Information about Mt. Pinatubo

Mount Pinatubo

​Mount Pinatubo is a popular attraction in the Philippines. For centuries, this historic site lay dormant. Only the second-largest terrestrial volcanic eruption of the 20th century took place there. What made it most cataclysmic was right as Pinatubo was spewing 10 billion tons of ash and rocks, an incoming typhoon triggered lahar, a violent mudflow that swept the plains just 600 meters below the volcano.

The lahar sank entire villages and infrastructure in Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga, all agricultural provinces. The vulnerable indigenous Aetas were displaced and key ecosystems were disrupted beyond recovery. There would have been a catastrophic death toll if not for the vigilant monitoring and months-early evacuation plans by the PHIVOLCS and USGS. 

Because it was obscured from view by a chain of mountains, Pinatubo previously did not have a proper representation in pictures. That is until the Manila Bulletin published Alberto Garcia's iconic photograph of a lonesome pick-up truck fleeing from the angry eruption, dwarfed by a doomsday cloud of volcanic ash. 

This image brought forth to the public the shock and destruction of which Pinatubo is capable. It has been included in National Geographic's '100 Best Pictures' list and Time's 'Great Images of the 20th Century'.

The lake has since become a nature park that ends a trip from Capas, Tarlac, where you'll see a lot of beautiful scenery. The starting point for these treks is Crow Valley, which is sometimes used by the Philippine army to train.

How to get there

The main jump-off point for Mount Pinatubo tours is Sta. Juliana Tourism Center in Capas, Tarlac. From there, visitors must rent a 4x4 vehicle to traverse the lahar-filled terrain leading to the trek's starting point. The off-road journey takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours, followed by a trek of 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the stunning crater lake. Some tours now offer shorter trekking options depending on the route and conditions.

Best time to visit

The ideal time to visit Mount Pinatubo is during the dry season, from November to May, when riverbeds and lahar trails are easier to navigate. Tours may be canceled during the rainy season (June to October) due to possible landslides and flooding.

Entrance fee

To explore Mount Pinatubo, visitors must pay for the 4x4 vehicle rental, which is required for the journey to the trek’s starting point, as well as the tour guide fee, which is mandatory for safety and navigation. Additionally, environmental and tourism fees must be covered. Visitors can also enjoy optional activities such as a volcanic ash massage and other services available in the area. For a hassle-free experience, it is best to book through an accredited tour operator.