Mount Pinatubo is an active volcano in Luzon strategically located in the borders of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. Its volcanic eruption in 1991 made a big impact in the Philippines' history with regards to natural calamity. I remember that earthquake was felt to some Luzon provinces and most of our Aeta people were vastly affected. Afterwhich this occurence at Mount Pinatubo created a very very beautiful crater lake booming their tourism industry.
Our Pinatubo escapade started around 3am one friday morning in Cubao. We were opt to ride the Victory Liner's bus for the 3am schedule but since we've got lots of delayed and their next schedule is at 5am, we searched for other bus lines that will cater us. We walked along EDSA Cubao and found out that Genesis bus line to Baguio will leave around 4am.
How to Reach Mount Pinatubo via Capas, Tarlac
To reach Mount Pinatubo, foreigners around the world may book and look for cheap tickets to the Philippines!
via commute
From Manila, take a bus bound for Dagupan, Lingayen, even those bound to Baguio. Genesis Bus Line and Victory Liner are some of the options, just make sure of their schedules to avoid the hassle and of course ask if it will pass by Capas Tarlac intersection and tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Mcdonald's just infront of a gas station(Caltex).
via private vehicle
From the North Expressway, exit at Sta. Inez. Take the Mc Arthur highway then passing by Banban, you will finally reach Capas Tarlac.
After we were dropped off at Mcdonald's in Capas, Tarlac, I was a bit amazed that there were so many tourists (both local and foreign) waiting or eating here. We have a jeep contact that will pick us from Mcdonald's and drop us at Pinatubo Spa Town in Sta. Juliana.
Pinatubo Spa Town is a well-maintained spa for those who want to have a massage after a long trek to Pinatubo. Pinatubo Spa Town is the jump off point in reaching Mount Pinatubo. Lots of 4x4 vehicle can be rented here. The usual thing here is that, you're going to ride a 4x4 vehicle for approximately one hour and trek up to the crater. If you're not up for hiking, I suggest to do the shortest trek via Skyway Trail in which trekking would be 45minutes to 1 hour. The normal trek, in which we did, took us 2.5 hours of trekking (one-way only).
An hour-ride using 4x4 vehicle to the trekking point is actually the first adventure! The route is carved by rocks, and lahar made from the eruption, so expect a thrilling ride of your life!
Our trek started at 8:30am, you'll pass by lots of dried river beds, rocky terrains, and lahar deposits along the way. It's a long trek ahead of us!
Mount Pinatubo's Crater Lake
Pinatubo Spa Town is a well-maintained spa for those who want to have a massage after a long trek to Pinatubo. Pinatubo Spa Town is the jump off point in reaching Mount Pinatubo. Lots of 4x4 vehicle can be rented here. The usual thing here is that, you're going to ride a 4x4 vehicle for approximately one hour and trek up to the crater. If you're not up for hiking, I suggest to do the shortest trek via Skyway Trail in which trekking would be 45minutes to 1 hour. The normal trek, in which we did, took us 2.5 hours of trekking (one-way only).
Our trek started at 8:30am, you'll pass by lots of dried river beds, rocky terrains, and lahar deposits along the way. It's a long trek ahead of us!
Mount Pinatubo's Crater Lake
I couldn't explain the feeling the moment I saw Mount Pinatubo's crater lake. Clearly, it is picturesque from all of the pictures I've seen but the feeling of actually in here is unexplainable. It's beauty is so pristine that I am so proud of Philippines' Mt. Pinatubo. I'm not kidding, you have to see the crater before you die, hehe. Special thanks to Rochelle Santillan and Reden Gonzales for organizing our trip. It's a reunion outing as we were college classmates and some of our friends joined too.
We rented a boat to get to the other side of the crater. The water is freezing cold but water on the other side of the crater is warm, up to boiling point. We enjoyed the other side mostly for picture taking. We ended our journey past 1pm as we still need to trek for another 2.5 hours.
Such a great scenery for a cheap travel right? Add this trip in your bucketlist now!
TIP: Take the skyway trail and trek early morning, so you will have lot of time to enjoy the view of Pinatubo.
