Mt Pulag (2,926+) Travel Guide 2023 – Into The Playground of the Gods
In this travel guide, let us take you to Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet. Known as “Playground of the Gods”. This entry contains the location, how to get to Mt. Pulag, sample itineraries, fees and expenses, and what to expect when hiking Mt. Pulag.
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The sea of clouds during the morning is the biggest draw of Mt. Pulag. A vast and ethereal sea of cotton clouds hovers slowly over the mountains of the Cordillera every morning. One wouldn’t imagine it possible, but this mountain makes it plausible given you brave its cold and challenging trails.
A popular weekend destination for travelers and mountaineers, Mt. Pulag ceaselessly amazes everyone with its surreal panoramic vistas. For the fifth time around, after hiking Akiki-Ambangeg trail in 2016, the Ambangeg trail in 2017 and 2019, and the Tawangan trail last 2022, I once again visited the rooftop of Luzon last February 2023 on a spontaneous trip!
Let’s GO!
MT. PULAG (AMBANGEG TRAIL)
Bokod, Benguet
LLA: 16°34’58″N 120°53’15″E, 2922 MASL (#3)
Days required / Hours to summit: 4-5 hours / 1-2 days
Specs: Major Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
Trail system: Grand Cordillera Trail, Section 3
Features: Sea of clouds, dwarf bamboo slopes, pine forests
Where is Mt. Pulag?
Rising at 2,926 meters above sea level, Mt. Pulag is the highest peak in Luzon and the third in the country after Mt. Dulang-Dulang in Bukidnon (Adventure HERE). Located in Bokod, Benguet, Mt. Pulag National Park borders the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya with the tripoint at the very summit.
Mt. Pulag has four (4) trails of varying trail lengths and difficulties and as follows:
- Ambangeg Trail – is the most accessible and easiest trail leading to the summit. Often dubbed as the Artista Trail, this trail is around eight (8) kilometers long and with only a 500-meter elevation gain from the Babadak Ranger Station. (Difficulty: 3/9, 3-4 hours to summit, doable in 1-2 days)
Read: Cloudsurfing at the Playground of the Gods | Mt. Pulag Ambangeg Trail (2,926+)
- Akiki Trail – dubbed as the Killer Trail because of the almost never-ending sharp ascents from Eddet River until one reaches Saddle or Camp 3. The hike commences at the Akiki Ranger Station of Tujakap in Brgy. Duacan in Kabayan, Benguet. Trail length is also the same with Ambangeg at eight (8) kilometers long but with a 1,700-meter elevation gain (Difficulty: 7/9, 10-11 hours to summit, doable in 2-3 days)
- Ambaguio Trail – is the longest trail of them all and starts in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya. The trail length is around twenty-four (24) kilometers long and with an elevation gain of 2,400 meters.
- Tawangan Trail – is a leech-infested trail that starts in Kabayan, Benguet. This trail is the most preserved since even locals hardly pass by through here. The trail length from Kabayan has an elevation gain of around 1,300 meters.
Read: Mt. Pulag (2,926 MASL), Benguet | Experience the Wrath of Tawangan Trail
How to Get There
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- Usually, there are many travel companies and mountaineering groups who offer Mt. Pulag climbs via Ambangeg for around 3000php to 6000php. This includes transportation, guide fees, accommodation, and other fees collected by the Mt. Pulag National park.
- If you prefer doing the Do-It-Yourself way, the perfect staging location is in Baguio City.
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- From Manila take any buses bound for Baguio City. Victory Liner Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City serves this route six times for first class and thirty times for regular trips every day. Travel time takes around 4-5 hours depending on traffic conditions. (Updated as of March 2023, refer to Victory Liner’s Fare Guide)
- 800php – First Class
- Departs at 0015, 1015, 1220, 1415, 2015, 2315
- 485php – Regular, departs every hour
- Address: 683 EDSA, Brgy. Immaculate Concepcion, Cubao, Quezon City
- Ticket Booth: (02)727-4534
- 800php – First Class
- In Baguio City, if traveling by group it is advised to rent a monster jeepney.
- From Manila take any buses bound for Baguio City. Victory Liner Terminal in Cubao, Quezon City serves this route six times for first class and thirty times for regular trips every day. Travel time takes around 4-5 hours depending on traffic conditions. (Updated as of March 2023, refer to Victory Liner’s Fare Guide)
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- If traveling solo or with a small group, hail a taxi from Victory Liner Terminal and ask to be dropped off at the Old Slaughterhouse Terminal. Travel time is around 10-15 minutes, and the fare 80-150php.
