A Preview of the Jungle Trek/Monkey Trail, Sabang, Palawan

"The monkey trail is named after the monkey (macaca fascicularis) that are often seen in the karst. The trail consists of a total of 355 wooden steps and 386 hardened and paved steps. In 15 days, 100 men built the steps, starting from the top and working their way down be segment. The original jungle trail was made of timber salvaged from the park. Hence, it was easier to start at the top and bring the logs down rather than haul them uphill." said the billboard displayed at the entrance of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in Palawan.

monkey trail pointed to Tutubi by a park staff when asked for directions

After the touristy boat ride tour of Palawan Underground River, Tutubi took a sneak preview of the Monkey trail/Jungle Trek adventure near the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Park restrooms where he was greeted with monkeys (tsonggo) and monitor lizards (bayawak)

the trail where you can see the end of the wooden steps of the 5.3 kilometer jungle trail. Photo taken around 11am thus the contrast

What can you see on the monkey trail? Monkeys, the only species of monkeys in the Philippines locally known as tsonggo and bayawak (monitor lizards) roaming around. Expect also pythons, plants and animals better left in the wild rather than caged in zoos.







Note when you see wildlife, don't feed them as it alters their eating habits and endears them to humans making them less wild and lowers survival instincts.

This jungle trail in Palawan reminded Tutubi of the beautifully preserved Blue Mountain National Park in Australia that he was able to visit (and yet forgot to post on this blog), where you can see endemic species of flora and fauna and where trees and plants have signs with common names, scientific names and their important role in the ecosystems, including swamps that appear ordinary and must-avoid but actually goldmine for scientists.

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Information on the Jungle Trek/Monkey Trail to the Palawan Underground River:

Monkey trail closing time:

12nn Sabang
1pm Central Park
3pm Underground River (near the cave entrance)

as you need to start early, suggest you go to Sabang the day before you intend to do the trek then spend night at some accommodations on Sabang Beach.

Map of Monkey Trail:

It's present on OpenStreetMap, you can browse it online and/or use a GPS navigator to track your location.

What to bring:
Entry permit (from the Tourist Information Office in Sabang)
insect repellant

Please also carry all your trash back with you to Sabang for proper disposal and not litter the trail (if not, you're one of the "backpackers" DOT Sec. Alberto Lim who "leaves waste" giving good backpackers a bad name).

Tutubi would love to re-visit Palawan someday, one of his favorite destinations, and intends to do this monkey trail next time around.

Related Posts on Palawan:
Dos Palmas Island Resort
Accommodations in Sabang, Palawan
How to Get to El Nido
Palawan Underground River
Puerto Princesa Airport