Japan’s Foreign Ministry is inviting prominent overseas Travel and Food bloggers and twitter account holders to visit areas devastated by the March 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami.

Golden Hall and Five-storied Pagoda (Photos courtesy of Wikipedia)

The Japan Tourism ministry launched the initiative to revive the tourist industry in quake-hit northeastern Japan. Japan wants foreign guests to write about the progress made in rebuilding disaster-ravaged communities and let the world know that the area still remains an appealing holiday destination.

At the ministry’s invitation, Spanish blogger Roger Ortuno Flamerich came to Japan in December, followed by Louisa Liu Chu, 45, a food blogger from Chicago, and Khaled Hamza, 48, editor-in-chief of the official website of the Muslim Brotherhood from Egypt, who arrived here on Jan. 31. (Source : PNA)

Restaurants in Iloilo is a culinary delight. Whether you are looking for Filipino food or international food, you can definitely find it in Iloilo. The city’s busy streets are packed with things to eat and even if you only want a fast snack, you can find something exquisite. An example of that are the Siopao buns at Roberto’s.

Roberto’s Famous Siopao

For those who aren’t familiar with Siopao, it’s a sweet bun filled with pork, chicken, adobo and other sweet ingredients like Ube, Monggo and Leche Flan. It’s a traditional Chinese snack and you can find it all over the Philippines but in my opinion the best ones can be found in Iloilo City and specifically at Roberto’s.

Special Pancit Sotanghon

People say that the largest and the best Siopao come from Roberto’s and I believe it. When you walk in it’s old restaurant, you will feel as if you are back in the 1950′s and you can just tell that this is a place where the labor is of love.

Lumpiang Shanghai

The smells, the look, even the -dare I say – aura of the place gives off something beautiful. If it sounds like I’m rhapsodizing about these, perhaps it’s because I just had one and I’m still feeling the rosy glow of it inside me.

Roberto’s makes a Siopao that is filled with bacon, eggs, and yummy asado and bola bola goodness. They call it the Queen Siopao and they don’t always make them, when they do it’s as if the Krispy Kreme ‘Hot Donuts Now’ sign is flashing so make sure you don’t get run over in a stampede. Don’t worry though, if they sell out, they offer plenty of other tasty snacks and drinks too.

You’ll find Roberto’s at #61 JM Basa Street and if you want you can call ahead to see if they are making the Queen Siapo, she’ll stop you in your tracks if you let her. My mouth is watering just thinking about it, I think I’ll go buy an airline ticket to Iloilo and visit the resto soon…

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This February 17-18, 2012, Amadeo town in Cavite will be celebrating its “Pahimis” Coffee Festival to showcase the best coffee-produce of this fourth class municipality. For the townfolk, the Pahimis Festival is a thanksgiving offering to God for the bounty He continues to bestow upon them year-in and year-out to date, Mayor Villanueva said.

Pahimis Festival 2012

The quiet town in the upland district is dubbed as the “Coffee Capital of the Philippines” and the town mayor said his municipality is listed in the tourist map as an area where the best coffee in the world are being cultivated and can be procured.

The municipal government and its officials have installed a giant coffee kettle and cup concrete image near a flagpole fronting the municipal hall here to manifest its pride and honor being the country’s No. 1 coffee-producing municipality in the country.

The Coffee Festival started in 2002, the festival was celebrated every year with a Mass, commemoration, street parade or mardi gras and other revelries.

Source : PNA

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Philippines is the home of a diverse variety of plants, animals and sea creatures. The extensive coastlines, the great rainforests and the scenic beauty of a number of islands make Philippines one of the best tourism destinations in the World.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa

Hospitality, accommodation facilities and other services are simply first-rate. If you are planning to travel to the Philippines for a vacation, then you would soon be confused as to choosing which resort to say.

Considering your interests in the best resorts with the best services, we list five finest Luxury resorts in Philippines. Evidently there are more than a handful of great luxury resorts in Philippines. The list below, however, considers feedback from a lot of people who experienced the luxury.

Top five luxury resorts in Philippines are :

• Amanpulo in Palawan
• Buri Spa and Resort
• Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa
• Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
• Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa

Aman Resorts, Amanpulo : The beautiful and spectacular Pamalican Islands in the Philippines houses Aman Resorts. Cirrus streaked skies, powder white sands, and brilliant coral reefs are the main attractions of the Aman resorts. The dwellings are of native style and there are hillside and treetop casitas, which offer incredibly beautiful and scenic views.

