mt. pulag

(Travel on 20th-21st Feb, 2015)(Review of Pagnat Saka tour below)Our climb was a little different from the usual intinerary. After necessary procedures at the Ranger Station, because of the bad weather, we stayed at a logged house along the way instead of climbing to the camping station. It was a rainny night so there was no stargazing. At 1:00am we were all ready for the 4 hours of climbing to the summit. We left all backpacks at the logged house and only brought water and some snack. Because of the rain, the road was extremely muddy. But also thanks to it, we had the clearest view on the summit and even were able to see the milky way before the sun rose. It was a fantastic way to welcome a new year, watching sunrise and sea of cloud from the top of Mount Pulag.Review of Patnag Saka tour:We went with Pagnat Saka tour. The guides and jeeneys were 1 hour late with no explanation. Their only phone number couldn't be reached. We had made full money transfer before the trip so waiting in the cold for that long, of course we had thought of the worst scenario. The food was ok. Staying at the logged house kept us warm enough. The leading guide was far ahead of us all the time of climbing, and there was no one back up from behind so it all depended on our will to stop or continue. Our 3800 PHP package promised for certifcates and T-shirts but no one mentioned about that. After returning to Baguio, we called the tour agent and were told that they would mail them to us later (even though they knew we came from another country and just been to Philippines for vacation). Then another failed promise for sending someone to our place in Baguio that evening. And another promise to refund the money, which still nowhere to be seen.Recommendation: Just pay for the basic 1800 PHP package and bring/rent your tent, sleeping bag, food... if you cannot find another decent tour. Warning: Foreigners have to pay an extra fee of 15 USD at the Ranger Station. This was not mentioned in the tour price.

I have done a lot of hill walking & camping in Europe, including the UK's Lake District & the French Alps, but seeing the sun rise over Mount Pulag is probably my favourite mountain experience. My fiancee & I booked an overnight Mount Pulag tour with Pagnat Saka Tours. We travelled from Manila to Baguio on the 1st class Victory Lazy-Boy coach, which I would definitely recommend for 8 dollars extra. We were then picked up in Baguio at 4.30am & travelled by Jeepney to the start of the walk, with two stops for food along the way. The views were spectacular & as a foreigner, travelling by Jeepney was a great way to experience the Pilipino culture. This tour is not for the faint-hearted or those wanting a quick photo opp without putting the effort in. On the 1st day, after all the travelling, we walked for roughly 3 hours through jungle, forest and mountain paths. Although the guides are patient with the mixed-ability group, they set a fairly quick pace. After camping overnight, we were woken up at 3.30am & walked for an hour or so to the summit of Mount Pulag in the pitch black with head torches. The reward for all that effort is to stand at the top of the 2nd highest mountain in the Philippines, above the clouds, and see the sun slowly rise. As views go, there aren't many better in the World. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who loves nature & is unafraid of hard work. Bring the right gear; snacks, water, walking boots, warm clothing & a positive attitude! You can hire tents & sleeping bags from the tour company, and porters are available to carry your belongings if you want a more laid-back trek. Pulag is a spiritual place & the local communities who live there believe in its' power. They ask that you respect the area & in return, you will come away from the trip with life-long memories

We arrived before sunset. Clouds were rolling in but we still managed to get decent photos of the terrain and terraces. Bring a sweater, it was in the upper 50's (and breezy)

Mount Pulag is the 3rd highest mountain in the Philippines.One of the foremost adventure destinations in Northern Luzon.The best part about joining this tour is getting to see this wonderful place with the magnificent view! Thank GOD for His wonderful creation!Mt. Pulag, Benguet, Philippines!Best place to travel!

Much love. love.. LOVE Mount Pulag. Respecting humble people, good people striving to co-exist with the natural beauty of the mountain itself. And I say the beauty of Mount Pulag resides with the People who protect it.

I didn't plan for this trip but few days before my leave, my brother asked me if I wanted to join their hiking group to climb Mt. Pulag. I just thought it was good for a change so I said to myself...Go! My brother arranged the jeepney pick-up from Baguio bus terminal to the rangers camp through coordination with the DENR to make sure that the trip was safe.The jeepney driver even offered us to take few side trip like stopping by at the Ambuklao Dam before reaching the DENR registration office. The serene view of the lake at the Dam was just amazing.We had lunch at one of the small carinderias around the rangers camp area. We requested them to cook a particular menu out of the chicken they offered. Sodas and water were already cold, ice was not necessary. If coffee is needed, P5.00 will do. They have a coffee dispensing machine.We also arranged with them our lunch for the next day which includes a very hot soup.The views along the trail were really AWESOME from the start of the hike where you can see the local village with their plantations, passing all the different phases and faces of the mountain up to the last and most stunning view from the summit.We reached the campsite around 5pm where we build our tents and sleep early before the curfew :) at 9:00PM. The night seemed so endless...I keep on waking up because of the cold 5 degree Celsius temperature. We woke up at 3AM to prepare for the climb and witness the sunrise at the summit. The stars are still up for the viewing ...so heavenly!When we reached the summit...everyone's excited to take the photos at all angle!The view was so breathtaking. I am sandwiched by the clouds above and below my level. The feeling that you're on top of the world, that you can touch the heaven when you stretched your hand up and the self-satisfaction that you've reached the summit of the tallest mountain in Luzon (3rd tallest mountain in the Philippines) is priceless.Not a single regret I made on deciding to join this trip. It's truly an unforgettable experience for me.Tip: It's nice to take photos and enjoy the summit when there's few of you at the top so better go there during weekdays.

