mulu caves and pinnacles tour

• Sarawak Destinations

Mulu Pinnacles and Caves + Miri

About Gunung Mulu National Park

Be prepared to experience many firsts and check multiple wanderlust activities off your bucketlist as you set foot in the mystical East Malaysian wonder of Miri for its premium attraction, Gunung Mulu National Park.

Although a plethora of flora and fauna are enough to plant the idea of visiting Mulu, it is the geological masterpiece of the Mulu Pinnacles and Caves that get travellers out of the house and into this primary rainforest wonderland. The Mulu Pinnacles are a forest of razor sharps limestone spires sprouting from the ground, creating spectacular visuals and evokes astonishment.

Chock full of natural marvels, the Gunung Mulu National Park may not be as widespread as other national parks, but the 54,400 hectares of primary rainforest will take you into world famous and otherworldly caves such as the Deer Cave (the largest cave in the world), the Lang Cave (the largest natural chamber in the world), and the Clear Water Cave (the longest cave in South East Asia). Home to two magnificent mountains, Gunung Mulu (2,376 metres) and Gunung Api (1,710 metres), one can also choose hike along the famous HeadHunter’s Trail, an old tribal warpath, among up to 20,000 species of flora and fauna with 3,500 of which are plant species, 8,000 types of fungi, and a minimum of 170 different kinds of orchids.

Attractions

Who is it for.

A perfect destination for all ages, the Gunung Mulu National Park can prove to be an exciting adventure for the family, an escapade with friends, or couples who are rough on the edge who seek romance in the outdoors.

How to get here?

Fly from Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan or Kuala Lumpur into the town of Tawau, followed by a 45mins drive to the coastal town of Semporna. From Semporna, its another 45 - 60 mins speedboat ride to Sipadan Island, depending on the sea and weather condition. Semporna is the departure point for many of Sabah’s top dive sites.

Note: It is no longer possible to stay on Sipadan itself. In order to get to Sipadan, visitors have to stay on one of the dive resorts on the nearby islands of Mabul, Kapalai, Mataking and Pom Pom, and get a chance to have a day trip to Sipadan Island arranged by the diver operators.

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4-Day Mulu Caves & Pinnacle Expedition

Wander Through the Famous Mulu Caves

Trek to the Amazing Pinnacle Summit

4 days, 3 nights

Discover the showcaves and climb up the Mulu Pinnacles

This tour combines the spectacular showcase of Mulu with a physical challenge Pinnacle Summit Trek. The first two days of the tour explores the extensive underground system in Mulu including the spectacular and immense Sarawak Chamber which is the largest known natural cave chamber in the world. This is where you can also watch the spectacular bat flights in their pre-dawn cave exit. Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave is one of the largest single cave passages and one of the longest caves in the world respectively.

The last 2 days of the tour explore the spectacular Pinnacle which consist of a series of 45 meter high, razor-sharp limestone spikes that tower above the surrounding vegetation, mid-way up the slopes of Gunung Api. The Pinnacle Summit Trek is a tough and challenging one. The trail itself is very steep (near vertically parts) and requires a certain level of fitness. Fit and experienced trekkers should be able to reach the top in 2-3 hours on the trail that is 2.4 km in length but rises some 1,200 meters from Camp 5. The descent is actually more difficult and therefore takes longer, so the return trip can take anything from 5 to 10 hours depending on fitness level.

Tour Highlights

Challenge yourself to reach the top of the Pinnacle Summit

Explore one of the world's largest known cave systems

Travel to a traditional tribal settlement by longboat

Meet the inhabitants of the caves at the bat observatory

Click the Tabs to Find Out More

Trip details, good to know.

Adult (16+) : MYR 1600.00

Single Supplement: MYR 175.00

Departure Time

Pickup time at the airport (depending on flight schedule)

Meeting Point

Mulu Airport

Availability

7 days a week, year-round

Min 2 adults, max 8

Difficulty level

Difficult, a high level of fitness is required for this tour

• 1 night at Mulu National Park Chalet,
• 2 night at Camp 5 – Dormitory
• 3 Breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners
• Airport transfers, entrance fee, local English speaking guide & boat transfers
• A great time

Not Included

• Juices and alcoholic beverages
• Government Tourism Tax of RM 10 per room payable at accommodation check in
• Travel insurance

What to Bring

• mosquito repellent,
• hat and sunglasses,
• binoculars,
• walking shoes,
• cash (no ATM),
• water bottle,
• toiletries,
• basic first aid kit,
• medium size soft-sided rucksack with multiple sets of spare casual clothing, including long trousers and shorts for the evening.

About Your Guide

Our national park guides are local and are well trained friendly professionals who give simple safety instructions as well as their knowledge of remarkable diversity of animals and plants so that you will have plenty of information about your journey in this beautiful natural area, and at the sametime ensure safety and Great FUN in the wild! One passionate local English Speaking guide will serve up to a maximum of 8 guests.

What You'll Do

Upon arrival at Mulu Airport, meet and greet by our friendly representative and transfer to Mulu National Park headquarters for check in Park chalet. Afternoon, meet and proceed on plank walk for 3 Km to reach Deer Cave & Lang Cave. After exploring the caves, proceed to the bats observatory to observe bats flying out of the cave entrance late evening (Only confine to fine weather). Return journey on the same plank walk to park headquarters & overnight. (D)

Breakfast at Park Canteen and transfer by longboat proceed to Batu Bungan – Penan Settlement, to observe the tribe lifestyle and to select handicrafts on display for sale at Penan Settlement. Continue journey by longboat to Wind Cave and Clearwater Cave. Picnic lunch at Clearwater summer huts and relax for a while then continue the journey by longboat to Long Litut. Then jungle trek for 3 hours to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight at Camp 5. (B / L / D)

Breakfast at Camp 5. After breakfast ascend to Gunung Api for 3 hours to view the magnificent Pinnacles. During the climb you will see many species of plants, all types of insects within this virgin jungle of Borneo. Pack lunch will be served at the observatory point. After lunch descend to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight at Camp 5. (B / L / D)

Breakfast at Camp 5 and jungle trek to Long Litut and transfer to Clearwater summer hut for picnic lunch and later on you can enjoy swimming at the clear water spring. Transfer by longboat to Mulu airport for flight to the next destination. (B / L)

• High level of fitness required, some trails up the pinnacles are very steep
• Age restriction: 16+
• Reservation required at least 3 days in advance
• We recommend guests bring your own refillable water bottles and avoid using one-off plastic water bottles.
• During our tours, we recycle wherever possible, and try to keep our waste as low as possible. We discourage the use of plastic bags, and suggest that you bring your own dry bag or small waterproof backpack.
• Check out  OUR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM COMMITMENT (opens in a new tab)
• Please do not take pieces of coral or other endangered plant life home as a souvenir.

See What Our Guests Are Saying

Josefa lullington ⎥ january 2019.

The whole trip was very well organised and we enjoyed every minute of it. We are very grateful for all your help and we will recommend “Responsible Travel ” to our relatives and friends.

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4 Days Mulu Caves & Pinnacles Climb

Package information.

Tour Code: OV-SSM2 Minimum Travellers: 2 Pax Tour duration:  4 Days Physical Level: Strenuous

Carved simply by rainfall, the Mulu Pinnacles is a tantalising tale of how centuries of water erosion dissolved rocks into razor-sharp ridges. Hike above the tree line to the peak for a grand view of the canopies below, high enough to put things in perspective for you. The route to the Pinnacles involves a longboat ride along Melinau River, a 9 km trek to Camp 5 for an overnight stay and a steep 2.4 km hike up the Pinnacle Summit Trek the following day.

Tour Highlight

Upon arrival at Mulu Airport in the morning, our guide will transfer and assist with the check in at the Mulu National Park accommodation (Longhouse Room). After lunch, depart for a 3 km plank walk to both the Deer Cave and Lang Cave. One of the spectacular sighting is to observe the millions of bats coming out from the vast mouth of the Deer Cave which will be a memorable occurrence (Only during fine weather). Return to back to your accommodation and overnight.

Accommodation Mulu National Park

After breakfast, depart on a long boat going up river towards the Wind Cave via the Penan settlement. Visit the settlement and observe the culture of this tribe. Proceeds on to visit Wind Cave and explore the limestone formation of this unique ecosystem. Continue the journey by plank walk to Clearwater Cave where more interesting stalactites and stalagmites formation can be seen. Enjoy a picnic lunch at the Clearwater summer huts, continue on the journey by longboat to Long Litut and then jungle trek for about 3 hours to Camp 5.

Accommodation Camp 5 (Sleeping Mat – Common Sharing)

After breakfast, jungle trek up to the “Gunung Api” for about 3 km to view the magnificent Pinnacles. along the trail, you may come across the various species of interesting plants and flowers. After lunch, starts to descend back to Camp 5.

After breakfast heads back to Long Litut and journey by longboat towards Clearwater Summer Huts for a picnic lunch, before heading to Mulu Airport for your departure flight.

• What’s Included
• What’s Excluded
• Things to Bring
• Additional Info
• Accommodation
• Return airport transfers (Seat-in-coach)
• Meals as stated
• Entrance fee
• Boat ride as stated
• English Speaking Guide
• Airfares to/from Mulu, personal travel insurance, additional food & beverages, personal expenses, other items not mentioned.
• Comfortable shoes
• Personal toiletries
• Sun block cream
• Extra clothes/wear
• Extra Pocket Money
• Insect repellent
• Poncho/Rain coat
• Binocular (optional)
• Water bottle
• Light backpack
• Bag cover (for waterproofing)
• All rates are in MYR (Malaysian Ringgit).
• Price includes tax and duties. No hidden charges.
• Price effective through 31 December 2024.
• Price subject to change without notice.
• Tour pick up and drop off will starts from Mulu airport.
• Minimum age to join is 16 years old and above.
• Accommodation at Camp 5 and longhouse is very basic.
• Advance reservation is required.
• Refer to your confirmed booking itinerary for timings and further details. Other terms and conditions may apply.
• Note: Accommodation for this is tour package is at the Longhouse Room at the park Headquarters and at Camp 5 is very basic.

Previous Tour

Booking for 4 days mulu caves & pinnacles climb.

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Outback Venture is a specialized Borneo Tour company based in the heart of Malaysian Borneo’s most accessible and diverse tourism region Sabah , Kota Kinabalu. Fully licensed with extensive first-hand experience from a team of local insiders, we craft bespoke adventures that will help you make the absolute most out of your precious time…. and live out your wildest dreams.

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DESTINATIONS

Borneo highlights, 3d2n mulu pinnacles.

