Ugong Rock – Zip Line to be operational in 2011
Ugong Rock is a limestone pedestal jutting up from the rice fields on the way to Sabang. I forgot to take a picture of Ugong itself but here is a shot from the top of Ugong at some of the other rocks sticking up in the surrounding rice fields.
The cave is managed by the Tagabenit Community Tourist Association and this trusty guard dog.
Community Based Sustainable Tourism
Tagabenit, Puerto Princessa City, Palawan 5300
Contact person
Marivel Orcajada 0910 628 7980
email cbst_ppc @ yahoo.com
It takes about an hour to go through the maze of passageways that honeycomb through this limestone formation. Its best to wear sandals and they issue you a helmet and gloves. The guides carry flash lights.
My feeling is that this tourist attraction is going to go huge, providing the plans to install a zip line from the top of Ugong rock to the highway materialize in the year 2010 as planned. The rate at which Palawan is growing is amazing, but it seems to be carefully planned so as not to impact the environment too dramatically.
Palawan is rapidly changing from the “Last Frontier” into the second Boracay, but with careful planning it might not be all that bad. There is a lot more room here than on Boracay to grow and preservation of the natural environment seems to be a priority.
The people here realize that they can make a lot more money showing a rare bird to many different tourists rather than killing it and eating it for breakfast. In many parts of the Philippines every living thing is killed and eaten without thinking about the future.
Ugong Rock Tour Guides
Juana Orcajada Jessie Orcajada – Tagabenit Guides
Ropes and walkways were installed to make it easier for visitors. There are some small restrictions that take a bit of squeezing to get through.
The locals used Ugong as a hide out during the Japanese occupation in WW2.
Ugong Rock
Caving Palawan
Eventually you wind your way to the top and emerge at the shelter for a rest and to enjoy the view. If that zip line gets installed as planned, Ugong will certainly become a major tourist draw.
View from top of Ugong.
Ugong rock is probably not going to satisfy hard core cavers but there are endless caves in this part of Palawan. This one can be a quick stop on the way to Sabang or on the way back to Puerto.
Dec 2010 zip line update – I stopped in to check the progress on the Ugong zip line. The line is up but there are a few things that need to be ironed out before it becomes operational.
Ugong Rock zip line – nearly ready and expected to be operational in early 2011.
Tagabenit guide excited about the zip line.
This pedestal in the middle of the rice fields is Ugong Rock. The zip line is attached at the top and stretches out over the rice fields to a landing platform.
The zip line cables support pulleys.
Zip line landing platform in the distance on the other side of the rice fields – taken with telephoto lens
I am assuming that the zip line cable attachment point is just a temporary – likely to be beefed up with a more secure anchoring system.
Ugong Rock Caving and Zip line
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Very interesting DP, did not see it on my last trip there so guess its recently opened.
Will check it out next year for sure.
great info
Hi Bruce,
Ugong rock is a quick detour off the road to Sabang.
The only hard part about it is keeping up with the 60 year old women that are the guides!
cheers and Happy Holidays!
dp
“If that zip line gets installed as planned, Ugong will certainly become a major tourist draw.”
Hi dutchpickle,
I have confirmation that the zip line project will indeed be constructed this 2010. I quote Ms. Regina Lopez (ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan), proponent/sponsor, “Yup we are definitely going to do it…..”
This development will be a blessing to the community. As a community based sustainable tourism project, the income generated goes all to the people, the guides and all others involved in managing/maintaining/securing Ugong Rock. A tourist climbing Ugong Rock, is providing livelihood to a community.
On behalf of the community of Tagabinet, I would like to thank Ms. Lopez and Bantay Kalikasan for this zip line project.
Thanks also dutchpickle for featuring Ugong Rock here in your website. I hope others too, will spread word about Ugong Rock…Mabuhay ka!
Ugong Rock will soon become a major tourist draw; a major livelihood provider for a community!
Thanks again,
ken kennedy
Me and my friends really enjoyed this cave.. One of our most memorable places in palawan. This was the first time we really tried rock climbing.. haha… Super fun talaga.. People should really come to the place so they can also help our kababayan there.. The “ATE” on the picture was our tour guide. She’s really nice and helpful on our way up… Will really miss the place.
the cave was amazing… the view was pantastic..
hope you can go there, and check for you’re self..
i been there last week,,, all i can say was i am amazed..
My family truly enjoyed our valentine adventure in Ugong Rock!!! Such marvelous place people should see. Guests should be brought here first before coming to Underground River. Your travel in Palawan would not be totally complete without visiting this place! Its equally enchanting and fascinating as the Underground River. The rock climbing was such a great fun!!!
To Wine, Karl and Charles, thanks for being such adventurous persons! You guys are truly wonderful and i love you all like the Ugong Rock! Looking forward for the opening of the Zip Line! Bonding time again!!!
Hi, could you give me more information about the rock climbing? I’m an advanced climber looking for a guide who can take me to bolted sport routes.
Thanks for your help!
Thomas
Hello Thomas,
I don’t think that anyone does technical climbs on this rock. The route is set up for tourists with no rock climbing experience – hence the bamboo ladders and bridges over the gaps.
Just for a point of reference , my girlfriend tried the route in high heels but the guide gave her a pair of sandals to use because it was a bit too difficult in bare feet.
The most interesting development will be if the zip line gets installed at the top of Ugong rock as planned. That would be a real trip!
cheers
dp
mag bro try nyo zip line sa ugong rock,marlon thank you pala,ito lang masasabi ko
Hello DP!
I’m from palawan but i barely hear about this caving and zip line in my province, or it’s just i’m too busy from work. Anyway, i wud like to know how to get there, especially for a group. If u dont mind can u send me the details in my email add. @yahoo.com
ur responce wud be highly appreciated.
tnx dude
Hello Vince
Just take the road from Puerto Princessa to Sabang and Ugong Rock will be on the right side of the road –
enjoy!
dp
DP,
Tnx for the reply. One more thing, how much is the rate for the whole package?
We’re ready to set by first week of march! We’ll enjoy this adventure!!
Tnx Dude!!!
We’ve been here last June 04, 2012 and it was a great adventure…It will just cost you 450 all in all…200 for the entrance fee for caving and 250 for zipline…
Hello jayson
thank you for the update – sounds like fun !
dp