Admit it?! You sang the title of this blog entry haha. 🙂
Disclaimer: Please be informed that our blog entry will focus more on beginners / first-timers in mountain-hiking, specifically for Mount Pulag.
Your Pulag trip is coming soon and you have no ideas yet…let this post guide you on the basics & first-hand info, we assure you that all details mentioned are helpful. 🙂
- Is it safe to go on a DIY trip or should I join groups/travel agencies? We planned to do a DIY solo trip but we realized the inconvenience. It’s safer & better to join travel groups when going to Pulag. There are lots of travel groups / agencies on Facebook offering travel packages, explore!
- When is the best time to visit? November to February are the ideal months to trek..lesser chance of rain, more chance to see the Sea of Clouds, perfect cold weather. For thrill seekers, February is known as the coldest month here, yiiiii.
3. What if we won’t visit during Nov-Feb? You can still trek during summer time (March to June). But during rainy season (July-September), there’s a greater chance that the national park will be frequently closed. You can always check the condition up there through this Facebook page.
4. What’s so special about Mount Pulag? It’s the 3rd highest peak in the Philippines, known for it’s amazing sea of clouds, epic sunrise, and so on. Dubbed as Playground of the Gods, it’s a host to unique flora & fauna. Don’t worry, you’ll learn more during your DENR pre-climb orientation.
5. Is medical certificate really required? Yes, each visitor must present his/her med cert upon registration at the DENR. Safety first. If you don’t have one, you can also secure this at the nearest hospital, just ask the locals for the direction, med cert costs Php 100.00 per head.
6. Can we skip the DENR portion instead? Nope, all visitors are required to drop by at DENR and register their names. Safety first. This is the part where you’ll also undergo a 30 minute pre-climb orientation. There’s a quiz afterwards so pay attention, joke!
7. Can we finish the trek, we’re just first-timers? This is not a race, always remember that in every group, there will be a different trek pace. Some may be faster while others may be slower than usual. For beginners, Ambangeg-Ambangeg trail is recommended since this is the easiest. It will cost you 4 hours per way, still it depends on your pace. The path is sometimes challenging (muddy, slope, rocky, slippery) but nothing compared to the killer trail called Akiki. 
8. What to expect on your travel itinerary?
- Midnight – leaving Manila and driving to Benguet province
- Around 4am – stopover somewhere in Pangasinan / Baguio
- Around 6am – stopover at Bokod, Benguet / secure medical certificates
- Around 9am – arrival at DENR *registration, orientation, souvenir shopping, try their Biko.. the best.
- Around 12pm – jeepney ride to Ranger Station *do the top-load for added experience
- Around 1pm – arrival at Ranger Station / visit the rental stores for last minute fix / set-up at base camp site
- Free Time / Socials / Roam around camp site
- Around 12am – start trek to Camp 1 (1 hour)
- 1am – arrival at Camp 1, prepare to enter mossy forest, start trek to Camp 2 (1 hour)
- 2am – arrival at Camp 2, start trek to Peak 3 or to Tower or to Summit (2 hours)
- 5am – Aura! Do the trekker pose, unli picture-taking, and of course…witness the sea of clouds & sun rise.
Congratulations, you made it! It’s easier to trek going back to your station than going up to the summit. If your soooo tired, you can also ride the Habal-Habal back to base camp (you’ll spot this motorcycles on the last part of the trail), it’s Php 100.00 per head.
9. What if we won’t reach the summit? Don’t cha worry! You can still see the sea of clouds & pretend like you reached the summit by visiting other nearby peaks or the other meet-up place they call “Tower”. You see, this national park has mountain ranges that gives you a beautiful view in every peak with lesser height & difficulty compare to the summit.
behind me is the summit & another peak
10. Things to bring for Mount Pulag? Never underestimate this place, always be prepared than sorry & cold haha, see below check list:
Important, do not forget these!
- Back pack *compact back pack will do & make sure to pack your things smart
- Trekking shoes / Running shoes *ordinay rubber shoes / sneakers are not advisable
- 3 pairs of socks / wool socks *needed especially during sleeping
- 1 pair of thick / fleece hand gloves *needed especially during sleeping & on the way to summit
- Leggings / Leg warmers / Jogging pants *wear this under your trekking pants, 2 layers of pants will do
- Trekking pants *advisable to wear & additional insulator
- Sweater / Hoodie / Fleece jacket **needed especially during sleeping, 2 layers of jacket will do
- Thermal jacket *to protect you from sudden rain during the climb & acts as an additional insulator
- Long-sleeve top *2 tops will do
- Beanies / Bonnets
- Whistle
- Flashlight
- Raincoat
- Medicine & first aid kit
- Toiletries
- Wet wipes *please don’t forget
- Trail food *very important
- Drinking water *at least 2 liters per person
Optional, so-so..
- Surgical hand gloves *effective insulator under your hand gloves & protects your hands too
- Ear muffs *so you look cute
- Scarf
- Trekking sandals
- Trekking poles *especially if you’re a first-timer
- Silica gel *protection for your gadgets against moist
- Thick / Fleece blanket
For Rent – items you can rent in front of the Ranger station
- Tent *Php 300.00 for 3 pax
- Sleeping Bag *Php 150.00 per head
- Headlamp *Php 50.00 each
- Insulator pad / earth pad *Php 50.00 each
We hope that we’re able to help you and set some of your expectations on your upcoming Pulag trip.
Thanks and please rate 🙂
Kaja let's go! 