Kung magtutugma lang ang mga iskedyul natin, nais namin kayong tulungan sa pag-organisa ng akyat ninyo. Kung pwede nga eh samahan namin kayo sa taas
Kaso hindi pa namin alam ang iskedyul namin sa Disyembre; wala pang kasiguruhan.
Balitaan tayo. Kitakits tayo kung sakaling mapadpad kami ng Baguio.
Cheers!
Lester
thank you for sharing this very entertaining Itinerary
More power to Kayumanggi Trails! 
I am yet to scale Mt. Pulag
Go go go, mars, happy s’ya =) I pray you get perfect weather for a perfect summit view. Ingat!
Thanks Kuya Lester. Puwede rin po ba na iinform nyo ako kung anong date po kayo aakyat next year, if ever na di matuloy yung hiking sa December. Gusto po rin namin talaga na may kasamang expert sa hiking. Para pag maipost nyo po yung mga date/s na aakyat po kayo, maisettle namin yung date na pupunta kayo. Thanks po!
Magandang pambungad trip ang Mt. Pulag hiking next year…this December poi kasi medyo nagclaclash yung sched namin na magkakaibigan. Di po namin sure kung matutuloy pa kasi baka po magtrip po kami sa Pagudpud sa Ilocos. Pero hopefully sana next year. Kuya Lester balitaan mo ako ha kung anong date kayo aakyat next year para masabihan ko mga kasama ko.
Hanggang sa muli! More power po sa inyo!
Joven
Hi Joven,
Update ko kayo bro as soon as our team decides to climb Pulag early next year . Inaantay pa natin ang pag-uwi ng ibang teammates at nasa field sila ngayon. Please send us your contact details at thekayumanggitrails@gmail.com so we can keep in touch easier. And perhaps we can send you some soft copies of reading materials about the basics of outdoor exploration, Leave-No-Trace principles and other important things.
Kelan kayo magpa-Pagudpud sa Disyembre? We might revisit the towns of Claveria and Sanchez Mira in Cagayan on that month, and these areas are just a few hours away from Pagudpud. Baka pwede tayong mag-volt in.
Balitaan!
Lester
Ok thanks po. Cge balitaan ko po kayo pag tuloy na tuloy na po kami sa Pagudpud…ala pa po kasing itinerary or paano namin mabibisita yung ibang sites sa Ilocos. At yung budget din po e haha.
Na-try na po namin magdadabarkads na pumunta sa ibang lugar. Sa Camiling, Clark, Subic at yung sa Pangasinan po, ginawan ko ng blog. Ito po yung blog ko: http://jovenchescapes.blogspot.com
Sana nga po matuloy yung sa Pagudpud.
Cge po balitaan ko po kayo pag ok na lahat!
-Joven
salamat sa nagcreate ntong blog dami ko napulot sir this coming february pauwi po ako balak nmin umakyat by 8 groups my marerecommend po ba kyong maayos at mahusay na package company,,,,,salamat po talaga
Hi jefferdel,
Kumusta? May mga nais lang akong klaruhin.
When you say 8 groups, ilan kayong lahat?
Best regards,
Lester
may uma-akyat ba sa Mt Pulag kapag Hwebes at Byernes Santo? Gusto ko kasing maki-join kung may grupo na a-akyat sa darating na Mahal na Araw 2012. Nag-iisa lang kasi ako eh. Lahat nakita kong tour schedule, weekends ang trip, kaso hindi naman ako pwede!
Gusto kong i-try yung pinakamadaling ruta, Ambangeg ba yun?
maraming salamat po!
Hi edi,
Sa pagkakaalam ko ay bukas naman ang Pulag kahit mahal na araw, ngunit maraming kasabay sa trail dahil sa bakasyon ito (walang pasok; panahon para gumala).
Marami namang pwedeng samahan. Kaso madalas ay bultuhan (i.e. maramihan kung magdala) ang mga grupong ito. I don’t know if it is worth spending for these types of tour packages. I recommend you join hikes done in small groups. Lesser impact on the trails, better personal and interpersonal experiences, etsetera.
Hayaan mo, balitaan ka namin kung sakaling may plano ang mga kakilala namin na umakyat sa mga nabanggit mong mga araw. Ang Team KT naman ay may planong bumalik sa Pulag kaso wala pa kaming tiyak na iskedyul para dito. Kung magtutugma ang mga kapalaran, maaari kang sumama sa amin
Lester
Hello po ulit!