The Magic of Sarawak's Mulu Caves ( The World Heritage Site )

Deep in the virgin tropical rainforest of Sarawak, along an unbroken 40 Km band of limestone peaks, lie one of earth's natural wonder – The Mulu Caves, Hidden away on the face of steep mountains rising to 1,500m, rivers suddenly disappear into these caves. A mysterious, magical world whose interior simply ripples with exciting discoveries. The Mulu Caves Complex contains 4 Show Caves which you can journey into – The Cave of Winds, Clearwater Cave, Deer Cave and Land's Cave. Gunung Api or Pinnacles is of special interest, being the highest limestone mountain in Malaysia, and possessing the Pinnacles, strange limestone spikes, like figures watching the park below, with some standing 45meter (148 feet ) high, climbing and watching sunrise is a dream comes true for climbers.

TOUR PROGRAM

Upon arrival Mulu Airport, meet and greet by our friendly representative and transfer by longboat proceed to Batu Bungan - Penan Settlement, to observe the tribe lifestyle and to select handicrafts on display for sale at Penan Settlement. Packed lunch at Clearwater summer huts and relax for a while (Subject for the flight arrival time) then continue journey by longboat to Long Litut. Then jungle trek for 3 hours to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight at Camp 5.

Breakfast at Camp 5. after breakfast ascend to Gunung Api for 3 hours to view the magnificent Pinnacles. During the climb you will see many species of plants, all types of insects within this virgin jungle of Borneo. Pack lunch will be serve at the observatory point. After lunch descend to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight at Camp 5.

Breakfast at Camp 5 and jungle trek to Long Litut and transfer to Clearwater summer hut for packed lunch and Transfer by longboat to Mulu airport for flight to next destination. (Breakfast / Lunch)

Rates are based on per person basis & Mininum 2 person

RATES - Single Traveller

• Accommodation
• 2 breakfast, 3 lunch & 2 dinner (dinner will be at respective hotel)
• All transfers & tours as stated in the package

Airfare (Miri/Mulu/Miri), Tipping, Travel Insurance, Porter Fee , Tourism Tax (RM10/room/night Non-Malaysian)

Torchlight, insect repellent, raincoat, swim wear, towel, trekking shoes, sleeping bag, own drinking bottle and first aid kit.

• The itinerary is for reference only and is subject to any necessary changes in accordance with local requirements.
• Pickup service will be provided from the hotel/hostel/lodge that you are staying. Please wait at lobby while the tour guide will find you when he/she arrive. Dropoff service will be provided after travelling, please notify us upon booking if your drop off location is different from pickup location.
• No compulsory tips (If you are happy and satisfied with the journey and the tour guide service, it's always a nice way to express your appreciation with tipping, OR words of thanks is good enough).
• Your safety is our top priority. Should the weather or sea conditions render it unsafe to proceed for this tour, Majestic Leisure & Tours Sdn Bhd reserves the right to change or cancel tour.
• Over 14 days (From date of departure) charge 30% of Tour fare.
• 7 days (From date of departure) charge 50% of tour fare.
• Less than 7 days (From date of departure) charge full tour fare.
• No refund for those tours which involve accommodation.
• Majestic Leisure & Tours Sdn Bhd respects and protects user privacy, user information and details obtained only use for tours booking purpose.
• Before tour commences, please ensured that your physical condition is suitable for participating in the said itinerary. You should evaluate your own health condition by telling the truth to travel agency to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. Please respect the local cultures, religions forbidden, obeying local ordinance laws and regulations, etc.; you may refer to our ( Tourism Safety Manual ) for further information and popularize the travel safety knowledge, abide the tourism civilization convention, and make the journey smooth.
• For your own personal and property safety, please avoid exposing valuables and large amounts of cash in public areas.
• The tours you joined may include high-risk items (such as swimming, snorkeling, rafting, climbing, diving, skiing, etc.), please travel according to your own conditions and fully refer to relevant announcements and suggestions from relevant local departments, weather forecast advise and other professional institutions before participating to ensure your own safety.
• It is recommended that you purchase the travel accident insurance and other insurance by yourself, short-term travel accident insurance and emergency rescue insurance that can protect your life, body, assets or related interests and so on during the trip.
• Please do read and understanding the terms and conditions stated in the tour agreements you signed (Confirmation of Itinerary) with the travel agency.
• After your tour booking is confirmed and successful, an email or messages notification will send to you together with the tour confirmation, payment in full settlement shall be make within the payment time limit specified in the itinerary confirmation letter. Failure to pay the full amount beyond the payment time limit, your tour booking will be deemed invalid and automatically cancelled.
• Majestic Leisure & Tours Sdn Bhd reserves the right to alter routes, timetables, itineraries and accommodation reserved should conditions beyond our control render it necessary.
• Every person participates in any tour or holiday organized by Majestic Leisure & Tours Sdn Bhd shall be regarded in every respect as carrying his / her own risk with respect to loss or injury to person or property. Majestic Leisure & Tours Sdn Bhd does not accept responsibility for losses or expenses due to delay, sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantine or other travelers.

Dive Into Malaysia

Gunung Mulu National Park Guide – EVERYTHING You Need to Know

Going on a trip to Mulu National Park and want to know all the best things to do in Gunung Mulu National Park? We have you covered! Below you will find our guide to all the best attractions in Gunung Mulu, Sarawak, the accommodation options, the food, everything to plan your ultimate trip.

Gunung Mulu National Park (also referred to as Mulu National Park, Mulu Caves National Park Sarawak or Mulu World Heritage Area) is one of the top places to visit in Sarawak and for good reason. The millions-of-years-old caves, 60 million year old rainforest and unique flora and fauna are fascinating and easy to visit with a plane ticket and a tour package.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a typical national park. This 529 square kilometre national park is not connected by road to the rest of Malaysia. It has two mountains including Mulu Mountain (2376m), primary rainforest, geological formations like nowhere else and absolutely massive caves. It’s UNESCO World Heritage listed for a reason and, actually, it met all four criteria for listing when it only needed to meet one.

It took me far too many years of visiting Malaysia before I made it to Borneo Mulu National Park. That extra flight seemed like a flight too far, but that was crazy. Visiting Gunung Mulu National Park Malaysia should be on everyone’s bucket list!

It’s my new, ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE place in Malaysia! And I love so many places in Malaysia.

It’s truly a beautiful and amazing slice of the world that has to be experienced to understand and appreciate.

But it can seem a little trickier to visit here than most places. You can’t go to Agoda and book your stay online.

However, it’s also not that hard. This guide is here to demystify the experience, show you exactly what to do in Mulu National Park and how, where to stay, where to book and basically ensure you understand what it’s like to visit here and how to make it happen.

Below, you will find our full Mulu National Park blog with everything you need to know about visiting Gunung Mulu National Park, Malaysia as well as the best places to stay for your ultimate holiday in Mulu Gunung National Park.

There is also a handy map of the places to visit in Sarawak Mulu National Park, instructions on how to get there, information about Gunung Mulu National Park Headquarters, many Gunung Mulu National Park photos, where you can eat and everything else you need to know exactly how to visit Mulu National Park and plan your ultimate Mulu trip. Consider this your full guide book and Gunung Mulu National Park review.

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Top 12 Things To Do In Gunung Mulu National Park

Here are the best things to do in Mulu National Park in Sarawak. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe.

Mulu Discovery Centre

This one of the Gunung Mulu National Park attractions is the perfect place to start your visit. This is because the Mulu Discovery Centre offers an introduction to the park, its geology and its biodiversity.

This small museum/set of exhibits is between the Park Headquarters and Cafe Mulu in the national park. It’s air-conditioned so a great respite from the humidity outside as well!

There’s some great background information to the area, and I really recommend you come here when you first arrive. I didn’t see anyone else visit here which is a shame. You’ll get more out of your tours after reading the information here.

Show Caves (Deer Cave, Lang Cave, Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave)

You are no doubt in Mulu to explore some caves and this is definitely the #1 thing to do in Mulu National Park. It’s an absolute must do! And I highly recommend you visit all four of these caves during your visit.

The history of the Mulu Caves starts about 5 million years ago when the first caves started to form here. Sideways movements of the Earth lead to the formation of side-by-side limestone and sandstone mountains.

Add in millions of years of heavy rain and this flowing water cut out the huge cave complex that you can visit at Mulu. In fact, this is still continuing today with caves shaping and shifting as time goes by.

The Mulu Caves have also attracted attention from adventure seekers and cave enthusiasts. The challenging terrain and the allure of exploring vast cave systems has drawn explorers and cavers from around the world. Adventurous expeditions have pushed the boundaries of cave exploration, mapping new passages and documenting their geological formations.

Although you don’t have to be adventurous to come here to enjoy and learn about the caves. Today, it’s never been easier to visit with a range of Show Caves and tours to make it extra easy and interesting.

Show caves basically means caves you can visit without having any special equipment or training. There are also adventure caves (described below) which require more skill. The Gunung Mulu National Park activities I am talking about in this thing to do are the Show Caves.

The Show Caves are deep in the rainforest, and it does take some trekking, boating and effort to get to them. However, things are made as straightforward as possible these caves.

There are more Gunung Mulu National Park facts about these caves in our full guide to Mulu Caves here.

You cannot visit any cave independently. You need to be on a tour. Thankfully, this is easy to do.

The first two caves, Deer and Lang Caves, can be visited on the one tour that leaves every afternoon around 2pm.

These caves are next to each other about a 3.8 kilometre walk from park headquarters on wooden planks. The walk there takes about an hour with the guide stopping along the way to point out interesting fauna and flora. The walk is easy and much of the boardwalk seemed to have recently been replaced.

Deer Cave is the biggest show cave at Mulu Caves in Malaysia and also has the largest cave passage in the world. It’s over two kilometres long and 174 metres high.

You are able to walk about 800 metres inside and get to see many sights including Adam and Eve shower heads which are ceiling spouts that water flows through and Garden of Eden which is a point where the ceiling has collapsed, and you can see out into the rainforest. It’s very pretty.

It’s home to millions of bats, and there is plenty of guano (bat poo) in the cave which smells. Thankfully, there is boardwalk and metal path to walk on so you can avoid it. There are stairs in this cave too, but it’s an easy (albeit a little slippery) walk.

Lang Cave is smaller than Deer Cave with cool stalagmites, stalactites, rimstone pools and limestone shawls. It’s a good contrast to Deer Cave because it is prettier and more intricate whereas Deer Cave amazes with just how big it is.

The tour finishes in time to walk you back to the Bat Observatory in time for the Bat Exodus (more on that below).

Another tour you won’t want to miss is to Clearwater and Wind Caves. This leaves around 9am and takes up to four hours.

