By Swetha Nair

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the Unesco World heritage sites and has within it one of the world’s most bio diverse and magnificent cave systems in the world. This is situated in Palawan Island about 80kms north of the city of Puerto Princesa.

Presently, the river is considered the second longest underground river in the world, the underground section alone being 8.2 kilometres. 

Boat tours — extending to more than 4 kms — could be a memorable experience in your tour to Palawan as the National Park is now considered part of the Seven Wonders of the World. More than hundred species of birds, thirty plus species of mammals and many reptile species are what gives the river and cave system its ecological uniqueness. One can see varieties of giant spiders, crabs, fishes, bats and other insects too here.

The cave system formed as river water channeled its way through the rocks over millions of years. This created a series of huge chambers and caverns with spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations in limestone. The river flows directly into the sea and because of that, portions of water are brackish. 

A trip to Puerto Princesa Underground River System could indeed be an ethereal experience!

(Images: Wikimedia Commons)