The Underground River at #Amazing Palawan

For centuries, the native inhabitants of Puerto Princesa, the Tagbanuas, were already knowledgeable about the Underground River, but they did not pursue its exploration in the belief that a very powerful spirit reside in the innermost portion of the river and they do not want confront it. In the middle of the 1800s however, a researcher from the Michigan University, Professor Dean Worcester began his exploration of the Underground River and wrote a very extensive account on it. Soon, the academic and scientific world were introduced into the natural wonders of this river. Known in Palawan as the St. Paul Subterranean River, the Underground River of Puerto Princesa is a managed and protected area. It is located in the Midwest of Palawan and is 76 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan.

 Known in Palawan as the St. Paul Subterranean River, the Underground River of Puerto Princesa is a managed and protected area. It is located in the Midwest of Palawan and is 76 kilometers northwest of Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan. It covers an area of 3,901 hectares. On November 16, 1999 its land area was expanded to 22,202 hectares so that it would cover the entire catchment of the river and important forested areas.

 The Underground River lies inside the mountain called by the locals as The Sleeping Giant. A photo of this mountain is included here. Underneath the highest peak of the mountain. Information and Processing Area in Sabang is the highest peak of the underground river. According to our guide, the 8.2 kilometer long river flows directly into the sea. So, the tides influence the height of the water inside the river. When the weather is bad, tours are cancelled. When rain occurred the night before our tour, the crystal clear waters of the river looked like coffee with cream. A tourist clamor that it was her third time to visit the river and the water is always coffee brown. Well, she was not alone. We shared her experience that day. 

What made the Underground River one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature? The brochure stated: "the discovery of 11 minerals scientifically and aesthetically unique Speleothems, and a 20 million year old Serenia Fossil has led to the declaration of the Puerto Princesa Underground River as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature."  

How to get there? Jump off point is Puerto Princesa City. Organized tours are done a few days before. From the city, 10 persons together with an accredited guide will board the air-con van to an hour-long drive. At Sabang, tourists are processed. Everyone is required to have an identification card.

No one is admitted without pre-reserved slot. A boat takes the tour participants to the Underground River Entrace. Another boat will be boarded by 10 persons with a boatman as their guide. He explains the history of the river and the different rock formations inside it.

 Within the routes from Puerto Princesa City to Sabang, are added natural attractions for tourists to see. There is the Avatar Mountain, the Karst Elephant Mountain that became famous because of the Amazing Race, the Ugong Rock Adventures and the Ulogan Bay. From Ulogan, boats leave for Spratly group of islands and other island destinations in that area. Our guide told us that there are existing towns and government officials in the Spratlys. I was happy to learn about it.

My adventure to the Underground River of Palawan, the New 7 Wonders of Nature was avery rewarding experience for me and the people accompanying our tour. It was an adventure of a lifetime For me, this tour was a golden moment to learn and appreciate the wonders of nature and so, we should protect and preserve them. I hope you enjoy this blog.

By the way, I am not done yet. There is another one to follow. Please keep on following my blogs as I present another interesting places. Ciao.