Part of what I loved about this tour was the journey to get here – it’s a ride in a longboat through the rainforest. It’s gorgeous and peaceful.

The first stop is at a small Penan (local indigenous group) market. At the market, you can buy Penan handicrafts (woven baskets, mats and jewellery). You then get back on the boat.

The next stop is at Wind Cave. This is named after the cool winds that blow through here. You’ll feel them when you reach the narrowest part of the walk through.

There are some impressive chambers here such as the King’s Chamber which is filled with stalagmites and columns. There are lots of intricate details and formations to check out. It’s quite amazing actually and was my favourite cave. It’s like a much bigger Lang’s Cave.

The walk here is up an incline and there are steps in the cave. Mostly you walk on boardwalk, and it’s not that full on.

You then hop back in the boat and head to nearby Clearwater Cave. This is up 200+ stairs so it does take a little (sweaty) effort to get to this cave.

Clearwater Cave is named after the crystal clear river that runs over 200 kilometres through this cave system. It’s one of the biggest cave systems in the world at 220 kilometres.

You only get to see a small part on this tour (although it is possible to see more for experienced cavers). The cavern you get to walk through is BIG! Although not like the huge Deer Cave. And the roar of the river is clearly heard as it rushes through making this cave even bigger.

That’s part of what makes this cave interesting – that you can see how the river is shaping it. It also has many unique rock formations, stalagmites and more. In some ways, it’s like a combination of the previous caves.

The walk through this cave has quite a lot of stairs including fairly steep ones with a rope. What is great in this cave is that it is a circular route so no back tracking.

After this cave, you do get a chance to swim in the outside lagoon to cool down. The water comes from the cave, and it’s nice and cool. This was one of my highlights of my Mulu visit. It’s such a beautiful spot surrounded by rainforest and the cold water was exactly what my hot and sweaty body needed. Don’t miss it!

There’s a rest area next to this lagoon, and it’s a great place to soak everything in.

It’s then back to Park HQ on the boat. Beautiful!

My description of the caves tours is from my experience booking the tours through Park Headquarters. It’s also possible to book with other operators that may include some extras, although the main parts of the tours will be the same.

I was a little jealous when I was at Clearwater Cave of people who had done alternate tours that included lunch by the swimming lagoon. This would have been so awesome! The choice is yours, of course.

If you are short on time, you could do both of these cave tours in one day and visit all the main show caves. However you need to do it, you are absolutely ripping yourself off if you don’t do both of these tours during your stay at Gunung Mulu National Park.

If you are crazy enough to be here for just half a day, pick the Clearwater and Wind Caves. But please, visit all the caves. You’ll probably only ever be here once 🙂

Click here to read more detailed information in our guide to Mulu Caves.

Another popular thing to do at Mulu is to watch the Bat Exodus in the evening. It is quite a sight!

The massive Deer Cave is home to 2.5 to 3.5 million bats of 12 different species who live hanging off the roof. Most evenings, they exit the cave in a big, swirling formation of bats heading up into the sky and out over the rainforest.

Before I visited Mulu, I read they may not exit if it’s raining. However, our guide said that it’s somewhat random and they can exit in heavy rain, and they may not exit on a clear day. I was there on a beautiful, clear day (as you can see in the photo above), and they did not exit.

This usually happens between 5:30 to 6:30pm but it can happen as early as 4pm.

It’s quite a sight. I have never seen anything quite like it.

There is a special Bat Observatory area to watch this from. You can do this as part of the tour to Deer and Lang Caves, but you can also walk here yourself and watch this without doing a tour. It’s about three kilometres/45 minutes from Park Headquarters. Take a torch for the walk back.

Adventure Caving

For those that are more adventurous and have caving experience, you definitely won’t want to miss the opportunity to try some adventurous caving tours while you are at Mulu.

Termed “Adventure Caves”, these are the activities that require training and special equipment. Some of these take place in the Show Caves, but in areas not accessible in the Show Cave tour.

These experiences are classed as beginner, intermediate and advanced and there are rules on what you can do based on previous experience. If you have no caving experience, you can do some of these tours. Just let them know and they’ll work out a program for you.

All these activities have to be booked in a tour and can book out months in advance. The best way to do this is via the Mulu Caves tour company themselves here .

Mulu Canopy Skywalk

Another popular activity is the Mulu canopy walk. This is another activity you can only do in a tour.

Tours depart throughout the morning and are limited to eight people only. This is another activity that books out.

The canopy walk itself is 420 metres long, 25 metres above the ground. It’s anchored on trees and is reputed to be the longest tree-based canopy walks in the world. It is really awesome. The smaller sizes helps you feel more like you are part of the forest.

This is a great way to see the different levels of the rainforest as well as river views and chances to spot birds. I very much enjoyed it. I think it’s the most scenic one I have ever done especially as you walk above a river twice. It felt like I was part of the rainforest while feeling quite safe.

There are information boards along the walk to help you learn more about what you are seeing. There is a guide the whole time too, but since you are in a group and only two people can be in a section at a time, it can be hard to ask your guide questions during the walk. However, they can help you at the end if you don’t get a chance during.

A walk is involved to get to the canopy walk and get back again. All up, this tour requires six kilometres of walking. It’s on boardwalk – the same one that takes you to Deer Cave) and is not difficult. I walked back in about 20 minutes at the end of the canopy walk. I did walk fairly fast though (I had a flight to catch!).

I did this tour at 7am, and I’m glad I did it early. The air was nice and (relatively) cool and it’s a great time of day. If anything, I wish I had done it earlier.

Tree Top Tower

The Tree Top Tower is just a ten minute walk from the Park Headquarters and is a great place to birdwatch.

This is a 30 metre high bird tower which is particularly popular at the best times to spot birds (5am-9am and 4pm-8pm). You can prebook a slot to make sure you don’t miss out.

This is a free attraction in Mulu National Park, but the tower is kept locked and you need to pay a RM50 deposit to borrow the key.

Botanical Heritage Trail

The Botanical Heritage Trail (or Botanic Trail) is a nice trail you can walk without a guide. It has information boards along the walk on plant evolution. There’s also plenty of resting spots including a particularly pretty one by a waterway.

It’s a circular trail which runs for about 1.5 kilometres. It branches off the main trail to Deer Cave about 450 metres from the Park Headquarters. Its circular nature means that it actually passes through this trail twice, so you could easily just walk half of it if you are short of time.

It’s a very easy, flat trail. It’s mostly on boardwalk but the last part is on the ground – something that feels like a rare occurrence at Mulu! It has little bridges over creeks, and it’s all very lovely. I couldn’t help but think it would be perfect for my kids. Nice and easy going. However, I definitely recommend this trail to everyone.

I especially enjoyed this as many of my other walks were with tour groups. I liked having the rainforest to myself. Plus, it was a good opportunity to just focus on the rainforest rather than caves, or canopy walk or something else.

You can easily walk this in half an hour from Park Headquarters return. However, an hour will give you an opportunity to read some of the information boards and enjoy the views.

Another popular activity is a night walk. Guided night walks leave every evening around 7pm and 7:30pm and take 1.5 – 2 hours.

You are likely to see a range of insects, tree frogs, huge spiders, vine snakes and many things you have never heard of.

Take a torch for better views and to see all the creepy eyes in the forest 🙂

Guides really make the night walk, but it is also possible to go on your own night walk. You can’t take the path the guided tours take until after 8pm. If you go walking at night, make sure you let someone know.

Paku Waterfall

For a more serious walk that you can do without a guide, consider the Paku Valley loop. This 8 kilometre journey takes you to Paku Waterfall where you can swim.

The walk starts by following the walk to Deer Cave. About 1.3 kilometres after leaving Park Headquarters, you walk down to the forest floor to follow a trail along the Paku River.

It’s an easy trail but it is often muddy and you need to cross streams.

You must register before leaving.

The Pinnacles

The caves aren’t the only things famous at Gunung Mulu National Park – so are the Pinnacles. Mulu National Park is home to this amazing geological formation which is a collection of 50 metre high jagged limestone spires. They are on the slopes of Mount Api.

This is a 3 day/2 night trekking adventure which is rated as an extreme activity by the park due to the climbing involved. This is not a beginner hike . People have died on this trek and while that is very rare, this is not something to sign up to if you don’t have a great level of fitness or climbing ability. It’s also not a trek for people who are afraid of heights.

I did not do this Pinnacle Mulu National Park trek, so I cannot share my experiences. However, I can share what it involves so you can consider it. Numbers are limited on this trek and it is popular, so book in advance if it interests you.

The first day is a boat ride on the Melinau River where you can optionally do the Clearwater Cave tour. You then continue on to Kuala Litut which is the start of the 9 kilometre hike to Camp 5 which is where you’ll stay. This trek is an easy, flat walk.

Camp 5 is a forest shelter with basic accommodation. It’s a raised platform with half walls and no doors and windows. There are mats to sleep on, but you need your own bedding. You can pay a deposit to borrow bedding from Park Headquarters before you leave.

There are cold showers and toilets as well as a kitchen where you can self cater. You need to bring your food with you.

The next day, the hard work begins. The hike starts around 6:30am. It’s only 2.4 kilometres to the top BUT your altitude rises 1200 metres over this time. The last section of the hike (called the Danger Zone) is nearly vertical with 17 rope sections and ladders. It takes 3-5 hours to climb this.

The trek/climb itself offers some good views as it climbs up from Melinau Gorge through limestone forest and past pitcher plants and rare orchids.

There are three checkpoints on the way up, and you have to hit each one by the allocated time or turn back around. This is to ensure you’ll get back to camp in daylight.

At the top, there are spectacular views over the Mulu National Park Pinnacles. Only one hour can be spent up here, so there’s time to descend.

The hiking Mulu Pinnacles already was tough, but many people find the descent more difficult, and it can take over five hours.

At the end of this grueling day, there’s another night at Camp 5. The next day, it’s a 9 kilometre walk back the way you came to Kuala Litut and a boat ride back to Park Headquarters.

You can book this through Park Headquarters (more information here ) or a local travel agency. The agency will cost more but may include extras like your food. It’s not possible to do this trek without an organised tour (and you shouldn’t want to. It’s extreme).

Gunung Mulu Summit Trek

An even more extreme challenge is the trek/climb to Gunung (Mount) Mulu Summit. At 2,377 metres high, this adventure takes 4 days/3 nights and starts from only 40 metres altitude. It’s 24 kilometres long.

Again, this option of things to do in Mulu National Park is only for the prepared and experienced. Mulu park personal say that “experienced trekkers/mountaineers describe this trek as more challenging than Mt Kinabalu, even more strenuous than Mt Kilimanjaro”.