Amanpulo Resort

Buri Spa and Resort : Inside Puerto Galera Bay in the Batangas channel, is where Buri Spa and Resort is located. You will learn to appreciate and respect even the simple pleasures in life after spending your time in this spa. The Spa treatments and the hospitality are exemplary. With the magnificent outdoors and the beautiful indoors, Buri Spa is one of the best. Rates start at Php 5,500.

Buri Spa and Resort

Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa : On Panglao Island, this calm, serene and unexplainably beautiful Resort resides amid 16 hectares of tropical gardens. With an outstanding spa and 15 private villas, this resort respects your privacy and treats you with humbling hospitality. The breathtaking views and the serene atmosphere would relieve you of all stress and tension. Rates start at $500.

Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa : Only 30 minutes from Cebu city, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is the classiest of all resorts, residing in over 11.3 hectares of secluded grounds. This resort features the private way, which is said to be the largest privately owned water way. This refreshing spa will heal you of all negative thoughts and lets you experience the real flavors of life. With mini bars, split AC and brilliantly crafted furniture, your room will blow your mind. Rates start at $150.

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa : You can’t explain the beauty of this resort in words. Look up and you will see azure blue skies. Look down and the sight of clear, calm water would soothe you even in your worst mood. Bellarocca Island Resort sports a Santorini inspired architecture and a wide array of spectacular scenery such as seaside cliffs, green hills, misty valleys, hot springs, waterfalls etc. You can even take a dip to see for yourself, the beauty of the flora and fauna underwater. For adventurers, this is the best resort, which still houses many regions which still remains unexplored or documented. Rates start at $400.

These are just our pick of the top five luxury resorts in Philippines.

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This February 5, 2012, 360 trail runners will be joining the Columbia 5th Eco-Trail Run in the mountain barangays of Liloan, Cebu as part of a drive to promote eco-tourism in this central Philippine island province.

Columbia Eco Trail Run in Cebu

This leg has attracted the most number of participants compared to its four other legs. The first trail run was held in Family Park. The second was in Barangay Pulang Bato, Talamban, then in Barangay Napo, Guadalupe. The fourth one was in Barangay Budlaan, Talamban.

Adventure Eco Trail Run

According to race director Ralp Pilapil, the eco-trail run, which features a 10.5-kilometer route, has attracted a lot of newbies. ”There are about 108 female runners and more than half of the participants are first-timers. We are praying for good weather, so that the participants will have more fun,” Pilapil said.

He added that the participants could expect an adventure-filled run and a very challenging route especially the part where runners need to cross a river. ”In all of our trail running races, we usually include a river,” Pilapil added.

Pilapil also emphasized that this is also one way of promoting trail running in Cebu because most of the Cebuanos are into road running.

”We want to show nature’s beauty, for our participants to appreciate it. We expect the participants to be surprised. One participant checked the route and was taken with the breathtaking view,” Pilapil said.

”During the race, aside from the river crossing, participants will be passing through a small waterfall and amazing rock formations,” Pilapil said.

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Posting this to help my friends in Jamaica:)

February serves as Reggae Month in Jamaica, where fans can celebrate the music at its birthplace. Throughout the month a range of reggae-focused activities are held across the island with many of the events taking place in the capital city of Kingston. This year’s Reggae Month will commemorate the island’s 50th Anniversary of Independence with the theme “Reggae 50 – Jamaica’s Heart and Soul.”

Bob Marley Tribute Photo courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org

Jamaica’s Reggae Month activities are organized by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) and include a signature “Reggae Night” series. Reggae Nights are held every Wednesday in February at Kingston’s amphitheatre located at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. These special evenings comprise of a range of music including classical, jazz, mento and ska, a genre that has been made popular by artists such as No Doubt and the late Amy Winehouse. Reggae Night activities include performances by the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra, Gilzene & the Blue Light Mento Band, Maurice Gordon, and more.

“With the various events being held throughout the month, reggae fans will be able to celebrate the life and music of reggae legends such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Peter Tosh and Gregory Isaacs,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch. “Reggae is performed around the world; however, Jamaica is where true reggae is experienced.”

Jamaica’s Reggae Month activities will include the following:

The Trench Town Festival, February 3 – 6
Trench Town, a Kingston neighborhood known as “The Motown of Jamaica,” was home to Bob Marley for much of his life and will be the site for a number of Reggae Month activities. Slated for February 3 – 6, the Trench Town Festival will include activities such as the “Trod the trod Bob trod” Fun Run, a Dancehall Night concert, Kid Fun Day, the Mr. & Mrs. Trench Town Pageant, a celebratory church service, and sporting activities.

