Mount Pigingan – Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet (Travel Guide)
Mount Pigingan – your unexpected mountain
As the Cordilleras is known to be the home of several mountains and mountain ranges, it has now become a fad that climbing these peaks would be a ‘thing.’ Being a traveler, my interest in mountain climbing grew when in fact my home City is the main jump-off point of most hikes and treks in Benguet. I have climbed several mountains before and I never expected that climbing Mount Pigingan would be a surprise – surprised literally with its natural beauty and surprised because the hike was very, very tiresome. (This is not advisable for neophyte climbers! I suggest you try Mount Pulag or Mount Ulap instead.)
Trail Start (photo by Michael Soriano)
Meaning “slanted” in the local Cordilleran dialect, Mount Pigingan stands approximately at 1328 meters above sea level. Mount Pigingan is just near Mounts Ugo and Ulap, two of the more popular mountains in the climbing and hiking scene. Its jumpoff point is in Sitio Balucoc in Barangay Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet.
Registration Area in Sitio Balucoc, Barangay Dalupirip
Like any other mountains in the Cordilleras, Pigingan can also accommodate hikers who which to camp overnight and see the sunrise in the early morning. For a day hike, the summit can be reached in 4 to 5 hours, according to your pace, and another 4-5 hour hike going down. I suggest that you have an overnight at the campsite as well so that you will not be that tired when going down.
I would be happy to share this travel guide for you to have a glimpse of what it is to experience Mount Pigingan.
See also: How to get to Mount Ulap (Itogon, Benguet)
How to get there
From Baguio City, the registration / jump-off area to Mount Pigingan can be reached in 1.5 hours or so, depending on the speed of your vehicle. If you would like to commute, there is a jeepney in Lakandula Street (fronting Baguio Center Mall) going to Barangay Dalupirip. Note it though that the jeepney only caters one (1) trip per day and it usually leaves early in the morning at around 6 or 7 a.m.
In order to have a hassle free experience, I recommend that you charter a jeepney or taxi going to Barangay Dalupirip and go in groups. Tell the driver to go to the registration area going to Pigingan and look for Miss Lany (she owns a sari-sari store).
Mount Pigingan Signage
The hike starts at the site of Agno river before beginning with the main trail some 30-45 minutes after.
The summit is prominently rocky and a generous view of Mount Ugo, nearby Pangasinan, and the Agno river can be seen. You can also view the barren, pine tree-clad mountains below. Though this mountain is not as grand as Pulag, Ulap, or any other surrounding mountain, its proximity to Baguio is a plus point (at least). There is also a trail leading to Mount Ugo if you want to have a traverse hike (just ask your guides how and where).
Hanging Bridge leading to Mount Pigingan Main Trail
Sample itinerary
Suggested Day Hike Itinerary:
|
0400 H |
Take chartered jeep to Sitio Balucoc (Lakandula Street) – tell them that you will be climbing to Mount Pigingan |
|
0530 / 0600 H |
Arrival at the Registration Area, pay registration fees, secure a tour guide / Breakfast |
|
0630 H |
Start Trek |
|
0930 / 1000 H |
Arrival at junction / Rest / Snacks |
|
1200 / 1230 H |
ETA Mount Pigingan Summit / Lunch |
|
1330 H |
ETD Summit |
|
1700 / 1730 H |
ETA Registration Area |
|
1900 / 1930 H |
ETA Baguio / Dinner |
Suggested Overnight Hike Itinerary:
Day 1
|
0400 H |
Take chartered jeep to Sitio Balocloc (Lakandula Street) – tell them that you will be climbing to Mount Pigingan |
|
0530 / 0600 H |
Arrival at the Registration Area, pay registration fees, secure a tour guide / Breakfast |
