Taal Volcano trips, treks and tours

Taal Volcano, in the Philippines, was originally a huge volcano, that towered 18,000 feet up into the sky. It has been called the smallest active volcano, because it seems small now, but many people don't realize that it is one of the largest volcanos in the world. It is located about 70-km south of Manila on an island inside a lake called Taal Lake. Inside the main caldera, there is yet another lake, called the
"Crater Lake." The highly sulfuric lake may have medicinal properties. People do swim in it. Some have even SCUBA dived in it.

Taal Lake, or Lake Taal, is a nice fresh water lake, and there are many resorts on the lakeshore, and Taal Lake Yacht Club (thats us) is there also.

Trips from Talisay (where we are), including the climb to the to the crater rim, and back, take about 3 - 4 hours, so its common to time the hike to the volcano in the early morning, to be back at Taal Lake Yacht Club for lunch. If you don't bring your lunch, make sure you tell us that you want lunch, because we will otherwise assume that you brought your own. It takes about an hour for us to prepare lunch.

All our Bancas have cellphones, lifejackets, fire extinguishers, and we have extra boats for any eventuality. Nobody else is Talisay is this safe. We pride ourselves on trying to be the safest service on the lake.

There are several trails on the Vocano Island:
1)The most common is what we call the "Tourist Trail". This is the standard trail that tour groups use, and it is the most convenient, and the least expensive option. We do recommend taking a horse on this trail, because it can get a bit dirty.

2) there is also what we call our "secret trail" which can take you down to the inner lake on horseback.

3) The Kristie Kenney trail is named after the US Ambassador, who was one of the first of our guests to use this trail. If you want to walk, we recommend this option because its greener, with more shade, and cleaner.

We consider Volcano Trekking an easy daytrip from Manila. The trip to TLYC from Manila is only about an hour and a half. If you prefer however, you can camp at TLYC. We are set up for it. TLYC is one of very few secure campgrounds with good facilities outside Manila, and its one of the best.

Boat trips to Taal Volcano can be pre-booked at a discount by phone.
Call 043-773-0912 to reserve. In Manila, You can call 811-3283
If you pay in advance, we'll even give you a discount.
Although our prices are the same as the other resorts (P1500/boat for thr tourist trail) we offer a huge number of "extras" that make it the best deal in Talisay.

Our extras:
Free entrance to TLYC for all passengers who take our bancas. (Thats a P600 value)
Free hut when you get back. (Thats a P350 value)
Free Guide (P200 value)
Free guarded Parking (how much is your car, and peace of mind, worth?)
So, with all these extras, its like Tha Banca is almost free!
You simply can't get a better deal anywhere.

Free entrance is important because there are no Bathrooms on the island or at the public "Boat landing".
We pride ourselves on our large clean bathrooms and hot showers.
Hot showers in the Philippines? Whatever for?
Well. If you come in December thru March, the wind is usually very strong,and its almost certain that you will get soaking wet.
Its not so windy in July, August and September, but at some point during the day, the sky will probably open up, and it will be like standing under a waterfall for 2 minutes. Most of your clothes will probably dry off pretty quick, but you will still appreciate the Taal Lake Yacht Club facilities after your trip.
When it doesn't rain, it will be sunny, and you will definitely work up a sweat better than in any Gym. You'll want a shower, and a nice quiet hassle free place to sit down, relax, and have a cold drink.

Other Questions?
Email me at sailphi@i-manila.com.ph
or contact:
Taal Lake Yacht Club
Talisay, Batangas, Philippines
Tel# 63-43-773-0192
In the Philippines, dial 043-773-0192

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This page was last updated in November of 2007. It is still online, because it rans very high in Google searches for "Taal Volcano". It has however,been replaced by another page, which may be more updated than this one. The other page also has customer statements, and links to tourism review sites, etc. Its worth viewing, s please visit www.tlyc.com/volctrip.html.