Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu National Park (Taman Negara Gunung Mulu) is in Sarawak on the island Borneo, near the border with Brunei.

Archaeological evidence from excavations in Cave of the Winds indicate that the cave was used for burial between 1500 and 3000 years ago. In 1977-78 the Royal Geographical Society/Sarawak Government organized a major expedition and survey of the area. An account of the expedition results, environment and biota was published in July 1982 in The Sarawak Museum Journal.

In 2000 UNESCO inscribed Gunung Mulu National Park on the World Heritage List. Today it is one of Sarawak's most popular travel destinations.

Named after the 2,377m Mount Mulu (Gunung Mulu), the park is famed for its limestone karst formations both above ground and underground. The massive cave systems, which contain the 12 million cubic meter Sarawak Chamber (the world's largest), are still in the process of being mapped. Clearwater Cave at 151 km (Feb 2007) is the 10th longest cave in the world. The limestones belong to the Melinau Limestone Formation and are estimated to be 4000 to 5000m thick. In the south-east of Mulu Park sandstones are dominant. The hightest relief in the region (Gunung Mulu) is located in these sandstones.

Mulu's landforms are outstanding examples of erosional processes on both of these rock types (limestones and sandstones).

Among the most remarkable karst features are the world's finest example of a karst collapse (The Garden of Eden) and the sharp pointed bladed limestone Pinnacles, some of which are 45m high on the northern end of Gunung Api. There are also numerous examples of cone karst and tower karst. Another interesting feature of the landscape is the drainage through deeply incised gorges (Sungai Melinau at Melinau Gorge and Sungai Medalam to the north) in the limestones.

To get into the park you must register at the Park HQ office and buy the five-day-pass for RM30 per person (they will give you a colour bracelet that you have to wear during your stay). A new five-day pass must be bought after the previous one expires. There are no single-day passes. To enter any caves you must have a Licensed Park Guide or join a guided group (fees starting from RM20 per person).

Most visitors come to Mulu for the caves, but there are also good jungle and mountain trekking options in the area. Guides are obligatory for all cave visits and most treks.

• Clearwater and Wind Caves.
• Deer and Langs Caves.
• Bat Exodus.

Clearwater and Wind Caves.

Deer and Langs Caves.

Bat Exodus.

• Paku Waterfall.

Paku Waterfall.

The national park has three climbing treks:

• The Pinnacles Summit Trek. A 3 days/2 nights trek leading to the view of the Gunung Mulu Pinnacles. The trek is usually starts with a one or two hours boat ride from Melinau river to Kuala Berar (Berar delta). The Base Camp 5 is a 7.8 km walk from Kuala Berar. Camp 5 is located near the Melinau Gorge which separates Mount Benarat from Mount Api. After Camp 5, there is a 1.2 km trek rising 1,200 metres; passing from dipterocarp forest to moss forest. The last section requires ropes and ladders to help with the climb.
• The Headhunter's Trails. This trek is the route taken to enter or leave the Gunung Mulu National Park. The trail follows the route taken by the Kayan from Melinau river to Melinau Gorge. The trail starts with a boat ride to Kuala Berar, then trek for two to three hours to reach Camp 5. From Camp 5, there is an 11.2 km trail leading to Kuala Terikan which could last for four to five hours. The climbers can either choose to stay at a ranger station Nanga Metawai (15 minutes from Kuala Terikan) or a longhouse named Rumah Bala Lesong (three to four hours by longboat). After that, a boat ride further downriver would reach Nanga Medamit where there is a road leading to Limbang.
• The Gunung Mulu Summit trek. A challenging 4-day, 3-night climb to the top of Mt. Mulu itself. The summit is located at 24 km away from the park headquarters. The trek starts from the national park headquarters to reach Camp 3. It is a 12 km hike through the primary forests with an elevation of 1,200 metres. The mossy forest starts from Camp 3. It will be a few hours to climb to reach Camp 4. After Camp 4, there are a few vertical climbs which requires knotted ropes which eventually leads to the summit. Camp 1 is located along the descending trek from the summit of Mount Mulu. There is another 3-hour hike to reach the park headquarters from Camp 1.

The Pinnacles Summit Trek. A 3 days/2 nights trek leading to the view of the Gunung Mulu Pinnacles. The trek is usually starts with a one or two hours boat ride from Melinau river to Kuala Berar (Berar delta). The Base Camp 5 is a 7.8 km walk from Kuala Berar. Camp 5 is located near the Melinau Gorge which separates Mount Benarat from Mount Api. After Camp 5, there is a 1.2 km trek rising 1,200 metres; passing from dipterocarp forest to moss forest. The last section requires ropes and ladders to help with the climb.