|
0630 H |
Start Trek |
|
0930 / 1000 H |
Arrival at junction / Rest / Snacks |
|
1100 / 1130 H |
ETA Campsite / Setup camp / Rest / Lunch |
|
1230 / 1300 H |
ETA Mount Pigingan Summit |
|
1400 / 1430 H |
Back to Campsite / Rest |
|
1700 / 1730 H |
(Optional) Sunset viewing at Summit |
|
1800 / 1830 H |
Back to campsite |
|
1830 H – onwards |
Dinner / Socials / Rest |
Day 2
|
0530 H |
(Optional) Sunrise View at Summit |
|
0630 / 0700 H |
Back to Campsite / Breakfast / Set down camp |
|
0800 / 0830 H |
Start descent |
|
0930 / 1000 H |
Arrival at junction / Rest / Snacks |
|
1230 / 1300 H |
ETA at the Registration Area / Rest / Lunch |
|
1300 – 1400 H |
Freshen up |
|
1400 – 1500 / 1530 H |
Travel time to Baguio |
|
1800 H |
ETA Baguio |
|
1830 H – onwards |
Dinner |
Possible / Projected Expenses:
| Chartered jeep/vehicle (back and forth) = negotiable rates |
P 2000 / 3000 – approximate (for the whole group) |
| Food budget |
P 300 – 500 (per person) |
| Guide Fee (per day / up to 7 persons per guide) |
P 500 (whole group) |
| Registration Fee |
P 100 (per person) |
| *Camping Fee (for overnight hikes) |
*not sure – ask in the registration area* |
Notes:
(1) Budget per person depends on how many you are in the group, the more people in the group, the lesser the personal expenses will be. At the registration area, look for Ate Kim or send me an e-mail so I can give her contact details.
(2) There are also many water sources along the trail. You can refill anytime.
(3) Cellular phone signals are very limited at low points of the hike; the signal is present on higher points (i.e. summit).
(4) Mount Pigingan is “day hike-able” but is not recommended for beginners. I suggest that you start early so you can descend early as well. You can also have a traverse trail to Mount Ugo if you wish, just ask at the registration area how. Ask them, too, if how much the camping fee costs (if there is any.)
(5) There is a generous parking space for vehicles and there are sari-sari stores along the way.
Other Pictures:
Signage to Mount Pigingan!
Going to Mount Pigingan
A view of Agno River
Our guide, Lander!
One of the final rest stops before summiting Mount Pigingan
Mountain Trail!
Summiting Mount Pigingan (photo by Michael Soriano)
Mount Pigingan Summit (photo by Mikka Alaia)
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
56 thoughts on “Mount Pigingan – Dalupirip, Itogon, Benguet (Travel Guide)”
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Hi! me and my friend would like to hike in Mt. Pigingan on April 5. How much are we going to pay?
Hi, Kayle! Please refer to the “Possible / Projected Expenses” portion of the blog to know how much you’ll spend. 🙂 Mas maganda sana kung mas marami kayo (para hati hati sa expenses) 🙂
Good morning/evening,
Regarding Mt. Pigingan
Can we please have the contact number for the tour guide?
What is required for a 2 day hike? Do we need to bring our own food and shelter?
Is the route different for the 2 day hike compared to the 1 day hike?
Thank you
Replied to you via e-mail! 😀
Greetings Sir!
Unfortunately i cannot post comment as it was said to be duplicated comment.
I would just like to ask if you can send me the contact number of Maam Lany? Thank You So Much! More Power!
How much is the registration fee if backpacker?
Hi, Christian! Registration fee is still pegged at P 100. Plus a guide fee of P 500 (maximum of 7 pax) for the whole day, too. 🙂
Greetings Sir!
I would just like to ask if you can send me the contact number of Maam Lany? 🙂 Thank you so much! Great Day ahead!
Hello po! I replied to you via e-mail! 😀
Hi fellow trekker!
It would be a great help if you can give us Ms.Lany’s contact number too. Thank you so much 🙂 Very informative blog by the way.
