Private Tour
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Begin your adventure with a convenient hotel pickup in Manila, then travel south to the refreshing highlands of Tagaytay.
Your first stop is the picturesque Tagaytay Picnic Grove, perched 665 meters above sea level. Take in sweeping panoramic views of Taal Volcano, dramatically set in the middle of Taal Lake. Your driver will gladly help you capture stunning photos with this iconic natural wonder in the background.
Next, embark on a 2+ hour boat sightseeing tour around Taal Volcano. Although the island itself remains off-limits for safety reasons, you’ll cruise within 10 meters of its shores—close enough to witness sulfur dioxide (SO₂) rising from the main crater. Then, visit a tranquil Korean temple, known for its peaceful ambiance and beautiful surroundings—a perfect way to end your day before heading back to your hotel in Manila.
Please disregard any reviews mentioning crater trekking. These tours were discontinued following the 2020 eruption.
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This is a Private Tour with minimum of 2 people required per booking. The tour is weather-dependent. We offer convenient pickup and drop-off services directly from your hotel lobby or the airport.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Transportation from Manila (Fuel, Driver, Toll and Highway Fees, Parking, Vehicle)
Entry Tickets for Tagaytay Highlands Picnic Groove
Motorized Boat Ride (Boat Captain, Entrance Fees, Local Boat Tour Guide)
Side Trip to Korean Temple
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Personal Expenses
The volcano is under Eruption ALERT 1, No Crater Trekking is allowed by the National Government.
Please disregard all the reviews regarding the Crater Trekking before the eruption on Jan. 12, 2020.
Select a pickup point
Tagaytay Picnic Grove
Following pickup from your hotel in Manila, head straight to the Taal Volcano ridge called Picnic Groove in Tagaytay City for the Taal Volcano eruption sightseeing tour. Taal Volcano suddenly erupted at 2:36 PM on Sunday, January 12, 2020, forcing all to flee from the island. For the next 24 hours, ashes coming from the crater traveled to Metro Manila and nearby areas as 150,000 people fled from their homes.
Lake Taal
Enjoy the 2+-hour boat sightseeing tour around the active volcano and experience the unique island ten meters from the boat. See the volcano emits Sulfur Dioxide. A total of 18,638 tonnes/day of volcanic sulfur dioxide or SO2 gas emission from the Taal Main Crater was measured every day. Taal has averaged approximately 10,331 tonnes/day for the year and has been continuously degassing voluminous concentrations of SO2 since the eruption 2020. Note that the Island Volcano itself including the Crater is still restricted by the National Government as the Philippine Volcanology raised the eruption Alert to Level 1 until today. No setting foot on the island policy is still in place. DISCLAIMER: Please disregard all the reviews regarding the Crater Trekking Tour before the eruption on January 12, 2020.
Pickup included
15 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Allison G,
Jan 28, 2020
- Review from Viator
The tour was great! We we able to take horses up to the top of the volcano and learn about Filipino culture as well as enjoy some fresh coconut juice. Afterwards, they took us to Josephine restaurant for lunch. Very safe tour; highly recommend!
massey2020,
Jan 2, 2020
- Review from Tripadvisor
What a great day! We started early to avoid traffic, and also had a much less crowded visit at the volcano as we arrived earlier than most visitors. The heat was also not so bad earlier in the day. The hike is a bit strenuous but I enjoyed it tremendously. Our guide at the volcano was knowledgeable and approachable, and answered all our questions readily. I felt safe and in good hands! I also had options to stop at various places after the hike, such as for lunch, to see a few more things, or to shop a bit, and I appreciated this flexibility. I wish I had taken more cash for Buko pies! The volcano itself is the most incredible site, I'm infinitely glad I made this trip and would recommend this tour company happily!
Darena MLK,
Dec 10, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
It was amazing, really well organized, the driver was very nice and explained us a lot of things about the trip and the country in general. The volcano is really beautiful - you can find a lake in the lake there. worth it.
383mari0n,
Nov 23, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
Very nice and well organized tour with a guide who spoke very good English. The view is simply beautiful and the explanations clear. The little extra: we'll pick you up at the hotel or he'll be in Manila. I recommend.
Svips21,
Nov 18, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
Absolutely loved it - especially when we got to the top - breath taking views of the sulfur lake & crater. We also saw some steaming, small active volcanoes!!! We enjoyed a refreshing coconut drink at the Paradise restaurant at the top! I'd advise you take a horse up unless you are super fit. The trek is very steep, and coupled with the humidity, can be quite challenging. Jobelle, our guide, was super friendly, and so knowledgeable! A must do! Driver was on time picking us up from Crimson Hotel at 540am - very courteous and drove us safely from the hotel and back. My daughter bonded with her horse, Patricia, and titled her MVP of the day! Thanks for a wonderful visit!
Cheryl D,
Jun 20, 2019
- Review from Viator
Driver was lovely. He worked hard. I was the only one who tipped him, despite being the first and last pickup. Because of this, we spent additional hours in a tour can that would not have been necessary had each hotel has their own pickup with a central Makati location. Traffick was terrible. It rained all the way home. Why pick up Pasig tourists when we live in the Luneta Park area. The heavy traffick and rain caused an additional two hours drive from the other tourists hotel. Still we tipped our driver 500 Philippine pesos. It wasn't his fault....but the inconvenience soured our tour which had been lovely until that point. Could not the driver had made a decision to meet at a more central Central point and drive us three home? Yes, Viator and all the local providers could have made that 21st century call. We were the larger party too. And, guessing the others didn't use Viator the 5 times this week we did?
xavxavxav,
Jun 3, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
Last minute order via trip advisor .set in 2mn chrono I did not know what to expect. Excellent Price quality ratio , 2 hours of driver via Manila ( because 1 hour mountain drive ) departure 05h45 not to arrive after the tourist safety. A breathtaking view upon arrival. Crossing by boat of 15 minutes to go to the island in the middle of the inland sea , more easy walking of an hour big Max with quite a few breaks , he has plenty of guitounes who offer drinks (but considering the heat it is also not like going to get bread next door what ) ... other option is to ride horses ( 1500 horses waiting downstairs! ) but I strongly advise against it because the horses are small thin exhausted and for some still foals it is just inhuman to ride horses . Apart from that upstairs again paradise is really beautiful. The return is nickel and hop at 1:30 p.m. Manila center. A cost of about 100€ but it is on site It would be cheaper but good: trip advisor is the right practical plan
Tour11118305324,
May 26, 2019
- Review from Viator
We had such a great time on this day trip! Highly recommend to anyone looking for an adventure. The hike was not too long and the boat ride over to the volcano was really nice! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable, overall great guide!
marvinhudson202,
Aug 30, 2018
- Review from Tripadvisor
I remember the year October 2017 when I visited Tagaytay. I think it is around 3 hours estimated from Manila to Tagaytay and the weather there is so cold. I have to say that it was absolutely amazing. Tagaytay tourists love to admire Taal Volcano from the highlands, from him (originally Php 1,500) that includes a round trip boat ride. Hope to visit it again and vsit the beautiful places in Tagaytay.
Atte K,
Dec 22, 2017
- Review from Viator
The tour was amazing! To see the view from the top of the Taal volcano was worth every penny. Richard, the driver, treated us magnificently and everything was arranged perfectly. Enough water was also provided to keep us guests re-hydrated. Would recommend this trip to everyone who wants a break from the hectic Metro-Manila.
Operated by Esquieres Excursions PH