The Headhunter's Trails. This trek is the route taken to enter or leave the Gunung Mulu National Park. The trail follows the route taken by the Kayan from Melinau river to Melinau Gorge. The trail starts with a boat ride to Kuala Berar, then trek for two to three hours to reach Camp 5. From Camp 5, there is an 11.2 km trail leading to Kuala Terikan which could last for four to five hours. The climbers can either choose to stay at a ranger station Nanga Metawai (15 minutes from Kuala Terikan) or a longhouse named Rumah Bala Lesong (three to four hours by longboat). After that, a boat ride further downriver would reach Nanga Medamit where there is a road leading to Limbang.

The Gunung Mulu Summit trek. A challenging 4-day, 3-night climb to the top of Mt. Mulu itself. The summit is located at 24 km away from the park headquarters. The trek starts from the national park headquarters to reach Camp 3. It is a 12 km hike through the primary forests with an elevation of 1,200 metres. The mossy forest starts from Camp 3. It will be a few hours to climb to reach Camp 4. After Camp 4, there are a few vertical climbs which requires knotted ropes which eventually leads to the summit. Camp 1 is located along the descending trek from the summit of Mount Mulu. There is another 3-hour hike to reach the park headquarters from Camp 1.

• Turtle Cave (Beginner; Swimming required)
• Lagang Cave (Beginner)
• The Garden of Eden (Beginner; Swimming optional)
• Racer Cave (Intermediate)
• Stone Horse Cave (Intermediate)
• Clearwater Connection (Advanced; Swimming required)
• Sarawak Chamber (Advanced)

Book adventure caving plans at least 3-4 weeks in advance due to the limited availability of guides. There are no cancellation fees trips canceled more than one day in advance.

Advanced caves require prior caving experience of more than 3 hours in a wild cave, or require completing one of the Intermediate caves.

With its 480 m of elevated walkway, Mulu's Canopy Skywalk is the world's longest tree based canopy walk.

• Walk from Clearwater Cave to Park HQ via Moonmilk trail
• Trekking to the Pinnacles
• Trekking the Headhunters' Trail
• Trekking the Summit
• Viewpoint (best at sunset) at Bukit Pala (there is a track just behind where it parks the Marriot bus before that hotel), you can walk 2 km from the park entrance or ask a boatman to take you the Marriot pier and walk from there 50 m.
• See millions of bats leaving at the same time the Deer and Langs Caves everyday from 17:00. Free.

Carry enough cash. There are no ATMs anywhere in Mulu. While Park HQ accepts cards, the Park Cafe and most other places do not accept card. Park HQ offers cash-back with a 2% service fee, but it is limited to a small amount (approx. RM100). The Royal Mulu Resort offers cash-back for higher amounts, but charges 5% service fee for Resort guests, and 10% service fee for outsiders.

The Penan community of Batu Bungan sell handicrafts (beads, rottan and basketware) some of which (but not all) they make themselves.

Lunch or dinner meals at the Park Cafe run around RM20 per person (without alcohol), and RM49 with alcohol. Breakfast is typically included if you are staying at Park HQ.

Tap water is potable, however it is a good idea to boil it in the tea/coffee kettles if available.

• Cafe Mulu, Park HQ. Basic but a little pricy local eats.

Cafe Mulu, Park HQ. Basic but a little pricy local eats.

Laundry services in Park HQ are around M2-3 per article of clothing, and take 24 hr. There is no coin-operated laundry service, or by-weight laundry service near the park. If you choose to wash your clothes, expect them to take at least 2 days to dry outside due to high humidity and frequent afternoon/evening showers. Dry-fit clothes are an excellent idea since they dry quickly and are well suited for the sweltering (and often wet) caves.

There is (spotty) cellphone coverage for MAXIS/Hotlink customers near Park HQ. Cellular data connections are extremely slow and unreliable. Cellular data is much more reliable near the airport. There is almost no cellular coverage deeper inside the park. Prepaid Hotlink top-up cards can be purchased at the airport cafe for a 20% mark-up.

Internet wifi (RM5 = 1 day password) can be bought at the Park Reception.

In April 2016 one girl was almost abused when walking alone around 19:00 outside the park. Be careful and don't accept offers from strange guys who want to accompany you.

See Get in.