Kuya Lester balitaan mo ako kung may plan kayo ulit umakya sa Mt. Pulag… Sana around sembreak, mga May. Haha. Di kami natuloy sa Pagudpud dati sayang, pero tuloy na tuloy na kami sa Cebu sa April.
Gusto ko rin umakyat sa Mt. Pulag makihitch sa bigger group para hindi masyadong magastos.
Hi Joven,
Di pa rin kami nakakabalik sa Pulag so mukhang positive iyong May. Tignan natin ha? Basta isa ka sa mga ia-update ko. For now, akyat muna kayo ng mga level 1 and 2; hone your soft skills. Kung mabisita kami ng Baguio before May, takits tayo and maybe discuss things re: BMC and what to expect about Pulag.
Best regards,
Lester
grbe i2 dabest 2ng mga nbasa ko d2. super detailed!
Maraming salamat, madel! Nawa’y huwag nating kalimutan ang lahat ng mga natutunan natin, lalu na ang paggalang sa kultura ng Pulag =)
Hi Lester,
Maraming salamat dito sa site. Gusto ko rin talagang maka akyat sa Mt. Pulag pero wala akong mahagilap na makasama. Wala ba kayong organize hike for March or April? pwede bang makisama sa grupo nyo? Kung katulad kong mag 49 years old na kaya ko kaya? more than 5,000ft lang ang experience ko and I walk and run.
Thanks a lot…Helen
Hi Ms. Helen!
May plano po kaming umakyat uli ngayong Marso o Abril . Sasabihan ko po kayo kung may kongkretong plano na po at nang maanyayahan namin kayo sa orientation
Pwedeng-pwede po kayong sumama sa Team KT, kami rin naman ay naghahanap ng mga bagong kapanalig sa paglalakbay.
Wala naman pong pinipiling edad ang lakbayan basta ba’t malusog at malakas ang ating pangangatawan. May kilala nga po ako 65 years old, nagku-kuweba at umaakyat din. Kayang – kaya po natin iyan basta may tama at sapat na preparasyon
Balitaan po tayo!
Lester
Hi Lester,
Maraming salamat. Sana matuloy bago ako umuwi ngayong May 1.
More power to your site…Helen
hi sir lester,
i’m a member of MT. PULAG TRANSPORT group…
Im my lakad kayo contact nyo lang ako at baka may maitulong tayo sa jeepney needs nyo from Baguio-Ranger Station. thanks
THEODORE of BAGUIO CITY
09497163485
Maraming salamat po, Manong Theodore. Isasama na po namin sa directory namin ang cellphone number ninyo, kontakin namin kayo kapag kailangan. Ilan po ang seating capacity ng inyong jeepney?
Hi Theodore,
Kung may trip kayo pa-puntang Ranger Station from Baguio sa darating na Myerkules Santo, pwede po ba na makisabay ako?
Eto po itinerary ko:
- Tues night April 3, 2012 – Manila to Baguio
– Wed April 4, 2012 – Bus to Kabayan (DENR); walk/hike/hitch a ride to
Ranger Station; Stay overnight at Ranger Station
– Thurs April 5, 2012 – Hike to summit for sunset viewing
Stay overnight at Campsite #3
– Frid April 6, 2012 – Hike to summit for sunrise viewing; back to Ranger Stn.
Thanks!
Noted, Mr. Theodore! Salamat po
Even if I have to do it solo and using public transportation, I am determined to climb Mt Pulag this coming Holy Week. If I get lucky, there maybe a group I can join to hitch a ride and avoid walking from DENR to Ranger Station.
See my itinerary below if anyone wants to join me:
- Tues night April 3, 2012 – Manila to Baguio
- Wed April 4, 2012 – Bus to Kabayan (DENR); walk/hike/hitch a ride to
Ranger Station; Stay overnight at Ranger Station
- Thurs April 5, 2012 – Hike to summit for sunset viewing
Stay overnight at Campsite #3
- Frid April 6, 2012 – Hike to summit for sunrise viewing; back to Ranger Stn.
At the very least, I need a guide to accompany me for those 3 days.
Wish me luck!
Hello, edi!
If you’re coming during the Holy Week, you’ll definitely be trekking with other groups who are also making the most out of the (relatively) long vacation.
Just make sure to coordinate your trip with Ma’am Mering. She will give you the contact details of transport service providers who will meet up with you at Baguio. You’d probably share the transport fee with bigger groups.
And, should you wish to directly contact the transport service providers (like Manong Theodore Pangsiw [read recent comments]), it is still advisable to tell Ma’am Mering about it, so that everything would be properly noted and coordinated.
