Lakbay Norte 2: Destination Pinatubo and Angeles

Pinatubo Crater

Pinatubo
Hiking to Pinatubo

Though I’m not a fan of hiking and trekking, this is one trek I just couldn’t say no to. Mount Pinatubo has considerably calmed down since its last major hissy fit eruption in 1991. What was once the site of calamity is now a popular tourist destination, attracting outdoor enthusiasts to fearlessly hike and swim in the volcano’s crater lake.

The jump of point for this adventure is Capas, Tarlac, at the Pinatubo Spa Town. They can arrange everything for you, so you just need to show up, sign up and pay up. A note for those coming in groups: best to go in multiples of 5 as the 4×4 vehicles can only accommodate a maximum of 5 passengers. No amount of sweet talking can get them to budge.

Pinatubo
Izah is confident she can trek to the crater in 15 minutes

Total travel time from Capas to the crater ranges from 1 hour 40 minutes fit and fast, and up to 3 hours if you want to take your sweet time strolling through the lahar bed. The bumpy 4×4 ride takes about an hour from the jump off point, taking you through flat lands and over mountains. It will take you as close as it can to the crater, shortening the hike to 1 hour instead of 4.

The trek begins with a descent to the lahar bed on a slope with loose gravel. Once you get down it’s a path through rocks, sometimes crossing over a small stream or two. There is a rest area and toilet at the halfway point. The terrain changes dramatically as the path is now filled with green rather than grey. A marker taunts your ego, proclaiming that the young ones can easily reach the crater in 15 minutes.

Pinatubo
Makoto at the crater

As you clear the last rise towards the view deck, you are met with obviously man-made structures, no doubt constructed to make it more comfortable for tourists. After all that hiking, you need to climb down a rocky staircase to the crater. Camping is now allowed within the crater, but if you’re just staying for the day, you can swim, kayak or ride a boat to the other side of the crater lake. The lake’s depth is undetermined, so exercise caution when swimming. The water in the crater lake is cool, but it gets considerably warmer at the other side of the crater.

Pinatubo Spa Town

Pinatubo Spa Town
Shiatsu massage at the Pinatubo Spa Town

After a long trek, there’s nothing better than to pamper yourself as a reward. After a hearty lunch of either Filipino or Korean cuisine, you can use the facilities to clean up before heading home or indulge in the unique spa. First in the 3-part treatment is the sulfur sand shower, where you will be buried underneath volcanic sand. There is heat coming from underneath, making it into a sort of sandy sauna. It is followed by a mud pack treatment using the same volcanic sand mixed with water and having it slathered all over your body. It is capped with a shiatsu massage to ease the tired muscles.

Museo ning Angeles

Museo ning Angeles
Cultural dance exhibition at the museum

The Angeles city museum is housed in a gorgeous heritage building that used to serve as the town hall. Beautifully restored and preserved, it’s a hub for cultural immersion. Apart from looking at exhibits about the city’s history, you can also taste the culture — traditional meals and snacks from the best suppliers in Angeles can be arranged to be served during your visit.


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Comments

19 responses to “Lakbay Norte 2: Destination Pinatubo and Angeles”

  1. lakwatsera de primera Avatar

    Congrats Makoto, you made it to the crater!

    1. nina Avatar

      What about meeee? *whines* XD

  2. thepinaysolobackpacker Avatar

    huwaw! nag-Pinatubo xa! asteg! *clap clap*

  3. journeyingjames Avatar

    hanggang ngayon di pa rin nakakapunta dito…ang loser ko.hahaha

  4. Mark Avatar

    I tried swimming lalim pala…buti today may mga lifevest na for those who cant swim like me:)

  5. BPS Avatar

    ok ang timing nyo, super ganda ng color ng water sa pinatubo!

  6. chyng Avatar

    im so proud of you teh!! sa NEXT mountain climbing? ^_^

    1. chyng Avatar

      Nina: Next? What NEXT?!

      alam ko yan irereply mo! hahaha

      1. nina Avatar

        Mahahahaha, you know me well!

  7. pinoy boy Avatar

    pano kaya pag mag-isa? malamang mahal na yung 4×4 and puwede kaya mag-overnight dun sa spa town?

  8. lakwatserong tsinelas Avatar

    nice one…hehe i’m not into trekking as well but i love the experience. we went there two weeks ago..hehe

  9. Rizalenio Avatar

    The best talaga ang Mount Pinatubo. 4×4 ride palang parang nasa eksena na ng travel show. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Pinoy Adventurista Avatar

    nice! i was there in 2008, my very 1st experience to climb… =D

  11. Ed Avatar

    will plan this trip to Mt. Pinatubo. dapat noon pa. hehe. thanks for sharing your experience Nina! and congrats too! ๐Ÿ˜€

  12. Siddhartha Joshi Avatar

    Aha…it does look like a great trek and a nice place to be! I quite like the idea of the Sandy sauna. Though am not a big fan of spas as such, am intrigued by a place like this one ๐Ÿ™‚

  13. The Reason You Come Avatar
    The Reason You Come

    I remember my 2009 trip to Pinatubo. Man, was I tired! But it was so worth it, especially when I saw the lake. The crater was beautiful! Will I trek to Mt. Pinatubo again? Absolutely!

  14. Tripper10 Avatar

    Wow, thats a long trek but im sure its all worth it…
    With that view?.. Amazing… ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. Wandering Jen Avatar

    Great post! Like you, I am not a huge trekker, but I feel like I pull this one off. Just to see that shade of blue at the lake would be worth all hassle and sore feet, and based on your pictures, it seems like they have a solution in place for sore muscles!

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