Trekking Mt Pulag with Karat Adventure (Akiki - Ambangeg trail), 7 - 13th Dec 2015

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.

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.

Our supposedly jeepney for the day at Baguio bus terminal

A bigger jeepney is needed to accommodate all 18 of us.

Preparing for breakfast by the Karat's chef

At Ginas's place, for breakfast before heading to the Mt Pulag National Park office

At Mt Pulag National Park office

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.

Lunch break at the last resting hut before a 4hrs of gruelling trek up the campsite 

 

 

Crossing the hanging bridge before the assault up

All the happy and smily faces before the toughest trek began

(Sorry! No pics during the trek up the tough trail...hehehe!)

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.

Our take out lunch

Hmmm yummy!...Curry with sambal anchovies for breakfast!

Getting ready for the next campsite

At Saddle campsite

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.

Amazing views from the peak

Packing up for descend

Group photoshoot

Descending through the Ambangeg trail

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.

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.

Spectacular view of Pico De Loro