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Taal Volcano Island and Pagsanjan Falls Tour in Manila: All You Need to Know Before You Go
Are you planning a trip to Manila in the Philippines and want to explore some of the city’s most iconic natural wonders? If so, a Taal Volcano Island and Pagsanjan Falls tour should definitely be on your itinerary! This unique tour will take you to two of the most popular natural attractions located in the Luzon region of the country even if you only have one day.
The tour includes a visit to beautiful Taal Volcano Island located within the Taal Lake and an exciting river adventure in Pagsanjan Falls – known as the “Sistine Chapel of the Philippines.” You’ll experience some of the best views of the lake, lush tropical forest, and many geological wonders. On this trip, you’ll learn all about the history and culture of the famous attractions, plus you’ll get close to nature while you explore in total comfort and security.
Before booking your tour, here’s what you should know.
Taal Volcano Island
Nestled in the middle of Taal Lake in the province of Batangas, Taal Volcano Island is one of the oldest volcanoes in the world and is classified by geologists as a complex volcano. It has an overall height of 411 meters (1,352 feet) above sea level and is the center of an ancient caldera. The volcano is home to the unique species of Philippine Eagle, fish and various kinds of birds. It also has many baroque colonial churches that are a testament to its rich history.
Some tourists view Taal Volcano Island from Tagaytay City as a backdrop, but most visitors hire a boat to explore the island up-close for its rich wildlife and vegetation. You can also find interesting souvenir items like handicrafts, traditional clothing, jewelry and other locally-made trinkets from souvenir shops located near Taal Volcano Island Park.
How to Get to Taal Volcano Island
To get to Taal Volcano Island, you need to hire a boat at Talisay Port – a small fishing community located around six miles (10 kilometers) northeast of Tagaytay City. From Manila, you can go to Tagaytay City by public bus, hire a private car service or take a jeepney for around two hours.
You can find boats for hire near Talisay Port from P800-P2,500 depending on who you talk to and group size. Most boats can fit up to nine passengers (including driver/guide). The journey around the lake to Taal Volcano Island usually takes around 30 minutes each way. Be sure to bring some snacks and water as there are minimal vendors along the way (some boats may also have snacks and drinking water).
Pagsanjan Falls
Located in Laguna province just south of Manila, Pagsanjan Falls is recognized among nature-lovers around the world as one of the most beautiful waterfalls. With cascading waters falling more than 250 feet (76 metres) into a deep canyon below and surrounded by lush rainforest greenery, it provides a perfect backdrop for a memorable day trip from Manila.
Originally known as Carlos Galban Falls after its Spanish discoverer in 1735, Pagsanjan Falls was later renamed by Spanish friars honoring Saint Januarius (San Januario), who would bathe in its waters. Alongside Pagsanjan Falls is an intricately carved river rock formation known as “Sistine Chapel of The Philippines” that presents spectacular views when viewed from an angle lit by sunlight.
The area around Pagsanjan Falls is a popular shooting site for local movies, television series and commercials due to its stunning scenery. In addition, visitors can engage in activities like rafting down the river in a traditional banca boat while being rowed by locals known as “bancas” as well as other outdoor activities like hiking and rock-climbing in the surrounding area.
How to Get to Pagsanjan Falls
From Manila, you can travel to Pagsanjan Falls by bus (around two hours), jeepney (around three hours) or private car service (only one hour). The most convenient way is to hire a private car service which costs around P1500 or book a round-trip tour for around P4,500 which includes lunch, entry fees, transport and guides. However, these are negotiable depending on how many people in your party lend a hand in bargaining with local vendors. Otherwise, you may hire a regulation tourist van (sometimes called “aircon” vans).
Things to Bring on Your Tour
Once you’ve booked your tour, it’s time to prepare what you need to bring on your trip. Make sure you bring plenty of protection from the sun since you’ll be mostly outdoors like hats, sunscreen lotion and even insect repellent. Wear comfortable walking shoes for trekking parts of the journey and make sure you bring some bottled drinks and light snacks – especially if your tour does not include food. Other useful gadgets for taking pictures include extra batteries for your digital cameras/phones or memory cards if your camera does not have enough storage space for photos
Book Your Taal Volcano Island and Pagsanjan Falls Tour Now!
Ready to explore two of the most beautiful destinations on your trip to Manila? Now that you know where to go and what to bring on this memorable experience, book your tour now! Visit GetYourGuide for amazing adventure tours that will take you on an unforgettable experience at Taal Volcano Island and Pagsanjan Falls! Have fun exploring!
