Mt. Ulap Dayhike | Detailed itinerary
If you are a close friend of mine, I guess you would know how much I love Mt. Ulap in Itogon Benguet that whenever someone is asking me what’s the best mountain to climb, the answer is an instant ‘MT. ULAP’ with a big smile on my face, reminiscing my magical, foggy, and cold hikes.
I have been to this mountain twice already (see blog here) and it still feels like my first time! Maybe because of the cold weather, New Zealand feels, the pine trees, or maybe because she heard my prayers during my first hike. Haha!
Weird but I feel like I have a deeper ‘connection’ to this mountain that I can’t explain and understand. Yes, you can call me a weirdo! Haha.
Really glad that I went out of my comfort zone and decided to climb mountains (because I wanna try something new because, hello heartbreak! LOL!) last May 2017 in Mt. Maynoba! My bucket list is rejoicing!
Anyway, if you are looking for a chill hike, cold weather, beautiful green mountain ranges, and rolling hills, YOU.NEED.TO.SEE. Mt. Ulap.
MT. ULAP DAY HIKE AND BUDGET GUIDE
If you are up to a challenge, definitely Mt. Ulap dayhike is for you. Here are some details of Mt. Ulap together with the itinerary and things to expect so you can prepare for your climb.
- MT. ULAP ECO-TRAIL
Itogon, Benguet
Entry point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon
Exit point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon
LLA: 16.2904 N, 120.6312 E, 1846 MASL (Mt. Ulap)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-3,
Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves
Source: Pinoy Mountaineer
My mountaineer friend organized a Mt. Ulap dayhike since he also wants his friends to witness the beauty of this mountain. Fortunately, I got slots for me and my friend, Arlyn!
We are 15 in the group and since we divided the expenses, we only paid P860 each.
Mt. Ulap Dayhike Expenses and Rates
Below are the inclusions for our 860 pesos DIY hike to Mt. Ulap.
Inclusions for P860
– Rented Van Service 18 seater (Roundtrip)
– Environmental Fee
– Trail Head Registration Fee
– Local Guide Fee
Here’s also a breakdown of Mt. Ulap rates from our Tour Guide, Edu Losnong, if you are planning to do Mt. Ulap dayhike
Registration Fee
– 18-59 yrs old: P100
– 13-17 yrs old: P20
– Student with vaild ID: P50
– 12 yrs old and below: FREE
– Senior Citizen: FREE
Guide Fee
– Mt. Ulap Dayhike: P600
– Camping: P1000
*1 guide to 7 pax
Camping Fee
– P800 (Good for 10 pax)
Porter Fee
– One way: P500
– Two way: P800
Parking fee
– Mt. Ulap Dayhike: P50
– Mt. Ulap Camping: P70
You can also message Kuya Edu directly if you have questions. Please let him know that he’s highly recommended. 😉
Things to Bring
- Head lamp/flash light
- Trail water (2-3L)
- Trail food
- Packed lunch
- Extra set of clothes
- First aid kit
- Toiletries
- Sun/rain protection
- Jacket
- Plastic bag for your garbage 🙂
Read Also: 10 Tips To Save Money For Your Dream Vacation
Mt. Ulap DIY Itinerary
DAY 0 – FRIDAY
09:00PM – McDonald’s Greenfields District / Edsa Central (Beside Teleperformance)
Since this is a Friday (Dec 23, 2017), Arlyn and I met at around 7PM at Greenfields. We ate dinner, talked and laughed about so many things, and bought snacks.
10:00PM – Departure from McDonald’s going to Ampucao, Itogon Benguet via rented van
We waited until 10PM until we were complete. Since the other participants are from Zambales, they agreed to be picked up in Tarlac.
Day 1 – SATURDAY
02:00AM – Arrival Sison, Pangasinan breakfast at Leeza’s restaurant, secure and buy food.
I really don’t wanna go down and eat because I am so sleepy. I think I was not able to sleep in the van. Haha! But then, since Arlyn wanted to go and check the place, I accompanied her and ate breakfast. Leeza’s Restaurant is big but some employees were masungit na. Maybe because they’re tired and sleepy already.
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03:30AM – Arrival at Brgy. Ampucao | Registration | Secure Guides
And then, we finally arrived at Brgy. Ampucao! 🙂
It’s so cold! I know though that we will be having clear skies because there’s no fog in this area because comparing to my first hike, the place is full of fog, like 50% visibility only. I also love the vibe then! But this is a totally different experience.
We registered, bought tungkod (which I left somewhere afterwards), prepared our bags, and food. Don’t forget to use the comfort room! You don’t want to pee along the way, right? Hehe. I think they are getting 5 pesos per wiwi.
