Travel Guide: Mt. Pinatubo - A Majestic Climb

The beautiful Mt. Pinatubo Crater

Mt. Pinatubo is an active volcano that once gained international notoriety because of its disastrous eruption that heavily affected the local region. However, through the years, the disastrous explosion give rise to one of the country’s most prominent and beautiful travel destinations. The once harmful volcano has turned into a popular tourist spot that continuously lure local and foreign travelers who want to witness its visually-appealing parched landscapes and experience the trek to its volcanic crater. To set foot at the crater of the world-renowned Mt. Pinatubo is a must-do for every Filipino and outdoor enthusiast who want to see the crystal lake that offers a glorious and majestic vista to behold. Tourists who climb Mt. Pinatubo will definitely enjoy the dazzling view of the lake that changes color from blue to green to blue green depending on season.

How to Get to Mt. Pinatubo

• Private Transportation

1. From Manila, take the North Luzon Expressway and exit at Sta. Ines toll gate.
2. Continue driving to McArthur Hwy onwards Bamban and Capas, Tarlac.
3. Once you reach the the public market in Capas, take the left turn to Brgy. Sto. Rosario.
4. Continue driving past the Capas National Shrine and Camp O' Donnell until you reach Brgy. Sta. Juliana. The 2-hour 4x4 ride and 20 minute trek to Mt. Pinatubo crater starts here.  

• Public Transportation

1. From Manila, take a public bus transport bound for Lingayen or Dagupan, Pangasinan.
2. Get off at Capas Tarlac and take a jeepney that is bound for Patlin.
3. When you reached Patlin, take a tricycle ride to Barangay Sta Juliana.

The registration area in Sta. Juliana

Projected Expenses

Bus Fare from Manila to Tarlac	Php 160 one way (aircon bus)
Jeepney ride to Patlin	Php 8
Tricycle Fare from to Sta. Juliana	Php 150 per person
4x4 rental	Php 3,000 (good for 4 persons)
Local Guide Fee	Php 500 (good for 5 persons)
Conservation Fee	Php 450 per person

Sample Itinerary (with own service)

0400 ETA Manila for Capas, Tarlac

0600 ETA Capas, Tarlac. Breakfast

0700 ETA Brgy. Sta. Juliana

0800 Board 4x4 vehicles (Adventure begins here!)

1000 End of 4x4 ride. Start trek to summit/crater

1100 ETA crater of Mt. Pinatubo. Explore the crater

1130 Lunch

1200 Start return trek

1400 Back at jump-off point

1500 Wash upr

1700 ETD for Manila

2000 ETA Manila

barren land - covers 80% of the view during 4x4 trip

Travel Tips

• Mt. Pinatubo is located in the vicinity of Zambales but the only access point and registration area is located in Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Tarlac.
• There is no convenience store available along the way or at the crater of Mt. Pinatubo so it is best to bring your own food and drinks.
• Do not swim in the crater’s lake until the Department of Tourism (DoT) lifted the ban. A travel advisory has been released January of this year prohibiting tourists from swimming, kayaking, and other water activities because the crater lake has said to have harmful substances that may affect the human health in various ways.
• Aside from the harmful substances in the volcano’s lake water, other potential threats also include rock falls or landslides from the wall of the volcanoes, so it is advised not to stay too close to the lakeshore.
• Dress properly and accordingly. It is important to use trekking shoes/sandals as the train can be slippery especially during rainy season.

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Travel Guide: Calaguas

Mahabang Buhangin

Calaguas

Unknown to many, Calaguas is composed of group of islands situated in the province of Camarines Norte. Most people, if not all, thought that Calaguas is the famous long stretch of white sand beach where boatmen from Mercedes, Paracale, and Vinzons bring their guests. This long beach is actually just a minute part of Calaguas and it is not the entire Calaguas itself. The most famous one which happens to be the center of all the happening must be known as Mahabang Buhangin in the Island of Tinaga, one of the major islands of Calaguas.

How to Get to Calaguas

• Private Transportation

1. From Manila take South Luzon Expressway.
2. Continue driving until you reach Santo Tomas junction.
3. Turn left going to Alaminos Laguna and go straight passing by Quezon province.
4. Upon reaching Calauag junction take the road that leads to Camarines Norte.
5. Continue driving until you reach another junction in Labo, Camarines Norte.
6. Turn left, this will lead you to Paracale.

