Puerto Princesa: Extended Underground River Tour (up to 4km)

Exploring the wonders of Puerto Princesa’s underground river is an unforgettable experience. This extended tour promises a journey through one of the world’s longest navigable underground waterways, spanning up to 4 kilometers. Visitors can expect a captivating 3-hour cruise amidst stunning limestone formations and diverse ecosystems, complemented by a delicious Filipino buffet and insights into local conservation efforts. With a seamless itinerary and comprehensive inclusions, this tour offers an immersive glimpse into nature’s hidden gems. But there’s more to discover beyond the river’s depths, as this adventure uncovers the true essence of Puerto Princesa’s remarkable natural heritage.

Key Points

• Explore one of the world’s longest navigable underground rivers on a guided 3-hour boat cruise through a captivating limestone cave system.
• Experience diverse ecosystems and witness incredible biodiversity, including bats, swiftlets, and crustaceans, within the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
• Enjoy a Filipino feast, with an optional tamilok woodworm tasting, and have the opportunity to engage with the local community and learn about conservation efforts.
• The tour, priced at £352.08 for up to 4 people, includes hotel pickup/drop-off, licensed guide, buffet lunch, bottled water, boat transfers, and all necessary permits and fees.
• The tour is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, individuals with claustrophobia or heart problems, and has restrictions on prohibited items such as oversize luggage and drones.

Tour Overview and Pricing

The extended underground river tour in Puerto Princesa offers visitors an immersive exploration of one of the world’s longest navigable underground rivers.

Priced at £352.08 per group (up to 4 people), the tour lasts 10 hours and includes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Guests can conveniently reserve their spot and pay later.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed guide, a buffet lunch, bottled water, boat transfers, and all necessary permits and fees.

However, the tour may not be suitable for certain individuals, such as children under 12, pregnant women, or those with claustrophobia or heart problems.

Itinerary and Experience

Beginning the tour, guests are picked up from their hotel in Puerto Princesa.

They’ll then travel by van for 1.5 hours to reach the Sabang Wharf. From there, a 20-minute boat ride takes them to the underground river’s entrance.

The highlight of the experience is the 3-hour boat cruise through the cave system, where visitors can marvel at the biodiversity and natural wonders.

After the cave exploration, the return journey begins – a 20-minute boat ride back to the wharf, followed by a 1.5-hour van transfer to Puerto Princesa.

There’s an optional community-run site visit before finally returning to the city.

Highlights and Activities

One of the main highlights of this tour is the opportunity to explore one of the world’s longest navigable underground rivers. Visitors will experience the remarkable biodiversity and mountain-to-sea ecosystem of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. The tour also includes a private guided exploration of the cave system, allowing guests to fully enjoy this natural wonder. During the tour, guests can indulge in a Filipino feast, with the option to try the unique tamilok woodworms.

Highlights	Activities
Explore one of the world’s longest underground rivers	Boat cruise through the cave system
Experience the diverse ecosystem	Guided tour of the national park
Private tour of the cave system	Filipino feast with tamilok woodworm tasting
Indulge in a Filipino feast	Enjoy the mountain-to-sea landscape
Optional tamilok woodworm tasting	Discover the park’s biodiversity

Inclusions and Exclusions

This tour includes a comprehensive package of services to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. The inclusions cover hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed tour guide, a buffet lunch, bottled water, boat transfers, park permits processing, environmental fees, parking and wharf fees, as well as tips.

However, the tour isn’t suitable for certain groups, such as children under 12, pregnant women, people with claustrophobia or heart problems, wheelchair users, and those prone to seasickness.

Guests should come prepared with comfortable clothes, a valid passport or ID, and a face mask, and aren’t allowed to bring oversize luggage, large bags, drones, jewelry, alcohol, drugs, or engage in littering or unaccompanied minors.

Important Information

The tour is available in English, Tagalog, and Spanish.

Guests should bring comfortable clothes and a passport or ID (copy accepted). Face masks are required.

Oversize luggage, large bags, drones, jewelry, alcohol, drugs, and littering aren’t allowed. Unaccompanied minors are also not permitted.

The tour may be canceled due to bad weather. Guests prone to seasickness or with heart problems, claustrophobia, or who use wheelchairs should avoid this tour.

Based on 1 review, the tour has an overall rating of 5/5.

Pickup Location and Transport

Puerto Princesa serves as the pickup location for this extended underground river tour. From there, visitors embark on a 1.5-hour van transfer to the Sabang Wharf. The journey continues with a 20-minute boat transport to the underground river. After the 3-hour boat cruise through the cave, the return trip follows the same route, with 20 minutes back to the wharf and a 1.5-hour van ride to Puerto Princesa.

Pickup Location	Van Transfer	Boat Transport
Puerto Princesa	1.5 hours	20 minutes
Sabang Wharf	NA	20 minutes
Underground River	NA	3 hours
Sabang Wharf	1.5 hours	NA

Exploration of the Cave

After the boat docks at the underground river, visitors embark on a 3-hour cruise through the captivating limestone cave.

The tour provides a unique opportunity to witness the cave’s incredible biodiversity and geological formations.

During the journey, travelers can expect to encounter:

1. Towering stalagmites and stalactites that have been formed over thousands of years.
2. Diverse wildlife, including bats, swiftlets, and crustaceans, living within the cave’s inner chambers.
3. Stunning rock formations that have been carved by the steady flow of the underground river.
4. Intricate cave ceiling designs, showcasing the remarkable natural artistry of this subterranean wonder.

The cave exploration offers a captivating and unforgettable experience for visitors, immersing them in the wonders of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cultural and Environmental Aspects

This extended underground river tour also offers a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the local community and learn about the environmental conservation efforts in the area.

The tour includes an optional visit to a community-run site, where travelers can interact with locals and gain insights into their way of life.

Plus, the tour emphasizes the importance of preserving the delicate Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park ecosystem, which is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Suitable for People With Disabilities?

The tour is not suitable for people with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users. The inclusions and exclusions state that the tour is not suitable for individuals with physical limitations or mobility issues.

Can We Bring Our Own Food and Drinks?

Visitors can’t bring their own food and drinks on this tour. The tour includes a buffet lunch and bottled water. Bringing outside items is not allowed as it may disturb the environment and other participants’ experiences.

What Types of Photography Are Allowed in the Cave?

During the tour, photography is generally allowed but it’s recommended to check with the tour guides for any restrictions. Flash photography may be prohibited to protect the cave environment. Visitors are advised to bring a compact, lightweight camera.

Is There an Opportunity to Interact With Local Communities?

The tour includes an optional community-run site visit before returning to the city, allowing travelers to interact with local communities and learn about their culture and traditions.

How Do I Ensure My Safety During the Boat Cruise?

To ensure safety during the boat cruise, travelers should follow the tour guide’s instructions, wear life jackets, and avoid sudden movements. Plus, they should inform the guide of any medical conditions or concerns prior to the tour.

Recap

The Puerto Princesa Extended Underground River Tour offers an extraordinary adventure into one of the world’s longest navigable underground rivers. Exploring the stunning limestone formations, diverse ecosystems, and learning about local conservation efforts make this a truly unforgettable experience. With convenient hotel pickup, a delicious Filipino buffet, and a captivating 3-hour cruise, this tour is a must-do for nature enthusiasts visiting the Philippines.