May 16, 2015βIt was a lovely day for some self-imposed suffering. We tackled about 14 kilometers hiking and touring into one of the country’s most beautiful travel destinations: the Mount Pinatubo. This volcano is known as an active stratovolcano in the Cabusilan Mountains on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It erupted on June 15, 1991 and produced the second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century. Whoa!
With barely three hours of sleep, I heaved a sigh at the thought of the completing the adventure. What have we signed ourselves up for? Why do we put ourselves in situations that call for discomfort? Prior arrival to the site, these were the questions that circled in my mind. I could already imagine blistered feet, aching calf muscles, and the scorching heat of the sun prickling on my skin and dwindling my precious energy. Ultimately, my answer had everything to do with personal growth and the thrill of exploring out of my comfort zone.
Before our Mount Pinatubo day tour, I’ve read countless of blogs and reviews about it. Everyone seemed to have shared his/her unique set of stories, travel guides, and tips every time. Here’s mine. π
Top 5 Things to Know When Planning Your Mount Pinatubo Day Tour
1. If you’re not sure how to organize a DIY Mt. Pinatubo day tour, get a tour package with an accredited Pinatubo organizer.
In our case, we signed up with Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour and Homestay (owned by Sonia Bognot) and availed of Package A (Saturday) that costs PhP 2050/person. (We were 15 in the group.) The package was inclusive of everything we would need in the Mt. Pinatubo day tour:
- round trip shared van transfer service: from our meeting place to Sta. Juliana Capas, Tarlac and back
- food: breakfast, lunch, and water
- rental of 4×4 off-road vehicle which took us to the start of the hiking jump-off point and back
- tour guide who accompanied us from the start to the end of our tour
- mandatory aeta fee – PhP 150 per person
- all tourism fees including registration fee, entrance fee, conservation fee, and permit to trek
Only the first 400 guests with tour reservation with any accredited Pinatubo organizer are allowed to trek per day. This is taken seriously especially during peak season (third week of October to June). Those who have no reservation and did not book for a tour arrangement with accredited organizers can still come BUT will be put on a wait list. Chance passengers can continue their journey only if there will be any 4Γ4 jeep left for them to use.
2. Take note of the time and follow the itinerary as planned.
According to the locals, there used to be a “short trek” (via the Skyway) where the 4×4 jeep reaches a certain area that’s near the base of the Pinatubo so hikers would just have to walk 1km to continue the hike and get to the crater.
However, ever since the trails were ruined by Typhoon Ondoy, they are no longer passable by the jeep. Hence, everyone would have no other choice but go through the “long trek” whose distance is seven kilometers one-way to the crater (equivalent to about 2-2.5 hours) and another seven kilometers down (another 2-2.5 hours) by foot.
The reason why it’s important to stick with the itinerary (see below) is that we won’t know when it will rain. Trekking in Mt. Pinatubo is said to be dangerous when it rains.
For Your Reference: Our Mt. Pinatubo Day Tour Itinerary
- 2:00AM Meetup with Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour and Homestay’s Van Driver
We met with the driver at Eton Centris in Quezon Avenue. Traveling to the meeting place in Tarlac took over two hours.
- 5:30AM – 6:00AM Registration and Orientation
All Mount Pinatubo trekkers are required to register at the registration site located at the Local Tourism Office in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. We filled out waiver forms, had breakfast provided by the organizer, attended the group orientation, and formed into groups.
These should be done before the cut-off time, which is unpredictable when Military Exercises are present in the area. During such an event, the cut-off time for registration is STRICTLY at 6:00AM-6:30 AM or even earlier. If you arrived late, you will have to wait for the next day to trek. It is therefore risky to take chances and become a latecomer, as your effort and excitement to see Mt. Pinatubo will all go to waste.
- 6:00AM – 7:00AM Departure to Drop Point
After registration and securing the necessary trek permits, we rode a 4×4-wheeler jeep which can seat five people.
The 1.5-hour bumpy ride took us across a vast expanse of barren lands, formation of rocks and mountains, and different sand formations created by Mt. Pinatuboβs eruption. It was like “the land before time.” Asking the driver to stop or slow down for picture-taking is allowed. Yay!
The local tour guide was helpful in taking our group pictures and telling us some history about the world’s most violent and destructive volcanic event in the 20th century that led to the evacuation of thousands of people from the surrounding areas, damaging properties, infrastructures, and changing the river systems months to years after the eruption.
