Trip to the World's Smallest Volcano

Last Holy Week, husband and I celebrated my birthday with our first Visita Iglesia in Batangas. He also gave in when I said that I wanted to go to see the crater of the Taal Volcano. We have been in and out of Tagaytay but we never really had a chance to visit the actual site and so, despite not being ready with a trekking outfit (read: sneakers), we decided to go. 

From Tagaytay City, it would take you around 45 minutes to an hour to go to Talisay. This is where the "departure" area is going to Vulcan Island. 

This was the view from the deck of San Roque Paradise Resort in Buco Talisay. 

We took a motorized boat to Vulcan Island which took around ten minutes. Fee was PHP1,500 (USD34). 

Since we were not dressed for a trek, we decided to ride a horse instead. A horse ride to the crater would cost you PHP500 (USD11) and a tour guide service fee (he is also the one guiding the horse) of PHP500 as well. Entrance to the site is PHP50 (USD1.20) per head. You have the option to buy a face mask at PHP20 (USD.50) because it gets really dusty.

The roads are long, winding and dusty.

We arrived at the crater and the view is just majestic.  Okay, so this is not the one that you actually see from Tagaytay. That more famous mountain  which everyone mistakes for Taal is actually another small crater called Mt. Binintian. But get this, this is like a lake inside a volcano inside a lake. Awesome!

Okay, take a look at that small island inside the lake. This is Vulcan Point. Technically, it is the world's largest island within a lake (Crater Lake) that is situated on Vulcano Island located in a Taal Lake within an island (Luzon). Need a more visual explanation of this "island-ception"? Click here.

There is nothing else to do when you reach the crater but to enjoy the turquoise view of the Crater Lake. You can also purchase bottled water and soft drinks at the site at PHP50. What I really didn't like about the experience were the pushy photographers trying to sell you a framed photo at PHP200. I would have preferred that they just display their photos on a table and let interested clients approach them. It is just a big turn-off. 

On the way back to the site. Another bumpy ride for about 20-30 minutes.

A visit to Taal is a great experience, something that you can cross out from the list of places you need to visit in the Philippines. However, unlike other tourist spots, I would not plan another second trip here again - once is probably enough. 

xx,

Corporate Junkie