6 Days Mulu Caves, Mentawai Ranger Station and Limbang

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 which will include Deer cave - the single largest cave passage known to man and home to millions of free-tailed naked bats, and 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.

Stay at Camp 5, the only modern building in the heart of the jungle for travellers and researchers to stay. From this base site, you can rest your leech bitten body and stressed hiking muscles in the river before climbing up Mount Api to view 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 ascent 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).

Your adventure then brings you on Headhunters Trail, the once feared trail used by warring tribes (11.3 km). Retrace the steps of the Kayan headhunting war parties who hiked and paddled the same route a hundred years ago through the Mulu area to attack Murut Longhouses and Chinese farmers. The hike will be for 4-5 hours on undulating beautiful jungle scenery and across rope bridges over rivers. You can even wade across the rivers if its low water.

Upon completing the trail, you will be rewarded with a boat ride where you can marvel at the riverine beauty. At Mentawai Ranger Station, you can rest on its flat green grounds, catch up on some sleep or frolick in the river. The most strenuous activity will be a pitcher plants tour before a further longboat journey takin you to Nanga Medamit jetty. From here, you will travel overland to Limbang.

What do I get to do?

Hiking, swimming, visit caves, view the unusual Pinnacles, overnight at Mentawai Ranger Station, walk the headhunters trail, observe the riverine beauty, spot animal tracks on the trails and maybe see them by the river, visit Limbang towns attractions and eat some good food.

Adventure Rating and Remarks

4 (5 for Pinnacles). Expect to be cut off from civilisation as you head down the Headhunter's Trail.

Itinerary

Day 1: Mulu Park: Deer and Lang's 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 own expenses)

Day 2: Mulu Park: Wind and Clear Water Caves and then to Camp 5
Check-out of Mulu Park accommodation 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/bath at the crystal clear Melinau River. (L,D)

Day 3: Camp 5 and 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. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Headhunter's trail and tubing and over night at Mentawai
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 pitcher plants tour then onwards to Limbang
In the morning a guided observation of pitcher plants at Mentawai Ranger Station then continue by boat to Limbang. The boat ride to Limbang will be a wonderful experience as you see different endemic birds and sometimes animals along the majestic riverside scenery. At Nanga Medamit jetty, you will be transferred overland to Limbang town. (B,L)

Day 6: Limbang
Depending on your departure time, further adventure tours can be arranged such as pitcher plants tour (different species from Mentawai), Limbang Museum, mud volcano bath or canoeing at Limpaki Mangrove Wetland National Park. Pitcher plant tour is free. Other tours at additional charge.

You may also proceed on to Brunei, Labuan Island, Kota Kinabalu or interiors of Sarawak from Limbang.

End

Rate (in Malaysian Ringgit and per person)

Valid 2015

RM 1,850

Minimum 2 persons. Private tour

What does it include?

Accommodation and meals stated below, longboat transfers, limbang transfers, pinnacles and English speaking guide.
1) 1 night at Mulu Park Hostel - basic bunk bed in spacioius comfortable hostel. If Mulu Park hostel is full, alternative are hostels outside Mulu Park HQ. Private rooms in Mulu Park and outside park will cost more.
2) 2 nights at Camp 5 - Sleep on vinyl foam mattress on a raised platform in an open room with other travellers. Unisex. Only 2 sleeping quarters available. Limited spaces. Bring earplugs or earphone(!)
You can purchase additional meals and some drink/snacks at Camp 5 canteen.
3) 1 night at Mentawai Ranger Station - Sturdy bunk beds with decent facilities
4) 1 night at Limbang hostel - Basic beds in a shophouse
5) 10 meals included starting from Day 2

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:

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. If it is raining on the day of Pinnacles climb, the guide will be forced to cancel the trip without refund.

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.