- 8:30AM – 11:30AM Hiking
We arrived at the drop-off point in Lipit/GMA area at 8:15AM and started hiking immediately while other people had snacks and rested for a moment. If you’ve never tried hiking, it’s just like walking butΒ only further on trails instead of streets.
Hiking in Mt. Pinatubo was like walking through endless Instagram posts in real life, with the soles of our shoes crunching rhythmically in lahar, ginormous rocks, and shallow streams.
True as told, the trail may be quite long but it was easy and recommended even for beginners. It’s basically flat land and not much the uphill type except that it’s filled with so many rocks of different sizes and stream beds which are a bit slippery. Using a walking stick is optional and not necessary.
- 11:30AM-12:30PM Lunch by the Crater
We had a picnic lunch at the summit in one of the rest stations near the crater, then descended to the breathtaking Lake Pinatubo. The landscape was calm without any animals in sight. The crater looked like paradise as the fresh water was so clean and clear.
The water looked blue-green and it’s cold. Swimming and boating are no longer allowed since 2003 when there were people who drowned in the lake (max depth of 600 meters or 2,000 feet). Lake Pinatubo is the deepest lake in the Philippines.
For the most part, it was at the lake when I understood the magic of this place. The paths on the way to the crater were a natural fantasy, and traveling and seeing the views with Louie and friends of course made it even more special.
- 1:00PM-3:30PM Hiking
By 1PM, we had to go back. We continued hiking and then rode the 4×4-wheel jeep to where we started.
3. Pack light.
Heavy backpacks do not just put burden on your shoulders but also sap your energy; therefore, packing light is a must. Things you need to bring are:
- large towel to cover your face from dust while in the 4×4-wheel jeep
- extra clothes you can change into when you’re perspired
- cap to protect your head and hair
- sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, dust and sands
- sunblock to protect your skin
- 500mL to 1L water or sports/energy drink (Beverages are sold at the crater but are tagged with hefty prices, e.g. PhP 100 for 250mL of Coke).
4. For the ideal choice of footwear, hiking shoes or any comfortable rubber shoes with thick socks is way better than a pair of Crocs or sandals with no socks.
Afraid your socks will get wet? Some people advise to bring both sandals and shoes so you can change and alternate between the two: wear sandals when walking on rivers and wear closed rubber shoes or trainers when walking on the rocky territory. This strategy may sound fine but it’s actually quite a hassle to execute.
The truth is, water level is shallow and you can step on sacks and rocks to avoid wetting your socks and shoes. I have managed to stay dry the entire time wearing my comfy Skechers exclusive memory sole shoes and Darlington thick socks (for sands not to get into my feet). π
5. Bring a handy camera.
I don’t have a great pictographic memory. But even if I do, I would still bring a handy camera to Mt. Pinatubo since mental images truly would not suffice to constitute recollection or create narratives after a long time.
Since I don’t trust my phone camera or a compact point and shoot camera, I still carried a DSLR, haha. π A GoPro camera is also great as it can give your photography a whole new dimension, and you can try different angles across lahar plains and the beautiful surroundings. A handy tripod or monopod is advisable for more shooting options and for ensuring that your pictures will not come out blurry.
Wrap Up
If you have doubts about hiking at Mt. Pinatubo, these tips may help you decide. Mt. Pinatubo is a busy place in the weekends, with hundreds of people visiting, and the day we visited was no exception.
I did not intend to find epiphany at Mt. Pinatubo’s crater, or even swim the depth of its water. Rather, I just hoped to have a broadened perspective of “what’s there”βsomething that could never happen behind a desk or a computer screen. And yes, I was able to meet my personal objective. Visiting what is arguably the greatest disaster turned to a true wonder was worth our time. π No regrets, indeed!
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
No. 4 is definitely the most useful as I always slip when I go on trekking trips. I have been wanting to go on a Pinatubo trip for the longest time. Will it happen? Only time will tell. =p
Investing in a good pair of trekking shoes is good if you are planning to conquer more mountains both here in the Philippines and outside. It’s a fun way of burning calories. π
Sounds like you all had an awesome time doing this. I must say that sticking to the itinerary is a must. There have been quite a few times we have gotten off schedule and it messed the whole day up. Also a camera is a must, and i repeat must have to capture the memories!!
