When someone thinks of a weekend getaway, I doubt that Mount Pinatubo will make it to the list of the possible places to go. In fact, my first choice was to go to La Union and spend the entire weekend there until the plan got canceled and I was left with the options of either coming up with a new plan or letting another weekend pass by going to the nearby mall. Exhausted with the latter idea, I decided to act on my long-time desire to go to Mount Pinatubo and finally gave in to the idea of traveling on my own.

Aware of the fact that a week is not enough to prepare for a DIY trip to Pinatubo, I have decided to join a tour through Adventure Philippines, to save myself from the hassle of preparing an itinerary and for a more convenient trip. The package that I availed already included a service going to Mount Pinatubo and back to Manila as well as the different fees required to visit the place –a good deal, to be honest, for a hassle-free trip and for someone traveling alone.

Our trip started with our 2AM call time in Greenfield District at Shaw Boulevard where the van, tour organizer and coordinator were already waiting. At exactly 2:30AM, the van departed for Capas, Tarlac, the jump-off point for Pinatubo tours, which took three hours of travel time including a 20-minute stopover. At around 5:30AM, we’ve arrived in Barangay Sta. Juliana where we waited for another 30 minutes to transfer to the 4X4 jeep that we will be using to reach the trail going to Mount Pinatubo.

Sta. Juliana’s barangay unit is very strict and organized in accommodating tourists that visitors are required to sign a waiver before the ride and 4X4 jeeps are not allowed to travel before 6AM. Cut-off for tourists to board and rent 4X4 jeeps is until 9AM only.

The 4X4 ride going to Pinatubo’s trail was the longest part of the trip which included a stopover in the so-called “Toblerone” mountains which, resembled a shape with that of the famous milk chocolate, and the crossing of the border between Tarlac and Zambales. Along the way, tourists can expect a constant scenery of rocky roads, chipped mountains, lahar and crossing of rivers and streams with the sun rising behind the mountains as the backdrop.

An hour and a half later, we finally reached the jump-off point of Pinatubo’s trail where visitors can buy foods and take a pee before the 45-minute trek. The path going to the crater includes trekking in rocky trails, stepping over a handful number of stony streams and resting spots for weary trekkers. At the end of the trail, tourists will be rewarded with a viewing deck offering a stunning view of Pinatubo’s Crater Lake and several stores and resting areas for hungry and tired visitors. Going near the lake is also possible by going down the flight of stairs beside the viewing deck.

Seeing Mount Pinatubo in person was all worth the effort, sleeplessness and money because of its stunning natural beauty. Main highlight of the place is the lake’s dark blue water which reflects the crater’s mouth and blue sky creating a picturesque scene that is perfect in every angle. The crater’s mouth covered with trails of lahar completes the beauty of the place which resembled a similar scenery with that of the snow-covered mountains found in Switzerland. Remnants of its last eruption is still very evident in the place with its ash-covered shore and few number of living plants in its surrounding areas.

We’ve spent almost two hours exploring and savouring the beauty of the crater lake where we had our early lunch and rest afterwards. We also got the chance to see the volcano spew smoke from its new crater during our stay in the place.

After regaining enough energy to travel again, we trekked our way back to our 4X4 jeep where we had the chance to meet some Aetas, the indigenous inhabitants of Mount Pinatubo, and to fully marvel at the remnants of Pinatubo’s 1991 eruption under the glaring sun.

Generally, my first visit in Mount Pinatubo was a very positive experience, giving me new knowledge about this historic and iconic tourist spot and making me realize how massive its last eruption has done to its surrounding areas and to the volcano itself. I just wish, though, that our tour guide has related more facts about Pinatubo and its eruption along the way for more first-hand information.

My visit to the place has also become positive because of the people I got to mingle with. To be honest, I think my Mount Pinatubo experience and first time of traveling on my own became special and worthwhile because of the people I got to join with during the tour. They took away my fear and nervousness brought by my first time of traveling on my own and replaced it with comfort that I’m going to reach home safe –very distinct from my expectation that I’ll be visiting Pinatubo without making any friends afterwards.

If you want to join a similar tour or is interested with other hiking tours, you can contact Adventure Philippines here.

Tips

1. Pack light. The trek going to the crater lake is easy that you will want to leave unnecessary things behind and bring only trail foods that will keep you energized along the trek.
2. Bring a mask or any piece of clothing that will cover your head during the 4X4 ride. The 4X4 ride will be crossing kilometers of lahar so better bring or buy a trekking mask before the trip to avoid dust getting into your mouth, nose and hair afterwards. You can also bring a pair of reliable sunglasses to protect your eyes from getting dust.
3. Swimming in the crater lake is strictly prohibited. So don’t bother bringing your swimsuits with you as the lake’s waters is reported to be very deep for swimming and have very high pH levels.
4. Littering is completely prohibited. Eating during the trek and beside the crater lake is allowed as long as visitors will keep their trash with them. Practice the “Leave no trace” rule.
5. Phone signal is unavailable. Starting from the 4X4 ride up to the crater lake, phone signal will be unavailable so better hold of those photos and videos so you can post them later in your Stories or My Day.
6. Toilets are available at the start and end of the trail. No need to hold that pee and incur UTI later on (though I doubt if giving in to nature’s call would be feasible in these toilets).