mount pinatubo

Although it requires a big commitment to see. It needs to be seen. You need to plan to be in the area the day before because the latest visit to the volcano is 11am. It is very far from any hotels or B&B's in the form of a long drive in a 4x4 through the lava rocks and then a hike up the side of the mountain to the volcanic lake. It is an experience that if you have not done and you are in Luzon or even in the Philippines, you really need to do. This bieng the second biggest volcanic event in the last 100 years.

To be able to see Mt. Pinatubo crater has been in my bucket list since about 4 years ago but because of the trekking part my best friend was very hesitant to go. Until I was able to entice her last year with the promise of a mud spa after the trek:) However, when I was finalizing our plans already, it turned out that the Korean spa offering the mud spa already closed!:( But still we went. Unfortunately I didn't check on TA reviews for this and was told by the local people I spoke to that we had a choice of a 7 or 5 or 3 kms for the trek. What they didn't tell us that we could just pick the 1 Km trek since this is the farthest point the 4x4 jeep can take people. For those not keen on walking, choose the 1km trek; whether you walk 3 or 5 kms you will still be passing the same awesome landscape anyway where the 4x4 jeeps pass. Stayed at Bognot Homestay in Sta. Juliana the night before, so start off was very easy and didn't have to wake up so early. Government health officers take your blood pressure first; those with not so good BP are noted, and guides are told to take extra notice of these people. Then the 4x4 jeep ride through awesome landscape. Apply sunblock, wear hat and sun sleeves, bring disposable masks or scarf to cover from dust. Wear comfortable walking shoes or sandals but be ready that this will get wet when crossing streams. The trek wasn't difficult, basically flat land except for the area near the crater already. Just be careful walking along the rocky stream beds, it's a bit slippery. We booked our trek through Bognot Homestay so we had good picnic lunch by the crater.Pinatubo landscape is totally different from other Philippine landscapes, really awesome.

What makes Mount Pinatubo worth it is both the destination and journey.We start of at Santa Juliana jump off point in Capas, Tarlac (a 2-hour drive from Manila). We did our trip on a short notice without reservations.From there we rode a 4x4, the trip lasted almost 2 hours. You can ask the driver to stop and take pictures on the way.We saw some Aeta children along the way and made the Pinatubo trail just like their own backyard and playground.After that, we made 20 minute trek going to the crater lake. The view was spectacular and worth seeing. I almost forgot that I was in the Philippines.Some important tips:1. Be there early. The tourism office set a deadline of 10AM for the last departure going to the crater. Also it's advisable that you be there around 6AM, so leave around 3:30 to 4AM in Manila. You can also opt to stay in Capas, the night before to get a good rest.2. Pack Light. Bring only what you need. Here are some of the things I recommend that is a must:sunblock - for trekking under the suncap - to be used during the trek and also to cover your head from dust while riding 4x4towel - to cover your face from dustextra clotheswater or beverages - a bottle of coke (250ml) costs 100 pesos at the crater, thats almost 4 times the price in the city, bottled water at 50 pesosFood - light snack or lunch for picnicSandals or Shoes - those that can get wet3. Bring a Mat or Tent, the mountain breeze is nice and best to rest lying on a matwhile eating some light snacks and enjoying the view. We brought a mat and just took a nap under the trees. Best 1 hour nap ever.4. For those doing DIY or bringing their own vehicles, be careful of those who take advantage of you being a tourist. Be clear of parking rates as they charge way way more. Ask the rate before parking. Also, register only at the tourism office. Watch out for those unofficial guides who offer tour packages as they take advantage of tourists when there.As a local, I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for those taking advantage of tourists. It really just ruins the trip.

You need to get a guide or a travel company to sort the trip for you unless you are local as there are a lot of haggling. You would set off at 3/4am from Manila for a 2 hour drive. When you arrive you will be getting on a 4x4 which is not in anyway comfortable as the ride is bumpy past the lahar. We were dropped at the 7km trek point but since now you can take the 4x4 all the way to the top, the 7km trek can get a little dusty because of all these 4x4 passing by. However, nothing beats hiking because the kind of pictures you can get is pretty amazing and you need to cross many streams of water.When you reach the last rest point, you will then be trekking another 20/30 minutes to the summit and descend to the lake which is very picturesque.Bring a lot of water and some food if you need for the hike. we took 2 hours each way for the hike and it we made it back to Manila by 4pm so it was a rather enjoyable day trip.

