LAKE TAAL AND ITS VOLCANO

Taal volcano is a volcanic complex composed of a vast caldera of 15 km by 20 km, occupied by Taal Lake. Taal Lake is the^3rd largest body of water in the country (235 ^km2). It is in the center of the lake, on the island-volcano or Taal volcano, that historical eruptions have been recorded. Vulcano Island consists of a cone whose summit crater is also filled by a lake. It is considered the smallest active volcano in the world. Indeed, the most powerful eruptions are capable of generating devastating tsunamis (1 330 victims in 1911). The eruption of 1965 devastated 60 ^km2 and killed a hundred people. An eruptive activity in 1976 and 1977 with fumaroles and projections generated the evacuation of the populations. Between 2020 and 2022, the volcano erupted again, with strong seismic activity, forcing thousands of people to evacuate and the Manila airport to suspend flights.

In 2023, it reopened to the public and is still an important tourist attraction. The walk can be done in one day when conditions permit. On the crater, a one-hour climb leads to the top where you can admire the inner lake and its fumaroles. It is also possible to go for a horse ride (about 500 PHP).

How to get there. From Tagaytay, take a Jeepney (60 PHP, every hour, 20 minutes) or a tricycle (300 PHP) to Talisay, a small village on the lake. From Talisay, take a banca to get to the crater.