THE BEST LOCATION TO CAPTURE MAYON VOLCANO

Location: Camalig, Albay, Philippines

Background of Mayon Volcano

Mayon Volcano, active volcano, southeastern Luzon, Philippines, dominating the city of Legaspi. Called the world’s most perfect volcanic cone because of the symmetry of its shape, it has a base 80 miles (130 km) in circumference and rises to 8,077 feet (2,462 metres) from the shores of Albay Gulf. (Source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

Mayon Volcano in its great splendor

Popular with climbers and campers, the volcano is the centre of Mayon Volcano National Park (21 square miles [55 square km]). There are large abaca plantations on its lower slopes. There have been more than 30 eruptions recorded since 1616. An eruption in 1993 caused 79 deaths. Subsequent eruptions in 2000, 2006, 2009, 2014, and 2018 forced tens of thousands of people in nearby villages to evacuate. In December 2006, rains from powerful Typhoon Durian caused mudslides and floods at the foot of the volcano that killed more than 1,000 people. Its most destructive eruption was in 1814, when the town of Cagsawa was buried and approximately 1,200 people were killed.(Source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

Personal Narrative

For so many years that I wanted to capture the best shot of Mount Mayon Volcano, I usually go to the Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga, Albay. But I was wrong. The place is always crowded that one will not be able to capture the best shot since a crowd of people are always in this site. It was on December 2, 2018, that when a balikbayan friend of mine in the name of Noemi Amador Capunitan brought me there after viewing Mayon Volcano from the point of view of Sumlang Lake.

The "kawa" at the Quintuinan Ranch where Mayon Volcano can viewed so wide and closer

So, the best location to capture Mount Mayon Volcano is in Quintuinan Ranch, Camalig, Albay where this is on a very high elevation of vast rolling hill, peaceful at that and it seemed closer to the volcano where the details of the trees on the foot of it are so vivid and clear. By that time, the clouds gave a clearing so that the volcano was on its nudest form, seemed unclothed but so magnificent with all its contours bared to my mesmerized eyes. The good thing was, only Noemi and I were in the ranch while her father and mother were on the car waiting for us. The place was all ours to enjoy. It was such a very fulfilling moment having seen Mayon on its most splendid form with its perfect cone well defined free from clouds.

By the way, there is an entrance fee in this ranch for a minimal amount for both the guests and their service vehicle but I can't remember how much it was. There is also an ATV ride and horseback riding offered for a fee here.

HOW TO GO THERE:

Take bus from either Pasay City or Cubao of Metro Manila and drop in Camalig town where from Pasay, it will take 9 hours and 35 minutes for a distance of 482.5 kilometers via Pan-Philippine Hwy/AH26 or from Cubao is 9 hours 44 minutes for 490.4 kilometers via Pan-Philippine Hwy/AH26.

Alternatively, you can book for a Cebu Pacific flight which flies daily to Legazpi City for more than an hour and then travel to Camalig town.