You need to take in all your own gear including food, sleeping mat, sleeping bag (nights are cool at Camp 4), gas cartridges for the stoves along the way, first aid kit, head lamp, warm clothing and great hiking boots.

The general itinerary is 8-10 hour day of climbing/hiking to Camp 3 on day 1. Day two is an easier four hour trek onto Camp 4. They generally don’t recommend ascending the summit on this day because the summit is usually covered in clouds in the afternoon.

On day 3, the day usually starts about 3am to get to the top in time for sunrise. Then it usually takes about 5-6 hours back to the camp 4 for lunch before trekking onward to camp 3 for the night.

On the final day, it’s a 6 hour trek back to Park Headquarters.

The views from the summit are meant to be beautiful. You can hire a porter to carry up to 15kg for you.

This may change based on weather conditions, group size and more.

Headhunters’ Trail

If you want to do some less serious Gunung Mulu hiking than the two options above, you can hike the Headhunters Trail. This is also the way into or out of Mulu National Park if you don’t want to fly. It’s rated moderate difficulty.

The name of this trail comes from the Kayan war parties that used to travel through here on their way to raid the Limbang region.

The Headhunters trail runs from Camp 5 for 11 kilometres in the direction of Limbang. The park itself does not offer this as an activity but some private tour operators do. From the end of this trek, you can take a boat and a van ride onto Limbang by the Brunei border.

You first need to get to Camp 5 which is described above in the Mulu Caves Pinnacles trek. This journey requires a boat ride on the Melinau River then a 9 kilometre hike to Camp 5 which is where you’ll stay. This trek is an easy, flat walk.

Camp 5 is a forest shelter with basic accommodation. It’s a raised platform with half walls and no doors and windows. There are mats to sleep on, but you need your own bedding. While you can borrow bedding from Park Headquarters, this only works if you are going to return there, so you’ll need your own bedding for this trip.

There are cold showers and toilets as well as a kitchen where you can self cater. You need to bring your food with you unless it’s included in your tour.

After a night here, the Headhunter Trail starts the next morning through the forest to Kuala Terikan. This takes 4 – 5 hours. From here, it’s a 1.5 hour boat ride from Medamit. Medamit is linked to Limbang by road.

You can also combine this trail with the Pinnacles Trek. After descending from the Pinnacles, you can take this trail the next day instead of returning to Park Headquarters.

Mulu National Park Headquarters

The Mulu National Park Headquarters (HQ) is the place to head as soon as you first enter the park. This is where you can buy your entry pass (more information below) and arrange any tours. It’s also where you can find the national park accommodation and Mulu Cafe which is the most convenient place to eat.

You’ll find it quite easily.

Once you are arrive at the National Park, you simply walk across a cool swinging bridge over a small river and you’ll find a building in front of you. This is park security. Walk to the right and Park Headquarters will be right in front of you.

Start by registering at the outdoor stall where you can buy your National Park pass. Then you can go inside to get your keys for accommodation or book any tours.

The Mulu National Park HQ is also where you can find maps, more information and where many treks and tours leave from. The staff can also help you plan your Mulu National Park itinerary. However, I do want to stress that tours and accommodation can book out months in advance, so it is better to pre-book, especially if you plan to visit at the peak June to September period.

Connected to here is also the Mulu Discovery Centre and a gift shop where you can buy snacks.

Mulu National Park Entry Fee

You need to purchase a Mulu World Heritage five day pass to enter the national park, do any of the tours or access any of the walks. This lasts for five calendar days. If you are staying longer, you’ll need to buy another pass.

It’s easy to buy this at Park Headquarters on arrival. At the time of publishing, it costs foreigners RM30 for an adult and RM15 for kids 6-18 years old (under 6s are free). For Malaysians, it is RM10 for adults and RM5 for kids.

You’ll be given a coloured wristband with the date that your entry expires and you must wear this when in the park. It gives you access 24 hours a day until the expiry.

Best Place To Stay In National Park Mulu

When it comes to where to stay in Gunung Mulu National Park, there aren’t a lot of choices. There are two main places and then a couple of small guesthouses.

We includes a full review of the two best Mulu National Park accommodation options.

You can also read about all your options here.

BEST –  Mulu Marriott Resort And Spa Review

About 2.5 kilometres from the national park entrance, the Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa is by far the best place to stay. This 5 star resort is a luxurious place to return to after a day of exploring caves and rainforest.

Surrounded by the rainforest and a river, you’ll feel like you haven’t left the best of the national park behind. There is a great pool on-site, a gym, day spa, complimentary shuttle to get you around the area (including the airport) and a tour desk to arrange all your activities and tours during your stay.

There is a range of room types including double and king rooms and suites. Double rooms have two double beds. All rooms include air-conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, minifridge, desk area, television and balcony. They are comfortable, clean and the quality you would expect from a 5 star Marriott hotel.

Suites also have a separate living area.

There is the Marriott Cafe on-site which serves meals all day long including a buffet breakfast. There is also an on-site bar but note that it is pricey.

There is wifi available, but it is slow (which beats other accommodation options in Mulu).

Click here for the latest prices.

Mulu Park HQ Review

The most convenient place to stay in Mulu National Park is definitely the accommodation offered at the Park Headquarters. This way, you are staying right in the park.

There are a few different choices of accommodation from a gorgeous garden bungalow Mulu National Park to hostel dorms. They, of course, have their own price tags. This accommodation can be booked out quite far in advance. Note that there is no camping allowed.

The accommodation is in beautiful gardens surrounded by the rainforest. There is the Cafe Mulu at the Headquarters for eating and all the facilities of the national park. There is also 24 hour electricity but no wifi.

The best accommodation option is the garden bungalows. I stayed in one of these and it was just awesome. There are eight of these with their own terraces. They come with private bathrooms with hot water, air-conditioning, fan, a king sized bed and a super single bed. They can sleep up to three adults.

Next up are the longhouse rooms. These are great for families or groups of friends. There are ten longhouse rooms. Eight of these rooms have 4 single beds each and two are family suites with a king sized bed and 4 single beds each. They have private bathrooms with air-conditioning and fans.

There are also 12 twin rooms in the Rainforest Lodge. They also have air-conditioning, private bathrooms and ceiling fans.

Finally, budget travellers will love the dorm beds. There are 14 dorm beds with a ceiling fan only and a shared bathroom.

All room choices include breakfast and linen. Check-out is at 10am, but there is free luggage storage after this time.

Click here to see all our recommendations for the best accommodation in Mulu National Park.

Eating Options At Gunung Mulu National Park Borneo

At the national park, there is one eating option, Cafe Mulu. It is open from 7:30am to 8:30pm.

If you stay at the park, you can have breakfast for free from 7:30-9:30am. There is a menu to order from which has a small but great range of international and local options. While it’s great that it’s all made fresh, it can take a little while. This meant I couldn’t have breakfast on my final morning which was annoying.

I was also surprised (but happy) to find alcohol on the menu. I am used to not finding it where I want it in Malaysia so this was great 😀 A white wine at the end of the day hits the spot especially with the nice views from this restaurant over the river and rainforest.

Here is the menu to give you an idea of what to expect.

There are local and international dishes. Given they have a (somewhat) captive audience and most food is flown in, the prices are not bad, but it is more than you’ll pay by the coast. There is a good range of options.

I had the most delicious beef rendang here. IT WAS SO GOOD! It was one of the pricier options but worth every Ringgit. Order it!

Due to the effort involved in getting food here, they can run out of ingredients at times.

There are other eating options as well. There is a Marriott Cafe at the Marriott Resort and some more local options on the roads around Mulu. You can find options by walking out of the national park and walking along the road. You’ll find everywhere is pricier than what you are used to paying elsewhere in Malaysia thanks to the difficulty in getting items to Mulu.

There are also some small shops where you can buy supplies including at the Mulu gift shop at Park Headquarters.

As for water, fortunately, there are water taps with drinking water at the entrance to both the Park Headquarters and the Cafe. Plus, if you are staying in the National Park, there are signs in the rooms saying the water is safe to drink in here too. It’s a great way to save on plastic waste and to save money too.

Gunung Mulu National Park Tour Packages

The best and easiest way to visit this national park is with a tour package.

Gunung Mulu tour packages usually include your accommodation, breakfast and activities. Generally, you need to buy your flights yourself, but it is also possible to get a Mulu Caves tour from Miri which includes this.

This is by far the best way to go because you will need to book tours anyway to see any of the caves or do the more adventurous hiking.

While it is possible to turn up in Mulu and sort out your accommodation and tours on arrival, there is no guarantee there will be beds or tours for you, particularly if you travel in peak season from June to September.

I recommend at a minimum that you book your flights, accommodation and the main tours you 100% have to do to make the visit worthwhile for you. There is lots of information above so you can work out what tours you want to do.

Local Malaysian travel agencies can book this with you or you can book direct with the park or a hotel.

If you want to book direct with Park Headquarters, you can book their accommodation and/or tours through their website here.

You can also book direct with Marriott Resort here.

Gunung Mulu National Park Map

The Gunung Mulu National Park is located in the north eastern part of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is very close to the Brunei border.

The Gunung Mulu National Park location is not on any roads which is part of what makes a visit here great. However, it does mean that, realistically, you are going to fly to get here. The good news is that there is an airport here so you can do that.

How To Get To Gunung Mulu National Park Sarawak Malaysia

As mentioned above, realistically you need to fly to Mulu Caves. It is possible to hike, take boats and drive part of the way from Limbang on the Headhunters Trail (described above), but this costs more and takes much more time than flying. The vast majority of people fly in and out.

There are flights from Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Miri on MASWings, the regional carrier for Malaysian Airlines. Most flights leave from Miri.

If you want to know how to go Mulu Caves from Miri, this flight from Miri to Mulu Cave takes just 30 minutes and generally leaves a couple of times a day. Prices start at about RM120.

If you want to fly Kuching to Mulu Caves, there is a daily flight in the morning. It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes and starts at around RM240.

If you want to fly Kota Kinabalu to Mulu Caves, this takes about 55 minutes and prices start at RM220.

If you want to know how to get to Mulu Caves from Kuala Lumpur, you need to take two flights. You can connect via Miri, Kuching or Kota Kinabalu by flying Malaysian Airlines and then connecting to the MASWings flight. This makes it quite straightforward to go from Kuala Lumpur to Mulu Caves.

If you want to come from anywhere else, you’ll be looking for flights as well.

To see all the latest flights and prices, click here.

I flew from Kuching to Mulu and then to Miri afterwards. It was all very straightforward.

