MANILA, Philippines - If hiking a mountain is in your bucket list, make that mountain Mt. Pulag. Majestic at 2,992 meters above sea level, Mt. Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon and the second highest mountain in the Philippines. It is situated within the lush and forest-rich provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya. On a clear day, Mt. Pulag’s summit gives a spectacular view of the sunrise amidst an endless wash of clouds and rolling mountain slopes.
Mt. Pulag is accessible by taking a Victory Liner Bus to Baguio. Victory Liner buses are equipped with comfortable seats, free wifi and other amenities which make the six hour bus drive from Metro Manila to Baguio feel like a breeze. From Baguio, travel to the Dangwa Terminal and rent a jeepney bound for Benguet. The trip to Benguet takes five hours but it feels shorter than that with the scenic route and several stops for meals and picture-taking in the tranquil Ambuklao Dam.
For a hassle-free Mt. Pulag hike package, you may always opt to join Byaheng Victory. Byaheng Victory has a regular Mt. Pulag hike administered by seasoned adventure tour provider Travel Factor. Byaheng Victory is a series of group tours made possible by a collaboration of Victory Liner and Travel Factor.
The chartered jeep takes you to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office where visitors are required to register. A briefing on Mt. Pulag National Park is also conducted here. The do’s and don’ts of the hike and other useful information on Mt. Pulag is given through a video presentation. One learns that the Mt. Pulag National Park of the DENR manages all the four trails leading to and from the mountain: Ambangeg, Badabak-Akiki, Balay-Tawangan and Ambaguio trail.
At least an hour-long rugged ride to the Badabak Ranger Station aboard the chartered jeepney ensues. The ranger station, which is about 8 km. away from Mt. Pulag’s summit, serves as the jump-off point for the hike. The trek to the mountain begins here. Beginners are advised to take the Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail, which offers the easiest way up the summit.
Trekkers may set camp at two stations; either at Camp 1, which has a hut or at Camp 2, which is the most preferred of campers because of its commanding full view of the grasslands and the rugged forest. Here the tents are set up and early dinner savored. Be warned though that the temperature in Mt. Pulag may reach negative; thus, it is best to wear thermal underwear and layers of clothes appropriate for cold weather. Despite the weather though, the experience once settled at the campsite is one-of-a-kind. Even with several layers of clothing and the chilling atmosphere at the campsite is somehow unsettling, everything else may turn to complete bliss and satisfaction.
A certain must-do at the campsite is to wake up before dawn to catch the much-awaited sunrise at the summit. Though a lot of bodies may start to shake due to cold or others might feel numb, one thing is certain – every soul who joins the climb will surely bring home the breathtaking experience of reaching the peak of Luzon’s highest mountain.
After at least a two-hour trek, one finally reaches the peak. Barring rains or foggy skies, a hiker enjoys a moment of stillness as he stares at the beauty before him. One is finally enlightened on why Mt. Pulag is considered The Playground of the Gods. The golden sun rises from a sea of clouds stretching over the vast slopes of the mountain. It is an experience that is pleasantly diverse from one hiker to another: peaceful, humbling, joyful, beautiful, and unforgettable.
For information, call 746-5119, 0917-8475341, e-mail at tours@travelfactor.org. or visit www.travelfactor.org.