Ma’am Mering will also assign a guide for you once you get to the DENR Briefing Station.
Good luck with your solo outing, and we wish you the best sunset-sunrise there is
Do you have the contact information of Ma’am Mering? I sent her an email awhile back but never got a response from her.
The contact numbers written above are updated. Ma’am Mering prefers phone calls as she is always on-field or on-the-move. But then sometimes, she’s in an area where there’s no signal for telecommunications, at all. You would need a little patience for this.
But once you get to talk to her, she’s very accommodating 
Kuya Lester, inform mo ako agad pag me finalized plan na kayo para sa hiking. Bale sa e-mail na ginamit ko na dito nyo i-send. Hehe. May website na din po pala ako…para incase yung hiking this year, maifeature ko (http://www.travextravels.com/ yung Mt. Pulag. Tapos ma-acknowledge ko po kayo dun.
See you soon po!
Hi po!
We are planning to climb Pulag via Ambangeg after holy week po. 3 man team lang po kami. Gusto po sana namin makatipid kaya hindi po kami nagavail ng tour. Everyday po ba may naghihike dun? para po may mkahati nman kami sa jeep.Si Aling Mering po ba si Ms. Emerita Albas? Siya po yung need namin icontact for details?
Thanks po.
-Hanz
HI Hanz =)
Ngayong summer ay malaki ang posibilidad na may mag-hike sa Pulag araw-araw, pero para sigurado na may makasabay kayo, tawagan ninyo si Ma’am Mering: oo, s’ya si Miss Emerita Albas =) Kapag sinabi ninyo sa kanya ang araw ng inyong hike, ay sasabihin naman niya sa inyo kung may mga kasabay kayo paakyat. Siya na rin ang magre-rekomenda ng jeepney na masasakyan ninyo papunta sa jump-off points.
Ingat kayo, at ihanda ang sarili sa anumang maaaring mangyari =)
Hi po
i was planning to climb Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg with DOH team this coming March 30.. ask lang po if meron rent service along the way to pulag??
thanks in advance!!
Tent rent service****
Hi Karlo!
As far as KT is concerned, walang tent rent service sa DENR station sa Ambangeg. You’ll have to bring your own bro (borrow from friends if they have one).
Lester
Da best! sa mga naghahanap ng kasama…april 6-7 ang plan nmin mga 4-7 peeps lang kme kaya di kami magha-hire ng jeep. baka may pwede kaming kasabayan jan.. anyone???? Tga La trinidad/baguio din lang kme..
I am preparing for our climb this Holy week in Mt. Pulag (April 5 – 7 via Akiki trail). Ang daming useful information na nakuha ko dito.
Sa lahat ng mga nag share ng experience nila and sa blogger admin – MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT!
More power sa blog mo!
hindi po ba adviseable magdala ng private vehicle to ambangeg? anytime po ba pwede umakyat? we’re planning a private hike po kasi w/ a tour guide from the site. ^^
Hi, May!
Anytime pwedeng umakyat, basta’t alam ni Ma’am Mering na papunta kayo, kaya dapat properly coordinated ang inyong trip: tawagan ninyo sya para rito.
May mga nagdadala ng private vehicles to Pulag, pero para hindi kayo ma-hasel, bear these tips in mind:
1.) Sana ay pang-offroad ang sasakyan ninyo, dahil marami pang bahagi ng kalsada papuntang Pulag ang hindi pa sementado. May mga malalaking batong posibleng madaanan, at paakyat ang kalsadang ito. Hindi ito kakayanin ng ordinaryong sasakyan.
2.) Sana ay may guide kayo mula pa lamang sa Baguio. Hindi lamang para umiwas sa pagkawala, kundi para rin may karamay kayo sa pagtanggal ng mga batong sagabal sa daan. In the Cordilleras, it is very common to see drivers with buddies beside them, who will help them dislodge rocks/ push their vehicle out of a rut.
Ingat sa byahe, at enjoy
hello po,
i just want to ask kung my climb po ba to pulag this sembreak? November or October 2012? I really (3x) want to go/join kung meron po. Dito lang nmn po ako sa Baguio. Naghahanap ako ng mga mountaineering organizations or groups dito kaso wala akong mahanap. may alam po ba kayo? so i could join…?
thank you po and Godbless.
Hi, Erica a.k.a. Badong!
Panalo ang pangalan mo
Sa Disyembre, may akyat ang Team KT pa-Pulag, via Akiki. Trip mo ba? Hindi pa sigurado ang mga dates, pero para ma-update ka, subaybayan mo ang aming KT Page sa FB, para real-time ang balita.