A great few hours trip in the dry season. Starts with an unusual experience of having your blood pressure taken before a 1.5 hr 4x4 trip (and drivers are very experienced and safe) and you can get off and walk at any stage of the 7kms trek but most stay on the 4x4 until the final 1km hike up to the crater, this is mainly flat but very dusty and some water to cross. On the final uphill hike the ground is very uneven and mainly made up of stones/boulders crossing small rivers, so good footwear is needed. [It is also worth starting early if you intend walking any of the longer trek as there is no shelter and it gets hot by 10.30am.] The final 100 yards is up steps which are steep and hard on the joints but it well worth the walk. The views are lovely, there is no longer swimming allowed in the crater lake itself which is shown as an option on some sites.

Like: the view at the crater was breathtaking, it was really worth the long trek Dislike: none, all inconveniences and difficulty of the trek will be gone once you reach the crater lake :)

To book this tour we used Majestic Mount Pinatubo Tour And Homestay owned by Sonia Bognot. She was so nice. We paid down payment and on the day itself we had a plus one and she was accommodated and we just paid the rest there. We were picked up in Makati and was brought to the site to be briefed. It was all in transportation back and forth and food (breakfast and lunch) plus the 4x4 jeep that would bring you to the base. after which you will take a 7 km hike...this was my first hiking experience and the view was great during the trek. When we reached the crater..it was WORTH the hike...it was so beautiful. It was as if something had to be destroyed to create something beautiful. BTW bring a jacket super cold! PS travel with friends it will make the trek easier and fund

It's my first trekking experience. And make no mistake about it, it's quite a trek. Pinatubo is just about a 2-3hour drive from Manila. This is my first trek/hike, and it exhausted me. But I guess I conquered it, and looking back i would say it was in medium difficulty. We arrived at the base camp at around 530am, and rode on the 4x4 drive. It is about an hour of drive along the rough road of lahar flow. I was mesmerized by the vastness of the plains, how it was bordered by mountains on the sides, how the sky is an everlasting expanse above with stars and the moon glittering, and how the sun rose broke the surroundings in light and color. Seriously, this whole trek is an explosion of colors, blues, greys, greens, reds, browns... an artist's delight.Then when the road turns into rocky territory, you have to get off and start the 7km-ish trek. And your feet will love it if you wore some comfy trek shoes. The path is that of rocks, rivers and lahar. Well, if you're really good, you can get dry all the time, you just have to step on the rocks over the river with the help of the guide. On the way up, I stayed really dry. But on the trek back, I just said screw it and got my feet wet with the cool waters of the river. The trek is a long one (though i don't really have that much experience hiking). It took us 2 - 2.5 hours of just walking. It surely is best to have some friends along to chat with. But going solo is also ok, just to bond with nature and reflect on life. On the sides, you'll see sides of the mountains sliced by the previous lahar flow, you can also catch a glimpse of some carabaos, wild pigs and the Aeta natives. Some Aetas reside there and you will be amazed at how fast and how far they travel through these vast lahar plains. There were about 2-3 nipa huts for rest stations. There were also 2 toilet areas near the crater and a store to buy drinks. But best to pack your own beverage as they're very expensive.2 km from the crater, the path gets a bit tricky as the road gets steeper. You have to climb over big rock boulders. But as with all treks, you'll be rewarded at the end when you get to the crater. We arrived around 945am at the crater and I loved the cool draft, the picturesque scenery and the shade provided by the mountains. There's a lahar sand near the lake perfect for just lounging and picnics. After the exhausting trek, this is the perfect way to relax. They prohibit swimming because of a lack of lifeguard, but it would have been really great. Even boat rides nowadays are banned. That would have been a totally exhilarating experience, but I guess the locales don't want to risk it. Nevertheless, you will find the surroundings very beautiful and perfect for photo-ops. This is a work of nature. We started the trek back around 1130am using the same way we came in. The trek back was faster, but because the sun was high up, it was hotter and can get a bit uncomfortable. Good thing the sun was at our backs and every once and a while, you get a cool draft here and there. Word of caution: don't try touching the sides of the mountains, they're unstable and rockslides can occur. On our way back, some rocks were falling from the mountains, good thing we were far away.At the base camp, the private households offer shower facilities for 50 pesos. Tips: best to get start at the break of dawn.. like around 5-530am-ish, then leave for the trek back before noon, the sun gets high and it can get a bit hotbring a jacket to protect you from the cold and sand, it's sooooo cold during the amihan seasonwear very comfy footwear that can also stand being wetbring shades or head capsbring about 1-1.5L of waterpack some snacks and foodtravel LIGHT! I swear i packed really light, but along the hike, i felt like my backpack was getting heavier and heavier from exhaustion.

