Getting down and dirty is the best way to enjoy a caving experience. There is no better way to enjoy and appreciate caving than at World Heritage Site Mulu National Park, one of Malaysia's most famous landmarks.
This tour combines a gentle free and easy visit to the show caves mixed up with adventure caving. We've strung together an adventure caving experience for beginner and intermediate levels that will guarantee you muddy and slippery fun on all fours. The guides that will lead you in are experienced and specially selected. You will receive a safety briefing prior to your journey.
This tour is not for you if you are scared of small spaces, insects, guano or getting wet and muddy (although you will certainly come away from this experience having conquered your fears).
What do I get to do?
Explore in detail the wonders of Mulu Caves through adventure caving.
Adventure rating and remarks
4 - expect to be dirty on all fours in one of the greatest cave systems in the world.
2009 Rate (reduces with participant numbers). Rate Per Pax in Malaysian Ringgit (RM)
Both rates here apply to program A or B below
With Royal Mulu Resort Accommodation: RM 2250 based on 2pax. Private Tour
For Mulu Park Accommodation, please email us.
Itinerary (please choose)
A. Intermediate Program
Day 1 - Arrival - Check into Royal Mulu Resort. In the late afternoon, proceed to Deer and Lang's Cave (Show Caves). Wait for evening bat flight and return back to resort for dinner. (Dinner)
Day 2 - After breakfast, depart by longboat to Clearwater and Wind Cave (show caves). Then proceed to Turtle Cave. After lunch, visit Racer Cave - this is a mandatory test to determine if you can make it for the following day's adventure caving. Return back to resort. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 3 - After breakfast, proceed to Lagang cave near Park HQ for full day caving. You will explore the beginner and intermediate routes - be prepared to scramble over boulders and along ancient river beds. There is no climbing in this cave. Return back to resort after caving. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner).
Day 4 - After breakfast, hike for 1.5 hours to Drunken Forest cave. There is also a nice waterfall here to refresh yourself after caving. This level is intermediate. (Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)
Day 5 - Free and easy until checkout and transfer to airport for onward flight home. (Breakfast)
B. Intermediate to Hardcore Program (May have rope climbing and abseiling) - to be attempted only with some experience in caving (not showcave tours)
Day 1 - Arrive Morning. Transfer to accommodation. Late afternoon visit Deer and Lang's caves. Over night at Royal Mulu Resort. (D)
Day 2 - Travel by boat to Turtle Cave (beginner) from resort. Picnic lunch then continue Racer Cave (Intermediate). - this is a mandatory test to determine if you can make it for the following day's adventure caving. Over night at Resort. (B)
Day 3 - Travel by van to Park HQ, walk to Drunken Forest cave (intermediate). (B, L, D) Over night at Resort.
Day 4- Travel by boat to Wind cave for Clear Water cave Connection (Advance) - approx. 5km long - venture into chambers with river washed boulders. Squeeze through tight passages then swimming out underground water passages. Good fitness and swimming skills essential. Over night at Resort. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Free and easy until checkout and transfer to airport for onward flight home. (Breakfast)
*the park guides will assess your skill level at every cave. They may reject you if they feel you are not suitable for the more challenging caves. Important you know your skill and fitness level before commiting on the tour as no refunds provided.
What does it include?
Accommodation at Royal Mulu Resort (3 star) in air-conditioned rooms (double sharing), or Mulu Park Room, land and long boat transfers, meals as specified, guiding and entrance fees
Mulu Park accommodation is a basic room with attached bath. If all fully booked then it will be in the dormitory.
Notes:
If you want to extend your stay and try some rafting down the river homestay for 1 night at a Penan longhouse, add RM 300 per person (recommended for cultural experience - rate may vary).
What does it exclude?
Insurance, Items not mentioned such as gratuity tips for the guide and cost of alcoholic drinks.
What do I need to 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 inbetween meals. There are few snack/drink choices at the park and expect higher rates.
Best time to visit
Mulu National Park can be visited all year round. The rainy season is expected to be from November to February. If the water levels are too high, some of the caves may be cancelled for your safety (no refund will be given)
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 MAS connecting flight from Miri to Mulu.
See www.airasia.com, www.mas.com.my and www.maswings.com.my
Responsible Tourism practices
Your knowledgeable guide and all boatmen are local to the area. All activities conducted around the area have an indirect benefit to the communities of that area.
Your purchase of local handicraft from the Penan market helps sustain a vanishing tribe, the nomadic Penan. Their specialty are handicraft made from rattan such as bags and bracelets.