Mt. Amuyao Climb 2009

MT. AMUYAO PACKAGED CLIMB
Mayoyao. Ifugao
April 9-12, 2009

ITINERARY

PACKAGE A
Package Cost: Php6,200.00 per pax
(4 days, 3 nights)

Inclusions:
Transportation within the Province
Guide Fee
Environmental Fee
Meals (breakfast on the day of arrival to lunch on the day of departure)
Lodging
Cultural Presentation

Exclusions:
Transportation from Manila to Santiago City and back
Travel Insurance
Snacks and beverages

Add:
PhP900.00 bus fare Manila-Santiago City and Banaue-Manila
PhP500.00 (optional) Porter fee

DAY 0 (April 8, 2009) – WEDNESDAY
9 P.M. Departure from Manila (Victory Liner, Kamias/Kamuning Bus Station)

DAY 1 (April 9, 2009) - THURSDAY
5 A.M. ETA, Santiago City (Isabela)
Breakfast
6 A.M. Travel to Mayoyao via Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo (Ifugao)
10 A.M ETA, Mayoyao
12 N.N Lunch
Rest
2 P.M. Start trek to Magulon Base camp
6 P.M. ETA, Magulon
Set up camp
7 P.M. Dinner

DAY 2 (April 10, 2009) - FRIDAY
5 A.M. Early Breakfast
6 A.M. Start trek to Amuyao summit
Packed lunch (eat where you are)
2 P.M. At the summit
Set up camp
7 P.M. Dinner

DAY 3 (April 11, 2009) - SATURDAY
6 A.M Breakfast
8 A.M. Start descend
2 P.M. ETA, Magulon base camp
Late lunch 3 P.M.
Start trek back to the Poblacion
7 P.M. ETA, Poblacion (Lodge)
Rest, freshen up
8 P.M. Dinner
Cultural Presentations
10 P.M. Rest

DAY 4 (April 12, 2009) - SUNDAY
7 A.M. Breakfast
Pack up
8 A.M. Visit to Chu’it Viewpoint
Visit to Acacoy Nature Park
Visit to Abfo’or Burial tomb
11 A.M. Travel to banaue
12 N.N. Lunch at Midway
3 P.M. ETA, Banaue
Shopping for souvenirs
6 P.M. Departure for Manila (Autobus)
8 P.M. Departure for Manila (Florida Bus)

DAY 5 (April 13, 2009) – MONDAY
3 A.M. ETA, Manila

Note: Trekking time has been adjusted to the maximum

PACKAGE B
Package Cost: PhP5,100.00 per pax
(4 days, 3 nights)

Inclusions:
Transportation within the Province
Guide Fee
Environmental Fee
Meals (breakfast on the day of arrival to lunch on the day of departure)
Lodging
Cultural Presentation

Exclusions:
Transportation from Manila to Santiago City and back Travel Insurance
Snacks and beverages

Add:
PhP900.00 bus fare Manila-Santiago City and Banaue-Manila
PhP500.00 (optional) Porter fee

DAY 0 (April 8, 2009) – WEDNESDAY
9 P.M. Departure from Manila (Victory Liner, Kamias/Kamuning Bus Station)

DAY 1 (April 9, 2009) - THURSDAY
5 A.M. ETA, Santiago City (Isabela)
Breakfast
6 A.M. Travel to Mayoyao via Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo (Ifugao)
10 A.M ETA, Mayoyao
12 N.N Lunch
Rest
2 P.M. Start trek to Magulon Base camp
6 P.M. ETA, Magulon
Set up camp
7 P.M. Dinner

DAY 2 (April 10, 2009) – FRIDAY
7 A.M. Breakfast
8 A.M. Trek to Muntuy-tuy-ub Waterfalls
12 N.N Picnic lunch
3 P.M. Trek back to base camp
7 P.M. Dinner Rest

DAY 3 (April 11, 2009) – SATURDAY
7 A.M. Breakfast
9 A.M. Trek to Patyay Rice Terraces cluster
12 N.N. Lunch in Patyay
2 P.M. Trek back to Base camp
3 P.M. Trek back to Poblacion together with the summiteers
7 P.M. ETA, Poblacion (Lodge)
Rest, freshen up
8 P.M. Dinner
Cultural Presentations
10 P.M. Rest

DAY 4 (April 12, 2009) - SUNDAY
7 A.M. Breakfast
Pack up
8 A.M. Visit to Chu’it Viewpoint Visit to
Acacoy Nature Park
Visit to Abfo’or Burial tomb
11 A.M. Travel to banaue
12 N.N. Lunch at Midway
3 P.M. ETA, Banaue
Shopping for souvenirs
6 P.M. Departure for Manila (Autobus)
8 P.M. Departure for Manila (Florida Bus)

DAY 5 (April 13, 2009) – MONDAY
3 A.M. ETA, Manila

Note: Trekking time has been adjusted to the maximum

FOR INQUIRIES AND RESERVATIONS, please contact:

JOSH NALLIW - josh21020@gmail.com -
- +639064826300

JEREMY GAWONGNA - jemgaw@gmail.com
- +639067162854

DEADLINE OF RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT: April 2, 2009

* We will advise you on payment procedure upon confirmation of your participation. Please fill up the registration/confirmation form.
* Slots are on a first-come first-served basis so please confirm and pay earlier to be assured of your slot

BACKGROUND

Rising at the northeastern edge of the Cordilleras is the highest point of Mountain Province, Mt. Amuyao. Unlike the famed mountains of the range such as Mt. Pulag and Mt. Napulauan which can only be viewed on high elevations, Mt. Amuyao stands prominently and can be spotted along the highway to Banaue. Because of its prime location, it was chosen to be the site of two transmitters, that of the PT&T and ABS-CBN. Mt. Amuyao is the country’s 10th highest mountain and an important physical and cultural landmark in Mountain Province. Together with a traverse of Mt. Ugo and Mt. Napulauan, a traverse of Mt. Amuyao is one of the great hiking trails of the Cordilleras. Of the three, it is considered the most challenging.