EXPENSES:
Bus Manila-Capas,Tarlac (travel time: less 2hrs)
Php 152/head(aircon)
Php 90/head(non-aircon)
Such a great scenery for a cheap travel right? Add this trip in your bucketlist now!
EXPENSES:
Bus Manila-Capas,Tarlac (travel time: less 2hrs)
Php 152/head(aircon)
Php 90/head(non-aircon)
Jeep ride from Capas to Sta. Juliana (travel time: 30minutes) - Php 100/head (two-way)
Conservation Fee - Php 300/head
Guide Fee - Php 100/head
4X4 Rental - Php 2500 per group of 5
Skyway Trail - Php 500 per group of 5 (optional - less trekking)
Boat Rental - Php 350/head (optional)
Contact Person:
Mobile Number: Jude/June 09205762769 (he's our contact for everything)
Things to bring:
Bring sunblock
Bring jacket (the weather is cold, unexpectedly)
Bring extra clothes if you're going to swim
Bring water/drinks
Bring lunch/snacks (you can buy your lunch at Mcdo if you haven't prepared it)
Bring emergency stuffs like band aid, alcohol, etc.
*you can take a bath at Pinatubo Spa Town after the trek experience for Php100 and massage for Php500-600
*Softdrinks, water etc is also available at the crater but for a higher price (starts at Php70.00)
62 comments:
hail the most beautiful spot in Pinas! ♥
I could stare at this vista forever and I will never get tired of it, Wish yan ang view sa bintana namin :)
:) nice way to say WOW!
@chyng
hail! :)
@lakwatsera de primera
agree, sarap balikan ng spot na to noh
@Anonymous
correct!
hello CA,super like your blog...so nice to experienced the adventure with you guys...hope i could join you again...more adventure to come ...LOL...Azineth ('',)
@neth
more adventure for us! thanks for dropping by!
:)
Hi! thanks for dropping by my site!
added you to my links!
i love this site...
Hi Fritzie,
thanks for dropping by :)
1st climb ko is Pinatubo in 2008... ibang iba na ang itsura nya ngayun...
I have to visit Mt. Pinatubo! dami ko pang dapat mapunta sa Pinas! we're so rich with beautiful sceneries! :D
pwede na pala less than 1.5K (without the skyway and boat rental) !!!
thanks for these tips and info!
@ed
agree! inggit kaya ko sa trips mo :)
we love Philippines! truly a beauty!
thank you for a very informative blog...
tanong ko lang po kung kelan kau nagtrek!? kc po nung nag-inquire ako sa number posted 3000 na daw po ung 4x4 rental. tnx po..
January lang kami nagtrek! Try mo tawaran. Sabihin mo he was recommended, para bawasan.
hai... sana bumlek na ung color niya! :)
onga sana nga sis, akyat tayo ulit pag bumalik
yan ang kulay na gusto ko makita, nung nagpunta kame last year, green lng xa d jewel blue and green. tas gusto ko sana bumalik now kaso pagtingin ko sa mga pix nubng mga nagpunta nung huli, gray na xa. sana bumalik ang kulay nya. pero baka bumalik kase it happend na din daw back in 2004, dahil ata sa movement ng lupa at yung mga algae pag summer
onga eh nayanig kasi siguro lupa kaya nagiba ang kulay sa pinatubo, let's hope and pray that we can see this color again someday, malaking kawalan on tourism kaya sana bumalik na para maghike tayo sama sama :)
wow! who would have thought na magiging tourist attraction ang mt.pinatubo after sirain nya ang central luzon.ang ganda!i like your pics.
thanks virgoitinerary! :)
pede maghike sa pinatubo kahit hindi mag 4x4?
hi mark!
haven't tried that but I once saw from one site na naghike talaga sila.. ask their local govt din po siguro para sure
Awesome experience, isn't it?
@traveling nicely
super!
300 per head ba talaga ang conservation fee?
yes po
Hi Adventurousfeet,
Me email add ba ung mga contacts mo?