Gunung Mulu National Park With Kids

While I didn’t travel with my kids this time to Mulu National Park, I would love to come with them next time. I saw many families with kids at this park from 4 weeks old to nearly adults. I think it would be especially great with teenagers, but I had kids that were around 7 years old on my tours.

For kids who love the outdoors, I think this is a great place to take kids. There are lots of outdoor adventures to be had!

While I wouldn’t walk with them to the Gunung Mulu Pinnacles, there is lots they can do, like visit the main Show Caves, watch the Bat Exodus and my kids love a good canopy walk.

I think it’s definitely a place families should consider visiting. I’m sure I’ll bring mine soon.

Best Time to Visit Gunung Mulu National Park

The weather at Mulu does not change that much. All year round, it is hot and humid and you can expect rain. However, the driest months are June to September, although these are also slightly hotter than the rest of the year with average temperatures from 21 – 29 degrees.

This coincides with the peak visitor times which are June to September.

So it can be easier to visit outside this period when it is less busy.

What To Pack

You are entering the rainforest to trek, climb and cave so it’s important to have the right gear. There is a lack of supplies and shops, so have everything you need.

Its humid and clothes can struggle to dry so lightweight, quick drying clothes (and enough of them) are essential. You will no doubt get wet at some point. Pretty much every time I went somewhere, my clothes were covered in sweat and I needed to wash them.

You can get your washing done at Park Headquarters. It’s per item with costs from RM2-4 per item. So more expensive that a laundry elsewhere but cheaper than the vast majority of hotel laundry services. I had some of my clothes washed in less than 24 hours.

Also make sure you pack:

• Great hiking shoes/boots
• First aid kit and any medications you need
• Torch/flashlight/head lamp
• Water bottle

If you do a more specialised trek or caving experience, make sure you find out any gear you need and bring it too.

Leach socks are generally not needed unless you are taking some of the big hikes. If you are visiting Mulu for the Show Caves and other easy walks, you are on boardwalk most of the time and leaches are not usually a problem. Mosquitoes are also not a problem thanks to all the bats.

Note that there is no ATM in Mulu. Take all the cash you could possibly need for your time in Mulu with you. Some places do take card, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Final Words

I hope you enjoyed this full guide to Mulu National Park and have had all your questions answered and are now ready to go!

I very much enjoyed visiting here. It’s amazing. From the show caves to the rainforest itself to the great accommodation that helps you truly enjoy your visit here. I even loved the flight in which was like a special scenic flight!

I really loved how accessible and easy amazing experiences are at this park. It’s very well run, prices are crazy reasonable and really, anyone can have a fantastic visit here. It’s an experience I haven’t had matched anywhere in the world.

I imagine for more adventurous people, it would be even more thrilling with the adventure caves and the Pinnacles walk.

Whatever your thrill level, Gunung Mulu National Park is exceptional and I highly recommend a visit here.

You can find our full guide to Mulu Park accommodation here . This has all options in Mulu. Don’t forget our full guide to the caves in Mulu here . There is much more information here than in this guide.

Visiting Miri on your way to or from Mulu National Park? Check out things to do while in Miri here and our full travel guide to Miri here . If you are heading to Kuching instead, find our guide to Kuching here or read about Kota Kinabalu here.

Planning a trip to Malaysia? Have any questions?  Join our Malaysia Travel Planning Facebook group here now!  It’s the perfect place to ask any questions and to be inspired!

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By Sharon Gourlay

Sharon is a certified Malaysia travel expert and can't get enough of travelling and talking about Malaysia since she first visited 21 years ago. She travels around Malaysia multiple times a year both alone and with her kids. She used to call Penang home and especially loves this food paradise. Sharon also has a Bachelor of Arts in Asian Studies, a Certificate III in International Travel Sales and has been certified by Tourism Malaysia as a Malaysia Travel Expert. Through this site, she'll help you have the perfect trip to this amazing destination.

Essential Mulu Showcaves 3D2N

Book this tour, day 1 arrive mulu national park – deer & lang caves.

Pick up from the airport and transfer to Gunung Mulu National Park and check in to your accommodation. Free at leisure to explore the Mulu Park’s interpretation centre and have lunch (on own account). 1415 hours depart the park HQ and begin a scenic 3 km plankwalk through primary rainforest to the entrance of Deer Cave. Deer Cave is the world’s largest cave passage. Its scale is impressive and you are in no doubt how huge it is when you arrive at the cave entrance. The entrance of the cave is 150 m wide and 120 m high. Nowhere in this massive cave is the roof less than 90 m high. The cave has a moon-like landscape and from one vantage point, a perfect profile of President Lincoln can be observed. Next to Deer Cave is Langs Cave. The stalactites and stalagmites inside this cave are representative of the very best limestone formations in the park. After viewing the two caves, proceed to the Bat Observatory outside Deer Cave. Most evenings at sundown, a spectacular exodus of about 2 million of bats can be observed as they leave the cave in search of food. Then trek back to the park HQ by torchlight and return to accommodation.

Day 2 Clearwater & Wind Caves (B/L)

0845 hours depart the park HQ and proceed by longboat upriver to Wind Cave with its impressive ‘King’s Chamber’. Here, stalactites and stalagmites with delicate lace-like patterns are found. A short walk along a plankwalk next to the limestone cliff followed by a climb up approximately 250 concrete steps and you arrive at the entrance to Clearwater Cave. Like most caves in Mulu, Clearwater Cave provides a habitat for unique species of plants.  One of these, the one-leafed plant can only be found at Mulu. Photo-sensitive algae grow on certain rocks and produce needle-like formations that point towards the source of light. Near Clearwater Cave there is a wonderful swimming area shaded by giant rainforest trees. Enjoy a simple picnic or packed lunch, swim or relax before returning to your accommodation. The rest of the afternoon is free at your leisure.

Day 3 Depart Mulu (B)

Free at leisure after breakfast. Drop off at airport for departure flight.

If you wish to stay at a resort-style hotel we offer a 3 day, 2 night Mulu Marriott & Showcaves tour.

2 nights at Longhouse Room at park HQ (twin sharing), Tours & transfers (in Mulu), park entry fees, meals as indicated (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch) and guiding on tours with an English-speaking guide.

Air tickets to/from Mulu, optional activities, alcoholic beverages, other items not mentioned.

2 adults per order

Single Person

Surcharge will apply, please contact us for more information.

Accommodation

Note: Accommodation for this is tour is a Longhouse Room at the park HQ. Accommodation upgrade: RM 30 per person per night for Garden Bungalow or Rainforest Lodge room. If you wish to stay at the Mulu Marriott we offer a 3 day, 2 night Mulu tour with accommodation at the Marriott, see https://borneoadventure.com/tours/sarawak/mulu-marriott/

Recommended Flights

There are daily direct Kuching-Mulu MASWings flights. Flights depart Kuching at 1055 hours, arriving in Mulu at 1235 hours. Mulu to Kuching flights depart from Mulu at 1330 hours. There are daily direct flights from Miri to Mulu.

There are daily direct Kota Kinabalu-Mulu MASWings flights. Flights depart Kota Kinabalu at 0905 hours and arrive in Mulu at 1000 hours.

We operate fixed departure Essential Mulu Show Caves 3D2N small group tours on Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays. We can arrange private tours on any day. Please email us on [email protected] to arrange a tour on dates not shown in the booking engine.

These tours operate on the principle that you may be in a small group of other people.

Interested in this tour? For more information on this tour and our other tours contact us

Also look at these tours inSarawak:

In Search of Tarsiers & Creatures of the Night

Embark on a jungle night walk and go in search of tarsiers & other creatures of the night on this tour departing from Kuching

Bidayuh Farm & Food Experience

Learn about local farming traditions and Bidayuh food on this immersive farm, food & cooking tour

Kuching & Cove 55 Resort 6D5N

6 days / 5 nights tour includes Kuching, Bako National Park, Semenggoh Orangutan and 2 nights at Cove 55 boutique resort

Mulu Marriott & Showcaves 3D2N

Discover the caves of Gunung Mulu National Park and stay at the Mulu Marriott on this 3 days / 2 nights tour

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Boat ride to Clearwater & Cave of the Wind

Clearwater cave, garden of eden, canopy skywalk, garden bungalow.

Clearwater & Winds

Deer & Lang

Types of Tours Deer & Lang Caves Clearwater Cave & Cave Of The Winds Fastlane Clearwater connection

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• Mulu National Park
• Tours & Activities

Gunung Mulu National Park No 11, Mulu National Park Pekan Mulu 98070, Miri

Tours & Activities

All You Need to Know for a Fantastic Visit to Mulu Caves

The Gunung Mulu National Park is a Unesco World Heritage Site in the north of Sarawak, Borneo.   The tropical rainforest covers many Borneo National Parks, and they’re home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. However, the Mulu caves are a Unesco World Heritage site, which is why this area of Malaysia is worth visiting.

This article may contain compensated links. Please read my  disclaimer policy for more info.

What’s unique about Mulu Caves

The Mulu Caves in Malaysia are important for their structure and layers of sediment which demonstrate the evolution of history over 1.5 million years.

The whole of Mulu rainforest has a rich diversity of plants, animals and birds.  Its home to millions of bats and is one of the most abundant sites in the world for palm species.

Mulu, Borneo has spectacular cave passages, magnificent wildlife, phenomenal limestone pinnacles and botanically rich rainforests.

The place is incredible, and it’s worth planning a Mulu trip on your Borneo travel itinerary. Read on to discover what there is to see and how to book a fantastic visit to Mulu Caves and the National Park.

Mulu Caves Malaysia

The Mulu caves national park is the most studied Karst landscape in the world. Over 200km of cave passages have been discovered and surveyed, and it’s believed that this is only 30-40 per cent of the total area.

The oldest caves began to form over 5 million years, and the heavy rain and fast-flowing water from the rivers calved out the massive network of passages that exist today.

The evolution of these amazing caves continues even now as dripping water forms new features and the underground rivers continue to carve the limestone away.

Not all the caves are open to visitors, but the main ones have been made easily accessible by walkways. These are known as the show caves and are the ones most visitors flock to see.

For the more adventurous, there are several caving opportunities including routes for beginners, intermediate and advanced explorers.

The Show Caves

Mulu National Park Tours arrange day trips to the four show caves, and you can book these at the park’s headquarters. All four show caves have well-lit paths and are easily accessible for people with a moderate level of fitness.

There is no caving involved in any of these tours as you can view the magnificent and sheer beauty of the caves from the wooden walkways and well-laid paths.

Deer and Lang Cave Tour

The Deer Cave Mulu is not only the largest Cave in Malaysia, but it has the most extensive cave passage open to visitors in the world. Its chamber, known as Sarawak chamber, is also the worlds largest.

