The Road to Tabayoc - My First Solo Hike

A friend ask me "where are you?" and I answered I'm on my way to Kabayan, Benguet then a follow up question from her "who are you with?" and I my answer "its just me, myself and I." Then she told me "are you crazy? what are you going to do there?", and me proud as ever "I'm going to climb the second highest mountain in Luzon... then a question from "Is it safe?".. Of course I'm with Kuya Santiago, I already met him"

The trip started back in Manila. On a Saturday evening I went to Victory Liner Bus Station at around 10pm and booked a bus ride going to Baguio at 12 midnight. It was  a 6 hour ride from Manila to Baguio, since the bus from Baguio to Ballay, Kabayan will depart at 10am, I still have have time to roam around the city. I decided firt to find a place to eat becuase I was starving when I arrive but I'm not so lucky to find a place to eat, I ended up at chowking and after eating I decided to go to Slaughter House and wait for the bus going to Ballay, Kabayan.

The bus ride from Slaughter House, Baguio to Ballay, Kabayan took 5 hours. In Ballay, Kuya Santiago Ballagan was already waiting for me. It was raining that day, he told me that there were four moutaineers also that will climb Tabayoc but it was only me who arrived and the there is only one bus per day. Yes, there is another way to get to Tabayoc, there is also van going to Tabayoc but it is more costly than taking a bus.

My plan is to camp at Lake Tabeo but the rain prevented me, the next plan was to stay at Kuya Santiago's house but since it was already raining hard and we need to ride a habal habal to get to his house, we decided to stay at his friend's house. The people at Kabayan are very accommodating. The people offered me coffee every hour because the place was too cold and your hot coffee will get cold easily

During my stay there, Kuya Santiago brought me to a wake to show their tradition.

Its hike time. It is supposed to be a 3am hike because I wanted to view the sunrise from the peak but the rain forbids us so we decided to start our hike at 530am from Ballay. We reached lake Tabeo at 630am for the registration and we started the hike at 645.

The hike to the peak of Mt. Tabeo is magnificent, you will be welcome by its mossy forest. Kuya Santiago told me that the trail was also known as the monkey trail as you need to duck your head to prevent you from hitting the mossy vines alog the trail.

My Guide Kuya Santiago Ballagan

The mossy trail

I climb a tree and saw this magnificent view of a rice terraces surrounded by mountains

at peak one of Mt. Tabayoc

At around 9 to 930 we arrived at the summit. The peak is composed of trees, a view deck was created to see the beautiful summit. From the summit you will see the highest mountain in Luzon, Mt. Pulag, Mt. Ugo and Mt. Timbak.

At the view deck, I'm facing the highest mountain in Luzon - Mt. Pulag

the view deck

the stairs

Here is my full Itinerary and expenses.

Day 1

12:15AM: ETD Manila

6:00AM: ETA Baguio City

10:00AM: ETD Slaughter House (take bus N-A Liner)

3:00PM: ETA Ballay, Kabayan

Day 2

5:00AM: Wake Up Call

5:30AM: ETD from Ballay, Kabayan

6:30AM: ETA Lake Tabeo - for registration

6:45AM: Start Trek

9:00AM: ETA Mt. Tabayoc Summit

10:30AM: Start Descend

12:10PM: ETA Lake Tabeo

1:10PM: ETD Lake Tabeo (take van to Baguio)

5:30PM: ETA Baguio City

8:00PM: ETD Baguio City

Day 3

1:00AM: ETA Manila

Expenses:

Round trip bus ride Manila to Baguio:  PhP 900.00

Bus from Slaughter House to Ballay, Kabayan: PhP 155

DENR fee and Registration: PhP 325.00

Van from Lake Tabeo to Baguio: PhP 300.00

Guide Fee: PhP 1,000.00 per 5 person

Total Expenses:  PhP 2,680.00

Note: food expenses are not included and I did not pay camping fee as I stayed at Kuya Santiago's friend.

Contact Person: Santiago Ballagan

Contact Number: 0910-752-2655

Note: for transportation arrangement from Baguio, you can contact Kuya Santiago