I wanted adventure on my second trip through the Philippines. When I found this trek, I booked it immediately – this looked like an incredible adventure! A two-day trek to the summit of Mt. Pulag, the highest peak in Luzon at 2,926 meters above sea level.
The plan? Hike up in the middle of the night to catch the sunrise at the summit. Sounds amazing, right?
The Sea of Clouds at Mt. Pulag – A Dream Come True
Spoiler alert: I have no regrets and would take on this challenge again in a heartbeat! This Mt. Pulag trek was definitely one of the absolute highlights of my trip to the Philippines in December 2017!
Essential Mt. Pulag Information (Updated 2025)
Requirements for Climbing Mt. Pulag
Before you’re allowed to enter the mountain, you must meet several mandatory requirements:
- Medical Certificate: Required! You need a “fit to climb” certificate stating you’re healthy enough for the ascent.
- DENR Registration: Make your reservation well in advance (especially during peak season!). The Department of Environment and Natural Resources manages Mt. Pulag National Park.
- Local Guide: Mandatory for every trek.
This is a remote area and they want to prevent accidents or medical emergencies where an ambulance would arrive too late or not at all.
Good news: If you book this trip with an organized tour company, they’ll handle all of this for you!
Mt. Pulag Tour Package Costs
Prices for a two-day Mt. Pulag trip range from ₱3,299 – ₱4,200 ($60 – $75 USD) per person for all-inclusive packages departing from Manila or Baguio. This includes:
- Transportation (bus/van)
- Homestay accommodation
- Meals (dinner, breakfast, lunch)
- Guides (local and tour coordinator)
- All permits and certificates
DIY (Do It Yourself) is cheaper but requires much more planning and organization
Best Time to Hike Mt. Pulag
Dry season: November through April/May is the best period. Especially December through February, you have the highest chance of seeing the famous sea of clouds! This is also peak season, so book well in advance.
Weather can be unpredictable, but the dry months offer the most stable conditions and clearest views.
Day 1: Journey to Mt. Pulag – The Preparation
Departure from Baguio
I met the group early in the morning in Baguio. They had taken the night bus from Manila, while I had already spent a few days in Baguio exploring the city (read more about the Summer Capital of the Philippines).
We started driving toward Mt. Pulag in the darkness, with several stops planned before arrival. The first was naturally a breakfast stop!
We wouldn’t be bored on our way to Mt. Pulag. We also visited:
- Daclan Sulfur Spring – Where it naturally stank like rotten eggs 🙂
- Bokod Dam – Beautiful views!
- Jangjang Hanging Bridge – Super fun to walk across with an amazing view over the dry river
Medical Check and Orientation
Early in the afternoon, we arrived in the area around the mountain. We purchased our permits and had our medical checks done, then received a safety briefing and learned about the mountain’s background and cultural significance. After that, we were cleared to proceed to our homestay!
Homestay Experience at the Foot of Mt. Pulag
I always love staying in a homestay. This meant we were in a small village, a few kilometers before the start of the trek, staying in a home with a Filipino family. I quickly dropped off my bag and started exploring the surroundings. I absolutely loved it! The local children, the rice terraces, the peace – everything felt so authentic.
We had an early dinner prepared by the homestay owners. After that, we all went to bed early. We would start hiking at 1:00 AM, so we needed to get up around midnight.
Day 2: Summit Assault – Trekking in the Dark
The Night Hike Begins (1:00 AM)
We were brought by bus to the trailhead, then walked into the darkness. I had a headlamp with me, but in the beginning, there were so many people around me with lights that I didn’t need to use mine much.
Keep in mind this isn’t a private hike with just your group and guide!
When you begin the trek, you have your own guide plus a local guide. This is a rule to ensure the village and community always benefit from all the tourists climbing the mountain.
The Ambangeg Trail – Beginner Friendly
One guide walked in front and the other behind to close the group. It soon became clear that the pace was too fast for some, so we continued with the local guide while our own guide stayed behind with the slowest participants. There are 3 rest stops and we soon reached rest stop 1. It was still dark and we sat for a while and ate something.
Through the Mystical Mossy Forest
The weather wasn’t great and it even started to rain. We all had our ponchos with us, and when it didn’t seem to be clearing up, we decided to continue anyway. We entered the forest and this was a mossy forest, it was slippery and wet. In this forest, it’s damp all day long, so the moss grows magnificently! I think we walked here for about an hour before reaching the final phase.
The Bamboo Grasslands
Bamboo, nothing but bamboo, and then a dwarf version. Something like grass. This is what Mt. Pulag is famous for, those beautiful slopes full of dwarf bamboo!
The Summit of Mt. Pulag – Disappointment and Joy
Arrival at the Summit
It was still quite dark when we reached above the tree line. Suddenly we were walking in complete openness again, I could see the horizon. It was still raining and the chances of a beautiful sunrise were becoming very slim. On a good day, you’d have the feeling with sunrise that you’re standing on a blanket of white clouds where the sun rises and a few mountain peaks emerge.
We now arrived at the summit. It was raining, it was chilly… and cloudy!
