Travel Guide to Mt. Ugo

Mt. Ugo or Ugu is located in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya and Itogon, Benguet. It stand at 2150 MASL. 



History 

The mountain was formerly known as Mt. Maag-aga. The word “Ugo” means behead – its name was derived when the Hukbalahap group captured and behead a Secretary-General named as “Sito” within the vicinity of the mountain during the Spanish Colonization.  

In 1987 an airplane crashed in this mountain which brought rescue people and mountaineers to find and salvage the plane. Eventually this led to the discovery and exploration of the different trails in the area. Today the mountain is now an ideal hiking destination in the Cordillera.

Background 
Ugo is known to many as one of the beautiful mountains in the Cordillera. The benign trail, the besieging pine trees, the sea of clouds, the view of Mt. Pulag are some of the features of its beauty.

Afar view of Ugo besiege by clouds

Depending on the hikers preference the starting point of trek will either start at Kayapa Central, Nueva Vizcaya or Tinongdan, Itogon Benguet. Hikers prefers  to commence from Kayapa traversing to Benguet.

Hikers at Kayapa Municipal Hall

The trail features are Pine forests, highland villages, and the views of Cordillera peaks. Ugo has a lot of resounding trails and it’s considered as part of the Great Cordillera Traverse.

A view seen along the trail

   

Kalanguya, Iwak, and Ibaloi are the main tribe that inhabit the land. These tribes are popularly and collectively known as Igorots or Cordilleran.

 Kalanguya Guide - Kuya Rico Cayat

As part of the journey, several villages will be pass by such as  Indupit, Domolpos, and Ansipsip . Stores are available in some villages for you to buy  food and supplies.

  Domolpos Village

How to get there

From Manila, take buses bound to Tuguegarao, Isabela or Santiago in any Bus Station heading North ( Florida, Victory Liner, Five Star) in Cubao, Pasay, and Sampaloc. Stop in Aritao or Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya for you to be able to fetch by your chartered jeep heading to Jump-off. If aiming for commute, stop in Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya and ride a bus or van heading to Baguio and tell the driver to drop you off at Kayapa, Central. Fares vary from  P350 - P400.

From Baguio, you may take the buses and vans that regularly ply the route. Old school type buses (Bambang/Belance/Dupax-bound) and vans are either located at the Dangwa Terminal or Slaughter House compound. Bus trips start at 8AM onwards. Fares vary from 120php to 150php. Should you miss the regular trips, you may hire a van or taxi for a ride to Kayapa.

Sample Itinerary 

Traverse
Day 1
0500am ETA Aritao or Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya,
0530am ETD for Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya via rented jeepney
0700am ETA Kayapa, Register at police station, secure guides, breakfast
0800am Start Trek
1200nn ETA Indupit Village / Lunch
0100pm Resume trek to Domolpos
0300pm ETA Domolpos Village/Refill water bottle
0530pmETA Summit; Pitch tent
0700pmDinner; Socials
1000pm Lights Off

Day 2
0500am Wake Up call / Prepare Breakfast
0600am Sunrise Sightseeing / Breakcamp
0700am Start descent on very steep, ridge-like pine forest trail
1000am ETA Lusod Village, lunch, register at Brgy. Hall
1100am Resume trek
0200pm ETA Itogon Village; take pictures at Itogonbridge
0230pm End of trek. Jeepney will be waiting past the river
0300pm Arrival at barangay hall
0330pm ETD for Baguio via chartered jeepney
0500pm ETA Baguio

Backtrail
Day 1
0500am ETA Aritao or Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya,
0530am ETD for Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya via rented jeepney
0700am ETA Kayapa, Register at police station, secure guides, breakfast
0800am Start Trek
1200nn ETA Indupit Village / Lunch
0100pm Resume trek to Domolpos
0300pm ETA Domolpos Village/Refill water bottle
0530pmETA Summit; Pitch tent
0700pmDinner; Socials
1000pm Lights Off

Day 2
0500am Wake Up call / Prepare Breakfast
0600am Sunrise Sightseeing / Breakcamp
0700am Breakfast
0745amHike to summit
0815am ETA summit
0845am Back to Campsite; Break camp
0930amDescend to Jump-off (Kayapa)
1200amETA IndupitVillag
0100pmResume hike back to Jump-off (Kayapa)
0300pmETA Kayapa Municipal Hall
0500pm ETA Aritao or Bambang
0600pmETD to Manila

Tips before Trekking Mt. Ugo

Reserve a Bus tickets 

To avoid delays especially those coming from afar (Manila, Tuguegarao)  it is much better to reserve  bus tickets prior to your scheduled hike.

Coordinate with the officials of Benguet(traverse) 

Hikers are advised to coordinate first with the officials of Tinongdan, Itogon about guideship, fees, jeepney ride and certificates before hiking especially when planning to traverse from Kapaya to Itogon. This will ensure  the  proper rotation of guides, and enough time for preparation of certificates for the hikers which will be given upon meeting the officials of the barangay after the hike.

E-mail Address:
tinongdan_itogon@yahoo.com
tinondantourism@gmail.com 


Witnessing the beauty of Mt. Ugo
Sea of clouds

Mt. Ugo will never disappoint you when you’re expecting  sea of clouds even on a summer unless there’s typhoon or bad weather at the time of your trek. The mountain is generous in offering beautiful view that even the campsite seems to be surrounded by clouds.

Sunrise

What interest several trekkers is the sunrise, it is one of the most spectacular sunrise in Cordillera and delicately beautiful that paint a perfect scenery. 

View of highland mountains

Highland mountains such as Mt. Pulag, Mt. Timbak, Mt. Togaw, Mt. Sto. Tomas, and Baguio City.

 
Trails

The mountain kindles all trekker with its astonishing trails that entangles beauty and admiration of the magnificent view including the view of mountain ranges shown along he trail. 

 
Pine trees
At the foothill and campsite, pine trees are visible. Moreover, if you’ll do traverse, you’ll be engaging on a descent and rolling trail full of beautiful pine trees. 



Concern

Despite of its beauty, it seems like the people are taking her for granted because of the noticeable activities that leads to destruction of the forest. One of the obvious activities is the forest fire initiated by the people which is manifested by the burnt pines seen along the trails.

Date Taken: March 6, 2016

Let us be all sensitive and be human in conserving our own forest. The best solution to stop this kind of activity is to love nature more and be responsible. This kind of human activity is a manifestation of how cruel and greed we can be, be the change and elevate your love for the sake of Mother Nature. 

|| End