Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
north of Kabayan. Whichever way you choose to climb Pulag, take a tent and expect to
spend the night on top.
The Ambangeg trail
Ambangeg is a regular stop on the Baguio to Kabayan bus route; ask the driver to drop
you at the visitor centre in the Bokod barangay of Ambangeg. It's a two- to three-hour
walk from here to the ranger station where the hike o cially begins, and where you
can hire guides; you can also get a lift to the ranger station on a motorcycle (1hr;
around P250). It is best to spend the night at the furthest campsite, about three hours
from the ranger station, and ascend to the summit for dawn the next day. If you arrive
in Ambangeg too late to ascend, staff at the visitor centre can find you a bed in the
state university cottage or a private home.
The Kabayan trail
The trail from Kabayan , known as the Akiki or Killer Trail , starts 2km south of Kabayan
on the Baguio-Kabayan road. As the name suggests this is a more di cult route than
the Ambangeg trail, taking at least seven hours to reach the saddle camp near the
summit. The next morning you will go to the peak, then descend.
INFORMATION
3
MOUNT PULAG
Trail information Before coming to Mount Pulag it's a
good idea to contact Emerita Albas, the Protected Area's
Superintendent, for up-to-date information on which trails
are most accessible at any given time of year ( T 0919 631
5402, E ambangeg@gmail.com).
Registration and fees You'll need to register and pay
an entrance fee (P750), camping fee (P50), green fee (P50)
and local government fee (P30). This can be done at the
visitor centre in the Bokod barangay of Ambangeg or at
the municipal hall in Kabayan (see p.168).
Guides You can hire a guide for the Ambangeg trail at the
ranger station (P500 per group of up to five). The tourist
o ce in Kabayan can arrange guides for the Kabayan trail
(P2000 for a group of up to five).
Mountain Lakes and Enchanted trails Contact
Kabayan tourism o cer Berry Sangao Jr ( T 0917 521 5830,
E berrysangaojr@gmail.com) in advance to arrange either
of these routes.
Bontoc and around
BONTOC lies on the banks of the Chico River about an hour east of Sagada.
Primarily used by tourists as a transport hub, the town is also a good base for
trekking and has easy access to the beautiful Maligcong rice terraces. The main road
from Baguio to Bontoc is the Halsema Highway or “Mountain Trail”, a narrow,
serpentine gash in the side of the Cordillera that's sometimes no more than a rocky
track with vertical cliffs on one side and a sheer drop on the other. Although the
surface of the road has been greatly improved in recent years, it can still be an
uncomfortable trip by public transport as some of the buses are crowded and not
especially well maintained. The views, though, are marvellous, especially as you
ascend out of Baguio beyond La Trinidad and pass through deep gorges lined with
vegetable terraces.
Bontoc Museum
Next to the post o ce close to the town plaza • Mon-Sat 8am-noon & 1-5pm, Sun 8am-noon & 1-3.30pm • P60 • T 0918 576 2170
The one sight to see in Bontoc itself is the Bontoc Museum , which includes wonderful
artefacts and a collection of centuries-old Chinese porcelain and stoneware traded
from different parts of the Cordillera region. Take a look at the disturbing photograph
of a headhunting victim, whose corpse is being carried away for burial as his head is
presented as a trophy around the village. There's a reconstruction of a traditional
Bontoc village on the grounds. The shop sells items including handmade jewellery,
books and CDs of traditional music.
 
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