--- title: "Studying at Pines Academy in Baguio - Week 3/10: Climbing Mt. Ulap" description: "A complete record of climbing Mt. Ulap with my Japanese roommate while studying at a language school in the Philippines, including a breakdown of transportation costs, guide fees, and itinerary recommendations." canonical_url: "https://blog.markkulab.net/en/post/climb-the-mountain-ulap" author: "Mark Ku" author_url: "https://blog.markkulab.net/en/author/mark-ku" site: "Mark Ku's Tech Notes" date_published: "2025-03-01 01:01:02 +0800" category: "Travel" tags: ["travel", "philippines", "baguio", "hiking", "mountain"] language: "en" license: "CC BY 4.0" license_url: "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" attribution: "when reusing or quoting, credit the author and link back to the original" --- # Studying at Pines Academy in Baguio - Week 3/10: Climbing Mt. Ulap ## Introduction Since I had just started at a language school in Baguio, weekends were getting a little boring. Besides studying, the main pastimes were hiking and drinking, so I began researching Mt. Ulap and tried to invite some classmates. I was happy to discover that a few were also interested in hiking, including my Japanese roommate. Together, we formed a team to climb Mt. Ulap. ## About Mt. Ulap Mt. Ulap, located in Benguet, Philippines, is a popular hiking destination known for its stunning landscapes and breathtaking views. The trail spans about 8 kilometers and typically takes 7 to 8 hours for a round trip, depending on your pace. ### **Highlights:** - **Gungal Rock:** A thrilling spot for adventurous photos, offering spectacular views. - **Grassland Scenery:** Picturesque rolling hills that resemble a mini New Zealand. - **Sea of Clouds:** Best experienced in the early morning under ideal weather conditions. - **Pride Rock:** A rock formation reminiscent of the iconic scene from *The Lion King*. ### **Details:** - **Elevation:** 1,847 feet - **Difficulty:** Suitable for beginners and intermediate hikers. ### **Transportation Options** The tour guides are based at Ampucao Elementary School in Itogon, and we needed to arrive between 5 and 6 a.m. We had two options to get there. 1. **Jeepney from Itogon Jeepney Terminal to Ampucao Elementary School** - The first jeepney departs at 6 a.m. - This is a budget-friendly option but may require extra waiting time. ![Digital map showing Itogon Jeepney Terminal location](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/jeepney-terminal.jpg) 2. **Taxi to Ampucao Elementary School** - A more convenient choice if you need to arrive earlier or prefer a direct route. P.S. Taxis in Baguio operate 24 hours a day, but Grab does not support long-distance destinations like this. ### Schedule & Time We decided to go on Saturday, based on the Windy forecast. Experienced hikers told us the guides start the climb around 7 a.m., so we needed to wake up at 4:00 a.m. and leave the lobby by 4:30 a.m. We also had to submit a request to the academy in advance. ### Risks and Reminders 1. **Weather:** This is something we can't control. The trip would be canceled in case of heavy rain. 2. **Transportation:** Getting there can be unpredictable. Jeepneys don't run on a fixed schedule, and finding a taxi isn't always guaranteed. 3. **Your Physical Condition:** The weather in Baguio can change rapidly, and the trail is long. If you're feeling unwell, it's best to stay at the school to avoid discomfort on the hike. 4. **Cow Manure:** There are cows on the trail, so you'll see manure everywhere. Watch your step! ### Important Reminders for Your Trip * **Bring Your Student ID Card** – Make sure to bring your ID card; it will get you a discount on the tour guide and a reduced entrance fee for foreigners. * **Prepare Small Change** – Have some spare change ready for the jeepney fare. * **Pack a Raincoat** – Be prepared for unpredictable weather with a raincoat. * **Bring Two Bottles of Water** – Stay hydrated by bringing at least two standard-sized bottles of water. * **Set an Alarm for 4:00 AM** – Ensure you wake up on time by setting an alarm for 4:00 AM (adjust based on your location). ## D-Day We were worried about finding a taxi, but it turned out to be easy in the morning. We took a taxi to the Itogon Jeepney Terminal, but when we arrived, we found out the first trip was at 6 a.m., not 5 a.m. So, we asked the driver to take us directly to Ampucao Elementary School. ![We woke up very early and started hiking](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-6.jpg)![Mountain entry permit](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mountain-entry-permit.jpg) After walking for a while, we were lucky enough to witness the sunrise. ![So lucky! We caught the sunrise](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-14.jpg) After finding a guide and paying the fees, we began our hike. ![Five people walking on a road at dawn, beginning their hike](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-4.jpg) We passed by a rock formation that looked like Pride Rock from *The Lion King*, but it was too crowded, so we decided to photoshop ourselves in later. ![My roommate, Taizo, is a ray of sunshine.](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-10.jpg)![Aino is a ray of sunshine, too.](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-3.jpg) Since so many people were lining up to take pictures on Pride Rock, we decided to skip it. No regrets, though! Thanks to technology, we've all virtually been there. ![The Photoshopped Picture](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-16.jpg) Then, we tackled many difficult parts of the trail. ![Endless uphill](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-13.jpg)![Walking on the edge](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-11.jpg)![Painterly Sky](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-12.jpg) Then we arrived at the summit of Mt. Ulap. ![We finally reached the summit](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mt-ulap-2.jpg) In the end, we hiked like a super-fast train, finishing in just 4 hours and 30 minutes! We all made it home safely. The scenery at Mt. Ulap is stunning, and I highly recommend hiking there. ![Mountaineering app displaying Mt. Ulap hike map and activity stats](https://blog.markkulab.net/content/markku/posts/climb-the-mountain-ulap/images/mountain-climbing-record.jpg) ### **Total Traveling Fee** | **Expense** | **Cost** | **Per Person** | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Taxi Fare (City Hall to Ampucao Elementary School) | ₱1,000 / 5 persons | ₱200 per person | | Tour Guide Fee | ₱1,050 / 5 persons | ₱210 per person | | Foreign Student Fee | ₱150 per person | ₱150 per person | | Taxi Fare (Final to Ampucao Elementary School) | ₱400 / 5 persons | ₱80 per person | | Jeepney Fare | ₱50 | ₱50 per person | | **Total Cost Per Person:** | | **₱690** | --- ## About this article and its author Originally published on [Mark Ku's Tech Notes](https://blog.markkulab.net/en/post/climb-the-mountain-ulap) License: [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — when reusing or quoting, credit the author and link back to the original ### About the author **[Mark Ku](https://blog.markkulab.net/en/author/mark-ku)** — Software Solution Provider - 10+ years senior software engineer, now an AI Builder - Focused on large-platform architecture — North-American e-commerce, AI SaaS subscription billing - Combining AI Agents and automation to build evolvable product foundations ### Free tools built by the author All of these are free to use: - [Free PDF Sign Tool](https://blog.markkulab.net/en/tools/pdf-sign): Online PDF sign tool — draw, type, or upload a signature, then drag, resize, and download. 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