Hindi ba kayu nag sidetrip somewhere since day tour lang ito? Baka lang me suggestion ka :P
Salamuch!
hi anonymous. wala eh tawagan mo nalang para mas mabilis ang komunikasyon. umuwi na kami pero mga kasama ko nakitulog sa kasama namin sa tarlac.
pwede kayo magsidetrip beach sa zambales pero since way nito is via tarlac(if you can check the map medyo out of way) you can also try sidetrip sa tarlac/pampanga/subic
hi whats the best month to go to this place? thanks always love your blogs. very helpful.
i'm not really sure but i guess, when the weather is fine and sunny, it's good to go :)
wow beautiful another nature wonder especially made for the philippines.
good work adventurousfeet for exposing the beauty of the philippines. there are really many good places in the philippines. I just wish people will not pollute the place.
Nice! by the way, yung contact person niyo na si jude/jhun, sa 4x4 lang ba cya?
@ielenna
for all na po including jeep ride from Mcdo
Hi I'm from Malaysia. Would love to visit this place. Does the contact person have email address where i can contact?
Hi Nicole T.
I don't think our contact has an email address. But I think there are other Mt. Pinatubo tour services over the net which have email address :)
hi maganda un place sa mga pictures, my friends wants to go there, we have have a van grandia , puede kaya cya madala sa sites
pwede ba pumunta ng naka motor dun?? as in riders
hindi yata kakayanin ang van ang mga huge stones going up to Pinatubo. almost 1 hr of 4x4 vehicle + 2-3 hrs trek in order for you to reach the beautiful lake of Mt Pinatubo.
i'm not sure if they allow motors from the starting point. you can ask the locals there po.
This year of 2012, the torquoise color of the Crater lake is even better ! Even the lahar-formed mountains.Hi adventurousfeet, i like your blog! By the way, I'm one of the local operators . Regarding bikers/riders they need to secure permit and depending on the cc of their bike. But most of the time they don't allow. Waste of effort to try. The Tourism department has to ensure safety. Trekkers can bring their own private vehicle but they have to park it infront of paid parking area infront of the registration site in Sta. Juliana. If I may suggest, better take a group tour of 4-5 people which is the maximum rider per 4x4 jeep and full package is only P1,500 per person.No hidden charges. Can I post my email and contact numbers in your blog? hehehe... of course, I have to ask permission from you. Just can't help but notice that many are asking you for some operator's contact numbers.
Have fun with your upcoming adventures !
mtpinatubotourhomestayphilippines
This year of 2012, the torquoise color of the Crater lake is even better ! Even the lahar-formed mountains.Hi adventurousfeet, i like your blog! By the way, I'm one of the local operators . Regarding bikers/riders they need to secure permit and depending on the cc of their bike. But most of the time they don't allow. Waste of effort to try. The Tourism department has to ensure safety. Trekkers can bring their own private vehicle but they have to park it infront of paid parking area infront of the registration site in Sta. Juliana. If I may suggest, better take a group tour of 4-5 people which is the maximum rider per 4x4 jeep and full package is only P1,500 per person.No hidden charges. Can I post my email and contact numbers in your blog? hehehe... of course, I have to ask permission from you. Just can't help but notice that many are asking you for some operator's contact numbers.
Have fun with your upcoming adventures !
ok! you may post it or email it to me..
Thanks so much. I really appreciate it !
For those who wants their Mount Pinatubo Trek to be handled by mtpinatubotourhomestayphilippines EMAIL mtpinatubotour_bognothomestay@yahoo.com CONTACT NOS. +63923-704-5578 / +63-918-602-1943 WEBSITE http://site-1328616714486-4009121840964112726.webs.com
by the way, interested Mount Pinatubo trekkers can click my name and they will be redirected to the website.
