This is your complete guide in planning a Do-It-Yourself Climb to Mt. Pulag (update as of January 28, 2014).

Fast Facts:
Mt. Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon.
Officially declared as the 2nd highest mountain in the Philippines.
2922+ MASL, Major climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1-2

Things to Consider in Planning:
* Number of Joiners/Participants
* Cost and Capacity of Jeepneys for Rent
* Expertise/Climb Experience of Joiners
* Weather

Number of Joiners/Participants
Aside from the famous mantra, “The more, the merrier.”, climbing in group may be more practical too. Imagine how costly fees will be if one will pay it individually (eg. Guide Fee, Porter Fee, Jeep Rental).

Expenses on Food will be cut down too.

Cost and Capacity of Jeepneys for Rent
Most Jeepneys for rent have the maximum capacity of 20 (19pax+driver). But jeepney rental fee should be cleared to avoid extra charges. For instance, the 1st time I climbed Mt. Pulag, we paid Php12,000.00 for a group of 19 which cost us roughly around Php635.00.

For my 2nd Climb, we rented a jeep from Monster Jeepneys for Php8500 (with a maximum pax of 16). In excess of 16 pax will be Php500.00 each.

In short, make sure to maximize the capacity of the jeepney. If it is good for 16pax, make sure to have 16 joiners in your group.

The Monster Jeepney

Expertise/Climb Experience of Joiners
Many people are dreaming to have those “cool” selfie photos with that Sea of Clouds in the background. But climbing Mt. Pulag is no joke. Being prepared is the key.

If your group are first-timers or at least most of them are, consider tagging along some guys that have gone to Mt. Pulag already and/or have gone climbing for some time; their tips and experience would be of great help.

Climb experience may also identify the trail that you’re going to take. For beginners, the Ambangeg-Ambangeg Trail is highly recommended. Akiki Trail for more experienced; doing a traverse may sound exciting too for those adventurous.

Weather
Weather is really unpredictable but you may visit this website for some accurate weather forecast: http://www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/Mount-Pulag/forecasts/2922. This site includes details such as sunset, sunrise, wind (km/h), temperature, and probability of precipitation.

What to Bring/Must-Haves:
Each participant should have the following:
* bubble-type jacket
* poncho
* trekking shoes
* sleeping pad
* sleeping bag
* thermal gloves
* thermal pants
* thermal socks
* bonnet
* at least 1.5 to 2 L of water
* headlamp
* toiletries
* thermal blanket

The group should bring the following depending on the number of joiners:
* tent
* stoves
* butane gas
* rice
* canned goods
* trail food
* medicine kit
* cookset
* trash bag

DIY MT. PULAG ITINERARY
via Ambangeg-Ambangeg Trail
Days Needed: 3 days 2 nights


Day 0
08:30PM Β  Β  Assembly at Victory Liner
09:00PM Β  Β  ETD Bus Manila to Baguio City

Day 1
03:30AM Β  Β  ETA Baguio City
03:45AM Β  Β  Assembly at Caltex (Rented Jeepney Meet-up Point)
04:00AM Β  Β  ETD Jeepney Baguio
05:00AM Β  Β  StopOver at Carinderia (Heavy Breakfast)
05:40AM Β  Β  ETD Carinderia to Visitor’s Center (Topload starts here!)
07:30AM Β  Β Β ETA Visitor’s Center
08:00AM Β  Β  Registration and Briefing at Visitor’s Center
08:30AM Β  Β  ETD Visitor’s Center to Ranger Station
10:30AM Β  Β  ETA Ranger Station
Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  (Pay Guide and Green Fee, Secure Guides and Porters, Lunch)
11:45AM Β  Β  Start trek!
01:30PM Β  Β  ETA Camp 1
04:30PM Β  Β  ETA Camp 2 (Set up camp)
06:30PM Β  Β  Dinner/Socials