Bob Marley Birthday Concert, February 5
Bob Marley fans will be treated to a “Bob Marley Birthday Concert” on February 5 at Emancipation Park in Kingston, followed by “After Dinner Sundayz” from 5 p.m. – midnight. This will be held at Tuff Gong International and will include live music by Zion Train Int’l.

Bob Marley Museum Cake Cutting, February 6
The Bob Marley Museum in Kingston will hold a special cake cutting ceremony on Bob Marley’s birthday, February 6. Following the ceremony, the museum will host an honorary “Birthday Jam Session” from 6 p.m. – midnight.

Best Of The Reggae Film Festival, February 18
The Jamaica Film Academy will host a screening of the “Best Of The Reggae Film Festival 2011,” highlighting several aspects of Jamaica’s Reggae culture through feature, documentary, short, and animated films. This preview precedes the 2012 Jamaica Reggae Film Festival, which will be held in Kingston from April 17 – 21. The film festival also includes the yearly “Make A Film in 24 Hours” competition, which is held to provide a platform for aspiring Jamaican film makers. Visit reggaefilmfestival.com/ for more information.

Bob Marley Public Lectures
There are several Reggae Month lectures being held to celebrate the life of Bob Marley, including a Public Lecture on the Life and Works of Bob Marley at the Multipurpose Community Centre in Kingston on February 6. Additionally, the University of the West Indies will hold a special Bob Marley Lecture at the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Kingston on February 16.

Football Match
A special Bob Marley “One Love” Football Match will be held on February 22, to honor Marley’s love for the sport. The game will be held at Constant Spring Football Field in Kingston.
Reggae Month 2012 is presented by JaRIA in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board and through the support of the Ministry of Youth and Culture. Reggae Month was officially declared by Sir. Kenneth Hall, then Governor General of Jamaica, on January 24, 2008.

For more information on Reggae Month in Jamaica or to book a Jamaica vacation, please go to > www.visitjamaica.com.

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The Department of Tourism Davao Regional Office and the municipal government of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur recently launched the 2nd International Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge slated this April 28-29, 2012.

Mount Apo Boulder Face Challenge

“Davao boasts of fun ‘Islands to Highlands’ Adventures that will take you from the white sand beaches, breathtaking island destinations, scenic mountain ranges, to plunging waterfalls and more,” said Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez in a statement. “Mt. Apo, the highest peak in the country, is one of them,” he added.

Dubbed as one of the toughest adventure races of the Philippines, the competition is a 24-hour extreme challenge for up to 35 participating teams. It will start from the beach lines of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, as participants navigate themselves through the town’s tough trails and raging rivers, scale the boulder face of Mt. Apo, and culminate in the skyline of the country’s highest mountain.

For four consecutive years, the conduct of the Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge has made the Davao Region the leading destination for eco-adventure tourism. It will be running on its fifth year as a local competition, and second year as an international race.

“We certainly welcome both our international and local tourists, who will come over and experience this exhilarating extreme sports challenge. As they race their way to complete this journey, they will surely have fun seeing all the sights in Davao and in Mt. Apo, at the same time experience the warmth of the Filipino people,” added Secretary Jimenez.

This extreme sports adventure will entail four disciplines: mountain biking, trekking, white water tubing, and road running. The race is open to teams with three members (2 racers and 1 logistics crew) each.

The Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge aims to create awareness among outdoor and sports enthusiasts and the people on the importance of conserving the environment, cultivating the value of sportsmanship and the spirit of camaraderie, and developing a lasting peace and order situation in Mindanao through sports.

Major supporters include event coordinator ROX (Recreational Outdoor eXchange) Philippines, Aboitiz Power Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, Hi Primer Group of Companies, Zest Air and Columbia Sportswear.

“It’s more fun in the Philippines, and especially in Davao, as the 2nd International Boulder Face Challenge promises to be an unforgettable adventure experience,” said DOT Region XI Director Art Boncato.

To participate, one may register online at http://www.boulderface.com.

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South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR), the Philippines’ premier leisure airline, announced today that it is offering a special introductory one-way fare of PhP 999 to Kota Kinabalu, and PhP 849 to Kalibo until February 9, 2012 for travel on May 1 to December 31, 2012. Passengers can log on to www.FlySeair.com and www.tigerairways.com to book seats.

