Hey guys! It’s Rampa Jonah once again, and today, I'm taking you with me on an epic journey to the one and only — Mt. Pulag — the highest peak in Luzon and the legendary playground of the gods! Buckle up and let’s gooo!
Day 1 – On Our Way to the Mountains!
June 7, 2025 – Ortigas, Pasig City
Blooming and I arrived at Shaw Greenfield, Ortigas from Sta. Rosa, Laguna where we had our fun moments at Enchanted Kingdom at exactly 8PM — yes, 2 hours early from our pickup time. That’s how excited we were!
It was raining, but that didn’t stop us from grabbing dinner while waiting for our van. A little rain just added drama to the start of this adventure.
A little past 10PM, the van finally arrived. And just like that — our road trip to Mt. Pulag in Benguet Province officially began!
Day 2 – Orientation Day in Bokod, Benguet
After almost 7 hours on the road, we reached Bokod, Benguet just before sunrise. We needed to stop by the DENR Office for an orientation and to secure our medical certificates — a must before climbing Mt. Pulag.
But here’s the twist — it was a Sunday, so the office wasn’t open yet. So what did we do? Breakfast hunt mode: ON!
After filling our bellies and waiting a bit, the DENR office finally opened. We had our orientation about the rules and conservation efforts — super informative and helpful.
Ambangeg Homestay + Veggie Views
After that, we headed straight to Ambangeg and checked into Baban’s Homestay — cozy, peaceful, and perfect for pre-climb relaxation.
We settled into our assigned room and had a hearty lunch. Afterwards, we explored the nearby area and wow! — the views were amazing. Lush vegetable landscapes surrounded us — from carrots and cabbage to a rainbow of fresh crops. Pure mountain life!
At around 3PM, our ka-rampas Ana Jean and Althea finally arrived! They had some issues during boarding back in Davao, but we were just so happy to be complete at last! 😄
This climb has been in the works since February, when we first bought our tickets — so this reunion made it extra special!
Midnight Prep – It’s Climb Time!
After dinner, we got some rest, then geared up by 12 midnight — headlamps on, jackets zipped, bonnets, gloves, neck warmers — lahat na!
It was cold and drizzling when we started the hike. We met our local guide, and the climb officially began.
The Hike – Into the Dark and Cold
Compared to my Mt. Apo climb last January, this trail was way more manageable. The Ambangeg Trail is known as the easiest trail — unlike the infamous Akiki Killer Trail. So yes, this was the “chill” version of the Pulag experience.
The trail had three zones:
1. Pine Forest
2. Mossy Forest
3. Grassland Summit
After 3 hours of hiking, we reached the campsite — a grassy section under pitch-black skies, with only our headlamps lighting the way.
Summit at Sunrise — or Not Quite
By 5AM, we reached the summit of Mt. Pulag. But nature had its own plans — the fog was thick, it was super cold, and there was almost zero visibility.
Then… just for a moment… a small ray of sunlight peeked through. We were all like: “Is this it? Is this the clearing?” But nope — it quickly disappeared.
Still, we took photos, laughed it off, and made the most out of the experience. Even if we didn’t see the sea of clouds, it still felt magical.
But whew — the cold was on another level. My hands were shaking, and my whole body was literally shivering.
By past 7AM, we started to descend.
Now that it was daylight, everything around us looked surreal. The grasslands glowed with a soft red hue, making it feel like we were walking through a dream.
We passed again through the stunning mossy forest — so lush and green, it looked like a movie set! Of course, we took our time and had our photo ops. Can’t miss that Instagram content!
Then came the pine forest, a peaceful path that led us back to our homestay.
Back to Base – But Not the End!
Back at Baban’s Homestay, we had our well-deserved lunch and packed our things.
But wait — the adventure wasn’t over yet! We hopped on our ride and headed straight to Baguio City for the next leg of our journey. Yes, Baguio City tour coming in hot!
So that was our Mt. Pulag adventure! Cold, foggy, and unforgettable! Even without the sea of clouds, the views, the trail, and the memories made this trip absolutely worth it. Don't forget to like, comment your favorite mountain spot, and subscribe for more of rampa adventures with Rampa Jonah! 'Til the next summit — bye, guys!
How much did it cost me to climb Mt. Pulag?
Tour Fee: Php 4,300.00
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS:
Van Transportation
Homestay
Environmental & Cultural Heritage Fee
Guide Fee
3 Hosted Meals
Medical certificate
Bagtag
Coordinator
Other expenses: Php 500.00
(Foods not included in the package/Water/Gatorade/Trail Foods)
Total Estimated Cost: Php 4,800.00
