Ugong Rock Adventures

Ugong Rock is a limestone tower standing out of the rice fields on the road to Sabang, and the community around it turned it into an adventure site: instead of climbing the outside, visitors go up through the middle, following a route through cave passages, chambers and squeezes with ladders, ropes and steps fitted where needed, guided throughout. The name comes from the sound the rock makes - certain formations ring when struck, and guides demonstrate it. It takes about forty-five minutes to reach the top, where a platform gives a view over the fields and the karst around, and the descent is either back through the cave or by a zipline running down to a landing platform, which is what most people choose. The whole operation is run by a local cooperative, and it is normally slotted into the day trip from Puerto Princesa to the underground river, twenty minutes further on.

What to look for

• The internal route - passages and chambers up through the rock.
• The ringing formations - the stone that sounds when struck.
• The summit platform - the view over fields and karst.
• The zipline - the descent from the top.

When to go

November to May. Mornings, since most people come as part of the underground river day and the site is busiest in the middle of the day.

Things to know

The route involves squeezes, ladders and confined spaces - not suitable for anyone claustrophobic or with mobility difficulties. Helmets and guides are compulsory. The zipline is charged on top of the entry fee.

Nearby

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River at Sabang is twenty minutes on; Puerto Princesa city is about an hour back.