Benguet

Mount Pulag

Exploring Luzon’s Highest Peak and Natural Wonders

PUBLISHED November 18, 2016

PHOTOS | WORDS BY MARIANO SAYNO

Climbing Mount Pulag is a journey that blends nature, culture, and adventure in one unforgettable experience. From the fog‑shrouded mossy forests to the windswept grassland summit, every step reveals something unique — the rare cloud rats, towering Benguet pines, or the delicate frost patterns that hint at Pulag’s temperate climate. Watching the sun rise over the sea of clouds, surrounded by the peaks of the Cordillera Range, offers a perspective that goes beyond photography — it’s a quiet moment to reflect on both nature’s beauty and the enduring presence of indigenous heritage.

Explore the Philippines through my lens as we venture into Mount Pulag with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll guide you on an interactive tour, revealing the behind-the-scenes of capturing the shots shared here. Let’s dive into this visual journey together and uncover the wonders through my lens!

Let’s explore the PHILIPPINES through my lens as we journey on a photo slideshow to Mount Pulag. Join me in this visual adventure and discover the wonders captured through my lens! Check out the shared slideshow here.

Mount Pulag, rising to 2,922–2,928 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in Luzon and the third-highest in the Philippines. Its summit sits at the junction of Benguet, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya provinces, part of the dramatic Cordillera Mountain Range in northern Luzon. Its rugged landscape and ecological significance make it both a natural and cultural landmark.

Check out the video for more highlights. See what I’ve captured through my lens with Point of View (POV) photography. Using a body cam, I’ll take you on an interactive tour, showing you behind-the-scenes moments of capturing the shots shared here.

Check out the video below for additional features. Explore what I’ve captured through my lens in this cinematic slideshow.

Protected Area & Conservation Status

Declared a National Park on February 20, 1987 through Presidential Proclamation No. 75, Mount Pulag National Park covers roughly 11,550 hectares and is part of the Cordillera Biogeographic Zone. Conservation efforts have even included attempts to nominate it as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, emphasizing the importance of its ecological and cultural values.

ABOVE: Mount Pulag, Luzon’s highest peak at 9,606 feet in Benguet, is famed as the “Playground of the Gods” for its sea of clouds, stunning sunrises, and diverse wildlife.

Cultural & Indigenous Significance

For the Ibaloi, Kalanguya, Kankana-ey, Karao, Ifugao, and Ilocano peoples, Mount Pulag holds sacred meaning. The Ibaloi consider it the home of ancestral spirit beings (tinmongao) and the resting place of souls. Nearby Kabayan mummy burial caves contain naturally preserved mummies, now Philippine national cultural treasures. Indigenous land rights and environmental governance have historically been complex, with ongoing discussions surrounding ancestral domains and conservation policy.

ABOVE: Mount Pulag, with 528 plant species including dwarf bamboo and Benguet pine, offers a unique natural experience in lush forests with vibrant ferns and lichens.

Geography & Climate

Mount Pulag features distinct ecological zones: the grassland summit plateau, fog‑shrouded mossy forests, and pine and broadleaf forests on lower slopes. The temperate climate, frequent fog, abundant rainfall (~4,489 mm annually), and occasional frost create a unique mountain environment uncommon in tropical countries.

ABOVE: Discover the rich cultural heritage of the Ibaloi people of Benguet, who consider Mount Pulag a sacred dwelling place for spirits and a site of national cultural importance due to its mountain-high burial grounds.

Biodiversity — A Living Treasure

Flora on Pulag includes 528+ plant species, from dwarf bamboo (Yushania niitakayamensis) to Benguet pine (Pinus kesiya), mosses, ferns, lichens, and orchids. Distinct vegetation belts follow the changes in altitude, offering diverse habitats across the mountain.

Fauna includes all four species of Philippine cloud rats, Philippine deer, the long-haired fruit bat, and many rare birds like the Koch pitta. This makes Mount Pulag a key site for conservation and ecological research.

ABOVE: The park spans a vast 11,550 hectares (28,500 acres), offering hikers and other visitors numerous opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Hiking & Trails

Popular climbing routes include the Ambangeg Trail (easiest), Akiki Trail (“killer trail” for steep climbs), Tawangan Trail, and Ambaguio Trail from Nueva Vizcaya. Ascents typically take 1–4 days, depending on the trail and pace. The famous sea of clouds at sunrise is a highlight for many hikers and photographers.

Hikers need permits from the DENR, and local guides and homestays provide support for logistics, making trips safer and more enjoyable.

ABOVE: At Mount Pulag’s summit, hikers enjoy stunning views of a sea of clouds, the Milky Way, and the Cordillera Mountains, making the climb truly worthwhile.

Challenges & Conservation Issues

Despite protections, Mount Pulag faces threats from forest fires, trail erosion, and the pressures of increasing tourism. Balancing conservation with local needs and ancestral land rights remains an ongoing discussion.

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Protected Area & Conservation Status

Cultural & Indigenous Significance

Geography & Climate

Biodiversity — A Living Treasure

Hiking & Trails

Challenges & Conservation Issues

Why It Matters

LOCATIONS PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE HERITAGE

CHURCHES FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

LOCATIONS
PROVINCES

ARCHITECTURE
HERITAGE

CHURCHES
FAITH

NATURAL & MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS

FESTIVALS &
EVENTS