This spectacular cave is just over 2km in length, and its narrowest point is 90 metres in both height and width. Natural sunlight illuminates parts of the main chamber, and before tourists were allowed to visit, the local deer would take shelter inside.

The local Penan and Berawan people named the Cave Gua Rusa which is Malay for Deer Cave.

There are many fascinating features within the cave, including some gigantic stalagmites, but its the Garden of Eden that’s particularly special.

Amid this magnificent cave, there’s a large roof hole that lets in sunlight. It’s not sure how the garden formed, but a wealth of green vegetation thrives here. The Garden of Eden is a circular valley that’s just over a 1km wide.

The valley is covered in lush tropical rainforest and surrounded by tall limestone walls.  For the more adventurous, you can book a walk through the Garden of Eden.

Another interesting feature of the Deer Cave is the entrance. It’s unique in that the rock has been naturally eroded and resembles a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln.

Deer Cave is home to millions of bats who belong to 12 species which is more than in any other cave in the world. They cling to the roof of the cave and from the walkways they look like a thick black carpet.

If you’re not to keen on bats, they’re nocturnal, and as the cave is so large, they’re a long way up.

Mulu Bat Observatory

After you leave the cave, most people wait at the bat observatory to watch the fantastic display of bats as they exit the cave every day around 4 pm.

The spiralling patterns and swirling clouds are hard to describe, but its a sight like no other and well worth viewing. It’s also fascinating to watch the eagles swoop around the entrance to the cave as they wait for their dinner. It’s sad when they catch a bat, but I guess its all part of nature and the food chain.

The bat observatory is a small outdoor theatre that has wooden benching to sit on while you await the bat exodus.  There’s also a small kiosk that sells cold drinks and snacks.

If it’s raining the bats, don’t leave the cave so its not worth waiting. However, you can walk to the bat observatory on any evening without participating in a tour. Hence, if the weather is not in your favour after the Deer Cave tour, you can return on another evening when it’s dry.

Its believed that the bats from the Deer cave eat 30 tonnes of mosquitoes every night.  As a result, you don’t need anywhere near as much mosquito repellent as you might think here in Mulu.

How to visit Deer Cave and the other Mulu National Park tours

The Deer Mulu cave tour can be booked through the Mulu  National Park Headquarters.  In peak season its best to book in advance which you can do via email or on their website.  Payment for all tours is made on arrival and has to made in cash.

You can read more about booking a Mulu trip further down the page.

The Lang Cave is the smallest show cave, and the visit is combined with the Deer cave tour. Inside the cave, the stalactites and stalagmites are stunningly beautiful.

The white limestone glistens under the torchlight, its an awe-inspiring sight. There are also magnificent helictites which seem to defy all laws of gravity.

As Lang Cave is much smaller than the other show caves, you can get much closer to the ornate and beautifully carved limestone.

In parts of the cave, you can see glistening strings of what looks like lametta, but they are cave worms. They are incredibly delicate and translucent, but when the light shines on them, they glisten.

Clearwater Cave and Cave of the Winds Tour

This Mulu tour begins with a long boat ride along the Melinau River. The ride itself is a fantastic trip and allows you to see the rainforest from a different perspective. You pass locals along the way going about their daily business, fishing in the river or washing clothes.

The boat makes a stop at the Batu Bungan Market, which is a tourist trap but at least you’re not hassled to purchase anything.  The market is part of a small Mulu village which you can also walk around.

The local Penan people sell their handmade gifts and its one of the few ways that they can make money. On sale are woven baskets, jewellery and blowpipes and you can watch the women at work.

It’s only a brief stop and you’ll either love it or hate it, but don’t let it put you off this tour as the caves are what you come to see.

Cave of Winds

A short distance further along the river is the entrance to the cave of winds. There’s a narrow boardwalk to cross, and a few steps lead to the opening.

The wind cave Mulu is so-called because of the cool breezes that you can feel in the narrower parts of the cave. Its part of the Clearwater system and like other Mulu caves the rock formations, helictites and rock corals are spectacular.

The main attraction is the king’s chamber.

Here are some of the best examples of stalactites and stalagmites of all the caves. The intricate patterns of the limestone are illuminated so you can appreciate them.

The chamber takes its name from the formations which are said to resemble a king with his soldiers.

As you follow the walkways around the caves, the features and limestone columns are awe-inspiring. This cave is undoubtedly one of the worlds hidden gems.

Another unique feature is the sky garden in the middle of the cave.  Like the Deer cave, the cave has a roof hole which has allowed plants to thrive on the rock face.  As you look up, you can also see the swiftlets swooping around as they enter and exit the cave.

These small birds build their nests inside the Mulu caves, and if you take the Fast Lane tour, you can see them much closer.

Clearwater Cave Mulu

Further along, the river is the Clearwater Cave, but first, there are 200 steps to climb.

You can take your time, and the guides don’t rush you if you need to rest.  At the top, there’s a seating area so you can enjoy the view over the river while you get your breath back.

The entrance is surrounded by indigenous plants that grow nowhere else in the world apart from Clearwater Cave.

This cave is massive, and professional cavers are still discovering passages today. Its thought to be 220km in length although the section open to visitors is much smaller than that.

However, you can explore some of the more challenging passages if you take one of the adventure caving tours.

Unlike the other show caves, one of the main features of this cave is the subterranean river that runs through the centre. The river is well lit, and the walkways which have delightful bridges make this an accessible cave to explore.

On the banks of the river, you can see the different layers of straiter that have built up over millions of years.

The way the river has gorged out the rock is incredible, and there are some beautiful curves to admire. Like the other caves, there’s a small garden where daylight has allowed vegetation to grow and some rock formations although these are less significant than in other caves.

One of the most impressive structures is the grey pinnacles.

Their jagged edge is most unusual and looks like a rock but its a type of bacteria.

Lady cave is a small part of the clearwater system that you can also visit.  It only takes 15 minutes to walk around, and although it’s much less impressive than the other caves, the shadow that forms the figure of a lady is worth a look.

On leaving the cave, there’s the opportunity to swim in the natural lagoon that has crystal clear water which flows from the cave.

If you don’t fancy a swim, look out for the beautiful butterflies that hover around the picnic area.

Langang Cave Mulu

You can visit Langang cave on the Fast Lane Mulu Caves Tour. The trip begins with a short boat ride down the Melinau River followed by a 1km walk through the tropical rainforest.

Much of this tour is in darkness, and you’re encouraged to discover its features by yourself, although the guide points important things out along the way.

The cave has some of the best stalagmite and stalactite formations. The most impressive ones have lights, so you can see how magnificent they are.

Starting on the floor in the small rock pools, you can see the white crabs which are blind and can only survive in the dark.

A little higher up the walls, you can spot the cave crickets and spiders.  You may also catch a glimpse of the blue racer snakes, so take care when touching the handrails. The cave is also home to bats and swiftlets which are easier to see than in other Mulu caves as the ceiling is much lower.

The nests of the swiftlets used to be collected by locals and sold for vast sums of money to restaurants. Bird nest soup is a rare delicacy that many Asians will pay a high price for in restaurants.

Thankfully the swiftlets’ nests in Mulu are now protected. Many of the hunters have now retrained as tour guides.

I’ve got to admit I didn’t enjoy this tour as much as others as I wasn’t keen on the birds and bats flying so close to me. However, the trip was a unique experience.

Adventure Caving

For the more adventurous you can take beginner and intermediate caving tours in Langang cave.  The passages are not too narrow, but you do have to scramble over boulders on this 2 to 3-hour underground experience.

Racer Cave Mulu (intermediate level)

To participate in the adventure caves, you have to be over the age of 12 and be reasonably fit. Guided ropes assist you in climbing up and down the passageways, and you need a reasonable level of upper body strength to help you along the trail.

There are some fascinating insects and snakes to admire along the route and adrenaline seekers will enjoy the physical challenges.

Many of the insects have odd-shaped bodies as they have adapted to life underground, and the racer snakes are beautiful in colour. The snakes are not dangerous as bats are there preferred option at mealtimes.

Clearwater Rival (intermediate)

Depending on the river levels you will have to wade, swim and climb on this adventure caving trip. It’s not for beginners, and the tour is weather dependent if you’re interested in this type of adventure, its best to contact the Mulu Sarawak National Park tour desk well in advance to plan your visit.

Clearwater Connection (advanced)

The clearwater connection tour is a more extended trip which takes 6 to 8 hours to complete depending upon your level of fitness.

The journey begins in the Cave of Winds on the wooden walkways used by the show cave visitors. However, you soon venture off into the wild and rugged passageways.

The route is 5 km long, and large boulders cover the terrain. You have to climb up and down muddy slopes, negotiating rocks along the way.

Particularly hazardous areas have ropes to assist you, and the guide carries additional lines in case they are required.  The last section is through the river so participants must be able to swim, and the tour is dependent on the river levels.

If you are an avid adventure caver, you may also want to consider the Sarawak Chamber overnight at Camp 1 trip.  This challenging tour involves some demanding steep climbs, and the highlight is spending the night deep in the rainforest.

How to book Adventure Caving at Mulu

Adventure caving tours should be planned well in advance as the availability of guides is limited, and if the water levels are too high, the trips are not possible.  For more information on booking adventure caving tours, click here for an enquiry form .

To participate in advanced caving tours, you must be able to demonstrate one of the following.

1)You’re a current member of an internationally recognised speleological society or caving group

2)You can provide evidence of previous caving experience that describes at least a 5-hour expedition in a wild cave that has no lighting or pathways. The Mulu Park manager has to approve any written proof.

The information you provide should include which caves visited, the location and what the trip included, e.g., crawling in confined spaces, vertical rope work, swimming etc.

3) You have completed one of the intermediate caving tours at Mulu

Mulu Discovery Centre

The discovery centre is a great place to learn about the geology of the Mulu national park and all about caves and their formation. The information boards are well presented, and all the text is in English.

There are also some fabulous photographs of geologists and cavers who have spent time in the area discovering and studying the ongoing exploration of the Mulu cave network.

What to do in Mulu besides Caves

Guided walks.

In addition to the numerous free unguided trails that you can explore, five guided tours are possible.

The Mulu Canopy Sky Walk (2 hours duration)

The Canopy Skywalk is probably the most popular tour at Mulu and its advisable to book this excursion in advance of your arrival. There are six skywalks available each day, and group sizes are limited to 8 people.

The trip takes 2 hours and its not advisable for anyone who has a fear of heights.

The canopy walk is the most extended tree-based walkway in the world and covers 480 metres. It’s a fantastic opportunity to take a closer look at the ferns and vines that grow above the dense forest floor beneath.