Oh yes, having friends along during hiking is best. Oftentimes though after some minutes of talking, we would just be in awe of the silence and the nature around us. It was nice to get away from civilization. π
Wow! What an incredible experience and great memories you made! I would love to try this hike one day!! I absolutely love hiking-there’s some pretty neat hikes here in Oahu, Hawaii! π Your photos are beautiful! The lake looks super refreshing too after all that hard work. π Thanks for sharing this with me and your tips!
Thanks, Alanna. There are many foreigners who visit the Philippines and include hiking in Mt. Pinatubo as one of their items listed in the itinerary. It’s cool to go during summer so you will be able to see the great views of the area without the hassle of the rain. π
Wow, it’s so beautiful. I would love to go on a day tour like this. It would be definitely out of my comfort zone. What happens if it rains unexpectedly? I would have been really scared of it starting to rain!
The beautiful sceneries made the tour far from boring. I guess the hiking must go on when it rains unexpectedly. We were just warned of the time when they think it will rain so we better had to go back fast right after lunch. The local tourist guide would be there to help in case.
This looks like you had a great time. I love all the pictures. Thank you for sharing them with us.
You’re welcome, Miranda. Those pictures are not enough to show you exactly how amazing the spots in Mt. Pinatubo really are. I’m just pleased to share with you an overview of it. π
I love to hike and explore new areas like this. This looks like an amazing place for a day hike, the scenery is beautiful. Looks like everyone in your group had a great time on the day hike.
Yup, we did. You can also choose to stay there at the peak overnight. Just don’t forget to bring your own tent and keep the place clean as it is. π The trails are easy to follow-fine on the way up and down.
these are actually some great tips. thanx for sharing.i absolutly love these fresh photoes.it seems that you had really some great time. i aslo want to go for a similer advanture soon.
It’s a great workout and definitely doable even if you are a beginning in hiking. With sufficient breaks when you tired and a lot of water and few snacks, you are good to go! π
Looks like it was a fun filled event. Itβs amazing how you managed to keep to the schedule and continue with it. I just might try this activity too since you make it look so easy and fun!
Yes, it’s a good try so there’s no stopping you to also take the opportunity to go hiking Mt. Pinatubo while you can. π Start the hike as early as possible because when the sun is up, heat might cause you to feel more tired and even stop you from finishing earlier, too.
What an adventure for the whole family! Once my kids are a little bit older, I look forward to taking a trip like this one, adventure, memories, activities for the family and time off. I really enjoyed seeing your photos!
Nice! Thanks, Norah. I hope you and your kids would have a great time, too. From the reviews I’ve read from other blogs, this hike dos not sound scary at all. Take some time to get there and with an eye on the prize, you can finish it! π
Oh my that place looks absolutely beautiful. Sounds like so much fun, I love to hike!!! I can’t imagine being near that lake and not being able to jump in and swim, it’s so pretty and inviting.
Whoa, please don’t try to jump in haha. The water level down below is too deep and it may be really dangerous. Reaching the summit and taking a momentary break to take in the scenery by the lake made the trip feel complete. π
Great adventure of your group that you planned it perfectly well. Awareness and safety are the best in every travel while enjoying and exploring.
Yeah, we planned about this tour WAAAAY back and I’m super glad we made it altogether. π
Just the thought of visiting a volcano site scares me. Looking at the pictures has me curious enough I might make the trip to see this area. I admit, it does look like a tough tour.
Well, it’s not really tough but a bit tiring if you’re not used to walking far. Getting ready a week or two weeks before through cardio exercises and workout routines that make the heart stronger and endurance better is most ideal. π
My friends and I would enjoy this little journey taking the Mount Pinatubo Day Tour. The scenery is more than beautiful. It’d be a perfect way to spend the day and get some exercising in.
It was a long trail but not too difficult. With abundance of nature all around, you will be in awe of how enjoyable the walk is. Just remember to use the comfort room whenever you see once since there’s a shortage of toilets in the area.
Mount Pinatubo is a place waiting to be explored by Filipinos. Your planned travel gave much enjoyment for the group.
This was my first time to hike again after a long time! π Anyone who has an average fitness level plus the determination to fitness the trail according to plan will find the trek okay.
Wow, this seems like such an awesome place! Would definitely love to go there one day! Despite the way i look (people thinks i’m a spoilt princess who never wants to get her hair dirty or something, or even sweat-which can be true sometimes but not all the time) i really love nature walks/hike/exploring these kind of places! I’m not the best at hiking, but as long as the path doesn’t involve muddy tracks at high as one’s knee (speaking from experience here), i’m sure i’ll be fine!
