4D3N Mulu National Park
The Pinnacles & show caves
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For those who dare to climb the Pinnacles, a breathtaking view over 50-meter tall, jagged rocks rising out of a tropical rainforest awaits! It will no doubt be one of the most memorable parts of your trip, both for the views and the challenge of getting there. On this 4D3N adventure you will also visit Deer, Lang, Wind and Clearwater cave, watch as over 3 million bats soar high into the Mulu sky, take longboat trips on the Melinau river, stop-off at a local Penan settlement and hike a picturesque 9km trail on your way to and from camp 5.
This trip is suitable for physically fit visitors aged 16 or above. Alternative camp 5 trekking itineraries without the pinnacles can be arranged on request. |
Itinerary
day 1: deer & lang's cave + bat exodus
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Day 1:
Pick up from Mulu airport and transfer to your accommodation in Mulu National Park. If you arrive before your room is ready, there is luggage storage available at Park HQ. Have lunch at the cafe in the park (at own cost) and explore the surrounding area if time permits. At 2.15pm, meet your guide at Park HQ and join a 3km walk through the rainforest boardwalk to reach the entrance to Deer cave. A powerful underground river once flowed through this limestone mountain, dissolving and eroding the limestone and leaving a cave passage up to 148m high as well as a perfect profile of President Lincoln in a rock formation within the cave. The sheer size of the cave is awe-inspiring and has to be seen to be fully appreciated! |
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From Deer cave, your guide will take you on to Lang’s cave. Whilst not as large as Deer’s cave, Lang’s cave has some of the most spectacular stalactites and stalagmites in Mulu National Park. After visiting both caves, make your way over to the bat observatory to witness the mass bat exodus around 5.30pm. 12 species of bats have been recorded in the caves, including 2.5 - 3.5 million wrinkle lipped bats. As the sun moves towards the horizon, bat hawks gather on the cliff face awaiting the mass exodus. Most days, the bats will leave between 5.30 - 6.30pm but on some occasions, they don’t leave at all and you may need to return the following evening and try again - such is nature! After the bat exodus, make your way back to Park HQ via the 3km boardwalk, arriving back around 7 -7.30pm.
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day 2: wind & clearwater cave to camp 5
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Day 2:
Meet your guide at Park HQ around 9am and board your traditional longboat for a 20min journey up the Melinau river to Wind cave, making a stop at a Penan handicraft market along the way. On arrival at Wind cave, explore the “King’s Chamber” and forest of stalagmites & stalactites within the cave and learn more about the formation of these incredible geological features. Return to your longboat and continue a few minutes up river to Clearwater jetty. From there, climb 200 steps to reach the main entrance to Clearwater cave system. At 227km long, it’s one of the longest cave systems in the world and home to more of the incredible geological features Mulu is famous for.. After visiting both caves, enjoy a simple picnic by the river before continuing by longboat to Kuala Litut (approx 1 hour). From there it is a long but relatively easy 9km trek to camp 5. Arrive late afternoon, take a dip in the river and rest before your big climb the next day (B, L, D) |
day 3: ascent TO the pinnacles view point (the hard bit!)
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After breakfast, set off with your guide to the Pinnacles viewpoint, a 2.4km hard climb that may leave you wishing you'd stayed at camp 5! You will need to move quickly enough to reach each section by the allocated cut-off time (see "is this trek right for me" below) whilst still paying attention to where you are putting your hands and feet. The limestone rocks can be extremely sharp and there are a lot of tree roots underfoot.
It should take you no more than 2.5 hours to complete the first 2km with a total elevation gain of over 900m (we weren't kidding when we said it's a "steep" climb) and reach the first of 17 ladders designed to help you reach the top. From there, it is a further nearly vertical 400m up the ladders to the viewpoint. On arrival, take a well-deserved photo and enjoy the stunning view over Mulu's Pinnacles! The descent back to camp 5 takes longer than the ascent and for this reason you will only spend around 30 - 60min at the viewpoint before starting your descent. Once back at camp 5, take a swim and settle in for the night. There's a good chance that you'll feel pretty proud of what you achieved today, for good reason! (B, L, D) |
day 4: camp 5 to park hq / airport
Returning from camp 5
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After breakfast at camp 5, gather your belongings and begin the 9km walk back out to Kuala Litut, along the same scenic trail you arrived on (approximate walk time 3 hours). From there, a longboat will take you back to Park HQ, estimated time of arrival is around 11am - 12pm.
Guests flying out same day will be transferred onwards to the airport. If you would like to stay an extra night after the hike then just let us know at the time of booking. |
Is this trek right for me?
After leaving Clearwater cave, it is a scenic 1 hour longboat ride up to Kuala Litut followed by a 9km walk from the boat jetty to Camp 5. This is a long but relatively flat and easy walk passing through forests and over hanging bridges. In fact, it may leave you wondering what all the fuss is about. Don't be fooled, the walk to camp 5 on day 2 and the ascent to the Pinnacles view point on day 3 are very different experiences!
