'Byaheng Victory' goes to Mt. Pulag

MANILA, Philippines - Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures, kill nothing but time.

This is any mountaineer’s creed, and it is known and practiced worldwide. A mountaineer, either a newbie or pro, should take it by heart and abide by it. More than preserving and conserving nature, this creed is a driving inspiration toward self-discipline.

On June 9-10, “Byaheng Victory” is set to chant this creed for the second time as it is all set to trek to Luzon’s highest peak and the country’s third highest mountain — Mt. Pulag. 

As a popular trekking destination, Mt. Pulag offers one of the best sunset and sunrise views in the country. Standing at 2,922 meters above sea level, it is also home to the nation’s endangered flora and fauna species and to some of North Luzon’s ethnic tribes such as the Ibanags, Ibalois, Kalanguyas, and Kankana-eys.

A Department of Environment and Natural Resources office is located along the trail, just a few meters away from the park’s entrance. From there, the base camp is a four-kilometer hike with well-paved trails for the convenience of mountaineers. There are waiting sheds, too, which offer fitting rest stops to mountain climbers. The summit may be reached in an hour and a half.

“Byaheng Victory” is a series of group tours initiated by Victory Liner, the country’s premier bus transportation company. In partnership with Travel Factor, one of the biggest adventure tour providers in the country, it promotes a taste of unusual and incomparable destinations reached by Victory Liner. 

It successfully kicked off via a well-received Visita Iglesia Road Trip in Pampanga last Holy Week and was immediately followed by an overnight camping adventure in Zambales’ Nagsasa Cove.

And before April ended, “Byaheng Victory” trekked to the famous Mt. Pinatubo. With the continuous clamor to hike another mountain peak, “Byaheng Victory” now offers Mt. Pulag as a fitting follow-up.

Reserve for a seat at Travel Factor HQ at (632) 746-5119, 0917-8475341 or e-mail at tours@travelfactor.org. Or visit www.travelfactor.org, “like” at facebook.com/byahengvictory and follow at twitter.com/byahengvictory.

Only 45 slots are available for the tour. For as low as P4,100 for an overnight stay, get to experience real adventure. 

The package includes bus and jeep transfer, lunch, dinner and breakfast, all guide and conservation fees, tent accommodation, and travel insurance. 

Assembly is late night of May 11 at Victory Liner Cubao station. Participants are expected to be back in Manila on May 13 by 8 p.m.