City of Manila Travel Forum

Hi, my questions never end...

Do you think it is worth visiting Taal Volcano? I'm staying in Malate. From there, what should I take to go to TV? How long would it take? Should I set off in the early morning or in the afternoon to get the best view? Would it be safe (I mean any chance of being robbed or something?) if I hire a boat and a horse to go to the top of TL? How much would that be?

Apart from TV and the city, where should I go during my stay? Any special tourist spots (not the famous ones recommended by guidebooks) near the city?

Tagaytay, where you'll have a view of Taal Volcano/Lake, is about 2 to 2.5 hours travel from Manila (considering the traffic at the South Expressway). From Malate, you could take a cab to Taft Ave. cor. Gil Puyat Ave. (Buendia) or upto Pasay Taft. In both areas, there are provincial bus terminals near LRT stations and board a bus going to Nasugbu, it will pass by Tagaytay.

Again, if you will consider the travel time, better leave in the morning right after breakfast. You'll arrive in Tagaytay around lunch time. You could get off at either Josephine's, Leslie's or Taal Vista Lodge. The first 2 are restos while the latter is a hotel, but all have views of Taal.

BTW, I read in the papers recently that there is a 4km danger zone around Taal Volcano, so I doubt if you can hike/horseback to the volcano itself.

Taal Volcano is one of the few volcanoes worldwide whose peak or crater is easily accessible. It would be more ideal if you sleep over in Tagaytay the night before you go there, so that you could be at the island early morning so it won't be too hot. Both the boat and horse rides are safe. Check out my Taal travelogue.

But then, since it's the rainy season the trail would be muddy and views would not be that good. Add to that what asianbelle said about a 4-km. danger radius (is it about to erupt?).

About 2-3 weeks ago, the volcano showed some signs of "being active", hence PHILVOLCS warning. But no follow up news about it, so maybe the situation has stabilized.

"Would it be safe (I mean any chance of being robbed or something?)"

Providing you dont walk around in shorts and thongs you bought from local mall, you are safe.

hi,

check this site... They cater to Taal tours

http://www.sailing.org.ph/tlyc/volctrip.html

The link might be removed, im not sure if its allowed here... here is the site content

TAAL VOLCANO TREKKING RATES
as of JULY 2008

Regular Tourist Trail / Daang Kastila
Per Boat: P 1,800.00
Tourism: P 50.00 /pax
Landing Fee: P 20.00 / boat
Horse (optional): P 500.00 / pax
Prepayment discount: less P300

Secret Trail / Kalawit Trail
Boat: P 2,500.00
Tourism: P 50.00 /pax
Landing Fee: P 50.00 / boat
Resort Fee: P 50.00 / pax
Horse (recommended): P 750.00 / pax
Prepayment discount: less P300

Ambassador Kenney Trail
Boat: P 1,500.00
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 P300

Our price also includes
Free:
1)entry fees for up to 5 people
(up to P500 value!)
.
2) a free hut for 2 hrs, AFTER your return from the volcano on weekends or holidays. OR for 5 hours on weekdays!
(up to P400 value!)

You can take a tour from Manila they will pick you up and return you to your hotel.It includes the car boat ride and horses and lunch.It take all day about 10 hours around trip.Its about 1500 each but that was 3 years ago and in Jan so I don't know about the trail or anything in the rainy season or if its closed or not. I got the tour from a travel agent at Harrison Plaza but don't remember the name of it I do remember that all there tours were half the price as the hotels price.I think they tell you to wear jeans and shoes for the horse ride because your bear legs against a house will rub them. I would'nt worry about being robbed in the Philippines seems very safe to me I feel safer there than here in Las Vegas.Other tours are to the water falls about a hour or so from Manila starts with a P but can't remember name someone who lives would know.You get about 1 hour canoe ride and can go under the falls very nice jungle tour also all day.

Hi Kenstan, you're referring to Pagsanjan Falls.

Tagaytay City is a very safe place to visit. =)

kenstan thats very interesting, I didn't know that there are tours where they provide land transfer from Manila to Taal...

anybody have any contacts providing this service?

Oh my, all of these are such great ideas. I'm definitely hitting one of these up the next time I'm there.