- Taal volcanic activity
- Taal for tourists
- How to get to Taal volcano
Despite the fact that Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano on Earth (the crater is at an altitude of just over 300 m; the crater diameter is 400 m), it is also one of the most dangerous in the world.
Taal volcanic activity
The location of Taal (this is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire) is the Philippine island of Luzon (distance from Manila - 50 km).
The foot of Taal has been declared a high-risk zone, but despite the ban on settling this area, the poor still build shacks here to feed their families (volcanic soils are very fertile), risking their own lives.
Early eruptions (100 thousand years ago) led to the collapse of the cone and the formation of a caldera that formed Lake Taal. Subsequent volcanic activity in the middle of the lake led to the formation of an island - a new volcanic cone (another small lake formed in a new crater).
Since 1572, Taal “woke up” quite often, erupting 33 times. The largest eruption of Taal in the 20th century dates back to 1911, when all living things died in 10 minutes at a distance of up to 10 km (more than 1300 people became victims of the volcano).
Although the last eruption of Taal took place in 1977, in 1991, small mud pots and geysers formed on its territory. Today, its crater periodically "spits" hot vapors and ash, and seismologists record its underground activity (in time to prevent the next eruption, work on the study of Taal at the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology helps).
Taal for tourists
Taal is a popular tourist attraction: climbing to its top (the best time for this is November-May) is recommended to be accompanied by a guide, and those who wish can make their way easier by riding a horse (this service is mainly used by children and the elderly), which the master will lead by the bridle.
Climbing up, you can see the jets of water vapor escaping from the "walls", as well as a volcanic lake seething below. Above opens a charming view of the volcano and its surroundings. For those who wish, a tour of the lake of the same name is also organized, involving a visit to fishing ponds (fans of fishing will appreciate it, who will also be offered to rent the necessary equipment there).
Entrance fee to the volcano (environmental fee) - 50 (adults) and 30 (students and children up to 7 years old) Philippine pesos + you need to tip the person who brings you the bridge to the boat (you don't have to wet your feet when getting out of the boat); A bottle of water costs 50, a straw hat costs 30, a dust mask costs 20, and rent a horse costs 500 Philippine pesos.
The tour route to the volcano is an exciting journey that starts in Manila (approximate cost - 3000 pesos per person for a group of 4 people):
- 08:00 - after an almost two-hour trip by minibus, tourists will be offered to make a short stop to drink coffee and stand on the observation deck on the Tagaytay ridge (here you can also buy souvenirs in stalls, as well as quench your thirst with coconut milk).
- 10:00 - Arrangement of transfer to Talisay.
- 10:30 - a short boat trip (each accommodates 5 people and is equipped with life jackets) along the lake to the starting point of the hike (a rather easy climb and descent will take half an hour each way; panoramic views of the mountains and the lake will appear before the eyes of tourists) …
- 13:00 - return to the yacht club - here, for an additional fee, you will be able to do water sports, as well as relax in the gazebo overlooking the lake, or sit comfortably on the area reserved for picnics.
- 16:00 - arrival in Manila (this is a conditional time - it depends on how long the travelers decide to stand at the top of the volcano and relax on the lake).
It is worth noting that it is recommended to take at least 3 liters of water and something for a snack on the trip.
How to get to Taal volcano
First, independent travelers will have to cover the distance from Manila to Tagaytay by a bus that departs from Batangas Bus Terminal (you will spend 2 hours on the way, and pay 80 pesos for a ticket). Then, from the market in Tagaytay to Talisay, you can take a jeepney (the journey will take 45 minutes, the journey will cost 20 pesos; the last flight is at 16:00). Another option is to take a tricycle from the market (a trip down to the pier will cost 200 pesos, and back - 300 pesos). The final stage is a boat trip (for the way back and forth, you will be asked to pay about 1,500 pesos for two) to the foot of Taal.