I don’t also consider myself as an expert hiker or trekker, but this ultimately is a good test of my endurance and strength. The hiking paths are clearly defined so we didn’t encounter any problem. I think you can also hike at Mt. Pinatubo without a problem and with relative ease! π
This is a very helpful post for those planning to go on their own to Mount Pinatubo. It’s a good reminder for tourists to bring a handy camera. Most now owns DSLR and it’s not really ideal for this kind of trips unless of course you’re there for a commercial shoot.
Right, carrying a DSLR is not really recommended for those who already have heavy bags and those who can’t handle any more weight on their shoulders. When going to Mt. Pinatubo, expect to spend way more than four hours going up and descending. Note that the real kicker (not to be underestimated) is walking under drastic heat in summertime for hours.
Sounds like you and your friends had fun. I remember Mt. Pinatubo when it erupted, umabot sa Alabang ang ashes:)
I wish we could visit it soon.
Haha I can’t remember that since I was too young, but my mom did. She also recalled that the ashes reached Manila that time. Whoa!
OH MY FREAKING!! My mom and I wanted to do this a loong looong time ago..
Although you mentioning that there is a long trek to do is a bit uhm… nakakawalang gana for us hahaha since she is a bit old. LOL! But amazing photos.. maybe ill bring SO here.. Bahala na bwhahahaha π π π
I can’t say enough about how beautiful this hike was. It is, however, an ass kicker (kasi nga mahaba). Hihi. π The view at the top is nothing short of magnificent. You should definitely experience this with SO and have a romantic moment by the lake! <3
nice advice may balak din ami mag pinatubo someday i’ll keep this in mind
Thanks. π You can also ask me questions if you have any!
Now you gave me an idea what to prepare if ever makapunta kami ng Mt. Pinatubo. May mga kins kami na malapit dyan and they are egging us to explre the place specially the pool sa lake.
Ah yeah the view there by the lake is extremely beautiful. Seeing it will make your trip worth the time and effort. π
You got a very comprehensive tips on how to travel to a noted volcano, Mt. Pinatubo. Every time I heard about this volcano, it is like a music to my ear. I had gone to place flattened by the eruption of this volcano in which only a belfry of the Church was visible and also the roofs of the market of the said place remained. If my memory serves me right, it was sometime in late 90’s when I attended the 11th National Scout Jamboree held a Pampanga that I visited the place.
Oh wow that’s about two decades ago and you still remembered. π We enjoyed the journey and felt proud to have conquered its peak.
Thanks so much for this sis…I am not an adventurous person, but still need ideas on how to get there safely. This trip was absolutely amazing, the views were breathtaking and your post was interesting and informative.
Thanks and you’re welcome! π I hope all these tips will make sense and be useful when it’s your turn to take the Mt. Pinatubo adventure. Have fun!
wow the package was really afforadable huh.. for 2k you got complete meals na with dessert pa.. then you’ll get the chance to ride their 4×4 jeep pa.. sobrang hirap ba maghike dito? Hayst.. hopefully makapunta ako dito next year ^_^
Di naman masyadong mahirap kasi almost everywhere ay flat grounds. You just need to wear shoes that have a good treading and di slippery kasi maraming rocks and water along the way. π
wow . this seemed to be an interesting trip. I just can’t imagine a 2.5 hours hike π
Time flies fast anyway and you will just be surprised that you’re already on top in a few moment! π
id been to Pinatubo and it was fun . my only comment on this trip was the a little anomaly on the issuance of receipt by the tourism officers when we had our DIY… they ever issued a receipt .
Aw, this is one of the reasons why I would prefer having a travel partner for this kind of trip. I’d rather pay for the convenience to save myself all the hassle. π
I’m planning to go to Pinatubo once my schedule clears up and this should help.
It’s a great hike and I’m confident to say that this one is too easy for you. π
I think with the heat level in Pinatubo, it won’t be an easy hike especially that most areas are open only other trail routes which are concealed by forests.
Yeah, it’s hard to find “liblib” areas where there are trees so you can be protected from the sun’s rays.
Hubby and I are planning to bring the kids in Pinatubo. Do you think a 6-year old kid can enjoy the trekking?
Oh I am not sure if a six-year-old kid will be able to surpass the strenuous trail. If your child is used to walking long distances and has a good endurance, then maybe the answer is yes. Just be safe. π
When I think of Mt. Pinatubo, all I could remember is the destructive force that the volcano created that an evacuation of thousands of residents were implemented.
