Surviving my first Trek: Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake

Yesterday we went to Capas, Tarlac for the Lava Trek: The Mt. Pinatubo Challenge. It has always been my dream to climb mountains, I’ve tried to join some group but I always back out because of fear I might get too tired and don’t get to finish the trek. This time one my co worker and jogging mate Raine invited us for a Mt. Pinatubo Trek. Their group BEEP! BEEP! Adventure tours organized the trip.

Mt. Pinatubo trip

Here’s the itinerary and cost of the trip.

*4×4 Jeep ride, guide, toll.

*Toll Fee, Gas, Driver’s meals

*Taxes and Surcharges

4:00 am Van will ply the route of Baclaran, EDSA, to Mc Donald’s in Quezon Ave.

MRT to pick up adventure-hungry persons.

7:00 am Arrival in Capas, Tarlac (Register, prepare for the trek)

7:30 am Group rides 4×4 jeeps

9:00 am Group starts 30-45 minute trek/walk to Mt. Pinatubo crater.

9:45 am At the crater (Boat, swim, discover crater.) *Boat rental at P350/pax not

included in package.

11:00 am Descent Mt. Pinatubo

1:00 pm Late lunch (You can either bring your packed lunch or buy food at

Pinatubo Spa @ P250.00 (Advance order required.) *Not included in

package.

PACKAGE RATE: P1,900/pax

2:00 pm Optional add-ons:

MASSAGE : P 500 / person

VOLCANIC ASH SPA : P 500 / person

MUD POOL : P 500 / person

This is the lowest package of Mt. Pinatubo trip I’ve seen because normally this tour would cost 2,200 -3,000 for other group who offers the same tour. So I said yes I would join.

May 22; 3:15 am I’m already inside the taxi going to DLSU south gate where a red Nissan van is waiting for us. 4am we left the place and meet the other group at Q. Ave.  Since I haven’t eaten breakfast and don’t have food to bring to the crater. I ask joms to buy me cheeseburger meal at McDonalds. Ayun tulog lahat kame sa biyahe  I woke up we already at Capas Tarlac.

We waited and register at Pinatubo Spa Town while others are doing their stuff I check out the place

Pinatubo Spa Town - Bar

Pinatubo Spa Town - Volcanic Ash Spa

Volcanic Ash Spa – 30 mins buried treatment in hot volcanic ash, believed to lessen body cholesterol. Refreshes and relax tired body

Pinatubo Spa Town - Mud Pool

Mud Pool – a pool of volcanic mud, apply mud all over the body and wait until dry to soften and stretch the skin to look younger.

Pinatubo Spa Town

May frog sa mud pool. Hinde kaya sila magkakulugo nyan

Pinatubo Spa Town- Souvenir Shop

There’s a souvenir shop and also a restaurant that serves Filipino and Korean food.

Pinatubo Spa Town
Website: www.pinatubospatown.com
Email: pdcspatown@yahoo.com

After everything was settled we meet our tour guide and let the adventure begin

It was a rocky and dusty road. It’s like a dessert surrounded by mountains, on our first ride we all seated inside the 4×4 but its seems like a challenge and fun if we ride at the back so even if it’s so hot outside we still managed to be seated behind the 4×4. The ride was so much fun and scary at the same time

going up the hill

Aeta Village at the right side

After like almost an hour of 4×4 we reached our destination to start trekking. Usually it would only take 15 minutes to trek to the crater but since the road is badly damaged by ondoy, we would take a 45 mins – 1 hour trek.

The road is slippery because of the sand and rocks.

I thought we are already near but no…this is the start of the real trek

I can make it - 15 minutes

15 minutes? whew!  joke lang di ko kaya yun hehe pang senior ang time ko

Mt. Pinatubo trek

and finally… I’m so thirsty so i bought a cold coke in can at the crater’s bar worth Php 70.00

Mt. Pinatubo Crater

going down to the crater

spell depht? depth?

depth yata dapat (wink)

eh ang dameng nag swimming

By 12nn we need to go back at Pinatubo Spa town because its already raining. We need to go back immediately because soil erosion is very prominent here.

hirap ng paakyat

I’m so tired after the trip yet so happy this is my first trek and a very memorable one!

Ikaw, when and where is your first trek?

Beep! Beep! Adventure Tours
J.E. Ramos
Lorraine Chua
Adventure Specialist
Beep Beep Adventure Tours
Culinary exploration. Green tourism. Thrill tours.

Mobile: +639175207303
YM: yen_mae@yahoo.com
e-mail: beepbeepadventuretours@gmail.com
web: www.beepbeepadventuretours.blogspot.com