Mt. Pinatubo is one of the destinations that climbers and non climbers would agree to put on their travel bucket list. It is coined as “A Beautiful Disaster” of the Philippines, and it seems that everybody wants to know why or perhaps to just simply witness its beauty first hand. And since we are at the age of social media, where we can easily view and be influenced by the hype and be enchanted by the beautiful sceneries world wide, Mt. Pinatubo has become more popular, especially to the youth.

But what should we really expect to experience by trekking Mt. Pinatubo? If you’re in a rush and preferred a motion documentation, here’s the link for it (⁠☞ﾟ⁠∀ﾟ⁠)⁠☞Mt. Pinatubo and its Adrenaline Activities Video Documentation you can view our adventure there.

Anyway, since here you are continuing to read my written blah blah blah, allow me to start lay down our adventure at Mt. Pinatubo with the instagrammable photos below:

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Now that you know that Mt. Pinatubo is really worth that booking/trip, you should also know that trekking it comes with not so-okay experience — perhaps, a beautiful disaster. Here, I’ve already made a list of the things you should know and consider before booking a trip:

1. If you live far from Tarlac, this will not be an easy trip. We were from NCR and Cavite and we left around 12MN to be able to arrive at the drop off / registration point in time. So if you’re not used to getting sleep on a moving vehicle, this will be a challenge. So might as well bring something that could help you sleep comfortable, like pillow neck.

We arrived at Capas, Tarlac around 4:30AM and start the registration process where we signed waivers. Also, 40 and above YO climbers are required to undergo blood pressure check-up before setting off.

By the way, there are several registration places.

2. Do not book your trip on weekends if you are not a fan of crowded area. And when I say crowded, I mean CROOOWWDEED. If you haven’t checked the link above, where you can watch our video documentation, here’s a short clip to help you visualize what I meant:

According to our source, we were more than 1,000 tourists that Saturday, where around 300 units of 4×4 vehicle were dispatched by the tourism office.

3. 4×4 vehicle is a required ride to get to the starting point of trekking. It comes on different models and can accommodate 4 pax at most. Many preferred a jeepney type where tourists can stand and feel the adrenaline rush of being tossed around since the ride is an off-road.

Please spare being brats and be picky with the 4×4 vehicle. Accept what is assigned to your group. Most jeepney owners are Katutubo (Indigenous people). Aside from that, being assigned with a closed 4×4 vehicle is a heaven on the way back. Because who wants to be tossed around when you are already exhausted. We learned that as we ride back at the jump off / registration point, sleeping like a baby.

Yes, you can bring your own 4×4 off road vehicle but you need to process its registration at the tourism office.

4. Most part of the off road areas are used for military trainings so there’s a chance to get stranded while you wait for the training to get done.

5. Katutubo. They are seen all over the municipality. They are the original locals of Capas, Tarlac. The local government has given them job opportunities by enlisting them as tour guides. Although, they are going to be paid by the LGU, be generous to your tour guide and tip them big time. And most especially, be respectful of them.

Also, I advice you to bring spare money or food so you can buy and give it away (though they don’t ask for it, they wait for tourists to initiate) to the katutubo who sells stuff along the trail.

I have learned, upon interviewing our guide, that their lands were taken away from them by the national government since former Pres. Ramos has declared their area non-inhabitant. They didn’t push for an uprise, though. Instead, they find other ways how to sustain their lives in their hometown.

6. You can bring your own food / packed lunch if you are on a budget. But if you prefer to travel with less bagage, food and drinks are very much available along the trail. They even have inasal there.

7. The trail is somehow can be described as a walkathon rather than hiking. It is easy and very much beginner friendly but the walkathon is also tiring and exhausting. But worth it.

8. Remember your tour guide’s face and name, just in case you still picked weekend for your trip and got mixed with thousand of people at the crater. You will spot them after several minutes because he/she will also look for you.

Also, don’t fall in line at the crater unless you want a drone shot and pay.

9. The trail is a mix of rocky and shallow river trek. So, yeah, it’s better to wear sandals.

And, here’s our day hike itinerary to help you plan out your trip:

1:00 AM – leave Manila

4:30 AM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Prep Up / Waiting in line

6:30 AM – Board 4×4

7:30 AM – start of trek

10:30 AM – Mt. Pinatubo Crater / Lunch / Rest / Savor the beauty of Pinatubo

11:20 AM – Descent

1:00 PM – Board 4×4

2:30 PM – Regstration Point / Drop Off / Breakfast / Clean Up / Waiting for the other group (since we booked a travel agency)

5:00PM – back to Manila

Budget breakdown:

Php 2,875.00 all in for:

Van RT

Parking fee

Guide fee

Environmental fee

Bagtag

Climb permit

4×4 Vehicle

Requirements:

Valid ID

Backlava Mask

Spare Coins (for the usage of CRs, which is also available along the trail)

If you are less than 8 pax, I suggest that you opt booking a travel agency instead DIY. It will be more budget friendly. Our tour is recommendable if you are looking for one. Message or comment down so I can provide you details.

To sum it up, indeed Mt. Pinatubo is a beauty. No doubt about it. But you have to go through a lot before you witness her beauty. And at the end of your trip, you will have no choice but to agree that it is indeed “a beautiful disaster” not only because of what you went through just to see her but mostly because of the devastation she has done to its surrounding places which perhaps has changed geography but has add to its beauty and providing tourism income opportunities to its locals.

I just hope that those thousands of people who went there not only came for awra photos showcasing their beauty and outfit but have also been overwhelmed by the majestic beauty of Mt. Pinatubo and the disaster that has shaped the lives of the locals and the municipality as well. And that she’s a beauty, but she can be danger as well.