Legaspi City Travel Forum

I am headed to Phillipines for New years and was wondering if its possible to climb the Mayon in the first week of Jan 2008. We are a group of 7 . Whats the minimum time required for the whole hike (including flight to/from Manila) ? Do we have take services of some guide or travel agency ? Please suggest...

Im not sure if they will gave you a permit to climb Mayon Volcano becuase until know the philippine volcanology still inplementing 5 km danger zone but im not sure the situation on jan2008, regarding flight it takes around 30 min manila to Legaspi airport and you need to travel by land for around 30 min more. guide is highly advise

Is the 5km danger zone a new thing ? or it was always like that. Coz , i have never seen a picture of some climber atop Mt Mayon. Also, i am a bit confused abt the weather of Phillipines, i read somewhere that Dec to March is dry season but on a diff website it said that Dec to Feb is rainy season and not a good time to climb Mayon.

Which is true ? I also plan to visit Palawan in Jan 2008...so it would be nice to have some clear skies.

some few years back, and when the volcano is still not on an eruption mode, a regional boy scout jamboree was held in albay. part of it was a tour to mayon volcano, and not just a viewing of the volcano but being in the volcano. we rode a jeep going up, and in the middle part of mayon, there are a couple of buildings (maybe of Philvocs, i am not really sure), but they look more like an observatory than a "viewing deck". maybe to go there you need a special permit, try googling Philvocs, maybe they can be help you on this.

i am not sure if your group will be allowed to climb it as the 5 km danger zone is still up (because it can erupt anytime) and there are military patrolling the area, so climbing it may not be a very good idea, and besides, i've never heard of mayon trekking.

if you want a good volcano trek, why don't you try mt. pinatubo? :)

thanx for the info...well Pinatubo just doesnt seem as exciting as Mayon ;) Mayon looks just perfect and its live volcano. So that makes it even more exciting.
I guess...i wont be able to do Mayon :(

zippee, are you referring to the mayon planetarium? it's located on the lower slope of mayon but gives you a "close up" view of the volcano's mouth. unfortunately, the planetarium is close (including the restaurant nearby) as it was destroyed by the typhoon last december.

btw, approach to this area is via ligao-tabaco esp. if you're coming from manila.

I have climbed Mayon TWICE... the first in 1977, then came back to climb it again in 1979- AFTER its 1978 eruption.
Mayon looks BEAUTIFUL from a distance, but pretty DANGEROUS while climbing to the top/summit-crater of her...
The services of a professional Mountain Guide is not only only necessary, but practical... otherwise, get in touch with any of the Mountaineering Federation of the Philippines Club-members based in Legazpi City, or contact directly the Regional Office of the Department of Tourism-Region 5!
If you need photos of climbing to Mayon, get in touch with me at: edgatia71@msn.com

asianbelle, mayon planetarium, maybe that's what it's called. we went there i think 1990 or 1991 and i am not really into details that time so pardon the lapses :)