A trip for the fit and adventurous, cut yourself from the known world for 6 days as you explore mysterious Borneo.
Start your journey with mysterious caves of wonder.
There will be 4 famous showcaves of Mulu including
- Deer cave - the single largest cave passage known to man and home to millions of free tailed naked bats
- Clearwater cave - named after an underground river system that flows through the cave systems and culminates with high velocity through this chamber. This is the longest underground river in South East Asia.
Headhunting
Follow the lead on the once feared headhunter's trail (11.3 km). Retrace the steps of the Kayan headhunting war parties who paddled the same route a hundred years ago through the Mulu area to attack Murut Longhouses and Chinese farmers. This trail takes 4-5 hours to reach 'Camp 5', the base site for our ascension up the Pinnacles.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles is an optional climb because it is gruelling and high risk. However, it is well worth the rewarding effort to reach the viewpoint of the Pinnacles, an astonishing sight of razor like limestone sculptures weathered by rain and elements over millions of years up the side of Mount Api. The trail is only 2.4kms but the ascension is 1200m up a steep path to a viewpoint looking out over the Pinnacles (the steepest sections have aluminum ladders, metal rungs and ropes for safety).
What do I get to do?
Hiking, swimming, visit show caves and bamboo rafting.
Adventure Rating and Remarks
4 (5 for Pinnacles). Expect to be cut off from civilisation as you head down the Headhunter's Trail.
Accommodation
Park HQ (3 nights), park dormitory quarters (2 nights)
Itinerary
Day 1 – Mulu Caves
Arrive at Mulu and transfer to Park Chalet, check-in at Mulu HQ. By 2:30pm, proceed to the world largest cave entrance, Deer cave and explore the gorgeous cave formations at Lang’s cave. Witness the daily exodus of over a million bats at dusk as they leave to search for food. (All meals at your own expenses)
Day 2 – Mulu Caves – Camp 5
Check-out of park chalet after breakfast and take a short boat ride to Wind and Clear Water cave. You can try a swim at the river mouth of Clear Water cave. Packed lunch at the picnic ground. By 1.30pm, you ride a boat to Kuala Litut, hiking begins for 3 hours for 8.8 km to Camp 5. Have a swim at the crystal clear Melinau running water. (Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 – Pinnacles
This morning, challenge yourself by climbing the Pinnacles. (Very good fitness required). Total time should be around 8 hours. Packed lunch at the view point. Return to Camp 5 and enjoy a tea break. Rest for the rest of the evening is one of the prettiest areas of Mulu National Park. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 – Camp 5 to Mentawai Ranger Station
In the morning, hike for 11.3 km on the famous Headhunter’s trail to Kuala Terikan. Allow 3 to 4 hours. A boat transfers you to Mentawai Ranger Station. The rest of the afternoon is free and easy. (B, L, D)
Day 5- Mentawai Ranger Station
After breakfast, ride a boat up river where you paddle with bamboo supported by inner tubes or dingle down mild rapids on Mendalam river. After lunch, go tubing down the rapids. (B, L, D)
Day 6- Mentawai Ranger Station - Kuala Mendamit
This morning ride a boat to Kuala Mendamit. A van transfers you to Limbang. Check-in to a 3 star hotel. Tour ends. (B)
Rate per pax in Malaysian Ringgit (decreases with more participants)
From RM 1930 based on 2 persons, private tour
What does it include?
All transfers, meals as stated, entry permit and fees, pinnacles and camp fees, longboat expedition, meals as stated, and English speaking guide. (B-breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner).
What does it exclude?
Items not mentioned such as gratuity tips for the guide, insurance and cost of alcoholic drinks.
What do I need to wear/bring?
Please bring the following in addition to what you would normally pack:
- Waterproof jacket / raincoat/ poncho
- Trekking / off road sports shoes/ adidas kampung
- Leech socks
- Dry bag to keep any important items dry
- Sandals - strapped preferably
- Sunblock
- Hat
- Insect repellent
- Swimwear - good for hiking then straight into the river!
- Light pullover
- Long sleeved shirt
- Trousers
- Torchlight / headlamp with 2 sets of backup batteries - waterproof and able to take some knocking is best
- Snacks/Drinks - for in-between meals. There are few snack/drink choices at the park and expect higher rates.
Best time to visit
This tour can be run at any time during the year. If it's the rainy season, there will be more activities to do on the river. However, if it is raining on the day of your Pinnacles climb, the guide will be forced to cancel the trip.
Getting Here
Mulu is accessible by air daily from Miri, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching airport. From Kuala Lumpur, you can choose to either fly via Malaysia Airlines (MAS) or AirAsia to Miri and hop on a connecting flight from Miri to Mulu.
Responsible Tourism practices
This is a true eco-adventure experience. Proceeds of this tour will directly and indirectly benefit the community of your guides. The men will also aid us as knowledgeable guides upriver and skilled boatmen to navigate us to our destinations.
All transportation used is locally owned and provided. The guides are slowly learning the value of eco-tourism and are ever slowly changing their ways of hunting to being nature guides.
All produce is purchased or planted locally. This tour enables these communities that depend on tourism to continue with their way of life.