Hiking Adventures to Mulu/Pinnacles in Mulu National Park (Sarawak - Malaysia)

 

Amazing Beauty of Mulu National Park - UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Mulu National Park is one of the most beautiful and unique national parks in east Malaysia (Borneo) with amazing show cave complex system, spectacular tropical rainforest and of course, the one of the kind - The Pinnacles.

Mulu is a UNESCO designated world heritage site with 85000 hectares of some of the oldest pristine rainforests in the world.  Despite it sizes, the only way to explore this wonderous places is via longboat as well using your own feet (as in you need to hike a lot). 

Summary of our great memories and experiences

Hello there, hope things are well and you're up to plan for your upcoming trip. I'm sharing here our recent experiences (May 2024) in embarking on a 5D4N adventures to Mulu National Park (Sarawak) which takes us through exploring jaw dropping cave complex systems, amazing boat ride along the beautiful river systems and finally hiking through the natural tropical forest. 

Our 5 days itinerary includes visiting amazing places the showcase cave (Deer Cave, Lang Cave, Wind Cave & Clearwater Cave), viewing the bat exodus, rapid shooting with longboat, trekking to the Pinnacles and lastly, hiking on the headhunter trail toward Terikan river and boat ride to Limbang (where our trip end). 

The Mulu cave complex chamber systems are one of the most amazing and jaw dropping experiences we ever head - it sheer size, depth and natural stalagmites/stalactites formation and beautiful surroundings which is almost unreal. There's even a spot name after the Garden of Eden.  

All in all, the experienced and feeling we had throughout this journey is simply priceless and one of a kind. Looking forward for more adventures to this magical place real soon.

Sharing with you readers here is our fun filled adventures, let's begin and do enjoy reading.

Welcome to Mulu National Park HQ

When you arrived at the park HQ, you will be first be greeted by an aboriginal totem signboard with a unique horn bill head.

We quickly got our backpack ready and proceed to look for the park HQ for registration/check-in and to meet with our local guide.

To get to the park HQ registration office, we crossed the suspension bridge over the Melinau river which is also the longboat jetty is.  

Our accommodation at park HQ

Deer Cave & Lang Cave and Bat Exodus

After checking-in and get briefing from our guide, we start to plan our first day activities where we will visit the first two show cave (Lang & Deer Cave) and ending the day with viewing of millions of bat exodus from the cave for their daily feeding time.

The distance between the park HQ to the first cave (Deer Cave) is just a short 3km walk (one way) on the wooden plank walk. (Note: As it was raining earlier, the wooden plank was very slippery due to water mixing with the green moss that grown on the plank - hence, need to be very careful) 

Note: Deer Cave is the largest cave passage in the world – it is just over 2 kilometers in length and never less than 90metres high and wide. The main chamber, which is partially lit by sunlight, is 174 meters wide and 122 meters high.

Entering Lang Cave

Lang Cave - natural rock formation

Lang Cave - interior

Deer Cave Complex

Entering the Deer cave complex chamber systems

The great Abraham Lincoln??

Cave complex and river systems

Beautiful water flowing from the sky

Underground river systems

Underground river systems

Garden of Eden

After visiting both the Deer & Lang Cave complex, we return to the bat observatory to get ready for viewing of the bat. At this observatory, there are sitting areas prepared (see picture below) for visitors to sit back and relax while waiting for the first bat to exit the cave.

We were informed by our guide that the bat exodus usually happens in the evening between 5-6pm. We're really lucky as weather was good on that day and we managed to watch the mesmerizing bat exiting the cave by the thousands.

Bat Exodus

Wind Cave & Clearwater Cave 

Longboat jetty - to take us to Wind Cave & Clearwater Cave

Rapid shooting on long boat 

Entering Clearwater Cave Complex

Massive Cave Complex with underground river systems

Lunch time after exploring the last 2 show cave

Having packed lunch (nasi lemak) and tea with our guide.

Hiking to Camp-5 

Continuing our plan trip to the Pinnacles, we took another boat ride to Kuala Litut and start our hiking to Camp-5 (base camp for the Pinnacles)

Arrived at Camp-5
 

Crystal clear water - open bathing in the river

Camp-5 (buildings) - Our place to stay for next 2 days

Teatime at Camp-5

Luxury 3 course dinner with rice at Camp-5

Wow! Our guide prepared us with a delicious 3 course meal - Midin vege, sweet sour chicken and cabbage.

Bad weather condition - heavy thunderstorm (on evening our pre-hike to Pinnacles)

I guess our luck was with us on that day as the thunderstorm arrived and heavy rain landed at our camp in the late afternoon and continue till the morning.

We woke up at 4am and get ready for our plan hike to the Pinnacles. Even though the overnight rain has just subsided, most of us still hang on to a slim hope that the climb will proceed. The forest ranger reviews the situation with all the guide but finally decided it is too risky and dangerous to hike after heavy rain - our trip is officially over as all hike for the day has been cancelled which was a big setback and disappointment to everyone in the camp-5.

At our 11am, the tour guide asked whether we will still be interested to do a "small hike" which is to go only up to mini-Pinnacles (which is about 1.5hours hike one way) as this is the furthest point the ranger allowed.

