As a part of my TBEX Philippines fam journey to Bicol, I went on a Mayon volcano tour using an ATV. Made well-known by Zac Efron, these ATV excursions take you on a two to a few hour journey by the Philippine nation facet and as much as one of many Mayon volcano’s eruption sides.
What’s an ATV, and the way do you drive it?
ATV stands for all-terrain automobile, and we actually examined these infants in all terrains. Beginning off with a brief drive on a paved highway, we quickly bought to a giant garden the place we stopped for group images. After that, we principally went alongside trails of lava ash and rocks, often swerving a cow or a neighborhood on a bike.
The spotlight of the Mayon volcano tour, at the very least for me, had been the stream crossings, the place we bought to drive our ATVs into the water at full velocity, crossing our fingers that we’d come out on the opposite facet and never get caught within the river mud, having to stroll out in disgrace with drenched toes and waving one in every of our tour guides to return rescue our automobiles. Our success charges had been at about 70%, and it was a fantastic giggle each when using and when watching others attempt their luck.
Driving the ATV was very easy. We bought computerized fashions, so all we needed to do, actually, was hit the gasoline and break when mandatory. They had been surprisingly highly effective and agile, making the journey fairly thrilling.
What’s there to see?
We rode as much as the Mayon volcano, one of many Philippine’s most energetic volcanoes recognized for its “good cone”. As we went in wet season, we had been a bit unfortunate to not see a lot of the volcano on our approach. However being within the countryside and cruising by streams made up for that. As soon as we reached the lava entrance, we ditched our rides, had a fast snack after which walked and climed up the lava pile to a view level. From there, we had wonderful views of the volcano and the encircling space, seeing all the way in which all the way down to the ocean.
For those who’re on the lookout for an extra second of thrill, it can save you your vitality on the way in which down and easily zipline again all the way down to the place you left your ATV. Ziplining off a volcano eruption web site might be fairly a singular journey!
What to deliver to an ATV journey
We had been supplied with every thing we would have liked, however our guides beneficial a change of garments. That turned out to be a good suggestion, as a result of even these of us who made it by all water crossings completely had mud throughout us. Wet season undoubtedly makes ATV rides extra enjoyable! Deliver a digicam. Our guides had been tremendous affected person with our group and the hundreds of images we needed. I’m not even exaggerating right here, that’s what occurs once you’re out with a bunch of bloggers. An motion pleasant digicam – GoPro, Olympus Robust or the like – is your best choice as you received’t have to fret about it getting splashed by the mud.
Journey: Mayon Volcano Tour on an ATV
Thrill degree: 4/5
Chill degree: 3/5
Ability degree: 2/5 – driving is fairly straightforward, a little bit of health is required to climb the lava pile (non-obligatory!)
The place to do it: For the Mayon volcano particularly, there are numerous ATV tour operators based mostly in and round Legazpi. We went with “Your Brother Journey”, and I might suggest them. ATVs and helmets had been in nice form, and the staff was pleasant and useful.
Verdict: One of many highlights of our 5 day Bicol journey for me. A lot of enjoyable, we bought to know the realm, and it’s as thrilling as you select to make it. You possibly can take it straightforward and sluggish, or go a bit loopy.