Re: mountaineering groups, magandang makahanap ng mga makakasama sa hike, but make sure you go with responsible hikers. Ibig sabihin, sana marunong silang mag-segregate ng basura, at maging kagalang-galang at tahimik sa trails at sa campsites. Kunsakaling mapapabilang ka sa isang grupo, isaalang-alang mo ang kanilang ugali. Hindi porke mabilis mag-hike, magaling
We are planning to go up Mt. Pulag this March. Below is our itinerary;
March 7- Manila to DENR Ambangeg- overnight at Ambangeg
March 8- Ambangeg to Ranger Station to Summit (sunset)- overnight
March 9- To summit (sunrise) then descend to Manila
We have our own vehicle going to DENR Ambangeg. Are there readily available transportation from Ambangeg to Ranger Station or do we need to pre-arrange it?
Thanks
Hi Jamir!
You must pre-arrange the jeepney transport from DENR Ambangeg to Babadak Ranger Station and back. You may contact Mr. Charlie Guzman (+63928 935 3684) regarding the transport details. Moreover, please contact Ma’am Mering’s office (+63919 631 5342) to reserve a trekking/camping slot for your group.
Lester
Ok thanks. One last inquiry. Is a guide a must? I was informed the trail is pretty much established. If a guide is standard, will he have his own tent?
Thanks
Ok thanks. One last inquiry. Is a guide a must? I was informed the trail is pretty much established. If a guide is standard, will he have his own tent?
Thanks
Hi!
Local guides are MANDATORY. If I recall it right, the current guide fee for Ambangeg – Ambangeg route is Php 100.00 per head. The guides have their own shelter and supplies. But it won’t hurt either if you share goodies with them
Lester
Grabe ang mahal ng budget P4000-5000? I can organize the ambangeg-ambangeg or Akiki-ambangeg ng more or less than P2.5k ..
JM,
If you only had the time to read our entry carefully, the abovementioned expenses are applicable for a GROUP OF 8. Considering the expenses for a truly responsible way of hiking (wherein you must ensure the optimum welfare of your teammates, WHILE KEEPING THE LEAST NUMBER OF PAX TO AVOID DESTROYING THE TRAIL), we are quite afraid of your cost estimate.
Try to organize a trip to Pulag FOR 8 PERSONS, using your “more or less than 2.5k”, and we’ll see where it gets you
Ginoong JM,
Iyang rates mo pang-50 katao siguro kaya mura. Tapos siguro mag-isa mo lang na nagpa-facilitate kaya ang laki ng kita mo.
Iyang ganyang mga istilo ang nakakasira sa daanan ng mga bundok. At nakakasira rin sa ispirito ng pag-akyat.
Huwag mo nang ipagyabang iyang 2.5k mo; alam ko na iyang kalokohan na iyan. Nabiktima na ako niyan dati.
Mon
Mon and Kayumanggi trail
The 2.5k budget is applicable to 6-8 persons. Masyado kasi kayong tamad mag search at gusto nyo sama lang ng sama sa mga event. At kaw kayumanggi sumama ka minsan sa climb ko ng malaman mo kung tama ang sinasabi ko.. Bayad lang kasi kayo ng bayad sa mga organizers..Kung nabiktima ka man Mon, kasalanan mo yan.. weak ka kasi at less informed. At hindi ako nag ka climb ng 50 katao, madalas 2 or 5 lang kami.. Wala ako matutunan sa blog na ito.
Sign out na ko..
JM,
Ipasak mo sa lalamunan mo iyang tour mo. Sa’yo na iyang 2.5 kiyaw mo. Sa sama ng tabas ng dila mo, I can imagine how you would handle a tour by yourself. WALANG CLASS. Hehehe. I’d rather get a tour whose offer is HIGHER than yours, basta propesyunal makipag-usap at mahusay sa handling ng pax sa field. Sa tono pa lang ng pananalita mo, WALA KA NANG KWENTANG TOUR GUIDE.
Saka ano ba ang isyu kina kayumangi? Pasok sa range ang budget nila. Not all tours are created equal pare. Meron talagang mas mahal nang kaunti, kasi may mga additional provisions o mas malayo ang pinanggalingan. Eh kung sabi mo makakalabas kayo nang mas mura ang budget, ABA’Y CONGRATS. IKAW NA. Hehehe.
Daming bobo, makitid, at mayabang na mountaineer-mountaineeran kuno. Pwe!
Sign out na din ako.. Hehe.