Day tour from Manila. Drive over a volcanic desert and hike into the crater of Mt. Pinatubo, one of the most destructive volcanoes of the 20th century. Visit a village of the Aetas, the indigenous people of the Pinatubo area. Private transportation and guide from Manila included.
Overview
Before 1991, most people did not know that Mount Pinatubo was a volcano or that it even existed. It was an unremarkable little mountain that was covered with vegetation and mostly hidden from view by the peaks that surrounded it. After its explosion on June 15, 1991, however, Pinatubo became known to everyone in the Philippines and to most of the world. The surrounding area, once thickly forested, became a desert in a few minutes. A hundred miles away, Metro Manila was thrown into an eerie winter, buried in several inches of light gray ash. The explosion coincided with a typhoon and rain mixed with ash to create lahar flows that caused immeasurable destruction and death. Mt. Pinatubo's eruption was the second most powerful terrestrial volcanic eruption of the 20th century and is arguably the greatest natural catastrophe in Philippine history.
Pinatubo's fury subsided as suddenly as it had escalated. Rain filled its crater, creating a milky turquoise lake that is among the most spectacular sights in the country. On this adventure, we take an off-road jeep across the ash desert surrounding Pinatubo then hike through streams and volcanic debris into the very crater that exploded in apocalyptic fashion over twenty years ago. On the way, we take time to visit a village of the Aetas, the indigenous people of the area, and marvel at man's resilience in the face of nature's power.
Highlights and activities
- Take a 4x4 jeep through a desert of volcanic ash.
- Hike through eerie volcanic desolation into the crater of Mt. Pinatubo.
- Enjoy Pinatubo's spectacular crater lake.
- Be guided by an Uncharted Philippines trip leader with intimate knowledge of Pinatubo's nature, history and people
hiking / trekking
4x4 off-roading
Itinerary
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Day 1: To Pinatubo and back
We pick you up at your hotel in Manila and travel to the jump off town of Sta. Juliana in Tarlac. After breakfast we take a 4x4 jeep and ride for two hours over the desert of ash created by Pinatubo's 1991 eruption. The jeep ride brings us to the trailhead that leads up the gentle slope of the dormant volcano and into its crater. The hike involves several stream crossings and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way. At the crater lake we have a picnic lunch beside the milky blue water. In mid-afternoon we hike back to our jeep and make our way back to Sta. Juliana then drive back to Manila. We arrive in Manila in the evening.
This adventure is an ideal extension to our Heritage of the Cordillera tour.
Departures
There are currently no set schedules for this tour. Tell us your preferred date and we'll open that date as a trip departure in which others can join.
Departures are guaranteed once two (2) persons sign up for the trip. If you are the only person to sign up for a scheduled departure, you have the option of getting a full refund, rescheduling to a guaranteed departure, or doing a private tour for an additional USD 195.00.
If you'd like to go on this adventure but there are no dates which suit your schedule, please contact us, and we will set up a group departure date for you. You can also do this trip as a private tour.
Price
Includes
- All land transportation from Manila to the Pinatubo trailhead and back (private vehicle).
- Picnic lunch.
- Entrance fees.
- Guiding service from Manila to Pinatubo and back.
Excludes
- Food and beverage other than lunch.
- Travel insurance.
- Tipping. Tips to restaurant waiters, local guides, etc. are not expected but appreciated. Your trip leader can suggest an appropriate amount. Also, if you are happy with the service of your Trip Leader, a tip at the end of your adventure will be greatly appreciated.
Price is per person for a minimum group of two (2) persons.
Kindly contact us for information for smaller or larger groups.
Reminders
- This trip involves 3 to 4 hours of hiking on gently sloping but rocky terrain. You will also make several stream crossings. You need appropriate footwear and decent physical fitness. Though it is not necessary to be in tremendous shape to enjoy this trip, the fitter you are, the more fun you will have!
- Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to the Philippines if you are coming from a yellow-fever infected country; if you are not, this vaccination is unnecessary. The following vaccinations are recommended:
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Japanese encephalitis
- Measles, mumps and rubella
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