Our trip consolation (mini-Pinnacles)

Arriving at Mini Pinaccle's

The writer and partner at the mini pinnacles

Hiking back to Camp-5 (after getting drenched by another heavy afternoon rain)

Head-hunter trail (last day)

Map/route from Camp-5 to Kuala Terikan jetty

Getting ready in the morning and check-out from Camp-5

Start hiking on the headhunter trail

The 3 of us are all packed and ready to start the final leg of our hiking via the headhunter trail which is about 11km before getting to the boat jetty to Limbang

Hiking through wooded areas of the trail

Exploring the trail (grassland trail)

Crossing one of the many suspensions' bridges

River crossing over suspension bridge

Single rope suspension bridge crossing

Flooded headhunter trail

Watery trail throughput the hike

Arrived at Mentawai Ranger station (on route to Limbang town)

A short 30min boat ride, we reached the Mentawai station. This is just a quick pitstop where we had a quick packed lunch before continuing the trip to the longhouse.

Boat ride to headhunter longhouse (end of the journey)

Another 2 hours of boat ride before reaching the longhouse jetty.

Instead of staying at the longhouse for the night, we decided to instead to go straight Limbang town.

We arranged a car to pick up us from the jetty and start our rough road trip to the small town of Limbang which is about 3hours ride across non-tar and bumpy road conditions. 

I would say it was a very uncomfortable ride I ever had in a long time and definitely wouldn't want to experience this again. Imagined having to spend 12hours straight on the same day - 5hours hike from Camp-5, continue with 3hours boat ride and another 3 hours rough road trip.

End of our 5D4N trip at Limbang town 

After 5days living at hostel/camp with very basic facilities, it good to be back to normal live. Ending our trip having a relaxing dinner and beer with our guide.

 

My experiences and lesson learnt:

Mulu/Pinnacles is somewhat between medium to hard to hike (depending on your fitness level, of course). 

• Enjoy the moment - Do take time and immerse yourself with the view and surroundings. Take photos and videos to capture the moments and experiences. It not just the Pinnacles/summit you're aiming for but the journey and experiences that come with the trip.
• Is not a race but journey - do pace yourself well throughout the hike to ensure you don't spend too much energy especially before the final ascend to summit. 
• One step at a time - when you find yourself struggling and start thinking about giving up the hike, do remember use the mantra " One step at a time". Your hard work will definitely pay off when you reach the summit.
• Safety come first - do be extra vigilant and careful to avoid any unforeseen injury. 
• Make use of your guide - listen and follow the advice of your guide throughout the hike. They have in-depth knowledge of the terrains, environments and weather conditions. Their guidance is utmost important, and their sole purpose is to ensure you summit successfully and return safely.

Important note on preparation before you start the hike:

• Clothing:  As you will be trekking through the dense tropical forest, the weather there is very hot and humid and best you wear something light and breathable. 

• Raincoat:  Do prepare a raincoat/rain cover for yourself as well for your backpack as very likely you will need one. When its rain is pours over here.

• Hiking gear: A lightweight and waterproof bag pack to store all the items you need, a comfortable hiking boot, and walking stick (I would highly recommend this), hat, gloves, headlamp. Finally, a sandal or flip flop will definitely be useful especially after a long hike and your feet start to hurts.

• Food/drinks: But do ensure you have at least a 1.5L drinking water bottle and you can get it refill at the park HQ as well as in Camp (for those that plan their hike to Pinnacles). Do get yourself some energy bar or snacks to provide some sugar rush to your tired body.

• Misc: Others optional stuff to consider - Deep heat cream, band-aid for small cut, wet towel wipe for personal hygiene, toothbrush/paste, camera, spare power-bank (for recharge of camera), ziplog bag for storage of your rubbish. 

Best time to visit Mulu National Park:

Being a tropical rainforest, it rains a lot in Mulu park.  Literally, every day it will have close to 70-80% chance rain will fall. Hence, do avoid coming here on rainy season. (Important note: If it rains on the day of your plan hike to Pinnacles, the park ranger will cancel the hike.) 

My sad experienced: It was a big letdown for me and my partner as the ranger decided to cancel all hiking plan to the Pinnacles due to heavy rain during the 2 days, we're in Camp 5.

From researched data, the best time to visit is between the month of June to Sept/Oct which also coincide with the dry season which I couldn't agree more. 

How to get to Mulu National Park:

The best entry point to get to Mulu is via Miri. From my travel search, I found many airlines offers direct flight to this location. 

We departed from Kuala Lumpur (KLIA airport) to Miri using Malaysia Airlines. From Miri, we boarded another airline (MASWings) to Mulu, which serve as the main gateway to Mulu National Park. (Note: In Miri airport, you are required to passthrough immigration in which you have options of using your IC or passport. I opt for the latter in which your passport will be stamped)

Once arrived, you need to arrange ground travel arrangement to drive you to the park.  The Mulu airport is just less than 10 minutes' drive from Mulu park HQ (but I think is a bit too far to walk).

Q&A

If you have any questions or need references on how to get in touch with the local travel agent, drop me a comment and I will be happy to answer. Till then, all the best.