Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake (Travel Guide)

Mt. Pinatubo – From Destruction to Paradise (Climb Guide + Tips)

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS:

Story & Photos

Travel Guide

THE JOURNEY TO MT. PINATUBO

Mt. Pinatubo is an active volcano located in the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales, and Pampanga. Its last eruption was in 1991. It destroyed everything. Spewing lava and burning every object in its path. Feared for its destruction before, but now it has become one of the Philippines’ known tourist destinations for its scenic landscapes.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

My friends at work planned to have an outing and chose to go to Mt. Pinatubo. My friend, Lara, knows a travel agency that provides a Mt. Pinatubo package that includes van transfers, tour guides, 4×4 rides, and environmental/registration fees.

Before our trip there, I saw it in a movie called Crazy Beautiful You. I was mesmerized by the place and felt excited to go there. My father worked there before, designing dikes for the lahars, but I didn’t expect it to be that beautiful. Once I saw the movie, it captivated me.

EXPEDITION INTO THE WHITE ZONE

The agency picked us up at McDonald’s in Mindanao Avenue going to Brgy. Sta. Juliana in Capas, Tarlac, Mt. Pinatubo’s jump-off point. We bought our lunch in one of the fast food chains located in NLEX. The trip took 2 and a half hours.

Upon arrival, we registered at the tourism office and secured our guides. We divided ourselves into 3 groups.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise
Team 4×4

Our adventure began by riding a 4×4 vehicle. The trip took 2 hours. It felt like passing through a desert. Almost everything is buried in white ash.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

We stopped near the Aetas’ settlements where they greeted us with smiles. Aetas can be found living in the area, as this was their home long before the eruption occurred. The government granted them a Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title that entitled them to the surrounding land and Mt. Pinatubo for them to own and stay in, for this is their Lutan Tua (Ancestral Land).

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise
Team Pinatubo
Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise
With the local Aetas

We continued our ride deeper and closer to the volcano. Everything we saw kept us in awe. It’s like being on another planet.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Our guides let us choose how many kilometers we want to walk from the crater, 3km, 5km, or 7 km. We chose the latter for more action. Our drivers dropped us at a specific location where we continued our journey on foot.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

A few kilometers away from the crater, we saw the sign that told us that we were near our destination. This is the start of the trek if we chose the 3-km trail. Being excited and challenged by the sign, we fasten our pace and keep in mind that we are still of young age. :p

CRATER LAKE

Finally, after 15 minutes or more of trekking, we reached the crater, it is a crater lake by the way. The sun is on top of us but it didn’t stop us from exploring the area. The place is wonderful. Just beside the lake, a hut is located for tourists to rest. We ate our lunch, relaxed, and appreciated the view.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

I’m very grateful to be able to see one of God’s wonderful creations. From destruction, a paradise has risen and brought again beauty to this world. We just spent 2 hours there and traveled very far but all we know is that everything we’ve done is worth it. We return back home with a smile on our faces and hope to see something like that again.

Mt. Pinatubo - From Destruction to Paradise

IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO CLIMB MORE MOUNTAINS IN CENTRAL LUZON, YOU CAN CHECK MT. ARAYAT IN PAMPANGA!

CLIMB GUIDE & TIPS

LOCATION:

RATES:

ACCOMMODATIONS:

POWER PACK:

CHECK OUT THESE DISCOUNTED/PROMO RATES IN KLOOK:

Klook.com

NOTES:

  • Have a mask or something to cover your face, dust can be everywhere.
  • Do not litter. Leave No Trace.
  • During our climb, swimming in the lake was not allowed due to an accident prior.
  • Bring enough water and hydrate, because there are not many trees along the way, and it can be really hot.


©CHASEJASE

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