Day 2
03:00AM Β  Β  Wake-Up Call
03:30AM Β  Β  Start trek to Summit
05:30AM Β  Β  Watch Sunrise. Sea of Clouds Baby!
06:30AM Β  Β  Start Descent to Campsite
07:30AM Β  Β  ETA Campsite (Heavy Breakfast)
08:30AM Β  Β  Start Descent
12:00NN Β  Β  ETA Ranger Station
Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  (Pay Porters, Wash up)
01:00PM Β  Β  ETA Visitor’s Center (Log-out)
01:15PM Β  Β  ETD Visitor’s Center to Baguio CIty
04:30PM Β  Β  ETA Baguio City
05:00PM Β  Β  Dinner at Good Taste, Baguio
06:00PM Β  Β  ETD Baguio City to Manila
12:00MN Β  Β  ETA Manila

at the Visitor Center – Photos, ATM cards, Calling Cards, IDs of those who have been to Mt. Pulag are posted here

Budget
Bus Fare Manila-Baguio Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β Php455.00
Bus Fare Baguio-Manila Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β Php455.00
Jeepney Rental (Php8500/16pax) Β  Β  Β  Php531.25
Registration & Green Fees Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Php225.00
Guide Fee (Php500/5pax) Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β Php100.00
Cultural Fee Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β  Β Php30.00

Total Budget: Php1796.00

Optional Expenses:
Porter – Php500.00 for 15 kilos
Donation at Wash Up Area
Souvenirs

This is where you can buy the famous shirt, “I survived Mt. Pulag” for only Php170.00.Β 

Special Concerns:Β Reservation/Scheduling
Mt. Pulag National Park is being maintained by DENR headed by Ms. Emerita Albas: 09196315402. Informing DENR of the date of your climb and the size of your group is a requirement. It is advisable to contact them at least a month before because DENR would not allow you to climb if Mt. Pulag is already fully-booked. This is to ensure the safety of everyone and most of all, to achieve Sustainable Tourism.

Reserve as early as possible to secure a good campsite too. Early birds will have the privilege to go to the summit first.

Tips:
* If Mt. Pulag is already fully-booked, don’t be sad and give up. Try to contact Ms. Gina Epe of Monster Jeepney if she has available slots.
* Book Monster Jeepney for your jeepney ride. They’re quite cheaper compared to others and you don’t need to allocate budget for the driver’s meals since their operator have carinderia. But of course, have the courtesy to offer food or snacks to the driver.
* Take Bonamine at least an hour before the jeepney ride. The road to Ambangeg Jump-off Point is really a long and winding one.
* You may wash up at Ms. Gina Epe’s Carinderia after the climb, it’s for free! Also, the water is not that cold compared to the water in Ranger Station.
* Make sure to bring a thermal blanket with you. You may put it inside your socks or gloves for added comfort and heat.

For what to wear in Mt. Pulag, please read my artcicle: Surviving Mt. Pulag, a First Timer’s Guide to Survival.

Important Contacts:
Ms. Gina Epe (Monster Jeepney) – 09198169234
Ms. Emerita Albas (aka Maam Mering of DENR) –Β 09196315402

If you have any comments or helpful tips that you want to share, feel free to comment below.

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15 Comments

  1. Hi Sir! thanks for the tip. it is really helpful especially for us na maliit lang budget. May I ask if sino yung guide nyo? or yun talaga yung price ng guide dun?

  2. hi sir,, ask lang po if may sure na tent rentals sa ranger station at kung alam nyo po kung cnu pedeng kontakin pati nadin contact no. po at kung kelangan pa mag pareserve,, may hike po kc kme dis comning nov. 13-14.thank you

  3. Walang anuman! :)Regarding sa guide po, nakalimutan ko na yung name nung guide namin recently. Pero yun na kasi yung price nun. Dun na ang bayad mismo.

  4. hi sir…. ung monster jeep ba ay one way or round trip na sya? di nyo pa po ba na update etong blog baka may increase /decrease [hoping] sa mga expenses

  5. We've been in Mt.Pulag for so many times. And we are only trusting one group to handle our tour. It is really hassle free and very cheap. Name of the group is HideOut Travel and Tours. I am not connected with them but I am 101% sure that they can provide you a hassle free and safe service. I booked my pulag,calaguas, baler and ilocos with them as well Sagada. this is the website where I am booking my tours. http://www.hideouttravelandtours.comTalked to Ms. Nisha and Sir Louie they are so kind that they sometimes give free of charge on one of participants specially for big groups. And sometimes with free drinks and meals pa!

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