This was the highlight of my 4-day Bicol travel happened on the last day of the trip before heading to the airport back to Manila. It was my first time to try the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and for a person who doesn’t know how to drive any vehicle or even riding a bicycle, I worried so much with regards to the handling of the unit. I was glad that the ATVs of Bicol Adventure are first-timer friendly that I was able to familiarize the controls after the demo shown by my guide.
With my ample knowledge of manipulating the unit, we started the trail to the Mayon lava flow of the 2006 eruption. The start of the trail is a few meters away from the Bicol Adventure quarters. The trail in Pawa can be divided into 5 parts: the river, the residential, the sand and gravel site, the coconut plantation and the Agoho tree area.
My guide took my camera and was in-charged with the documentation for me to enjoy the ATV ride. I just followed him along the trail but he checks on me every now and then. The river is not deep and won’t submerge the wheels of the vehicle. There were some big rocks that made that part of the trail more extreme.
On the residential part of the trail, a couple of houses were built where kids play on the roadside. A little girl reaches out her hand to me everytime I pass by as if I am in a race while other kids keep on cheering. After 15 minutes, passing by the gravel site, coconut plantation, and Agoho trees, we reached our destination. Mayon Adventure Land Base Camp is located at Barangay 54, Mabinit, Legazpi City. I had a rest for a couple of minutes and then assisted by a tour guide, went to the helipad, and had a closer look at the Mayon Volcano by climbing the lava flow rocks.
The person who guided me was the one who assisted Kris Aquino during her visit to the area for her show Kris RealiTV. A helipad is located atop the lava flow. The helipad is 6 kilometers away from the crater and means that we’re only just a kilometer from the danger zone. It is the closest area to take a photo with the majestic Mayon; however, a thick cloud covered the land formation which made the mission failed.
In descending the lava flow, you can ride a zip line which is considered as the longest in Legazpi to descend and proceed directly to the waiting area. I chose not to ride the zip line. Budget issues. It was 7:30 AM when we decided to go back to the Bicol Adventure headquarters riding our all-terrain vehicles. I super enjoyed my first ATV experience and promised to try this again when I come back to Legazpi.
Bicol Adventure Travel and Tour who is known for providing Mayon Trekking, Whaleshark and Diving adventures, has offered ATV packages recently so you can assure that their units are new. They are staffed by Professional Mountain Guides, PADI Certified Scuba Divers and Experienced Tour Facilitators and has been in existence and been serving local and foreign guests for almost 8 years and is the only recommended company by Lonely Planet Travel Guide as the adventure tour authority in the Bicol Region. You can contact them via their website at http://bicoladventure.com or email them at bicol_adventure@yahoo.com. Like their Facebook Page for the rates and packages, they offer for you to enjoy your stay in Bicol.
Bicol Adventure All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Mayon Lava Trail Packages
Mayon Lava Trail – Php 1,500 (2.5hours)
Cagsawa Trail – Php 599 (45mins)
Hoyop Hoyopan Cave – Php 2,000 (3.5hours)
Cagsawa to Lava Front – Php 1,850 (3hours)
Trial Ride – Php 110 (15mins)
You can contact Jerome Avenue at jerome.avenue@yahoo.com
09327890134/09305570655