Boracay Island in Aklan

Starting May 1, 2012 the airline will start flying Clark – Kota Kinabalu at 15:00 – 17:00 and Kota Kinabalu – Clark at 17:30 – 19:30 every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On May 4, SEAIR flies to Clark – Kalibo at 12:15 – 13:30 and Kalibo – Clark at 14:00 – 15:15 every Friday and Sunday.

Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of Sabah, Malaysia. Top places of interest include Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park which is composed of five islands and only 10-20 minutes away via speedboat from the city and popular among tourists and locals alike for snorkelling, diving, and relaxation. Kota Kinabalu is a popular jump-off point to Borneo Island and Sabah, renowned for its lush forests and coral reefs. Travelers can opt for day trips to Likas Bird Sanctuary and The Green Connection, an aquarium focused on conservation of endangered species. The city is also home to Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia.

Boracay Island

Kalibo is a major gateway to Boracay Island, ranked ‘Number 4’ in the list of Top 10 Islands by Travel and Leisure Magazine. Boracay has lured travelers from the four corners of the world to its pristine four-kilometer stretch of white beach, considered one of the top 50 beaches in the world by CNN. For those with an adventurous streak, Bulabog Beach on the ‘wilder side’ of the island is one of the top windsurfing spots in Asia. Kalibo International Airport is an hour and 30 minutes by bus from Boracay.

The SEAIR-Tiger Airways Partner Airline Programme allows SEAIR to distribute its seats through Tiger Airways’ established internet booking system, www.tigerairways.com. SEAIR is the first Tiger Airways Partner Airline in the Asia Pacific region.
SEAIR is the Philippines’ second oldest airline, and is the first airline based in Clark. It has the reputation of having pioneered commercial flights to the country’s fastest growing tourist destinations including Boracay, Batanes and northern Palawan. Now on its 16th year of operation, SEAIR is expanding its reach regionally with its current jet services to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

For more information, please visit www.FlySeair.com. Like SEAIR Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/flyseair for updates on promos and new routes.

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Finding a perfect Honeymoon destination in Philippines is pretty hard because there are too many to choose from. You may be able to spot a good destination that matches yours and your partner’s tastes with ease since there are many options. Out of several honeymoon destinations in Philippines, we list the following destinations which had the best feedback – scenic, serene and spectacular.

Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa

Based on my research, Here’s the nine best Honeymoon destinations in Philippines:

• Batangas – Acuatico Beach Resort and Hotel
• Boracay – Shangri-La Boracay Resort and Spa
• Bataan – Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club
• Bohol – Amorita Beach Resort
• Marinduque – Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa
• Albay – Misibis Bay
• Palawan – Club Paradise
• Cebu – Maribago Blue Water Beach Resort
• La Union – Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point (rates)

Exotic beauty is what makes each of the destinations mentioned above, unique. There are a number of luxurious resorts and you also have the luxury to search and find the resort which matches your preference.

Amorita Resort in Bohol

Cebu : With so much beauty and unparalleled hospitality, Cebu remained the most visited tourist destination in the Philippines. Name the activity you like and it’s probably available in Cebu, from heritage walk to whale shark watching in Oslob – there’s no shortage of adventure in Cebu. For a simple but romantic getaway, try Island Banca’s Sunset Cruise for a romantic cruise in Mactan Island Cebu. If you are looking for a perfect resort, I recommend Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort in Mactan. The resort is complete with spa, beach front cottages and other fun and adventure activities for your most awaited honeymoon. If you hate crowd, you should try Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort. For a day or two, you can have an island of your own with complete amenities that is just too perfect for your honeymoon.

Boracay Island Philippines

Batangas : Popular for people who prefer land transportation, Batangas is a very good tourist spot with good roads, restaurants and transportation facilities, not to mention its proximity from Manila. If you are into diving, then you better book a room in Eagle Point Resort. If you are thinking about having a good time in a pool, Acuatico resort is the best choice, famous for the cool infinity pool.

Boracay : Although Boracay is not as popular as it used to be, probably because it has a lot of buildings now, Boracay is still one of the best locations with powdery white sand beaches, good and friendly people and the best restaurants with mouth-watering delicacies. Apart from the famous Shangri-La Resort and Spa, Boracay also houses good resorts like Club Panoly Resort Hotel, Nami Resort and Spa and the locally popular Boracay Regency Hotel.

Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort

Bataan : It used to be one of the most underrated destinations before but not anymore. Bataan has become one of the best Tourist destinations with nature’s beauty at its prime. The Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club is the major attraction, but it is permitted only for members. All the greenery and the clear blue skies represent relaxation and recreation.

Plantation Bay Resort in Mactan Cebu

Bohol : An island province with 75 smaller islands surrounding it, Bohol is popular for the Chocolate hills and the diverse varieties of animals and birds. The 5-star Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa and Amorita Beach Resort will give you the experience of a lifetime, and a honeymoon you will always cherish. The spectacular mountain views and scenic sea views are just but a few of the attractions in this place. The services and hospitality are outstanding. No doubt it is counted in the best honeymoon destinations in Philippines.

Club Paradise Resort in Coron Palawan

Marinduque : You are in for an adventure of a lifetime if you choose to come here for a honeymoon. Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa is famous for the valleys, hills, seaside cliffs, hot springs and exotic waterfalls, not to mention great food. Those who have adventure in their hearts will definitely like this place. Feel like the king of the World by taking a dip and observing the flora and fauna underwater. Explore unexplored areas and enjoy the Ultimate beauty of nature.

Albay : In the Albay province, the Misibis Bay is situated in the Cagraray Island. The legendary Mayon Volcano, the enchanting beauty of the tropics, and the extraordinary views are what makes this destination unique.

Palawan : No different than other destinations mentioned above, Palawan still houses numerous places of exquisite, indefinable beauty such as Honda Bay and Coron Resorts. The Mangenguey Island Hotel and Club Paradise is one of the best, offering excellent services, immaculate first class accommodations and complete privacy whenever you need it. Mangenguey Island is truly candy for your eyes.

You can see that you have lots of options when comes to enjoying a honeymoon trip. Just choose one of these honeymoon destinations in Philippines and have a great time.

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Itchy feet, passion for travel, a talent in story telling, a not so abused camera, a Travel Blog and a totally raped backpack (but not complaining), these are the common denominators of the 30 young (and not so young) travel bloggers who recently had a day trip to Mount Pinatubo Crater last January 28, 2012. It’s the biggest out of town trip of Filipino travel bloggers to date and the three major islands in the Philippines are also well represented.

Pinoy Travel Bloggers in Pinatubo – Ada Lajara

Who wants to join for a Pinatubo trip? – A question i read from a Travel Bloggers Facebook Group few weeks back. With total uncertainty If I can still hike due to lack of exercise, I still said yes to challenge myself and also to meet other travel bloggers from different parts of the country.

Crossing the River

We left Manila at exactly 3am, no Filipino time for seasoned travelers like us.. time is valuable. We had a short stopover in one of the Shell Stations in NLex to have breakfast, buy water and hoard some snacks. After the Jollibee fix, we headed to Capas Tarlac for our ultimate Pinatubo Adventure.

Stopover #1 at Shell NLEX

The 4×4 jump off point in Capas Tarlac was already crowded when we arrived and according to our driver, we were about 300 people to trek that day. We started the 4×4 adventure soon after everyone got their assigned vehicle with their group mates.

Nerd Shot by @Winston

We had a short stopover in the middle of the rocky road for nothing but photo op.. Well if its for photo op, nobody will complain for sure LOL.

Stopover #2 at the Mount Pinatubo Trail (photo by Winston)

The crowd was composed of local tourists, Koreans, Chinese, Japanese and Caucasians. I was truly amazed with the huge crowd, I thought we were the only ones to trek that day haha.

Local Transportation

I know I’ve been to this place twice already, one was a trek back in 2005 and the other one was via a sky tour back in 2006 during the Hot Air Balloon fiesta but this trip has a different jump-off point in Capaz Tarlac unlike the one we had before which started in Sapang Bato in Angeles City Pampanga.

Ready Get Set Trek

The 4×4 ride was totally an adventure ride but not as adventurous like the one I had in Paoay Sand Dunes back in 2010. We crossed some wetlands, rivers, rocky areas and dusty roads covered by lahar. I really wanted to take photos while on the road but there’s too much dust and the road is too bumpy so I just decided to keep my camera inside my white (turning brown) Jansport.

Testing the Waters

Back in 2010 when the skyway was still available, the crater can be reached by a 30 minute trek but now that SkyWay needs rehabilitation, we had to trek for almost 3 hours to reach the crater’s view point.

Single Line

Philippines is not just about Imelda’s shoes, Manny Pacquiao and Celebrity turned Politicians, The Philippines bannered the headlines last June 15, 1991 when Mount Pinatubo produced tons of volcanic ashes which brought several parts of the country in the state of calamity.