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To undertake the Pinnacles climb, you don't need to have any experience of rock climbing but you must have a good level of physical fitness and be at least 16 years old.
The first section of the climb is 2km long with an elevation gain of over 900m. The path starts off from camp 5 at a 45 degree angle and passes through dipterocarp forest and moss forest at higher elevations. The moss can make the limestone rocks underfoot very slippery so be careful. When you're not too busy looking at where you're putting your feet, don't forget to look out for rhododendrons, pitcher plants and orchids which can be found along the trail. At the end of the initial 2km section, you will reach and climb the first ladder, you are now only 16 more ladders and 400m away from the viewpoint but the climb becomes even steeper. Continue upwards 1 ladder at a time over razor-sharp rocks, boulders and tree roots until you reach a rocky outcrop with a stunning view over Mulu's Pinnacles. Congratulations, you have reached the viewpoint! The climb from camp 5 to the viewpoint usually takes around 4 hours but descending takes even longer so you must leave the viewpoint by 11.30am at the latest. Ascending or descending in the dark is not permitted as it is extremely dangerous, if it is taking you too long to reach the pinnacles then your guide may need you to turn around part way through your ascent. |
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Please be aware that the park ranger at camp 5 has the absolute right to cancel the climb is the weather is deemed too dangerous. The climb from camp 5 to the Pinnacles is regarded as a high-risk activity due to the potential for slips, falls and injuries, participating in this climb is solely at your own risk and you must follow your guide's instructions at all times.
Accommodation options
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Your first night will be spent in your choice of either a private air-conditioned ensuite room or fan-cooled dormitory accommodation within Mulu National Park.
Your next 2 nights will be at camp 5 a simple yet beautifully situated forest camp next to the river. You will sleep in a basic open air dormitory with shared bathrooms. Mosquito nets & bedding will be provided as well as all meals starting with breakfast on day 2 and finishing with breakfast on day 4. |
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Pricing
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4D3N Pinnacles & show caves - per person
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Optional add-ons / upgrades
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Prices are per person and based on a minimum of 2 people per trip. Solo departure subject to 100% surcharge.
Solo travellers are welcome to join our existing departures, drop us an email to check out which dates are available.
Our tours are run on a small-group join-in basis with a maximum of 8 people per guide, private tours are available upon request.
Solo travellers are welcome to join our existing departures, drop us an email to check out which dates are available.
Our tours are run on a small-group join-in basis with a maximum of 8 people per guide, private tours are available upon request.
Additional info
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Included:
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Excluded:
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TRavelling to mulu
Mulu National Park is only accessible via MAS Wings flight from Kuching, Miri or Kota Kinabalu. Please check flights are running on your preferred dates & route by visiting MAS Wings prior to making your booking or contact us for assistance. Due to safety reasons, flights to and from Mulu are occasionally delayed or cancelled due to bad weather. In the event that MAS Wings cancels your flight due to weather, you will need to pay for any additional accommodation expenses incurred, MAS Wings will only cover your hotel if the plane is cancelled due to technical reasons.
health & safety
You will be trekking in a remote location where medical assistance may not be immediately available. Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance for this trip, rescue & evacuation is strictly at climbers own expense.
Climbing the Pinnacles is regarded as a high-risk activity due to the potential for slips, falls and injuries, participating in this climb is solely at your own risk. You will be required to sign a liability release for this trip and you must follow your guide's instructions at all times.
At certain times of year there can be a number of different species of bees around camp 5, some stingless and some not. Whilst your mosquito net will keep them away overnight, guests who are allergic to bee stings are recommended to take extra care and to carry an epipen if needed.
Climbing the Pinnacles is regarded as a high-risk activity due to the potential for slips, falls and injuries, participating in this climb is solely at your own risk. You will be required to sign a liability release for this trip and you must follow your guide's instructions at all times.
At certain times of year there can be a number of different species of bees around camp 5, some stingless and some not. Whilst your mosquito net will keep them away overnight, guests who are allergic to bee stings are recommended to take extra care and to carry an epipen if needed.
what to pack
Mulu is a very small place and there are no supermarkets, pharmacies or ATMs, there is a small convenience store to pick up snacks for trekking and a basic clinic in case of medical emergencies. Please bring all medications that you need with you and remember to bring some cash.
For all cave visits and whilst trekking, please wear non-slip closed footwear (i.e trainers or hiking shoes/boots) and pack the following:
For all cave visits and whilst trekking, please wear non-slip closed footwear (i.e trainers or hiking shoes/boots) and pack the following:
- Torch (+ spare batteries) - a head torch is recommended for the pinnacles
- Water bottle
- Raincoat
- Snacks
- Insect repellent
- Basic first aid kit
To bookEmail- info@river-junkie.com
Hotline- (+60) 01112658581 |
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