Coffee and Cookies at 2,926 Meters
We got a lovely cup of coffee and sat down. With our backs against the bamboo grass to shelter from the wind. The coffee tasted absolutely delicious after that long trek, and the cookie made it almost a divine breakfast 🙂
At some point, we decided to take photos anyway. After all, we were standing on top of Mt. Pulag! Time to enjoy the fact that we were there… and then we prepared for the long trek down!
The Magic Moment – The Sun Breaks Through!
And just at that moment when we wanted to leave, the sun broke through. The weather improved and immediately the temperature became pleasant!
Those are such wonderful moments! Life can be so good!
Of course, it could have been better, and it would have been amazing if I had that photo of the sea of clouds with a rising sun that you see everywhere in the advertisements for this trip 🙂 But I was super happy with this moment. We were at the top, the sun broke through, and we would walk back through this amazing area in beautiful weather! When something like that happens, it’s like opening a can of instant happiness, and I feel like the richest person in the world!
The Descent – Mt. Pulag in Daylight
Finally Seeing What You’ve Climbed
And then we were really ready to go down. I saw the trail for the first time even though I had already walked over it on the way up. We started with the magnificent view over the short bamboo grass.
I couldn’t get enough of this incredible view! A few years ago, I also did a hike on Cebu, when I climbed Osmena Peak. This landscape was somewhat similar. Such raw and rugged mountains.
I find them amazing, don’t you?
Back Through the Mossy Fairy Tale Forest
So after a while, we reached the forest again. The mossy forest, gradually it became more and more mossy. In the beginning, only on the branches and trunks. I found it a wonderful sight. You could use it as a set in a horror movie!
Isn’t it amazing how everything grows like that? So many different types of moss, plants and flowers, but also insects. Here too, I kept taking photos. I found this part just as beautiful and impressive as the rest of the hike.
And then we were back at the first stop, the stop before we really enter the forest. Where the view becomes small again 🙂
The Descent – Muddy but Beautiful
It was still wet and slippery, but at least now I could see where it was slippery and uneven. My shoes… they were new for this trip… they looked terrible! But hey, they got me safely to the top and they were comfortable to walk in!
We also saw this cat on the way up. Back then, it was sitting at stop 1. It was purring happily and giving everyone head bumps. It probably does this every day 🙂 Now it was lying relaxed somewhere along the path in the forest, safely on a high tree trunk, watching us!
Back to the Village
Not long after the forest, I found myself walking among farmland and was back in the village where we had been dropped off that night. At that moment, I was still walking alone 🙂 When we came among the farmland, there were several men with scooters/motorcycles standing there who would bring you to your homestay for a small fee. I completely understand that several people gladly took those options.
But I wanted to walk to the very end. Enjoy this hike as long as possible, walking through this unique area. I was thoroughly enjoying myself! Once in the village, I bought a delicious cake. I walked those last kilometers to our wonderful homestay while enjoying it! I definitely deserved those delicious pink cakes!
Our Reward: The Mt. Pulag Certificate
After a lovely hot shower and relaxing on the porch, we were ready for the photo! We all received a certificate and a t-shirt as a memento! We all made it, the summit of Mt. Pulag!
Booking & Practical Tips for Mt. Pulag
How I Booked My Trip
I booked this trip with a Filipino company: Trail Adventures. I found them online and the communication was excellent and very trustworthy.
We stayed at Baban’s Homestay in the village of Babalak at the foot of Mt. Pulag. I had a good bed and slept in a room with 2 others. The food there was delicious and we had a great time with the whole group. You can take a hot shower for a small fee. And… the little nephew cleaned my shoes completely for a small fee 🙂
Trek Duration
This trip is offered as a two-day trip from Manila but also with a pick-up option in Baguio. That’s what I did, saving an enormously long drive.
The trek took at least 3 to 5 hours going up and then of course back down again.
What to Bring to Mt. Pulag
Essential:
- Warm clothing (temperature can drop to 0°C/32°F!)
- Rain gear (poncho or rain jacket)
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Good hiking shoes
- Gloves and possibly a hat
- Water and snacks
- Powerbank
Tips:
- Layer your clothing (3-4 layers upper body)
- Trekking poles (available for rent)
- Sunscreen (it can be sunny during the day!
Conclusion: Is Mt. Pulag Worth It?
Absolutely yes!
Even though I didn’t see the perfect sea of clouds with sunrise like in all the advertisements, it was an unforgettable experience. The trek through the mossy forest, the challenge of the night hike, the moment when the sun broke through – it was all worth it.
Mt. Pulag is the dream of many hikers for good reason. The highest mountain in Luzon, the mystical bamboo grasslands, and the chance of that breathtaking sea of clouds make it a unique experience.
Would you like to see the clip I made? It is in Dutch but you’ll get the picture 🙂
Would you like to read some other Philipines adventures?
- Island Hopping in El Nido – Palawan
- Daytrip on Bohol – Philippines
- Walking the Ancient Old Riceterraces at Banaue – Philippines
- Places to Visit in Baguio – Summer Capital