Mount Pinatubo Crater

On a positive note, the volcanic ashes blocked the sun’s heat from entering the earth for couple of days and eventually cooled the earth down. The data collected after these eruptions show that mean world temperatures decreased by about 1 degree Centigrade over the subsequent two years. This cooling effect was welcomed by many scientists who saw it as a counter-balance to global warming. (source : http://www.geology.sdsu.edu/)

Watch your Steps

Mount Pinatubo is known to all those who travelled to the Philippines. Just to make everyone aware, it is a famous volcano that is located at the island of Luzon which is considered to be a tri-point that combines the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac as well as Pampanga. The mountain became more popular when it had one of the largest volcanic eruptions in the World in 1991. The volcano as well as the ash cloud generated from that affected the lives of thousands of people.

Tawid Batis

After two decades since the volcano erupted, Mount Pinatubo is now one of the best places in Philippines for trekking. It is for sure that people who go for Mount Pinatubo Trek will be amazed to feel the extreme calmness as well as peace while trekking to Mount Pinatubo.

4×4 Adventure

Couple of years ago, an easy shortcut known as Skyway was developed for the hikers, allowing them to have a shorter route that will extend up to a drop off point for trekking to the crater. During the time that the Skyway is still functional, tourists regardless of age can enjoy trekking in Mount Pinatubo unlike now that the trek entails almost 3 hours of trek to the crater.

Almost Halfway

Along with the two hour hike, an hour of 4 x 4 ride as well as a maximum of 20 minutes to 45 minutes trek to the crater means you will be spending almost four hours to reach the crater. Basically the hikers travel by 4 x 4 vehicles that will take them up to the river bed then a two hour trek will start from where the 4×4′s were parked.

Carbo Loading

Scenic beauty is overwhelming during the entire Mount Pinatubo Trek.  With the whole area covered with vegetation with uniquely shaped mountain sides as well as sheer cliffs that are located along side bare volcanic rocks, there’s no shortage of beauty in the place. Adding to the scenic beauty is the 2.5 kilometer lake that is situated inside the crater.

Short Break

Upon reaching the viewpoint, everyone was wowed and amazed with the natural beauty of the crater. The first question I had in mind was, Why does the lake so blue-green? I then asked one of the tour guides and I was informed that it was a product of chemical reaction between volcanic minerals and algaes. Can we swim there? Yes but its risky, make sure that you know how to swim before you even try. You should also avoid drinking the water in the lake. Are there fishes in the lake? The sulphur content in the lake is so high that no underwater fauna can even exist.

Getting Ready to Jump

With Mount Pinatubo Trekking becoming one of the major attractions for locals and most of the foreign tourists who come to the Philippines, there are several travel agencies as well as tour companies that provide attractive tour packages to the crater.

Pinatubo Lake

It was almost 4pm when we left the crater, Going back is the easiest part in all hiking activities but for me I guess that’s not the case. My foot is literally aching that time and I cant wait to reach the jump-off point. We finally reached the 4 x 4 parking area in less than two hours. We headed back to Capaz to freshen up before going to Isdaan for dinner.

Almost There

I was really impressed with the cleanliness of the area and the organized tour guides. The tour guides didn’t only made sure that everyone enjoyed the trek, they also made sure that all the trash will be brought back to the town for proper disposal – that’s what we call eco-tourism in its finest.

Loving the Lake by Journeying Pinay

Tips :

• Wear quick drying trekking shoes instead of sandals to avoid sharp tiny rocks that will eventually hurt your feet while trekking.
• Bring extra set of clothes, light trekking gear, sunglasses, sun protection and extra food.
• Schedule your Pinatubo Trek during weekdays for you to enjoy the Crater area without too much crowd.
• Avoid scheduling your Mount Pinatubo Trek during the rainy season since there are increased chances of risk involved in it.
• You will be sweating a lot so make sure to bring at least 1.5 liter of water for the trek, there’s no store along the way.

Melo Villareal in Mount Pinatubo (photo courtesy of Oman)

Our Creed : Take nothing but pictures; Leave nothing but footprints; Kill nothing but time.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Trek:

Question : Is it really hard to reach the Crater?
Answer : No! If you are physically fit and you can manage walking for two hours then you can do it:)

Got Questions about Mt. Pinatubo Adventure? Join Philippine Travel Forum for any Pinatubo trekking related discussions!

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