Hi! I responded to you via e-mail! Hope it helps! 😀
Hi.. Can I ask for Ate Lany (registration Officer) for her Contact? Where Planning to climb this summer.
thanks
Replied on your e-mail! Enjoy your climb this summer! 😀
may i also pls have the # po, wer planning to climb this june po. salamat po.
Hello po, ate! I responded na po through your e-mail 🙂
Hello po..meron po kayong contact number dun sa registration or tourguide. Thanks po
Replied to you via e-mail 🙂
Hi! Can you please send Ms. Lany’s contact no? Thank you. 🙂
Hi, ate Ana! I replied to you via e-mail! 🙂
Good afternoon po, interested in climbing Mt. Pigingan may I have the contact number of Ms. Lany and for the guides as well. Thank you
Hi, ate Tina! replied to you via e-mail! Enjoy!
Great info. May I ask for the contact number s registration or Ate Lany? Thanks in advance po.
Hi, kuya Vince! I replied to you via e-mail! 🙂
Hi,
Pahingi rin po ng contact. planning to go this august. thanks 🙂
Hello po! I gave ate Lany’s number na po via your e-mail! 🙂
Good Evening. May I know the contact number of Ms. Lany? Thank You 🙂
Hi! Replied to you po via e-mail! 🙂
Good evening. May i know the contact number of Ms. Lany. Thank You!
Hello po. Pwede po mahingi contact details, plan po namin pumunta next week.
Thanks in advance!
Hi! Replied to you via e-mail po! 🙂
hi po.pede po ba samin ang mt.pigingan? pangalawang bundok palang po namin if ever.thanks po
Hi, ate! I replied to you via e-mail! Ingat po and enjoy! 🙂
Can i get lany’s contact number?
Hi po! I replied to you via e-mail! 🙂
Hi po pwede ko po kunin yung contact number ni ms lany
Hi, Ms. Anne! I just sent an e-mail regarding Ms. Lany’s contact number 🙂
may i have the contact details for pigingan guide? Thank you!
Hello po! I sent an e-mail na po re: Ms. Lany’s Contact number! 🙂
Pahingi po contact number ng registration cjtjamandra@gmail.com
Hi, Christian! Sent you an e-mail regarding the contact deets of Ms. Lany! 🙂
Hi. Thanks for this info. Can we get the cointact info of the guide or registration? Thanks
Hi, Frenz! Sent you an e-mail regarding Ms. Lany’s number! 🙂
Hello do u have the contact number for the guides or the locals who are in charge.. thanks
Hello po, Ms. Sonia! I have sent an e-mail to you on the contact details of Ms. Lany. Thank you po! 🙂
Interested to hike. Can I get Ms. Lany’s contact no.?
Hi po, Ms. Shen! I have sent you the contact of Ms. Lany via e-mail po! 🙂 Thank you!
Good afternoon. Can you please e-mail at karenncabang@gmail.com the number of Ms. Lany? Thank you po.
Hi po, Ms. Karen! Replied to you via e-mail! Thank you po! 🙂
MAy i ask the contact no of Miss Kim or Miss Lanny.
We plan to climb Mar 7-8 2020
Hello po! Na-send ko na po sa e-mail ‘yong contact details ni ate Kim. Thank you po! 🙂
Good Day! Can we please have a contact number of the registration officer? Thank you!
Hello po, ate Eztacey! I have sent ate Kim’s contact number po sa e-mail niyo. 🙂
Hello Po! We’re planning to climb by March 7. Day hike po. Can I have a contact number for registration? Thank you!
Hi, Ms. Claire! Na-send ko na po sa e-mail niyo ‘yong contact details. Thank you po! 🙂
Hi there,
Enjoyed reading your blog.
Just wanted to get the contact number of the guide you’ve mentioned above. Planning to have hike this mountain nextmonth.
Appreciate your response please (julieferacosta@yahoo.com)
Hello Good Day.
Can I get the contact info for a guide and jeepney?