- Ask where the commuter vans/buses are bound for Kabayan, Benguet. Vans leave hourly and start at 07:00 am while buses leave by 05:00 am and ask to be dropped off at the DENR Office in Kabayan. Fare starts at 150-250php and travel time is 2-3 hours.
- There is a stopover at the Jang-Jang Canteen to grab breakfasts, relieve yourselves or take pictures at the hanging bridge.
- At the DENR Office in Bokod, register and pay the corresponding fees. There is a thirty (30) minute pre-climb orientation. (Rates as of March 2023)
- Entrance Fee
- Philippine Residents:
- Weekday: 175php/pax
- Weekend/Holiday: 350php/pax
- Non-Philippine Residents: 15 USD/pax
- Philippine Residents:
- Environment and Cultural Heritage Fee (LGU-Kabayan):
- Regular: 150php/pax
- Students: 120php/pax
- Camping Fee (DENR)
- Weekday: 50php/pax/night
- Weekend: 100php/pax/night
- Entrance Fee
- After the registration charter a habal-habal to bring you to the ranger station in Babadak which is around 12 kilometers away. 250-350php/ person, 20-30 minutes travel time
- At the ranger station proceed to your chosen homestay or start the climb to your designated camping site.
- Homestay: Ranges from 500-1000php/person/night for the dorm-type rooms.
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- Guide and Porter Fee: (please refer to this table as of March 2023)
- The hike to the summit takes around 3-6 hours depending on your pacing.
Where to Stay
- Several homestays and campsites are offered at the ranger station. Price ranges from 500-1000php/person/night for the dorm-type rooms.
- Please refer to the photo below, all contacts are updated as of March 2023:
- You can also camp at the designated areas at the Babadak Ranger Station. Camping Fee: 50-100php/person
- There are also scheduled days where hikers are allowed to camp at Camp 2 which is halfway to the Mt. Pulag Summit.
Travel Tips
- How to Register?
- By now, you should already know that Mt. Pulag National Park implements the “No Permit, No Climb Policy” strictly.
- You can call Mt. Pulag National Park during weekday office hours only (08:00 am to 05:00 pm). On weekends, reservation priority will be given to those who physically reserve at their office.
- Mt. Pulag National Park PAMO
- Smart – 0961 249 9071, 0930 341 9847
- Globe – 0916 542 4030
- Park Mountain Lakes – 09109365532, 09107645659
- Babadak Ranger Station – 09462435212
- Tawangan Office – 09161551667
- Akiki Office – 09127986765
- Mt. Pulag Protected Landscape Facebook Page
- Mt. Pulag National Park PAMO
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- As of March 2023, it is said that reservations for weekends should be paid immediately after confirmation. The available payment channels are Western Union, Smart Money, and Cebuana Lhuillier.
- Whereas reservations for weekdays can be done by calling them and stating your name and target climb dates. Fees will be collected on the day of the orientation.
- As of March 2023, it is said that reservations for weekends should be paid immediately after confirmation. The available payment channels are Western Union, Smart Money, and Cebuana Lhuillier.
- Are Medical Certificates required?
- YES. Medical certificates stating that you are fit to hike are required to secure a climbing permit. If you fail to secure one, there’s the Dennis Molintas Municipal Hospital near the DENR Office where you can secure one for 150php/each.
- Are Vaccination Cards required?
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- YES. Vaccination Cards with full doses are required to secure a climbing permit. If you don’t have one, an antigen test or RT PCR test is mandatory.
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- Can we directly camp at Camp 2?
- If you plan to set up camp at Camp 2, make sure you schedule your climb during weekdays only (Mondays to Thursdays) as it is closed during weekends.
- The ranger station homestays and camping sites are open every day.
- Is it really cold in Mt. Pulag?
- YES, temperatures in Mt. Pulag are known to dip below subzero levels and frost is a common occurrence. December, January, and February are the coldest but the peak season.
- Make sure to wear appropriate clothing to warm yourselves up. The best way is to wear at least 2-3 layers, thermals are much better.
- Visit Mt. Pulag on a weekday and avoid going on Saturdays and Sundays where there’s a sea of crowds rather than clouds.
- There’s a water source at Camp 2 along the Ambangeg Trail.
- You can also rent camping stuff like tents, sleeping bags, and trekking poles at the Babadak Ranger Station.
Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Boots
On this day hike, my Merrell Moab 3‘s waterproofing feature was tested on the muddy trails of Mt. Pulag and it did keep my feet dry for the whole day. Moreover, the Vibram sole kept its promise and provided reliable traction all day.
The Merrell Moab 3 is famous for its out-of-the-box comfort, durability, and all-purpose versatility. Moreover, its predecessors have enabled 25 million people to step further outdoors. For over a decade, the Merrell Moab has been the choice of hikers when a choice needs to be made, making it the best-selling hiker in the world.
Moab 3 Key Features
- Pigskin leather and mesh upper
- Bellow’s tongue keeps out debris
- Protective toe cap
- Kinetic Fit TM ADVANCED removable contoured insole with reinforced heel cushioning for medium support
- Molded nylon arch shank
- Lightweight EVA foam midsole for stability and comfort
- Lug depth 5.0mm
Extend Your Trip
- Mt. Pulag (2,926 MASL), Benguet | Experience the Wrath of Tawangan Trail
- Mt. Ulap (1846m) Benguet | Into Itogon’s Famed Crags and Ridges
- Mt. Amuyao – The highest peak in Mountain Province at 2,702MASL.
- The Bauko Seven Peaks – Challenge the Spanish trails of Bauko and get mesmerized by the morning clouds around Mt. Polis
- Mts. Kupapey and Fato – one of the lesser known mountains in Bontoc, Mountain Province that offers captivating views of the Maligcong Rice Terraces
Itinerary and Expenses
Our Itinerary: Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg 2D1N with side trip at Kabayan and Daclan Sulfur Spring
Day 0
2200 Depart for Mt. Pulag National Park
Day 01
0430 – Arrival in Baguio City, early breakfast
0800 – Jang-Jang’s Canteen, coffee/snacks
0930 – Mt. Pulag Visitor’s Center, registration and orientation
1200 – Babadak Ranger Station, set-up camp, lunch
1300 – Depart for Kabayan, Benguet
1400 – National Museum Kabayan, Benguet
1600 – Daclan Sulfur Spring
1745 – Babadak Ranger Station
2200 – Lights-off
Day 02
0300 – Start trek
0530 – Tower viewpoint, wait for sunrise
0630 – Continue to Mt. Pulag summit
0730 – Mt. Pulag Summit (2,926+)
0800 – Start Descent
1030 – Back at Ranger Station, break camp, tidy-up
1200 – Mt. Pulag Visitor’s Center, log-out
1600 – Baguio City, snacks
1900 – Sison, Pangasinan, dinner
Day 03
0200 – Back in Manila
Sample Itinerary: Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg 2D1N
Day 0
2300 Take a bus to Baguio City
Day 1
0500 ETA Baguio City. Breakfast then proceed to the jeepney terminal/chartered jeep.
0700 Take chartered jeepney to Ambangeg.
1000 ETA Visitors’ Center. Registration / Orientation
1130 Set out for Ranger Station
1230 ETA and lunch at Ranger.
1300 Start trek
1430 ETA Camp 1
1600 ETA Camp 2. Set up camp
1800 Dinner at the campsite; socials
Day 2
0430 Early morning trek to summit for sunrise
0545 Arrival at the summit just in time for sunrise
0700 Start descent from the summit
0800 Back at Camp 2; heavy breakfast
0900 Decamp; start the descent to Ranger Station
1130 Back at Ranger; Settle guide fees; jeepney descent
1230 Back at Visitors’ Center; tidy up and log out
1400 Head back to Baguio City
1700 ETA Baguio City. Dinner.
1900 Head back to Manila
0200 Back in Manila
Estimated DIY Expenses for 2 persons:
- Bus Fare (MNL – BAGUIO – MNL) – 910php/ each
- Taxi from Victory Terminal to Slaughterhouse – 150php (75php/each)
- Van/Bus Fare to DENR Ambangeg Office – 300php RT/ each
- Mt. Pulag Entrance Fee – 175php
- Environmental Fee – 150php
- Camping Fee – 100php
- Habal-Habal Fare – 500php RT/ each
- Guide Fee – 600php (300php/each)
TOTAL: 2,510php/ each excluding food, supplies, and tips
** We joined an organized tour from Manila for 2600php including food, registration fees, camping fee, transportation, and guide fee. This excludes the mandatory medical certificate
The Playground of the Gods – Mt Pulag (2,926+) | Travel Guide 2023
Updated March 27, 2023
