Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake Day Hike

Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake Day Hike

Why you should go?

Dubbed for “a beautiful disaster”, Mt. Pinatubo’s aesthetically pleasing crater lake is a must-see up in the north. The 4×4 ride to trailhead is a great adventure that’ll brought you pleasurable excitement. There’s  no need to hit the gym for your weekly dose of physical activity, as this alternative proves to be more fun and exciting. It’s also a great time to bond with your friends and family. Did you know that hiking also makes you happy? It can ward off depression and helps you get rid of stress. So what are you waiting for, it’s time to be one with nature ^_^

Things to know before you go:

  • It’s a 2-hr bumpy ride via 4×4 wheeler jeep and 1-hr trek in a dusty road, a little more or less depending on your pace. It used to be a 7km-hike one-way; luckily it has been reduced to half.
  • Only 400 guest are allowed to trek per day (if you’ll “do-it-yourself” i.e., DIY, better to come very early OR get a reservation with accredited organizers as they are prioritized, the only catch is, it may get a little more expensive, though it usually includes a meal).
  • Like in every environmental tour, you need to register at the Local Tourism Office in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac. Registration starts at 6:00AM. The cutoff time is 10:00AM and NOBODY is ALLOWED to go to the crater lake beyond that. It takes about 2 hours to get from Manila to Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac (without traffic).
  • The Local Tourism Office in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac charge P7,000 for a 4×4 wheeler jeep which can accommodate up to 5 persons (the fee is all-in with driver, a tour-guide and conservation/environmental fees for all five of you) from the jump-off but without a meal.
  • Food and drinks at the crater lake is very expensive. It’s better to bring food and water.
  • If you need to take a shower after the hike, the locals charge P30. Bring your own towel and toiletries.

Facts About Mt. Pinatubo

(from Wikipedia)
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano in the Zambales Mountains, located on the tripoint boundary of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac and Pampanga, all in Central Luzon on the northern island of Luzon.
Last eruption: 1993
Elevation: 1,486 m
Location: Luzon
Mountain range: Zambales Mountains
Provinces: Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga
Did you know: The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June 15, 1991 was the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century next to Novarupta in Alaska which erupted in 1912, according to Winchelle Sevilla, officer-in-charge of Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Sample DIY Itinerary:

3:00AM       Depart Manila for Tarlac
5:00AM       Stopover at McDonalds MacArthur Highway, Capas, Tarlac; breakfast 6:00AM       Arrival in Santa Juliana; register and wait for your designated 4×4
7:00AM       Start of bumpy 4X4 ride to trailhead
9:00AM       Arrive in trailhead; start trek
10:00AM     Arrival in crater lake; settle and have lunch and/or snack
12:00PM     Start trek back
1:00PM       Back in jump-off; another bumpy 4X4 ride back to the tourism office
3:00PM      Back in Santa Juliana, Capas, Tarlac;
3:15PM       Shower at any of the locals rental shower room; take a snack
4:00PM      Depart for Manila

How to Get There

Option 1: via own car – get on North Luzon Expressway (i.e., NLex), follow NLex/E1/R-8 and N Luzon W Expy/SCTEx/Subic – Clark – Tarlac Expy to Magalang Conception Rd. in Concepcion (Take exit 103). Continue on Magalang Conception Rd to Santa Juliana Brgy. Hall. This is searchable via waze or google maps. There are pay parking there, just ask the locals.

Option 2: via commute – take a bus ride from either Manila, Cubao or Pasay to Capas, Tarlac. Get off at McDonalds – Capas Junction. Take a tricycle to Santa Juliana Brgy. Hall.

What to See