[HIKING] BATANGAS: Taal Volcano, a closer look

panoramic view of Taal volcano crater

It has been a while since I traveled with my high school friends. We had been busy at work and our schedules just can't fit.

entrance of the Taal Yacht Club

 Now, I decided to set a date for us to go to try hiking Taal volcano and see the crater up-close. It was one of the places I am fascinated on what does the crater of that tiny-looking volcano looks like. Of course, most of us only see it from Tagaytay city, right?

  I always do my research prior to a trip. This is to be ready for the things to expect during the trip. We decided to pre-book our Taal volcano tour with Taal Yacht Club (contact number: 09286788849) in Talisay, Batangas. It cost us P710.00 per head (inclusive of boat, guide fee, landing fee, entrance fee, and environmental fee). I linked here their website for a more detailed rates and inclusions.

all set! Ready to go!

The Boat ride
The calm lake is very relaxing. The ride gave us some time to enjoy the view and see the fish pens of the small community living near the lake. It took us about 30 minutes to reach the jump-off point.

The Hike
As much as we want to start the hike early morning, the resort starts their volcano tours at 7AM. Hence, the sun started to gain its strength and the temperature starts to rise. It was the hardest part of all. Hiking under the heat of the sun in a gradually inclined trail with very dry soil. Oh! and it was an open trail too!

Our guide let us take the secret trail. As I read from other blogs, this trail is more advanced than the tourist trail. Well, challenge accepted!
The beauty of doing the hike on the secret trail is that, there are only few brave ones taking it. Therefore, the dust along the trail is minimal too. Most of the people who have been to Taal volcano complained about the dust and crowded view point.
In the secret trail, there is a established view deck which gives you a 360-degree view of the crater and the mountains nearby Talisay town.

We reached the view deck after about 2 hours. I was about to ask our guide to get a horse but I never did, I just need to rest then keep going.

Hooray to Bec's first hike!

family pic before going near the crater

island inception!

something candid

love the sturdy tree near the view deck!

photographers who stayed for the night to capture Taal Volcano's beauty

view from the other side of the view deck

reminder to campers

We were back to the resort at 2PM. We had some time to get changed then we had a late lunch at Milan's. Milan's food was great and affordable especially if you are sharing expense in a group.
After Milan's, we rode the tricycle and asked the driver to drop us off to the jeepney stop going to Tagaytay. We are planning to have coffee and do some catch up. We were back to Manila by 9:30 PM and lucky enough to catch the MRT.

Over-all it was a great bonding experience. I missed my high school friends so much. :)

JCS_STARS goes to Taal Volcano from Baking Byahera on Vimeo.