islandscoop: Puerto Princesa Underground River: At a Glance

The Philippines pride. It was November 11, 2011 when the Puerto Princesa Underground River was chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature along with others, the Amazon in

South America, Halong Bay in Vietnam, Iguazu Argentina and Brazil, Jeju Island in Korea, Komodo in Indonesia, and Table Mountain in South Africa.

The 8.2 km long Underground River flows directly to the sea and the associated tidal influence makes it the most unique natural phenomenon of its type to exist. The lower half of the river is brackish and subject to the oceans tide. Underground river tour package stalactites and stalagmites cave formations that comes in different sizes and unique shapes that could make the tour experience awesome.

For more information on how to get there, travel bookings, accommodations and others, visit:

http://www.puerto-undergroundriver.com/

Approximately the 1 and a half hour commercial flight from Manila to the one of the most awarded city in the Philippines, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan because of their advocacy in environment and tourism, enjoy the warm accommodation of the tourists filled airbus. Since the declaration of the PPUR as one of the wonders of nature, an estimated 20 flights per day is recorded. The management of PPUR only allows a maximum of 1000 guests in a day for a tour inside the underground river to preserve its natural beauty.

A less than 2 hours drive from the heart of the city of the Puerto Princesa to the drop off point in Barangay Sabang via GT Express vans, Tourist Bus or any public transport that the travel agency may provide.

Before the adventurous and amazing tour inside the Underground River, tourists have to ride a 6 to 10 seaters motorized banca from Barangay Sabang to the PPUR main entrance for tourist where a registration and life vest are required. 3-5 minute walk from the entrance passing a thick forest where friendly wildlife species could be encountered. (Just watch out and keep your personal belongings, monkeys might snatch it for food).

The paddling Tourist Guide is patiently and cheerfully waiting for tourist to ride in the banca with ready to assist smile and a greeting of “Hi Sir, Ma’am! Welcome to the Puerto Princesa Underground River.” A one and a half kilometer of tour inside the river with the clear description and explanation of the Tourist Guide/Banca paddler is a great experience for tourist worth of pictures printed at the Picture Station before leaving the PPUR area. A special permit is needed to reach beyond the one and a half kilometer zone.

See how perfect is the natural beauty of the Puerto Princesa Underground River through the pictures captured by this blog for you, our readers and followers.