The World’s Smallest Active Volcano

By Mark Wiens 13 Comments

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One hour, or three hours, depending on traffic conditions, and where from Metro Manila one is starting from, there is a small volcano, the smallest active volcano in the world known as Mt. Taal (slightly ironic as the world’s smallest volcano…pronounced taw-all).

Mt. Taal is located near the town of Tagaytay (probably the most pleasant city in Asia- according to the website) and is very easy to navigate to from the Metro Manila area.  Buses can easily be caught from the Cubao station.  The close proximity to Manila makes Taal Volcano a nice day trip for some fresh air and relief of the massive cloud of black pollution.

It is necessary to catch a boat across Taal Lake to the volcano that is surrounded by water.  Upon arrival on the island everyone is required to pay the 50 PHP (Philippine Peso) charge.  It is then possible to either hire a brutally scrawny horse (500 PHP) or hike (burn a few calories from the excessive white rice and bicol express that I consume) the short trail.  Our group opted for the latter option which took a mere hour to climb.

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Although the humidity was intense the hike proved to be quite enjoyable.  Before long we had reached the summit and were peering at a crater lake with steam rising from the world’s smallest active volcano.

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Though it’s not the most spectacular site in the world (I have yet to go to Mt. Pinatubo), the trip to Taal Volcano was worthwhile.  Costing around 800 PHP round trip (we had an entourage of 6 people and hiked rather than rode horses), it is also affordable.  I cleared my polluted lungs and I can now say I summitted the world’s smallest active volcano (who doesn’t want to check that off their world achievements list?).

-Migration Mark

13 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • vishal kaushik

    3 years ago

    Fabulous food blog!!

  • lexi

    14 years ago

    I’m sorry but this doesn’t interest me i just need the answer thanks.(not trying to be mean)

  • Kat

    15 years ago

    Argh, can’t. Meeting up with my uni friends (long overdue). Have fun though, and take lots of pictures! Might go there next time with my friends, though I’m still planning to take them to Potipot, maybe veg out at our house :p

  • Aileen

    15 years ago

    I think we are going with you 🙂 Mt.Pinatubo here we come!

  • Mark Wiens

    15 years ago

    Cool, next time in Tagaytay you should check out the volcano.
    I think I am heading to Pinatubo this weekend, you should join!

  • Kat

    15 years ago

    I’ve been to Tagaytay countless of times since childhood, but I have never been to the volcano itself.

    Oh, Pinatubo. I want to go there too. I was a kid when it erupted but I can remember traveling across overflowing rivers and lahar flows. :p