But maybe, I should change its perception from a destructive volcano to a beautiful destination that must be visited and appreciated. I may not be able to visit Mt. Pinatubo but appreciating its beauty may be enough.. π
Yeah that happened a long time ago and the destruction affected hundreds of families. Now we can look at it as a tourist attraction waiting to be appreciated. π
i have read a lot of great tales about Mt. Pinatubo and I really cannot wait to visit the place with my boys one day soon. I thought the stunning view of the Lake is enough to make up for all the trouble one has to go through!
Yup, it will be a fun day touring Mt. Pinatubo with your kids. π
This looks like a very interesting adventure although it might be a lot more physically taxing for people like me who don’t spend much time outdoors.
The good thing about this kind of hiking is that there is no race/competition. You can have your own proper pacing to ensure safety. π
I hope to go to Pinatubo with my boyfriend this year. These tips will really help us
Oh you can invite more friends to join in so you will be a group of at least five riding the 4×4. Have fun all the way! π
I want to visit Mt. Pinatubo too but the hassle of walking and trekking are not my things to do. Anyhow, love all the photos and adventures, it looked so much fun!
Haha trekking and hiking are really not my thing, but it’s great to have experienced this with my friends once in a while. My love for walking inside a mall isn’t anywhere close. :p
Back when Pinatubo erupted in 1991, we were living in Pampanga, I experienced the lahar firsthand and the ash fall. Having survived that, I always told myself that I wanted to trek Pinatubo, but there is still this fear whenever I think about it though.:(
I feel you, dear. There are still so many people who had traumatic experiences when the volcano erupted years ago. Maybe some day you can also face Mt. Pinatubo without feeling heavy.
Once it’s sunny again, my girlfriend and I shall visit Mt. Pinatubo!
Well, sun is still up high in the Philippines and I’m praying for more rain to come. Init kasi hihi. π
This was one of the most memorable trips we have taken as a family. I had my wife and three kids with me, a cousin from the States and my Aunt who just turned senior citizen. It was just so bad that my own blog about our trip was lost with my Multiply account. I was aghast when I realized I failed to save it when Multiply disappeared for good.
Shucks. I remember Multiply. I also had some blog posts there but when the founder announced that the site would be turned down, I just saved a local copy of those content in my hard drive.
I haven’t been to Mount Pinatubo but I’m planning to go there in the near future. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Yay! You’re welcome, Mommy Peachy. π
Awwwww… I really hope it’s not too late for me to visit Mount Pinatubo. This is embarrassing to admit but i’m turning 50 this november! haha. π
Wow! I think you should be proud of that age. π Not many people nowadays are healthy and in a good condition to live longer in life. If you are still fit to walk long distances, conquering Mt. Pinatubo should not be a problem. You still have time to practice and prepare then go for it!
Side trip to Mt. Pinatubo through an ATV ride and experience lingering at Mt. Pinatubo Spa. You can swim or ride a boat while at the crater lake. The ride passes through lahar rivers.
I’m not sure if people are still allowed to hang out at the Mt. Pinatubo Spa ever since the incident where two tourists drowned.
Can you do a DIY trip or do all hikers need to register with authorized tour groups? Thinking of organizing a day trip with my friends. Thanks!
You may do a DIY trip but you should be early. I’ve heard that the local community there prioritizes the ones that have subscribed to organized tours. They’re the limiting the number of people who gets there first.
This place looks amazing!! Want to check if my hubby & I can go with our 20months old daughter as well? Is there age restriction? Also is vegetarian food available?
I think if your husband or yourself can manage to carry your daughter safely, that’s fine. There’s no vegetarian food available by default. To be sure, ask and request for it from your tour organizer.
We are planning to hike tentatively on May 14-15, 2016.
This climb is a fund raising campaign for PLM Scholars Foundation, Inc., we are raising funds for the less fortunate scholars of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila by organizing a climb and donate the proceeds to the foundation.
Maybe you could give me an idea on how we could minimize the budget to have more earnings for the PLMSFI funding.
Salamat po and God Bless __/|\__
Great Post! Yet another thing to add on my Philippines travel plan! Glad I’m spending a month there π
Wow! I hope you have a good time here. π
Useful and inspiring, thanks for sharing, hope to be able to do it one day when back in the Philippines.
Hi! Is it really okay to wear a rubber/closed shoes rather than a Crocs or something like that? Planning to go before the year end. Thanks π
I wore closed rubber shoes and I was fine. π