MOUNT PINATUBO TREKKING PACKAGE
Travel to Mount Pinatubo and explore one of the most amazing places in the Philippines. The best deal is to get a daytrip package from Manila or Angeles city / Clark. TRIPinas travel and tour offers a safe Pinatubo tour package including the round trip transportation from Manila (or Angeles) to the base camp with comfortable aircon vehicles. Both service of a local guide and off-road (4x4) ride are included in the package as well as all the fees (nothing to pay on site). Your Mt. Pinatubo tour starts with a 4X4 off road adventure from the base camp to the jump-off with magnificent view of the largest lahar canyon in the world. Your Pinatubo trek is a 2 hour hike going to the crater and another two hours trek on the return. It is usual for trekkers to have their lunch at the shore of the Pinatubo crater lake. You will never forget its pristine blue-green water, the smile of the Aetas and the bright orange color of the rivers!
Preparing for your Pinatubo trek
- Check the weather Mount Pinatubo should only be hiked when the weather is good. In case of rain, the terrain made of lahar becomes unstable. Don't hesitate to postpone your trip in case of bad weather. Safety first!
- Pack light. The regular Pinatubo trek will take around 2 hours going to the crater lake (using the old way trail) and another 2 hour-trek on the return. Do yourself a favor and keep your bag light. Your back will thank you for it.
- Love your skin. The best time to go trekking Pinatubo is during the dry season (From end of October to Mid-June) which means there will be a lot of sun. So slather on that sunscreen and use a cap or hat.
- Sole keepin'. Mount Pinatubo's terrain is rugged so protect your feet by wearing sturdy foot wear. You'll surely get wet as well so bring an extra pair.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. The trick on not getting a heat stroke is to drink BEFORE you even feel thirsty. You will be sweating a lot and hydrating is a sure way to battle fatigue. Bring at least 1.5 liter of water for the trek.
- Fuel up. Making your own trail food is a fun and easy way to ensure that you have something to munch on while your hike the tricky terrain of Mt. Pinatubo. No need to go on a hunger strike there. Life is short. Eat.
- Don't worry, be happy. It's not everyday that you get to commune with nature so don't rush - it's not a race. Appreciate the sight and sounds around you.
- Leave no trace while trekking. You probably have heard of this one before but we'll say it again anyway. Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but footprints; Kill nothing but time.
Mt. Pinatubo map
There are two ways to reach the crater lake. The first one, "the old way" takes 1 hour 4x4 ride (orange trail on the map) and will follow the O'donnell river bed + 2 hours trekking (yellow trail on the map) in the breathtaking Crow valley Canyon. The second one, "the new way" takes 1.5 hour 4x4 ride (blue trail on the map) + 30 to 45 minutes trekking (green trail on the map) and is currently closed.
Tips
There are a lot of travel groups based in Manila that organize a Mt. Pinatubo Trek, Travel Factor and TriPinas are among those. The good thing about these organized trek is that you don’t need to worry about most of the stuff, since they take care of almost everything, designed actually for busy people. The package rate ranges from P2,000 – P3,000 from Manila, in exchange you get to trek Mt. Pinatubo less the hassle of organizing it and you gain travel friends from fellow joiners.
Mt. Pinatubo Town Spa on the other hand offers a local rate of P1500.00 from Sta. Juliana for the package, it includes 4×4 rental via Skyway, toll fee, conservation fee, a local guide and a meal. Contact No: +63928 3410402/(63-45) 493-0031.
Meanwhile, Capas Pinatubo Four-Wheelers Club has P6,250.00 Pinatubo package from Sta. Juliana that is good for five person and inclusive of 4×4 rental via Skyway, toll fee, conservation fee, a local guide and a packed lunch. You may contact the President of Capas Pinatubo Four-Wheelers Club, Wendell Mercado at 0919-6084313.
But if you are keen on organizing your own Mt. Pinatubo tour, a Do-It-Yourself is of course cheaper. Aside from the expenses for foods and transportation cost to and from the jump off point, other expenses are:
- Conservation/Environmental fee – P300 per person
- Guide fee – P500 (for one to five trekkers)
- 4×4 rental – P2500.00 via Skyway (good for five)
- Skyway toll fee – P500.00
Optional Expenses:
- Shower fee – P20.00 at Baranggay Hall/P100.00 at Mt. Pinatubo Town Spa
- Tent rental – P100.00
- If you bring your own 4×4, a P500.00 fee is required
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