Thanks ulit :0
Hi adventurousfeet! I would like to know how to commute from Sta. Juliana to Manila. Anung sinakyan niyo from Sta. Juliana? May jeep station po ba from Sta. Juliana at bus station/stop sa Carpas bound to Manila? Thanks!
our contact person before already arrange transpo to Sta Juliana for us. The jeep is hired for us going to Sta. Juliana.. not sure if may straight transpo, kasi when we were there I seldom see jeeps on the road(maybe because its too early) so Im just not sure.
hi adventurousfeet! i stumbled on your blogsite and find the posts very informative. i'm planning to take my 8-year old to a backpacking adventure this summer, and mt pinatubo is one of our targets. he's very keen to just hop on a bus and work our way around the place.
oh thanks for reading! hope you'll have a great time on trekking!
hi1 ask ko lang kung paano yung pauwi from capas, tarlac to manila.. saan sasakay pag public transpo lang.. thanks! :)
From capas, tarlac intersection, after our trek we were drop off at McDonald's again. A lot of buses are passing by the area so we just waited for a "Cubao" signage then ride the bus going back to manila. :)
Ang ganda ng pictures!! Will be here next week, sana di umulan!
pwede po b trekking lng po papunta ng crater ng pinatubo?! kung 4x4 magkano po xa in 1group?tnx..
hi, the rate of our 4X4 ride is already posted above. :)
awesome! your photo took my breath away! Pinatubo indeed is one of the most beautiful crater lake in the world!
hello adventurousfeet
are the pinatubo trekking trips done everydayas in mondays to sundays..? i am interested in taking my two kids but to avoid too much crowd i would prefer to take a leave on a working day and take the trip to pinatubo. However, do you think it would be much cheaper (4x4 rental) on a weekend or rates would be the same regardless of the day? Are the rates still the same this year..? is your Pinatubo contact still having the same cp number?
would appreciate to get this information from you. i appreciate you sharing your trips and cost to others..thanks for that...
hi i think his number is still okay, you can pm me in my facebook page too for more questions. I think rates would be the same for weekdays and weekends. Kindly contact them for the rates cause I think nagtaas na sila (gas et al) I just went to Pinatubo last march and I was surprised na you can just walk 30mins from Pinatubo, mas matagal na po ang 4x4 ride, mas maigsi maglakad.
Nice entry! Very informative!
Hi Adventurousfeet. Hope I can post again and thanks for allowing me.
Pinatubo Rainy Season Update ( MAY-OCTOBER). Pinatubo trekking is open all year round.To date, there is NO SHORT HIKE.All Pinatubo trekking is weather,road dependent and in some unforeseen events as declared by the Local Tourism Office of Capas wherein trekking will not be possible. It is safer to take the LONG TREK during the rainy season. Ride via 4x4 jeep will take for about 1.5 hours and the hike/trek for 2.5 hours depending on your pacing.We do suggest that you are physically fit.Also the ITIMIZED RATES are no longer updated.There had been a lot of changes in the rates and a MANDATORY AETA FEE has been added among the fees. Walk-in guests are still welcome, but NOT ADVISABLE to arrange or do-it-yourselves during PEAK SEASON especially on a WEEKEND TOUR. New policies have been implemented, only the first 400 guests with arrangement and 4x4 reservations via organizers will be the priority to trek or climb Pinatubo on a weekend.Those who came by themselves without arrangement and reservation will be put on a wait list or as chance passenger.Before cut-off time (to date cut-off time or last departure at 8:30 AM due to long trek , wait list guests will be decided upon if they can trek or if there will be any 4x4 jeep left for them to ride.You may visit us for more information.http://mtpinatubotourhomestayphilippines.wordpress.com or +639186021943/+639258001943 or mtpinatubotour_bognothomestay@yahoo.com
Godbless !!!
Just a heads-up, not recommended for trail biking especially for "Poor Filipino tourist", unless you have lots of pocket money to pay for 7k ($140) for their bullshit corrupt mandatory policy to rent a 4x4 for your bike (price above is not updated anymore), yeah I know it's nonsense. They said that 4x4 will be following you just like a dog...wasting gas and everything, we understand the safety purposes but they should not impose them as mandatory since we can choose not to pursue the ride if we see the trail is dangerous...anyway at the end we opt to go and find a close bike ride route plan...to Monasterio de Tarlac...challenging down/uphill ride it is, much better than the Pinatubo trail. This is just recently April 9, 2017 in Capas Tarlac gateway registration office, the lady we talked was named as Roda.
Just be aware and think about it first before trying. Cheers!
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