It's been many years since I join
Karat Adventure for their trekking trip. So when a trekking buddy informed me
that Karat Adventure is organizing an oversea trip to Mt Pulag, in the
Philippine, never will I miss this opportunity. The activities that are planned
are specifically catered according to the taste of the participants and especially the
food that will be prepared and cooked during the trekking, I think so
far no one can beat Karat Adventure, will make everyone salivate thinking of
the meal that will be served. (I'm not writing this just to promote Karat
Adventure, but being quite a fussy guy in terms of food, I am writing as honest
as I can be till I can find anyone who's better than them!...hehehe!)
The trip started with a very
early morning flight from Changi Airport, Singapore to Manila, on 7th of Dec
2015, for a 3 hrs flight, touching down at Ninoy Aquino International Airport,
Terminal 3. While waiting for the rest of the group from M'sia and Australia to
arrive later in the afternoon, together with an advance group from M'sia who
arrived at the same time as I was, we were brought to our local host home at
Las Pinas, where we will meet, 18 of us altogether, 10 guys and 8 gals.
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| At Pasay Bus Terminal |
By 9pm, the journey started from Pasay,
at the Victory Liner Bus Terminal to the city of Baguio, located in the province
of Benguet in Northern Luzon, which lies at an altitude of approximately 1540
meters. It is often called the 'Summer Capital' because of its cool climate. Altogether
the bus ride took about 6hrs in total, arriving at the Baguio bus terminal
around 3am on the 8th Dec and another 2hrs jeepney ride to the Mt Pulag
National Park Area Office for registration and safety briefing. Following that,
another 1 hr jeepney ride to the ranger station where the Akiki trails began.
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| Our supposedly jeepney for the day at Baguio bus terminal |
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| A bigger jeepney is needed to accommodate all 18 of us. |
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| Preparing for breakfast by the Karat's chef |
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| At Ginas's place, for breakfast before heading to the Mt Pulag National Park office |
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| At Mt Pulag National Park office |
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| Trail map |
The trek started with a 'stroll
in the park' hike, to put it simply, for the first 1.5hr, a gradual elevation
of uphill and downhill. The toughest one came right after the lunch break (pack
lunch was given with beef rendang and rice on the menu...yoohooo!), a
continuous uphill trek up at an elevation of around 50-60 deg for almost 4-5
hrs before reaching the Akiki campsite. For a 'not so seasoned' trekkers, it
seemed like a never ending journey, easily demoralized whenever a 'false peak'
is encountered. However, dinner cooked by our very own Karat's chef made the sufferings
during the trek all the more worthwhile. A sumptuous dinner was served which led
to an early nights off.
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| Lunch break at the last resting hut before a 4hrs of gruelling trek up the campsite |
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| Crossing the hanging bridge before the assault up |
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| All the happy and smily faces before the toughest trek began |
(Sorry! No pics during the trek up the tough trail...hehehe!)
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| Akiki 1st Campsite |
The next morning, rice and boiled
egg with curry gravy and sambal anchovies were served for breakfast before the
morning trek started. Following next after breakfast is a 3-4 hrs trek up to
the saddle campsite. A gradual uphill all the way to the campsite. Awesome view
surrounding the campsite with open grass terrain. Not to be missed also is the view during sunset,
good particularly for a silhouette photoshoot, which can be taken along the
hill side nearby the campsite.
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| Our take out lunch |
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| Hmmm yummy!...Curry with sambal anchovies for breakfast! |
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| Getting ready for the next campsite |
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| At Saddle campsite |
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| Magnificent view of sunset around saddle campsite |
The ascent up the summit began at
5am the next day, taking about less than 30mins to reach the peak. Fortunately
the weather was not against us during the whole trek. Spectacular scenery at
the peak with sea of clouds view. Descending took almost about 4-5 hrs to the
Ambangeg Ranger station. The first 2hrs of trekking brought a magnificent view
with long stretch of grassland pasture till reaching to a mossy forest area for
the rest of the trail.
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| Amazing views from the peak |
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| Packing up for descend |
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| Group photoshoot |
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| Descending through the Ambangeg trail |
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| Ambangeg campsite |
The Akiki - Ambangeg trail brings
a quite a unique experience in a way that you will see significant differerence
between different types of terrain; from Pine forest to mossy forest to an open
space grassland pasture. Although it seemed quite a difficult trek, the view
that you will get makes the sufferings all the more worthwhile.
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| Cleaning up for end of trek...Back to Manila! |
The trip ended with a city tour
of Quiapo, where the largest mosque is located with lots of souvenir shopping
can be done and a warming down trek to Pico de Loro, in Cavite. Majestic view
on top of Pico de Loro, although it is for beginners.
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| Spectacular view of Pico De Loro |