• Public Transportation

From Manila to Daet

From Cubao or Pasay ride any of the major bus lines bound to South such as Superlines (has daily trips to Paracale), Philtranco, Amihan, Superlines & DLTB Co. Tell the conductor to drop you in Daet, Camarines Norte. Travel time is around 8-9 hours.

(via Paracale)

1. From Daet, ride a passenger van bound to Paracale. Travel time is about 1 - 2 hours.
2. You may skip the first step if you Superlines bus bound directly to Paracale/Panganiban. The fish port is walking distance from where Superlines bus drop off passengers.
3. Charter a boat from Paracale to Mahabang Buhangin. Travel time is  approximately 2 hours.

(via Vinzons)

1. From Daet, go to the fishport by means of hiring a tricycle or riding a jeepney. Travel time is roughly 30 minutes.
2. Charter a boat from Vinzons to Mahabang Buhangin. Travel time is approximately 3 hours. Yes, longer than if you are taking a boat ride from Paracale.

From Naga to Daet

1. If you want to cut the long bus ride you may take a plane to Naga.
2. From Naga take the van going to Daet. Travel time is 2-3 hours. (Php185 - Php190)
3. From Daet ride a tricycle and go to terminal of vans and buses bound to Paracale. Travel time is 1 hour. (Php50)
4. Look for the fish port and charter a boat to Mahabang Buhangin or just tell boatmen that you are heading to Calaguas.

Projected Expenses

Bus from Manila to Daet	Php550  one way
Van from Daet to Paracale	Php60 one way
Boat Rental good for 8 pax	Php3,000 - Php4,000 (for 2 days)
Island Entrance Fee (per head)	options: Php150 , Php500, or Php95 depending on the resort

It is best to go to Calaguas in large group to share expenses with.

Sample Itinerary (with Bagasbas sidetrip for surfing)

Day 0

2200PM - ETD from Manila to Daet

Day 1

0700 – ETA Daet/ Breakfast

0800 – ETD for Mahabang Buhangin

1000 – ETA Mahabang Buhangin / Set-up Camp

1200 – Lunch

1300 – Explore/Siesta/Me-time

1900 – Dinner

2000 – Socials

2200 – Lights out

Day 2 0600 – Wakeup call 0700 – Breakfast 0900 – Break Camp 1000 – ETD for Daet 1200 – ETA Daet / Lunch 1300 – ETD for Bagasbas for surfing 1400 – Surfing Bagasbas 1600 –  wash-up / prepare for departure 1800 – Dinner  (along the way) 1900 – ETD for Manila

Travel Tips

• When you reach Mahabang Buhangin, do not just set up your tent. Ask the caretaker first of their rates so you will not be caught off guard if all of a sudden you are someone started to ask you to pay something you have no idea about. From the sea facing the shore the farthest right part has an entrance fee of Php150 per person with free use of bathroom and water pump. Cottage is Php380. The rate per person in the resort situated farther left if just Php95 but you have to pay Php10 for every pail of water and Php10 for every every use of CR. The resort at the center of Mahabang Buhangin where expensive cottages were built is the most expensive. Php3500 is the rate of the cottage good for 5 person, Php500 per person in excess of 5! BUT! It is comfy, having hot and cold shower, mattress, and spacious washroom. Go choose!
• If you want to save money, bring your cooking set, a gallon of water, your own tent (Php350 is the rental per tent).

Two Cents Worth of Thoughts

Mahabang Buhangin has now become an exploited paradise. Gone is its enigmatic appeal. Gone is the impressive view of the island when the moon shine bright from above. No more fireflies. No more serenity. No more beautiful flock of birds that are often passing by. It has become an exact picture of Boracay.

To know more about the transportation of Calaguas/Mahabang Buhangin, check the link provided below:

Calaguas in 2010

Calaguas in 2012

If you still want to experience the place, and see for yourself whatever remaining beauty the island has, you may contact Sole Adventours for Calaguas tour for as low as Php2,700. Open the link below for more details.  

Calaguas Tour Packages

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