Mt. Pinatubo Trekking in Angeles City - Philippines

Location and How to Get There

Mount Pinatubo in the Philippine is credited with one of the biggest volcanic eruption in the modern era. It looms over the intersecting borders of Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales provinces in the island of Luzon. The major eruption took place on June 1991, spewing some ten cubic kilometers of ash, lava and debris all over the island.

The best route to take to go Mt. Pinatubo trekking is the Capas trail in Tarlac province. So first you have to go to Tarlac. If you are coming from Manila, take a bus to Lingayen or Dagupan (places in Pangasinan province) and get off at Capas, Tarlac Then take a jeepney to Patlin, and from there take a tricycle to Barangay Sta. Juliana.

If you have a private vehicle, you can go yourself. Drive along the North Expressway, exit at Sta. Inez and take the McArthur Highway. After passing Bamban you are on your way to Capas. Then go to Sta. Juliana which is where your Mt. Pinatubo trekking will begin.

What to See

Mt. Pinatubo trekking can take anywhere from 1.5 hours to 8 hours depending on how you make it. On foot from Sta. Juliana, it would take a grueling 6-8 hours through the lahar. A good private jeep would get you to the crater in about 4 hours. However a 4x4 is best and takes only 2 hours at most. The 4x4 service will take you to Sitio Kalahati.

Mt. Pinatubo trekking is an exciting trip takes you across rivers, cliffs and creeks and a beautiful scenic landscape. After the trek, you go mountain-climbing along a river valley until you get to the crater, which is now a lake you can swim in.

Cost

Tourists should always use the services of a travel guide to go Mt. Pinatubo trekking. The cost for a trekking service is around P3,500 although there are services that are highly over-priced, so you should compare and research first. The fees cover transportation, food, guide, conservation fee, permits and a “certificate” proving that you have climbed Mt. Pinatubo.

When to Go

The best time to go Mount Pinatubo trekking is during the hottest months of the year from January to April. Though you might want to check with the latest travel blogs and forum discussions online given the changing weather worldwide have nowadays.

Tips

Do not insist on going alone just to save money as this is not only dangerous, it would also deprive the local people of their means of livelihood (you don't want to upset them). Also the best time of day to go is either early in the morning or in the afternoon (but not evening) to avoid the scorching midday heat.