At the summit, a display of wild flora will greet you: there are pink flowers, highland grass, wild orchids, and other rarities. The scenery is breathtaking, encompassing the high mountains of the Cordilleras to the west, and the Sierra Madre to the east. Visible are the provinces of Benguet (W), Abra (WNW), Kalinga (N), Cagayan (NE), Isabela (E), and Ifugao (S). Both sunsets and sunrises have a magnificent character; more so the sea of clouds. Aside from the beautiful view its peak affords, Mt. Amuyao is also special for other reasons. In Ifugao (Italics and name supplied) folklore, diluveal legends say that it is in this high mountain where the surviving man and woman, Bugan and Wigan, took refuge. This legend is very much like the Biblical tale of Noah, whose ark landed in Mt. Ararat. Hence, the mountain has a special place among the locals. Also, its bioversity has earned the notice of scientists. Salcedo and Calora of the Benguet State University (2006) reports that “A total of 280 vascular plant species belonging to 180 genera and 84 families were recorded from actual floristic surveys and vegetation analysis of the northern slope of Mt. Amuyao.” They were further able to caterogize the mountain into zones: a tropical moist forest (1600-1800 MASL), tropical premontane wet forest (1801-2400 MASL) and tropical montane rainforest (2400-2702 MASL). The same report warns, however, of a bad prognosis regarding the denudation of the forest; hikers must be aware of these environment concerns and lend their hand whenever possible to avert them (article from PinoyMountaineer).

THE TRAVERSE TRAIL
Entry point - Poblacion, Mayoyao
Jump-off point - Bulhe, Mayoyao
Bulhe to Magulon base camp: 3 to 4 hours downhill then uphill (slowly descending/ascending) - Set up camp at Magulon, Mayoyao
Magulon to summit: 6 to 7 hours with rest periods in between all uphill (steep)
- Overnight at summit
Summit to Magulon: 5 to 6 hours downhill (steep)
Magulon to Bulhe: 4 to 5 hours downhill then uphill (slowly descending/ascending)

ACTIVITIES

Day1 - Participants will be met at Santiago City, Victory Liner Bus Terminal. A Van/Bus will be waiting to transport participants to Mayoyao, Ifugao passing by Alfonso Lista and Aguinaldo, both Ifugao towns. Breakfast will be had along the way. Travel will take 3-4 hours to reach Mayoyao. Upon reaching Mayoyao, participants will be allowed to rest and then have lunch. After lunch, trek starts going to the base camp at Magulon, Mayoyao. Overnight at base camp.

Day 2 - Participants for Package A will start trekking up to the summit as early as 5 A.M. so as to be able to reach the summit at 2 P.M. giving much time for the participants to rest and take as many pictures as they can and in order to simmer the moment at the summit while overlooking a sea of clouds. Trek from Magulon base camp to the summit takes 6-7 hours with rest periods in between, adding 1 hour for lunch to make the assault run to 8 hours. Lunch will be packed so the participants can eat where they are. The trail will be steep uphill. Trail might even be slippery in some portions. Overnight stay at the summit. It will be very cold so be sure to bring thick jacket or thin blanket. Tents may also be set up. The summit offers a planetarium at night when there are no clouds. In the morning will be a thick sea of clouds where one can take as many pictures of the sunrise. Sometimes, it rains especially in the evening. But it will not be that hard.

- As for participants of Package B, they will take time waking up in the morning and having breakfast. Itinerary will be a picnic at Muntuy-tuy-ub waterfalls. Participants can take their time exploring the beautiful Magulon terraces cluster.

Day 3 - Participants for Package A will eat early breakfast and start the descend around 9 A.M. Descend will be more knee-breaking as they will trek the steep downhill trail. Lunch will be had at Barangay Patyay, Mayoyao. The place also offers a beautiful view of the Patyay terraces cluster. From Patyay, participants will proceed to base camp at Magulon and get ready for trek back to the Poblacion. From Magulon to Bulhe will take another 4-5 hours.

- Participants for Package B will visit Patyay, Mayoyao terraces cluster for more exploration and picture-taking. Trek takes 1-2 hours. Lunch will be a Patyay. After lunch, participants trek back to base camp at Magulon and wait for the summiteers to arrive. All participants will start trek back to Bulhe at 3 P.M.

- For both packages, Ride will be waiting at Bulhe to take the participants to Poblacion where they will be billeted at a lodge at the town center. In the evening will be a cultural show where the following will be showcased:
- Ngajaw (Victory dance)
- Hang-hangngit (Friendly bantering between males and females)
- Tajaw (Native dances)
- Community native dancing with participants

Day 4 - Participants will visit Chu’it Viewpoint, a vantage point where one can see the entirety of the rice terraces cluster of Central Mayoyao, lower region. Afterwards, participants will proceed to Akakoy Nature Park for a view of the Upper region of Central Mayoyao rice terraces cluster. The participants will be given a chance take a look inside one of the Abfo’or Burial tombs. Participants will leave Central Mayoyao at 11 A.M. for Banaue. Lunch will be had midway. Shopping for more souvenirs can be done at the Banaue Town Center or at the Banaue Viewpoint.

What to bring:
- Trekking shoes
- Jacket/blanket
- Drinking water
- Trail food
- Cameras
- Towels and toiletries
- Please bring clothes and gears suitable for cold weather and trekking