It's a few hour ride via a 4x4 and another hours of hiking on sharp rock so avoid wearing open sandal... At the top you will be greated by a welcome signage and a stunning view of its crater...

If excitement and danger is for you this is the one when visiting Clark. You can take your own 4 wheel drive on the dirt road and through the river to the staging post and then either transfer to a guided tour on their open top army vehicles or carry on with your own 4 wheel drive through the Grand Canyon as for as you dare go. We had Hilux and traveled say 4km through the river and road and yes it was scary and exciting with overhanging cliffs and fast flowing rivers, good fun though.

It was a relatively easy to medium difficulty hike. The slopes are not steep but are filled with lahar rocks and sands making it a bit "uncomfortable" to step at. On the way to the top are varying sceneries created by the massive volcanic eruption more than 20 years ago. You can even meet Aetas, the ethno-linguistic minorities who have been it stewards hundreds if not thousand years ago. Definitely, the 2-hour hike becomes trivial when you reach the crater with its stunning green waters.Would love to do this again and share the wonderful experience with friends and family!

Its one of the best and easily accessible volcanic crater with 1 and half hour hike and 1 hour 4XD.Can see the diverse ecosystem created by the volcanic eruption on the way, sulphur mixed rocks and barren lands, and loose sand hills. There is no food available at the entry point of hike, need to pack all those things we need including water.

Mount Pinatubo offers stunning views all throughout the trek! The landscape changes from stark, grey earth to plain rock faces to tropical greenery to gushing streams. You will find yourself walking over white sand, hardened grey lahar, stones and boulders, and crossing fast-moving streams. The trek is of medium difficulty, provided the sun is hidden by clouds and it is not too hot. :)I booked with Tripinas for 2,100 pesos - the only tour agency I could find that offered per person rates, rather than group rates. We were a group of about 20 people with 4 local guides and 1 tour manager. Met some nice Filipino people in the group. The guides help you pick the easiest route so that you don't break your feet walking over stones. We started in the 4x4 just after sunrise, and the view of the sunlight playing on the mountain faces and grass was just breathtaking! At one point, we saw a lone horseman in the distance. In the morning the heat was not too bad, but every time the sun came out, it was killing!The landscape has a calm, barren kind of beauty. There are absolutely no animals or birds in sight. In the afternoon, we did see some army shooting practice. The most rewarding part of the trek is the first view of the crater lake and its still, green water! You can climb down some stairs - after finishing the 2 hour trek, you kind of give up on trying to protect your feet :) - and walk down to the banks of the lake. The banks are filled with soft, white sand and it is very calm; perfect for sitting, gazing, relaxing or sleeping. There are strange acidic yellow and green coloured deposits all along the way, upto the lake. Mt Pinatubo is such a unique place, and I would sure love to do this again!

This was an amazing trip, start by calling the tourist information and book through them. Its an early start , we got up at 4am and ordered a trike to take us to the starting point at 5am via Mc Donalds coffee stop , this ride took about 1 hour. The tour started off with having a blood pressure test and then we had a jeep ride over rough terrain to the drop off point. The walk to the crater took me 3 hours due to being unfit but it was worth the effort, crossing streams and rough ground and eventually going through a 1km uphill trek through streams and jungle like terrain to be greeted by the most amazing sight of the crater lake. There is a long walk down lots of steps to the crater lake and you have to climb back up. The walk down from the mountain is long and dusty but a lot easier. Wear sensible walking shoesTake food, snacks and plenty of water. and feed and tip your guide. He might just carry your rucksack !!

We did a tour which was pickup from our hotel in Angeles City, we paid around $80 each which I see if your filipino its half the price! It was an excellent day as it was overcast so not to hot! The guides were very good along the way, he took our camera and took photos of our whole group while we were walking to the craters edge. He did expect tips for this though I'm not sure if they needed it with the price we paid, but we gave one anyway. At the craters edge I read you can swim in the lake which we all prepared for though they wouldn't let us because of previous accidents they said they have banned it. But again I read filipinos are enjoying swimming in the lake! So all in all a great day out though be prepared to be treated a little different because your a tourist!