Taal Volcano Crater

Taal Volcano Hike Guide

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All of us studied this landmark at some point in school. Why wouldn’t we? It is a national pride since it is the smallest volcano in the world. Taal Volcano is a volcano within an island at the center of a lake. And yes, it is possible to get on top of it and marvel its beauty at the crater. The Taal Volcano is one of the highlights of everybody’s trip whenever they go to Tagaytay. Nothing compares to enjoying good coffee and food with family and friends with this breathtaking view at the backdrop. Apparently for me, seeing it is not enough. I have to conquer it. I have to be in it!

Taal Tour Guide for a Day

Luckily, my cousin’s friends from Dubai wanted to visit it themselves when they went to the country for an event. Being a tour guide has its perks and I enjoyed every moment of it. A quick Facebook search helped me with my task in preparing the itinerary. There are several travel groups that offer complete travel packages to the crater of Taal Volcano and I immediately closed a deal with one.

The package included the following:

  • Tricycle Ride (Olivarez Plaza to the resort in Talisay, vice versa)
  • Boat Ride (from the resort to the island)
  • Registration Fee
  • Nipa Hut at the crater

We arrived in Tagaytay at around 2:30 PM. It was late for the tour but our tour guide, Michael accommodated us wholeheartedly. A tuktuk-style tricyle picked us up at Olivarez Plaza and my friends enjoyed the experience! We passed by the snake-like Ligaya Drive where we had the full view of the Taal Lake. There is even a designated area for visitors to stop and take photos.

Take a Hike or Ride a Horse

About 20 minutes later, we arrived at the resort and signed up. A boat ride brought us to the island. Souvenir vendors and hawkers welcomed us, or so we thought. Since my friends wanted to try every local transportation option as much as possible, they decided to get a horse to take us to the crater. A roundtrip horse ride costs P500. Water bottles for both the guide and the horse are optional but a must. They are a bit pricey at P50 but we had no other options.

The hike by horse ran for 30 minutes. Our timing was perfect because the sun is up but it is not too hot. It was also the perfect lighting for photos. We stayed at a Nipa Hut at the top. The crater is a stone’s throw away from it. Visitors can also play a round of golf. Don’t worry because the balls are eco-friendly and won’t damage the lake! A round of three balls cost P100 but Michael gave the first round for free. But of course, no journey is complete without taking shots. There are various alcohol at the top- brandy, whisky, lambanog- just pick your poison! I gave my friends a shot of the local lambanog and they loved it. I didn’t .

It’s nearly sunset when we decided to descend back to the docks. The entire experience has been great. The view was breathtaking and our guide made us feel very welcome. This hike crosses out another destination off my bucket list.

Tips:

  1. Go there in the morning or past lunch. The heat can get unbearable.
  2. Stay comfortable. It’s better to wear slippers because the trail is sandy.
  3. Power up your devices! It’s a perfect opportunity for taking great photos.
  4. Pack lots of fluid. You can support the local community by buying drinks from them but they tend to overprice.
  5. Ask your tour guide triviass about the place.
  6. Enjoy.

If you are also planning to take on this challenge, check out Michael’s details below so you can also set an appointment with him!

Facebook: Taal Volcano and Taal Direct Tour
0930-200-4491

Comments

18 Comments

  • Taal hiking seems like a great place to do hiking . I’m a tour guide also and do a lots volcano hiking to catch the sunrise in Bali island. I am reading all your context but can’t find where are exactly this volcano locate do .

  • We used to go to Taal during our high school fieldtrips. It was just a sightseeing though. Would be interesting to actually experience the fun in the area.

  • Wow looks so beautiful. Definitely going to add it to my bucket list when we head to the Philippines.

  • Thanks for sharing your useful tips. Taal hiking seems like a great place to do hiking .

  • I had to googled it as it wasnt mention in the post that the smallest volcano lays in the Philippines! How awesome! I was a bit disappointed to read that you took a horse up haha its because I am a huge hike fans! Must be fun to slam some golf balls into that volcano!
    I myself have climb some volcanoes in Indonesia!

  • What a fabulous outing and I love that you can ride a horse to the volcano. It’s also very interesting to hear it’s the smallest volcano in the world. And golf too! There really is something for everyone.

  • Wow what an amazing hike to go up a volcano!! That’s amazing, although I think I would take a horse up too as I couldn’t manage the trek!

  • ahhhh! Tagaytay! It’s really a great place to visit. I have never visited Taal up close though.

  • That has to be the cutest volcano I have ever seen, it looks like it could fit in my pocket. I love that you took a horse up it and it must have been an incredible feeling to have conquered the smallest volcano in the world! x

  • Wow, this looks such an interesting volcano, with great landscapes to capture. I saw one at Mauritius, but that is just a volcanic crate. Good photos

  • Taal Volcano looks stunning as it is surrounded by blue waters. It is so photogenic. I saw one Caldera volcano in Santorini but this is also equally beautifully. It is really an offbeat destination which is worth visiting.

  • Beautiful pictures! That blue just looks out of this world! I have a collection of snow globes, so my favorite one was the snow globe that says Phillipines! I can only dream of going to that volcano one day!

  • What a fabulous place to go hiking! I’ve only seen photos of volcanos in National Geographic, and have always wondered what it would be like to visit one in real life. I’ll have to live vicariously through you! x

  • Wow! This is such a beautiful place to go hiking. I have climbed up Mt. Fuji, which is also a volcano and it was gorgeous up there. Loved all your tips and photographs.

  • It does look like a marvelous place to go hiking and take pictures. I just love the beauty of nature sometimes. And I just marvel at how great it is. I would love to see that small volcano. I am sure it would be awesome.

  • This looks like a great place to go for a hike. I’ve never seen a proper volcano in real life. Or at least I don’t think I have!!

    Louise x

  • I actually never heard about this when I was in school but it looks like a fabulous place to go hiking and the pictures here a breathtaking I am sure it is more beautiful to see in person.

  • Like!! I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. The article has truly peaked my interest.

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