If you’re lucky, you can spot hornbills and monkeys along the way. The rope bridges wobble and sway as you cross them, and only two people are allowed on them at any one time.

The scenery is spectacular, and the mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the jungle oasis.

Along the trail, you will learn about the rainforest trees and insects while admiring the scenery.

The skywalk takes you across the river where there are more impressive vistas to admire.

If your a keen birdwatcher its best to make this trip early in the morning.

The Night Walk (1-2 hours duration)

The night walk is a must and like the sky canopy its essential to book in advance. The rainforest becomes like an orchestra of sound in the evening as many of its nocturnal inhabitants awaken.

Mulu has developed a rich habitat for thousands of species and if your quiet and follow the instructions of your guide there’s a multitude of insects, spiders and frogs to see.

If you were to take this walk without a guide, you’d be unlikely to spot anything.  The expertise of the park staff is invaluable.  They know which trees and plants to look at and they can spot stick insects that are camouflaged from a distance.

The frog species at Mulu are fascinating; some and tiny are quiet while others are much more vocal and noticeable.

The insects are like no others I’ve seen before, and many of them are much larger than you can imagine.

Garden of Eden (full day)

The garden of Eden tour takes you into the enclosed valley that you can see from the deer cave. The trail is approximately 12km long and is an exciting trek that passes rock pools where you can take a swim.

To get there, you do require a reasonable level of fitness as you have to scramble over bat guano and slippery rocks.  You also have to wade through water at specific points, and you will likely encounter leeches.

The guides will tell you what to do if a leach attaches to your skin but don’t just try and pull it off as this increases the risk of infection later.

This trip involves getting wet and dirty, so it’s not for everyone, but the scenery is stunning and makes the adventure worthwhile.

Make sure you read the packing list later in the post as the correct footwear is essential and it’s advisable to take a waterproof bag.

Mulu Pinnacles Hike (3 days)

The pinnacles Mulu are one of the highlights of the national park. The 45-metre high razor-sharp limestone spikes are an impressive sight, but the trek here is a challenging one.

A good level of fitness is required as the Mulu Pinnacles tour is a robust and challenging hike. That said it’s one of the parks most popular trails, so booking in advance is a must.

The tour requires a minimum of 3 participants, although you can pay more if there’s only two of you.

The first day begins with a longboat ride and a visit to the cave of winds and clearwater cave.  From here its an hours ride up the river to Kuala Litut which is where the hike begins.

The first part of the trek is an easy 9km walk on a well-marked path which takes around 3 hours and brings you to Camp 5.

The sleeping arrangements are simple, and the camp only provides sleeping mats.  You have to bring your bedding and a towel.  These can be hired from the park’s headquarters if you don’t wish to bring your own.

Camp 5 has showers although there is only cold water and there are toilet facilities.  The kitchen has gas and cooking utensils so you can prepare a meal from the food that you’ve brought with you.

Today is an early start, and after a hearty breakfast, the big adventure begins.  Although the trail is only a couple of km to the pinnacles Mulu, a significant proportion is uphill.

The last section is particularly challenging as its virtually vertical, and you have a climb using ladders and ropes.

It depends on your fitness and the group’s overall fitness to how long it takes, but it will be anything between 3 to 5 hours.

At the top, one of nature’s most exquisite vistas await, and you can relish in the fact that relatively few people in the world have ever been here.

The pinnacles are unlike anything you will have seen before and its a genuinely awe-inspiring sight when you see them for the first time.  Once you’ve explored the area the descent back to camp 5 is equally challenging, so you’ll be ready for a rest

Another early start and a long walk back to Kuala Litut to catch the boat.  You get back to the park headquarters around lunchtime, and if you’re like me, you’ll spend the rest of the day recuperating by the pool at the Mulu Marriott.

The Mulu Summit Walk ( 4 days)

The Mulu summit trek is physically demanding hike to almost 2400 metres above sea level.  The trail starts at 27 m, so that’s a considerable uphill hike over a 24 km trail.

It takes a minimum of 4 days and three nights, but views from the summit are highly rewarding.

Along the way, you’ll have to conquer your fear of leeches and be prepared to sleep in the most basic of forest huts.

The scenery is spectacular and as you ascend the habitat changes from the montane forests, conifers and beautiful rhododendrons of the lower ground to the more sparse shrubland at the summit.

Porters can be hired to bring your equipment; otherwise, you will need to carry your food, water, sleeping bag and mat.

For those who would like a taster of the Mulu Summit Walk, you can experience one night in the rain forest at Camp 1.  You will still need a guide as the crisscrossed route is not easy to navigate by yourself.

Mulu Headhunters Trail

For people who love hiking, this is a great way to either arrive or leave Mulu. Local tour operators organise the trek although you can do it without a guide on day 3 of the pinnacles tour instead of returning to the park headquarters.

The trail involves trekking through the jungle and travelling up the river and compared to other Mulu hikes its much less demanding.  From Camp 5 you have to follow the trail to Kuala Terikan which takes approximately 4 and a half hours.

From here you have to take a boat to Medamit which is linked by road to Limbang. In either direction, transport needs to booked ahead of time, and you can arrange it through Borneo Touch Ecotour .

If you’re starting in Limbang and heading into Mulu, you need to remember to book a nights stay at camp 5. On route, you can either stay at the Ng. Metawai ranger station which is about 15 minutes from Kuala Terikan or you can stay at Rumah Bala Lesong which is a 3-4 hour boat ride upstream.

Unguided walks

There are six unguided walking trails that you can experience yourself within the Mulu National Park.  All of the tracks are well signposted, so there’s no need to worry about getting lost although you have to register with the National Parks security office before departing.

The shortest walk is the Botanical Heritage Trail which is a 1.5km trail loop. You can see many of the exotic tropical rainforests plants along this trail and the path is easy to navigate.

The Paku Waterfall trail is another popular option and takes around 2 to 3 hours to complete.  You can swim at the waterfall before either retracing your steps or continuing along the Paku Valley Loop, which is an easy but a longer walk.

The section of path along the Melinau river is rather muddy and can be slippery.  There are a few small streams to cross, and water levels can change quickly.

If your heading along this trail you have to inform the security office before you depart so they’ll no to come looking for you if anything happens.

Other walks include the Long Langsat Riverwalk and the Kenyalang loop.  Along all the trails you can expect to see birds, butterflies and fantastic rainforest fauna.

Fewer tourists visit the unguided walks, so if you’re a quiet and tranquil moment to yourself in the jungle, they offer the perfect opportunity.

The Tree Top Tower

If you’re a birdwatching enthusiast, the treetop tower is the perfect place to spend a relaxing few hours. The treetop tower is a 30-metre high bird hide and its best visited in the early hours of the morning or the early evening.

You have to pick up the key from security before walking to the treetop tower.  It’s along the boardwalks in the direction of the deer cave, about 500m from the park’s headquarters.

I was fortunate enough to see a baby woodpecker while I was there. However, I was never quite quick enough with the lens to get a sharp image of the mother when she returned with food.

Plan your Mulu Malaysia trip

In this section, you’ll find all the information you need to plan a fantastic trip to Mulu.

Where is Mulu?

Mulu is in a remote area of the Miri Division of Sarawak. The Gunung Mulu National Park covers an area of 85,671 hectares and aside from the tropical rainforest Gunung Mulu (2377m high sandstone Pinnacle) dominates the magnificent landscape.

When is the best time to visit Mulu Caves

You can visit Mulu at any time of year. The temperatures are reasonably consistent throughout the year, and as Mulu is a rainforest, there’s a good chance it will rain at some point during your stay.

The wettest months are October to January and May through till June.

The peak season is between July and September as its school holidays and during this time its best to book your accommodation and tours well in advance to avoid disappointment.

How to get to Mulu National Park?

Due to the remote location, a flight to Mulu is the quickest and cheapest way to get there. MAS Wings, a subsidiary of Malaysian Airways is the only carrier that operates flights to Mulu.

To/From Kuching Sarawak

MAS Wings operates one Kuching to Mulu flight per day, and the journey takes 1 hour and 35 minutes.

To/From Miri to Mulu

There are two flights by MAS Wings to from Miri to Mulu.  One in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Its a short flight lasting only 30 minutes and the route is a popular choice.

To/From Kota Kinabalu

There is one flight a day to Kota Kinabalu, and it takes just under one hour. However, it’s not always direct, on somedays the trip goes via Miri.

To/from Bandar Seri Begawan

Flights to and from Bandar Seri Begawan operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Its a short trip with a journey time of around 30 minutes.

Getting from Mulu Airport to Mulu National Park

If you’re staying at the Mulu Marriott Resort, the hotel provides a free transfer as do some homestays. If your accommodation is in the national park itself, your best option is to walk as Mulu airport is only 1km away from the park entrance.

Travel to Mulu from Miri by Car

Miri to Mulu by road is theoretically possible although there is no proper track and conditions are often treacherous at best.

Gunung Mulu National Park Hotels

Mulu accommodation is limited to the Mulu national park accommodation or the luxury Mulu Marriott resort and spa.

Mulu Marriott

The former Royal Mulu resort is 5 minutes from the National Park entrance, and free bus service is available to and from the park through the day.  You can read my full review of the Marriott Hotel at this link.

The hotel is by far the best place to stay in Mulu and its the only hotel. The lush oasis of the jungle that surrounds the Mulu Marriott and the wooden walkways that connect the communal buildings and the rooms enhance the spectacular scenery.

The facilities are high end, with spacious rooms, luxury bathroom suites, a restaurant, a swimming pool and a gym for guests to enjoy after a long day in the national park.

The buffet breakfast is excellent and there’s a wide variety of choice available.  Options range from fresh fruit and healthy cereals to the vast selection of hot food, bread, cheeses and cold meats.

The Mulu Marriott also provides free wifi in the communal areas, which works better than the internet connection within the park.

Rooms sell out fast in high season, so make sure you book well in advance. Booking the Marriott is straight forward and can be done quickly and safely through booking.com.

Mulu Park Accommodation

Within the national park, there is a choice of places to stay.  Accommodation here is more budget-friendly than the Mulu Marriott although there are no extra facilities.

The deluxe garden bungalows can sleep, three people. The rooms are spacious and clean, with plenty of hot water provided in the bathrooms.  You can also book the rainforest lodge which has a double bed and is very similar to the bungalows.

More budget-friendly options include the standard longhouses which have four single beds in each room or the hostel which has 14 beds and a shared bathroom.

All accommodation at the national park includes a set breakfast at the Mulu cafe. You can only book through the National Park website , and you’ll have to transfer the deposit via credit card in advance of your stay.

