■ Ofelia C. Empian
The municipality of Kabayan, Benguet has set the annual Holy Climb to Mt. Pulag on March 28 to 30.
In line with the town’s 15th Bindiyan Festival in April, the climb is open to all visitors with a registration fee of P4,700.
“You will get to experience the playground of the gods, be in awe of the majestic four lakes and witness the rich culture and welcoming people of Kabayan,” the municipality said.
Registration fee also includes transportation from the Capitol in La Trinidad to Mt. Pulag, to Tabeyo Lake and then back to La Trinidad. All fees will be given to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, municipality, the barangay, and and tour guides; accommodation; dinner on day one; breakfast and lunch on day two; and event t-shirt.
The first day of the event will bring hikers to a side trip at Badekbek sulfur spring in Daclan, Bokod before proceeding to the DENR office in Ambangeg for orientation.
From there, they will proceed to Babalak where the Mount Pulag ranger station is located to have their lunch and will have a chance to explore the area until dinner to be hosted by the municipality.
For the second day, participants will start their trek to the Mt. Pulag Summit, if they are in luck, they will get to see the sea of clouds and appreciate the sunrise.
Hikers will descend back to Babalak Ranger Station to have lunch, after which they will proceed to the Tabeyo Lake in Ballay where they will set up camp and be treated to a mini concert by the lake.
By the third day, participants will proceed to Mt. Al-al then the rest of the lake tour, and will eventually go back to Lake Tabeyo to have the closing program.
Participants are reminded to bring a medical certificate certifying that they are fit to climb, tents (optional), trail and water, utensils, sleeping bags and thermal clothing, headlamp or flashlight, extra clothes and raincoat, trekking shoes or sandals, and sun protection.
They are also reminded to bring bonnets, scarves, garbage bags, personal first aid kits and medicine, toiletries, valid ID, vaccination card, face mask, and extra money for personal expenses.
For more information send a message to the Kabayan Tourism Office at 0945-198-2441.
