When I require a peaceful and relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of Manila, Palawan is where I head to. Unlike the more popular beach destinations in the Philippines, Palawan is less developed and its beaches remain undamaged. This is due for the most part to the local government’s campaign for sustainable industrial practices on the islands. One of the attractions in Palawan is the Palawan Underground River. Recently added onto the list of the New 7 Wonders of Nature 2012, the Palawan Underground River has seen an influx of tourists. Unfortunately, the secret is out to the beauty of this remote destination.
Natural Features – The Palawan Underground River with a length of 8.2 km (approximately 5 miles) is the longest navigable underground river in the world. It is also one of the two UNESCO Heritage sites in the Philippines (the other is the Tubbataha Reef). In recent news, a team of Italian scientists headed to the Palawan Underground River and discovered 20 million year old animal fossils in its unexplored caves.
The most common landscape features of the caves in the Palawan Underground River are the stalagmites and stalactites. The landscape features are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Not only does the Palawan Underground River have one the largest caves in the world (Italian Chambers, with 2.5 million square meters volume or 88 million square feet) but the rock landscapes have the strangest forms and some even reaching astounding heights (beyond 20 feet).
Bookings & Travel Packages – There are several different options to visiting the Palawan Underground River. The best way is to book a tour; not only is this more convenient but actually ends up being cheaper (a difference of P1,000 or $23). Because of its recent popularity, bookings have to be made at least one week in advance as the Palawan Underground River caves can only accommodate a minimal number of visitors per day. I suggest that you make bookings prior to even leaving for Palawan as most travel agencies include it in their tour packages for the islands. The legitimate tours of the Palawan Underground River will cost you P1,500 or $34, inclusive of: permits and fees, boat ride to Sabang, lunch, and a round-trip van ride.
What to expect – Visiting the Palawan Underground River is an all-day affair. You will be picked-up at your hotel in the city proper of Puerto Princesa and take a two-hour van ride to Sabang. The ride is pleasant and the tropical scenery lovely but, it can be too relaxing as most tourists take a nap. After reaching Sabang, you can either take a 15-minute bangka (small fisherman’s boat) ride or hike to the Palawan Underground River.
As you head over to begin your tour, your bangka operator or van driver will catch fresh fish and even wild boar (for the adventurous), to be cooked for lunch. You enter the caves on a boat in a group of 7 including your tour guide. They provide life vests and hard hats with lights as its interiors are quite dark. Photography is allowed, so bring a camera that has a good handle on night photography. The tour is conducted by the locals and is doused with Filipino humor and innuendo. Throughout the tour, your guide will point out different rock forms that resemble body parts, vegetables, religious figures, and animals. The entire tour of the caves lasts 45 minutes to one hour.
After the tour and lunch, head over to the Palawan Underground River Park to walk along their Monkey Trail to see some monkeys and the occasional monitor lizard in action.
For more information contact the Underground River Booking Office by phone at +63487232563 or by email at [email protected].