The national park does respond quickly to emails, and if you have any questions or queries, they’ll answer them promptly.  They’ll also send you information on how to transfer the deposit.

Remember to print off the receipt to take with you as evidence of how much you’ve paid.

Local Homestays

An alternative budget option to the Mulu national park chalet and longhouse is to stay at a homestay. There are several to close to the park, but I’d recommend the recently refurbished Mulu Diana homestay.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST PRICES

The accommodation is basic, but it’s scrupulously clean, and Diana is a wonderful host.

Are you looking for a hotel in Kuching? Read my review here of the Hilton Kuching .

How to book Tours to Mulu Caves

If you are staying at the Mulu Marriott, you can arrange tours through their travel desk although prices are much higher than at the National Park.  That said the Marriott has its own boat and you often get lunch provided.

All National Park tours can be reserved online through Mulu National Park website.  You have to pay for the trips in cash on arrival at Mulu National Park.

National Park Pass

All visitors to the national park have to buy Mulu’s five day National Park pass.  The tours do not include the pass, and you will not be able to access the park without it.  How much does the National Park Mulu 5 day Pass cost?

The pass is only available for five days, but you can buy a second one if you are staying longer.  If you are visiting for less than five days, you still have to buy the pass.

Where to Eat in Mulu

The Mulu cafe next to the park headquarters serves excellent food from breakfast to evening meals. It’s open from 7.30am to 8 pm, and meals are reasonably priced. There’s a varied menu with a good selection of vegetarian food.

Options include local dishes such as Mulu Laska, Indian curries and western choices.

Good Luck Cave’fe Mulu

The good luck cafe is right outside the main gates of the national park and is open between 11.30am and 3 pm and 5 pm to midnight.  Dishes include the usual Malay style curries served with noodles or fried rice.

The Mulu Marriott has a la carte restaurant with a wide selection of dishes available although vegetarian choices are limited.  Prices are considerably more expensive here, but the food is of high quality, and there’s a good ambience in the restaurant.

Cafe Tenguloh

Just across the bridge from the Mulu Marriott is the Cafe Tenguloh its open till 11 pm and serves a range of local dishes including some vegetarian options.  The food and beer are cheap, although the food is nothing special.

Supermarkets

The Mulu Gallery shop inside the park sells a range of snacks and soft drinks as well as souvenirs and essential items if you’ve forgotten to bring something.  Prices are expensive but its a captive market so what do you expect.

SG Pala Canteen Supermarket

There is a small local supermarket a few hundred metres up the road from the Mulu Marriott.  If you need to purchase groceries for hikes such as the pinnacle tour, this is the place to come.

There’s not a vast selection, but you’ll be able to find enough to take with you for a couple of days.

Wifi signal is limited throughout the whole of Mulu National Park.  The best wifi is at the Mulu Marriott hotel, although it isn’t available in the rooms.

Access to the national park wifi costs 5 ringgit for 24 hours; however, the signal isn’t reliable as it depends solely on satellite reception and the right weather conditions.

It’s best to switch off during your stay in Mulu and appreciate the natural jungle surrounds as opposed to getting frustrated by trying to connect to mobile devices.

Mulu Caves Package Tour

If you would like to visit Mulu caves but would prefer not to organise everything yourself, don’t worry as there is a good range of Mulu cave package tours available.  Below I’ve listed the ones you can book online through major companies so check them out.

3-Day/ 2 Night Adventure in Mulu National Park (Tripadvisor)

✅ A choice of accommodation                                                         ❌ Flights

✅ Deer and Lang Cave

✅ Clearwater Cave and Cave of Winds                           CLICK HERE FOR PRICES AND MORE INFO

✅ Airport transfers

Mulu Caves Tour 4D3N & Pinnacles Hiking

✅ Three nights of accommodation

✅ Deer and Lang Cave                                                                       ❌ Flights

✅ Clearwater Cave and Cave of Winds

✅ Pinnacles Hiking                                                               CLICK HERE FOR PRICES AND MORE INFO

Mulu Pinnacles & Headhunter’s Trail 5-Day Eco Adventure

✅ Four nights accommodation

✅ Pinnacles Hiking                                                                 CLICK HERE FOR PRICES AND MORE INFO

✅ Headhunter Trail

Borneo Tour Packages which include Mulu National Park

Wild sarawak.

A 10 day adventure holiday with Intrepid Travel which incorporates Kuching, Bako National Park, Mulu and Kota Kinabalu.

The Mulu National park section of the tour includes the following.

✅ Flights and all transport

✅ Accommodation

✅ Clearwater Cave and Cave of Winds                                CLICK HERE FOR PRICES AND MORE INFO

✅ Free time if you want to book the Canopy Sky Walk (cost not included)

Best of Borneo

Whether you organise a package tour or arrange your trip to Mulu independently you need to ensure that you pack the right the equipment.  The next section lists the most essential things to pack but if you’re doing any of the longer trails you may want to bring some additional camping gear.

What to Pack for Mulu National Park

Raincoat or rain jacket.

As Mulu is a rainforest, there’s a good chance that it will rain.  The weather changes constantly, and one minute it can be glorious sunshine, and from nowhere, the rain can appear.  Being tropical the showers are often short, and the trees do provide some protection, but a raincoat is essential if you don’t want to get drenched.

I have a Columbia Arcadia Jacket which I can highly recommend.  It has two large pockets and folds into one of its own pockets to store. The jacket drys out quickly and it’s lightweight so its perfect for long days in the park.

Columbia also makes a Columbia Men’s Watertight Jacket which is similar.

Even in the show caves, a torchlight is handy and the Mulu National Park advisors recommended you carry one.   A head torch is the easiest way but the downside it easier to illuminate specific things with a handheld one.

Travel First Aid Kit

There are no chemists in Mulu and its easy to get a scratch or a cut in the rainforest.  A travel first aid kit easily fits in your day bag and is essential to carry if you’re going on any longer treks or unguided walks.

Trekking shoes with rubber soles

Although the caves around the park are accessible by wooden walkways, these become slippery when it rains.  The unguided trails and treks to the Garden of Eden or the Pinnacles are often muddy, so a pair of trekking shoes with rubber soles is recommended.

These Edgewater muck boots are ideal for visiting the Mulu Caves. Muckster also makes  women’s Muck Boots which are waterproof, shock-absorbing and they have a breathable air mesh lining.

If you’re looking for a pair of hiking boots under $100, you can read my review on the best ones for women here and hiking boots for men under 100 here.

Insect repelling Hiking Pants

While the bats do keep the mosquito population low, Mulu is still a rainforest, and there’s a diverse range of insects that live here.  The easiest way to avoid insect bites is to wear hiking clothes with insect shield material.  There’s a range of insect-repelling garments including socks, mosquito repellents and Jackets available on Amazon.

Water bottle

You will need to carry water on all Mulu cave trips and along the hiking trails.  Do your bit for the environment and take your own reusable water bottle .

If you’re short on space these collapsible ones are fantastic.

Drying clothes in the rainforest is not always easy due to the humidity and frequent rain showers. No one wants to put wet clothes in a suitcase, so what do you do with them?  A dry bag offers the perfect solution and they can easily double up as a waterproof day bag.

While a DSLR camera is a preferred choice, you’re unlikely to want to take your best camera on caving activities.  The Olympus Tough TG5 camera is ideal for Mulu as its waterproof, dustproof, shockproof and built for tough outdoor action. It also allows you to shoot images in raw format which is ideal for the caves as to get the best photos you’ll need to do some editing.

For more information on tough waterproof cameras, read my reviews of underwater cameras at this link.  Most compact underwater cameras are tough and are not just designed for underwater use.

Binoculars are not much use in the caves due to the lack of light, but if you’re going on any of the treks and trails a compact pair of binoculars will come in handy.  Of course, if you’re a birdwatcher and planning on spending some time in the treetop tower, you may wish to take a pair of birdwatching binoculars.

Lastly, there are no ATM’s in Mulu National Park, so you’ll need to bring enough cash for the duration of your stay.

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Hi, I’m Fiona Berry- I live in Lancashire in the North of England, but my job as an instrumental music examiner takes me all over the world. Travel has enriched my life in so many ways and allowed me to experience different cultures, make new friends and see extraordinary sights. Through this blog, I share my knowledge and expertise so that my readers have all the resources they require to ensure their travels provide unique and unforgettable memories to destinations that are beyond the ordinary.

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3D2N Mulu Pinnacles

Upon arrival Mulu Airport, meet and greet by our friendly representative and transfer by longboat proceed to Batu Bungan - Penan Settlement, to observe the tribe lifestyle and to select handicrafts on display for sale at Penan Settlement. Packed lunch at Clearwater summer huts and relax for a while (Subject for the flight arrival time) then continue journey by longboat to Long Litut. Then jungle trek for 3 hours to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight at Camp 5. (Lunch / Dinner)

Breakfast at Camp 5. after breakfast ascend to Gunung Api for 3 hours to view the magnificent Pinnacles. During the climb you will see many species of plants, all types of insects within this virgin jungle of Borneo. Pack lunch will be serve at the observatory point. After lunch descend to Camp 5. Dinner and overnight at Camp 5. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Breakfast at Camp 5 and jungle trek to Long Litut and transfer to Clearwater summer hut for packed lunch and Transfer by longboat to Mulu airport for flight to next destination. (Breakfast / Lunch)

RATES ARE BASED ON PER PERSON BASIS & MININUM 2 PERSON

Rates are based on single traveller.

• All rates above valid till 30 September 2024 (tour commencement date). Tours ( FIT ) are strictly on SIC ( Sit In Coach ) basis & all rates are Malaysia Ringgit (MYR)
• Tour is not suitable for children below 16 years old.
• RATES INCLUDED
• Accommodation, meals as stated (dinner will be at respective hotel)
• Entrance fee, guide fee & boat transfers
• All transfers & tours as stated in the package
• RATES EXCLUDED
• Airfare ( Miri / Mulu / Miri)
• Travel insurance
• Tourism tax **
• ** The tourism tax is RM10 per room per night and is charged to guest who are not Malaysian nationals or permanent resident holding a MyPR card. This tax will be collected upon check out
• REQUIREMENT FOR THE TRIP
• Torchlight, insect repellent, raincoat, swim wear, towel, trekking shoes, sleeping bag, own drinking bottle and first aid kit.
• CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
• Over 14 days (From date of departure) charge 30% of Tour fare.
• 7 days (From date of departure) charge 50% of tour fare.
• Less than 7 days (From date of departure) charge full tour fare.
• No refund for those tours which involve accommodation.

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