Mt. Pulag - Akiki Trail - Rediscover Philippines

Mt. Pulag sure gained a lot of popularity nowadays where people value more of the outdoors. But if you want something new out of Mt. Pulag and wanted a little bit of thrill in your hike, then try traversing it via the Akiki-Ambangeg trail. The Akiki trail is known to be the steepest trail with the highest inclination angle among all trails at Mt. Pulag! (For the Ambangeg trail, refer to my previous blog of Mt. Pulag via Ambangeg here). So do your homework and do some squats to strengthen those leg muscles. It’s quite a long way up, but the view is exhilarating! Any shot is probably a great shot! The longer the trail the more views to capture, so let’s get out there and rediscover Mt. Pulag’s Akiki trail!

HOW TO GET THERE

Getting here, you would need to reach Baguio City first. Though unlike the Ambangeg trail, a rented vehicle/jeepney would be advisable.

Public Transport

Entry from Akiki:

Take a bus at Pasay or Cubao going to Baguio City (Victory Liner/Genesis bus)
From Baguio City, take a cab to the Old Slaughterhouse Terminal(preferred) or to Dangwa terminal, here you will find vans/buses bound for Kabayan, Benguet. It’s pretty chaotic here so just ask around and tell them you are going to Mt. Pulag via the Akiki trail at Brgy. Doacan, Kabayan Benguet. (5-6 hours)
Drop off at Akiki Ranger Station and secure your guides/porters/fees here

Exit at Ambangeg:

Upon descending to Ambangeg Ranger Station, you could ride a Habal-Habal from here going down to the Pulag Visitor Center at Bokod.
At the Visitor Center, you could ask the Habal Habal drivers to ride you until Bokod Municipal Police Station. You will find an eatery here where vans going to Baguio are stopping over. Here is a street view in case you get lost.

Private Transport or Chartered Jeepney

From Baguio City, take your chartered Jeepney to Brgy. Doacan, Kabayan at the Akiki Jump Off Ranger Station
Then tell your driver to wait you the next day(or two depending on how many days you want to traverse) at Ambangeg Ranger Station at Bokod, Benguet. Here they would pick you up once you exit at Ambangeg trail.

WHERE TO STAY

Well, I was hoping you have a tent with you right? Haha! Anyway there are three campsites on the Akiki trail whichever you want to stay in. You could stay on all three if you want. First is the Eddet River campsite (water source available here). Next is the Marlboro campsite (water source availabe here). The last one which you probably will take is the Saddle Camp site. There is no water source at the Saddle Camp so you have to conserve your water and refill them up at the last water source (I think its an hour from Marlboro campsite).

KEEP IN MIND..

There are porters at Akiki jump off that you could hire for your heavy loads. Rate is 100php per kilo (I guess it’s 15kg minimum).
Have a decent amount of water container as there will be no water source when you reach Saddle Camp. So when you see a water source, fill them up as much as possible.
Did I mention that it’s freakin’ cold up here?! Bring a windbreaker or tripple your jackets, have your gloves, double your socks. We actually brought blankets and comforters as well. lol.
Avoid going here during weekends and holidays as there are a lot (and I mean a lot) of hikers! IMO