After some reminders from Drew and Kuya Edu, we said a little prayer and started our journey!
04:00AM – Start Trek (witness sunrise along the trail)
The trek started with a long walk to the first ascend. Even though it’s cemented, the slope is still high and we were breathing heavily already. Haha!
For me, this spot is the very start of the hike. The wind was already starting to blow really hard and cold. Love it!
We had a couple of rests and photos. I also love how the sun starts to say hello to us.
This is my favorite trail — the trail to Amabanao Paoay! You will get to experience the rolling hills, how the sun kisses the mountains and all the pine trees. I love how the wind kisses my face as well..
Everything is really perfect that I just want to go back.
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07:00AM – Arrival Ambanao Paoay Peak 1
Contrary to the itinerary, I think we arrived at Ambanao Paoay Peak a little later then 5:30AM. I think Arlyn and I arrived at the peak at around 7AM since we are at the tail of the group, savoring every peaceful scene.
Love all the trees and trail along our way to Ambanao! One of my faves!
On our way to the 2nd peak, we got lots of New Zealand feels. Good thing we’re really at the tail of the group because the sweeper (Kuya Edu) is with us! Arlyn and I got lots of photos together as well because of Kuya Edu!
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08:00AM – Arrival Gungal Rock Peak 2 | Rest | Photo ops
Because of the picturesque views and spots along the way, and we really love taking photos, we arrived at the Gungal Rock at around 8:00AM.
09:30AM Arrival Mt. Ulap Summit Peak 3 | Full Rest
After around 9:30AM, we reached Mt. Ulap’s 3rd peak and got a really great view!
09:58AM | Start Descent to Brgy. Sta Fe
If there’s one thing I learned from my Mt. Ulap climb, it is we are sometimes too focused on the trail that we often forgot to stop, look around and appreciate the beauty of the trees, the cold wind, the flowers and the mountain. We always rant how tired we are already that we just want the climb to end.
Just like in life, oftentimes, we are too focused on the difficulties, of how hard our every day life is, of how we struggle so much with our work and with our relationships that we forgot how blessed we are still.
Anyway, it’s getting emotional already! Haha! Going back to the descent, there was one time when we stopped for over 15 minutes because we were waiting for some in the group. We sat on a big rock and just talked about life and how God made such wonderful trees, beautiful flowers, and perfectly made mountains.
Definitely God loves us so much that He created all these for us to enjoy and of course, to take care of.
12:30PM | Arrival at Sta. Fe Jump off, wash up, tidy up then travel to Baguio
At around 12:30PM, we already arrived at Sta. Fe. Arlyn and I together with Ate guide were the very first to arrive at the place! We quickly looked for our van to get our things, rested for a while and took a very cold bath afterward. Grabe, parang may yelo ang tubig nila! Haha! Very cold but very refreshing.
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1:30PM | Arrival Baguio City lunch at Goodtaste, City Tour, Buy pasalubong
After everyone’s ready already, off we wento Baguio for our sidetrip! Yey!
Of course, just like our first Mt. Ulap, we also ate at the Good Taste. If you’ll be going to Baguio never leave without eating out at Good Taste! Mabubusog kayo ng sobra without really spending much!
After lunch, we dropped by at the Burnham Park. While everyone’s busy buying pasalubongs and all, Arlyn and I opted to stroll around the park, bought strawberry taho and seated on the grass of their grandstand.
05:30PM | Departure from Baguio, travel back to Manila
I love how this climb went and ended. Taho in my hand, green grass everywhere, a friend who is ready to listen with how cruel I am.. Haha! Love you, Arlyn!
Honestly one of the best climbs to date!
11:00PM | Arrival back to Manila
This may be my second climb to Mt. Ulap but still, this mountain never fails to fascinate me.
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WHERE TO STAY IN BAGUIO
If you are looking for cheap hotels, inns, or lodges in Baguio, please refer to this blog list as we listed the cheapest hotel stays in Baguio City.
But see below some list of Baguio hotels:
- Eurotel Baguio, Baguio, Philippines
- Azalea Hotels & Residences Baguio, Baguio, Philippines
- Microtel by Wyndham Baguio, Baguio, Philippines
- OLD ORANGEWOOD Bed and Breakfast, Baguio, Philippines
- Citylight Hotel, Baguio, Philippines
PIA’S THOUGHTS ON MT. ULAP DAYHIKE
Mt. Ulap will always be my forever love! I will never get tired of going back to this mountain. I promise myself that the 3rd time I’ll be going back here, I will bring a tent and stay overnight under the sky full of stars, cook Sinigang na Baboy (yes, I will!), and witness the sunrise.
Excited to go back! Will you come with me? Tara!
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