Taal Volcano, one of the Philippines' 22 active volcanoes inside the so called Pacific Ring of Fire, usually marveled at from Tagaytay City by people trying to escape the heat of Metro Manila, is in itself a tourist destination for adventurers looking for a different high by hiking/trekking to the crater lake within Taal lake which is actually a crater of a big caldera.

A few weeks after their company outing, Tutubi and his officemates went to Tagaytay for another outing at an officemates bahay kubo (native hut) near Southridge.

A mini-feast ensued followed by brief rest before hieing off to nearby Talisay down the ridge, checked out properties for sale at Taal View Heights Country Homes gated community, went for a visit at the Buena Vista Nature Park and Country Club (near Tagaytay Highlands) and swam at the club's swimming pool.

view of volcanic island from Taal View Heights

On the return to Tagaytay, stopped for a brief photo opportunity at the view deck of Laeuna de Taal before going back to Manila.


View of Taal Volcano from Laeuna de Taal viewdeck on Ligaya Drive. Note that the cone is actually not the crater like most people think. The actual crater, behind this conical structure, looks like a lake (within a lake) though it's also a crater within a crater.

Taal Lake with the highly visible fish cages used for raising tilapia. The fish cages are blamed for the lasang putik (liya or gilik) of fish catch including the endemic tawilis and maliputo

Tutubi wanted so much to trek to the crater lake, as initially thought out but, as always, planned travels by Filipinos often times don't materialize. That is the reason why he is such a big fan of unplanned travels.

It's also good to note that the title should have read-- the Taal Volcano Crater Trek that Never Was!

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If you want to do some hiking by Taal Volcano crater trek, you can proceed to Talisay Public Market to board the boats to the island for

Cost of Taal Volcano Trek/Hike:

Bus from Manila to Tanauan: P89.00
Jeepney fare from Tanauan to Talisay: N/A
P50 landing tax (Tourist Center)
P20 docking fee
P1500 per boat maximum of 6 persons (P250/pax)
P10/person barangay fee
P500 for horse with a guide (horseback ride to the crater lake)

Tourist Trap:

Warning: don't entertain the men offering you trips and boats in Tagaytay for they usually charge unsupecting tourists an arm and a leg. Don't even look them in the eye for they're very persuasive and may run after your vehicle.

Talisay Resorts and Accommodations:

Club Balai Isabel
Talisay, Batangas (highly noticeable on the main road)

Talisay Green Lake Resort
Address : Barangay Sta. Maria, Talisay, Batangas
Contact No. : +63.43.773.0247

Al Frontera de Taal
Address: Lakeshore Activity Point, Barangay Banga
Tel. No: +63.43.631.1291
Fax: +63.43.631.1294

Taal Lake Yacht Club
Tel. No: +63.43.773.0192
Tel. No: +63.2.811.3183; +63.2.811.3283


Tropical Jungle Resort


*please call the published number or visit official websites for room rates. No pictures/photos yet as well as cheap, recommended hotels, resorts, homestays, inns and pension houses.

How to get to Talisay, Batangas:

Commute via Tanauan, Batangas:

Board a Batangas City-bound bus on Taft Avenue, Pasay City near Buendia LRT station (choose Batangas City via Tanauan and not Batangas City via Calabarzon) and alight in front of Tanauan public market (Fare: P89.00). Transfer to a Talisay-bound jeep to get to your resort/hotel.

Commute via Tagaytay:

Board a Nasugbu-bound bus and drop off in Tagaytay (request the driver to drop you off to the terminal of Talisay-bound jeepneys). Transfer to the jeep with Talisay signboard. This passes through the zigzag route down Tagaytay ridge (not for the faint of heart) (a climb down the ridge)

Driving Directions to Talisay via STAR TOLL (Tanauan)

From Makati, take SLEX and exit the second to the last toll gate (Silangan, Batangas City, Lucena). You'll pass by Turbina (Shell), Carmelray and turn right to enter STAR TOLLWAY. Exit at SAMBAT (Tanauan) then turn right going to Talisay (a left will take you to Tanauan town proper). Just follow the road to your destination resort or Talisay public market.

Directions to Talisay via Tagaytay (not for newbie drivers):

From Makati, take SLEX and exit at GREENFIELD CITY (Eton City) where you'll pass by Pramana, and Nuvali. Follow directions where you'll see Paseo de Santa Rosa, Silang then up to Tagaytay Market. Turn left at the end of the road (Tagaytay Econo Inn) then turn right at Ligaya Drive (the left side of the highway is Tagaytay Elementary School) where you'll see the Talisay jeepney terminal, pass by Balai Taal. This is a winding 6 kilometer road down the ridge with at least 2 sharp curves (you'll be greeted by the excellent views from the Laeuna de Taal viewdeck). At the end of the road is Talisay's main road where many resorts dot the lakeside.

Directions to Talisay via Coastal Road, Aguinaldo Highway, Cavite

Head to Roxas Blvd and Coastal Road going to Aguinaldo Highway up to Tagaytay rotonda. At the rotonda, turn left towards Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). Continue driving until you reach Ligaya Drive where ou turn left (right side is Tagaytay Elementary School). Follow the winding road to Talisay to get to your resort.

Related Posts:

Mayon Volcano
Mt. Pinatubo Crater Hike
Backpacking Tagaytay

Labels: Batangas, Rivers and Lakes, Talisay, Travel Guides, Volcanoes