Lulinghayaw: Mt. Pinatubo Valentine Climb

To quote Helen Keller, "Life is a daring adventure or it is nothing at all".

This one of a kind adventure was realized through Tripinas Travel and Tour Ventures which I booked online a month earlier.

Here are the pertinent details of my reservation via http://tripinas.blogspot.com/ http://tripinas.blogspot.com/ .

How to book your tour :

1- I've attached a registration form for you and your group to fill out. Kindly send it back to us upon completion so we can include your names in our roster.

2- To reserve your slots, we require a Php1000/person down payment to be deposited to our account from today until 17 January 2011, Monday.

To deposit your down payment, visit any branch of Metrobank and make a cash deposit:

Account number: 098-3098436392

Account name: Rufa Ann Pablo-Bechet

Bank name: Metrobank - Timog Ave. branch

3- Once we have received your down payment, a travel voucher will be emailed to you.

Your reservation will be confirmed only upon receipt of your down payment.

Tour date: 13 February 2011, Sunday

Tour type: Public/ Shared group tour

(We pool at least 10 people from different groups for the tour to go)

Number of guests from your group: 2

Tour cost: Php 1990/person for Filipinos and Php2750/person for non-Filipinos

(for additional conservation fee)

Tour inclusions:

round trip a/c van transfer (Angeles-Tarlac-Angeles)

round trip 4x4 vehicle with driver

local guide

conservation fee

certificate of conquest

service of a tour coordinator

Skyway fee (if available) will be evenly distributed to all public tour participants for the day. The skyway fee will depend on the group's final headcount. For example: for 10 people, skyway fee is Php 100/person.

Itinerary (old way)

0430 ETD from Dau, Angeleas. (Pick up at Jollibee-Dau branch)

0500 ETA (Capas, Tarlac). Breakfast and buy your lunch (at clients' account at Mc Donald's)

0530 ETD for Brgy. Sta. Juliana.

0630 ETA Brgy. Sta. Juliana (jump-off point) to finalize prior arrangements.

0645 Board 4×4 vehicles.

0800 Start trekking (2 to 3 hours walking, one way)

1030 ETA at the crater of Mt. Pinatubo. Swimming, taking of photos, lunch (at clients' account)

1200 Start return trek.

1430 Back to the 4x4s.

1530 Back at jump-off point. Freshen up.

1600 ETD from Tarlac

1730 ETA Dau, Angeles.

At the Camp, Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Tarlac

With Manong, our tour guide

Our reliable 4x4 Ride

Trekking starts

Eternal travel buddies

Angular Green

Unique Rock Formation

The daily grind of the local folks

A walk in a cloud for him

And I thought it was easy...

OMG... it hasn't started yet?

Ready to brave the storm

Went limp

Landing at last!

Beware!

Claygo

Magnificent View of the Crater Lake

Off to the other side

Shoes off!

Testing the waters.

Unfathomable depth

Lunch with the group

30 Minute Volcanic Ash Spa

A 30 minutes hot volcanic ash body treatment that draws out toxins and impurities that are embedded deep within the skin's pores. When applied to the skin's surface, this soothing clay lifts, firms and exfoliates, resulting in a revitalized and more youthful looking complexion. This costs Php 500.00.

Full Body Mud Pack

If you pay Php 1000.00 for both the Massage and Volcanic Ash Spa you can use the mud pool for free.

Dip your body in a pool of volcanic mud to soften and stretch the skin to make you look younger and healthier. This mud bath treatment is unique to Pinatubo and extremely good for you. Volcanic ash is high in sulfur which not only helps the body to resist bacteria but actually destroy it.

“Pina-thai-tsu"

A unique combination of a traditional Thai massage with Shiatsu and local massage techniques

For Php 500.00, this will improve blood circulation and relax tired muscles and joints. An ideal treatment after a long day trekking to soothe your muscles and to invigorate your body.

After this very fulfilling experience, I hope to have more climbs in the future.