IN PHOTOS: Pasig River cruise, a new way to explore Manila

MANILA, Philippines – There’s an alternative way to explore Manila and not in a way you might expect – a cruise along the Pasig River.

The Zooper Cruise, which launched on August 25, offers boat rides once a month along Pasig and tours of Intramuros, Fort Santiago, and Chinatown, plus food and drinks, too.

Photographer Alecs Ongcal tried it on on the day of its launch and said that they weren’t able to follow the tour’s itinerary completely because it rained (it’s advisable to bring a jacket and umbrella). 

Still, she enjoyed the experience. The Pasig River wasn’t so polluted that it turned her off, she said, though there were a lot of water hyacinths. “I always go around Manila and it’s really nice to see it from a different perspective,” she added.

Here are a few photos from Alecs’ trip along the Pasig River: 

Thinking of trying it out? Make a reservation for the following dates:

• September 10
• October 8
• November 11
• December 3 
• December 13

Aside from making a reservation, choose one of the 4 packages they’re offering:

Student Cruise Tour – P699

• 45-minute Pasig River Tour

Basic Cruise Tour – P999

• 1-hour Pasig River tour
• Snacks and drinks on board

Lunch/Dinner Package – P1,699

• 1-hour Pasig River Cruise
• Lunch/dinner in cruise
• Snacks and drinks
• Zoovenir Photo

Premiere Lauriat Package – P1,999

• Shuttle service from Yupangco Building to Valenzuela boat station (located at Valenzuela, JP Rizal, Makati)
• 5-hour Pasig River cruise
• Tour guide
• Zoovenir Photo
• Snacks and Drinks
• Dinner at UNO Restaurant in Binondo
• Snacks and drinks
• Tour around Fort Santiago
• Calesa Ride at Fort Santiago (optional)

The cruises are only offered once a month for now, but Zoomanity, the group behind the tours, is hoping to hold them more often. 

Part of the proceeds from the tours will go to Zoomanity’s conservation projects and the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. 

Will you try out the Zooper Cruise? What do you think of seeing Manila through the Pasig River? Let us know in the comments! – Rappler.com