Stargazing and Horseback Riding at Mt. Yangbew

Stargazing

Stargazing in Mt. Yangbew is the best place when you are having a vacation in Baguio City.

standing in tent overlooking the city lights

It was nighttime when we arrived at the jump-off point of Mt. Yangbew, which is located in Brgy. Tawang, La Trinidad, Benguet. The starting trail is a very steep concrete road and it’s about a 30-minute hike up to the summit. There is only a single trail leading to the summit so you don’t have to worry about getting lost.

tent and the city lights

The temperature in the summit drops at 15 degree Celsius with slightly strong winds and the view outside the tent is magnificent, but the cold doesn’t bother me anyway. You will lay your eyes on the river of lights surrounded by mountains and fairy glitters in the sky.

bonfire

It was indeed a peaceful and freezing night. 

Some of the locals in that area stays up until midnight while listening to each other’s story, regardless of the cold weather. While watching them, you can see a small picture of light in their eyes, flickering in red, orange and gold. This is how simple their life can be, yet beautiful and inspiring.

Sunrise at Mt. Yangbew

It is when during the golden hour makes everything looks beautiful. It is either sunrise or sunset.

man standing during sunrise
tent in the morning

Horseback Riding

For only 150 pesos, you can enjoy horseback riding in the summit and unlimited photos in the span of 30 minutes. There are guides that will teach you how to properly ride the horse, how to make them walk and how to make them stop. 

horseback riding
horseback riding far
horseback riding in the pathway

How to get there?

  1. From Baguio City, ride a taxi going to Brgy. Tawang, La Trinidad, Benguet or simply tell them to Mt. Yangbew.
  2. Register at the Brgy. Hall and pay the registration fee.
welcome marker

There is an alternate way if you want a cheaper ride going there. From Baguio Center Mall (near the public market), ride a jeep going to La Trinidad then tell the driver to drop you off at Pines Park. From there, ride another jeep going to Brgy. Tawang then drop off at Mt. Yangbew. The fare is 10 pesos for each ride in the jeep.

mt yangbew signage

It is better to see see it once than to hear about it a thousand times.