My favorite camp on this mountain is camp 3 or commonly known as the saddle.Temperature from Nov. to Feb. can go as low as -5 degrees celsius. The crowd favorite is the Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail. But we would always prefer the Akiki-Ambangeg trail.

I booked a hiking tour (Trailadventours, which I highly recommend) before the New Year. I didn't expect that this exciting destination could be covered in just one weekend! Bus left Manila for Baguio Friday night, and by Saturday lunchtime we were already in the ranger station! We did the Ambangeg trail, which jumps off at Bokod in Benguet and is very suitable for first-timers. This was one of my most memorable hikes yet!Right from the get-go the trail will give you stunning views of the Cordillera highlands. Exiting the ranger station, you will see quaint vegetable farms and the village houses where the locals live. The view will drastically change as you progress up the trail, turning into pine-covered ravines and misty mountain peaks. You will also pass through a mossy forest and encounter indigenous flora! Camp 2 will offer you some interesting views where the forest cover gives way to grassland due to altitude and weather.Your pre-dawn hike to the peak will be freezing, but never lose a moment to take in the stunning, star-filled night sky! I've never seen so many stars, and it was one of the grandest views I've ever seen! The main attraction, of course, is the sunrise! Try rubbing your hands together as frequently as you can to keep it warm and selfie-ready when the sun rises over Pulag's famous sea of clouds! The majestic view is beautiful and very humbling. If it weren't for the horde of tourists excitedly taking photos everywhere, it would've been a truly solemn moment!

Mt. Pulag is the tallest range in Luzon. It also bears gorgeous slopes, stunning surroundings and spectacular "Sea of Clouds."

Easy hike considering its a mountain. Beautiful sceneries watching the sun rise on the sea of clouds. But terribly cold and humid in the night/morning, and don't expect to be alone, there were a few hundred tourists on/around the peak awaiting the sunrise in the morning. This was of course the peak season and the majority were Filipino from Manila visiting the colder climate of the north.

I have climbed couple mountain before, but cannot stop surprising with the scenery landscape here. Can see rainbow 3,4 times in a day. When at the top of the mountain, a falling clouds made me speechless. However maybe negative degree when the night fall, then please bring the warm clothes to keep body. I love this place too much. Easy to trek.

the view is truly amazing. Watching sunrise over the sea of clouds. Luckily it didnt rain but be sure to bring clothes that can keep you warm for it is truly cold especially at night. It is also impressive how they kept it clean amidst the number of tourists coming.

To view it is breathtaking, you can organise a trek up the mountainside, but you need to be physically fit.You need to go early to avoid cloud cover.

Mt. Pulag, known as the "playground of the Gods" is the third highest mountain in the Philippines. I was curious how it was called to be "playground of the Gods" so went to see myself.We started the trip at 5am in Baguio city to the ranger station,which is four hours ride. After lunch we started hiking.. At the ranger station,you can hire porters for 500 each. But for me, I didn't hire any, I carried my own backpack with thick jackets,food,water and my tent. I can say that 3hours hike is tiring but I enjoyed it along the way,have seen different wild flowers and trees. We arrived at the campsite late afternoon and the sunset was just so beautiful,it took away all my tiredness. And the temperature dropped to 7°,that way too cold. While we were at our own tents we can hear like coyotes or should I say wild dogs howling.3am call time for us to hit the summit. It was another 1hour for us.. When we arrived we waited for sunrise.. And it never failed me. It was just so majestic and beautiful. Sunrise and sea of clouds just in front of us. Now I know why it called playground of the gods!

I woke up 4:00am to meet the crew at Melvin Jones. We hired a guide and a jeep to bring us to the ranger station,which is four hours ride. Its was then after lunch that we started hiking.. It was a challenge then for me not to hire a porter(w/c costs 500p),and carried my own backpack with water,food,thick jackets and my tent. Along the way I noticed of so many wild flowers and trees. It was an enjoyable yet tiring walk for me. After 3.5 hours of walking.. We arrived in our campsite..then set the tents. The place welcomed us with beautiful sunset.. At 3:00am our guide woke us up to prepare for another 1hour walk up to the summit to watch sunrise.. The temperature dropped to 7° and its way too cold. Its good the weather is perfect,I mean no rain. So after an hour we arrived at the summit waited for the sunrise.. The whole walk was worth it to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds.. It was so beautiful and perfect.. No words can express how beautiful the sunrise up the summit. Worth the climb!Now I say I survived my pulag,the third highest mountain of the Philippines,the playground of the Gods! Awesome! ;-)