Destination: Mt. Pinatubo

About Mt. Pinatubo

Standing majestically over the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Zambales, Mt. Pinatubo garnered international fame when it erupted on June 1991 and left behind traces of ash as far west as Europe.  The ash that it spewed out in the atmosphere lowered global temperatures for at least 2 years.

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake                                                                                      

Years after its explosion, the volcano’s caldera has accumulated enough precipitation to form a beautiful lake on its summit. People who have been there were so awestrucked by the lake’s beauty that it became a major tourist destination in the area.

How to get there:

The trip could be accomplished in just one day, so it’s perfect for those who have tight schedules. The official starting point of the trip is at the Municipal Tourism Office in Barangay Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac. Because of previous fatal incidents, the Department of Tourism has restricted overnight camping on the volcano’s crater, so if you want to experience the 4x4 off-roading, trekking, swimming and make it back to Sta. Juliana before it gets dark, be sure to be at the Tourism Office by 6-7AM . For those coming from Metro Manila, that means you have to be on your way to Tarlac by 2-3AM. Take a bus going to Lingayen or Dagupan and get off the bus at Capas, Tarlac. Its advisable that you have your breakfast there before taking the jeepney ride to Patlin. At Patlin, ride a tricycle to Barangay Sta. Juliana and ask the driver to take you to the Tourism Office in Mt. Pinatubo Spa Town. Those who have their own vehicle, just take the Sta. Inez Exit in the North Luzon Expressway and head to Capas, Tarlac via the McArthur Highway. Of course, if you’re planning to stay in Tarlac for more than a day, you can make reservations to hotels and Inns in the area before your trek day. For those who have just a day to spare, we advise joining a travel group (try www.travelfactor.org) to spare you with all of the planning.

What to do:



                                                                                                              The 4 x 4's

They say getting there is half the fun. For this trip, it definitely is. The trip to the crater involves a 1.5-hour 4x4 off-roading from Sta. Juliana to the drop-off point via the Skyway and about an hour hike to the volcano’s crater lake.

The 4X4 Off-road Ride.

Before the off-roading can start, you have to get yourselves registered and your trip approved by the DOT personnel assigned at the office. The ride will start from the DOT Office and ply the ash plains of Sta. Juliana towards the ‘Skyway’, where you get to experience the rugged beauty of Mt. Pinatubo’s slopes. You’ll pass through rocky river basins, ash cliffs and mountain trails covered with vegetation so better get your camera’s ready. Taking pictures would be tricky because of the ruggedness of the terrain, so better make sure you are perfectly anchored to your sits while taking shots.

The Trek.
 

The trail                                                                                                                     

 You’ll get to the trek drop-off point by 9AM. From here, the rest of the trip will be on foot. If situations do not permit (recent rock slides, or the ground is still wet for the rains), the guides will be dropping you off about 2 kilometer from the official drop-off point. I prefer this because you get to enjoy more of nature. The trail is mostly along streams and rivers downstream from the lake under tree canopies. It would take about an hour to reach the summit, the uphill trek can be a little tiring but we assure you, everything will be rewarded as soon as you lay eyes on the lake.

The Crater Lake.
 
You think you’ve seen it all? When you get to the summit, you’ll be left dumbfounded by the view and you’ll forget you’ve just completed a 1-hour uphill trek.  The view is just like those you only see in postcards and National Geographic features, it is so beautiful you’d think it’s not real.  


                                                                                                                                      The Crater

 The water is deep aquamarine. It does not reflect the blue sky, it really gives off a bluish hue maybe because of the chemicals spewing out of the volcano vents. If you have any skin infections, you better take a dip, the water might just get rid of your skin ailments J. The water is warm near the shores but gets hotter when you get to the middle. Officially, swimming is not allowed, but the local guides insist that you can swim as long as your an experienced swimmer. If you decide to swim, be mindful of your steps since it gets really deep after only taking a few steps from the shore. The lake bed is course. Don't expect powdery sand under your feet. And don't expect to see the lake bed either because, despite its beautiful bluish hue, the water is murky and you won't be able to see anything 5 meters in front of you. 

You wil be allowed about 3-4 hours to take in the suroundings and have your lunch before you the hike back the drop-off point starts.


Plan your trip during the summer because the trek becomes very dangerous during the rainy season. All treks require that you have a local guide to accompany you. Fees for their services can range from PhP 3,000-4,000 pesos.