Taal Volcano Trek

In December last year, I thought of celebrating my 23rd birthday differently. That's when I treated my family to a volcano trek at Taal Volcano in Talisay, Batangas.

While browsing the internet, I found Taal Lake Yacht Club's website for details and costs of this volcano trip. Reading a couple of reviews from bloggers who have already gone there, I chose Taal Lake Yacht Club since I learned there is a cheaper accommodation near their area.

Since all of us are first time climbers, I decided that we take the Ambassador Kenney Trail. I also learned it has more shade and the trail is easy which is favorable for us. I am copying below the costs of the trail which I got from the site. I can say that I find them pretty much the same the last time we went there.

Ambassador Kenney Trail 
Boat: P 1,800.00
Tourism: P 50.00 /pax
Landing Fee: P 50.00 / boat
Resort Fee: P 50.00 / pax
Guide: P 350.00 / boat
Horse (discouraged): P 500.00 / pax
Prepayment discount: less P30

Beginning of our Volcano Trek 

On the eve of my birthday, we traveled to Talisay so that we still have time to rest before our volcano trek. We ate our dinner in Flamingo Restaurant which is only a few walks from the place we stayed in. Although I find their food pricey, I still enjoyed eating especially their fried Tawilis!

The Mistaken Taal Volcano

By early morning, we boarded a boat with our life jackets on. I suggested that we eat our breakfast after our trip instead so that we'd feel lighter as we climb. A tour guide has accompanied us when we already reached the other side of the shore. 

Success! - that's what I felt when we finally arrived on the peak of the volcano. It also meant we could rest and sight the lake in the real Taal volcano. Yes, the picture on the right side is often being mistakened as Taal Volcano when it's not according to the boatmen. I was also wrong to distinguish it that I even asked why we're not heading to that direction.

Anyways, I did enjoy the trip since it's a new experience for me! I especially love the fact that we are breathing some fresh air. If ever I will be in a similar trip like this again, I would also like to try eating raw food.

Realizations along the Trip

I never thought I'd be able to climb to think that I'm not really into sports and outdoor activities. And I'm not even fond of joining my friends in their mountain climbing activities. I think I will only be able to do this kind of activity once in a while.

A picture of me overlooking Taal Lake

I can say we were indeed blessed that the weather is beautiful. I would not want to climb especially when it's raining. I also liked the idea of climbing very early in the morning to avoid being burned from the heat of the sun. I feel that I'm more energized in the morning.

Moreover, I liked it that the trail we took was not  that crowded. I learned from TLYC's site that a lot of Koreans would trek the volcano and most of them would take the Tourist Trail.

Nevertheless, I hope that I can still go back to Taal Lake Yacht Club. There are so many things we could do but our time there was only limited. I believe it is better to return there during summer so that I could learn boating skills such as kayakking. And maybe I could also try their Tourist Trail for volcano trips.

Finally, I believe the beauty of Talisay is its peacefulness since it is not that crowded like Boracay. I also find it fitting for very busy people to unwind and just appreciate the serenity of the place. 

Talisay = Tranquility