Taal Volcano Trek

Tagaytay is just a two hour drive from my place so this is my family's favorite to go anytime that we have time to do so. We've been there hundreds of times before but never been to Taal Volcano.So on our recent trip last week, I put it in our itinerary. It has to be done otherwise I will explode.😁

Taal Volcano is actually second most popular volcano next to Mt. Mayon of Legaspi but because it it quite near Manila, many Filipinos are taking it for granted, andyan lang naman kasi. 

Off with the #Mendiolables little adventure. We got the help of Casa Alegria to hook us to people they know from Taal  Volcano Tour. Mark of Casa Alegria, drove us to the resort where we had to pay P2,000 for the boat and P500 for Resort fee.

The boat ride lasted  around 25 minutes. Take note that you have to pay P50/group at the docking area after the trek. From there we immediately walked to the Tourism registration area to pay the entrance fees of P100/person.  Then soon after, people started selling us face masks for P20. You can actually help them by buying since it is their source of income. The mask will be of help if you're allergic to dusts. Fortunately for us we didn't need any.

The trek is actually pretty easy with rests at bamboo covered camp within 15 minutes walk. We would have reached the top within 30 minutes or less if I was not stopping for vlog and photo shoots in between the 14 Stations of the Cross. Plus we needed to be careful when horses pass by.

I suggest you start the trek as early as 5am so you'll reach the top before 6am. Enjoy the Vitamin D and head back before 9am as it gets super hot already by 9am. When I say, star the trek by 5am, it does not include the 25 minute boat ride so make a time allowance for that too. Coordinate well with your tour guide or contact person.

We were advised to go to Red Lava which promises an unobstructed view of the crater lake but it was still closed during our visit. Unlike the viewing deck which is free, you have to pay an additional P50 per person to be allowed entry to Red Lava.

We went to the viewing deck I wanted to ask "if nasa langit na ba ako" because there where nuns cutely giggling while taking selfies and groufies. Taal Volcano Trek is made more awesome meeting Sister Frances and the rest of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate!

The trek to the crater of Taal Volcano is fairly easy for us so we didn't need a tour guide. Going all the way down to the crater is no longer allowed. For those who aren't as adventurous, you can hire a tour guide for P100 per head and  a horse for a two way ride for a fee of P500.

Bring enough water and other liquid as those sold in Taal are doubled or tripled from the original price. Buko Juice sells at a P100 at one resting camp, and P50 at other resting camp.