Mulu Park Adventure Caving

Do you want to see more of Mulu’s vast cave system besides the popularly trodden caves of Langs, Deer, Wind and Clearwater? For those who are fit, adventurous, loves nature and is not afraid of the dark, humid, wet and tight places, we have designed a 4 to 5 day intermediate to advance caving adventure in Mulu National Park.

All rights to the images below belong to the respective photographers watermarked

Above images: Garden of Eden and Route to Sarawak Chamber

The adventure will start at an exciting pace with the Garden of Eden Valley Walk which takes you on rarely visited trails that wind around the valley through a series of waterfalls and rock pools. The next day, you start at easy pace with visits to Wind and Clearwater Caves followed by the strenuous intermediate level, Racer Cave. Once the Mulu Park Guide is satisfied with your performance, the next day you will embark on the highlight of the program which is spending a whole day going underground to get to the entrance of the Sarawak Chamber, the largest known underground chamber in the world. It measures 600m long, 415m wide, and 80m high - quite possibly fitting 8 Boeing 747s in a row. This is a full day activity of adventure caving as you climb, scramble over boulders, crawl tight muddy spaces and wade in shallow pools in humid conditions. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

Above images: Clearwater Connection and Racer Snake in Racer Cave

If you are even more adventurous then add on another advance hardcore caving experience of Clearwater Connection on the fourth day. Clearwater Connection is a 4.8km long trip and takes 6 to 8 hours to complete. Beginning Wind Cave, adventurers leave the tame pathways behind and venture into the ‘wild’ chambers over rugged terrain strewn with boulders that require some technical climbing with ropes then clambering down muddy slopes and swimming back and forth across the underground river! It is exceptionally beautiful and very hazardous at the same time.

Above image: Sarawak Chamber captured by a professional cave photographer with his own lighting equipment

Adventure rating

5 - There are very few places in Malaysia where one can do adventure caving with a professional guide. This customised program is probably the best.

What do I get to do?

Get into several rarely visited caves! Peer into the astounding Sarawak chamber. See some creepy crawlies and maybe racer snakes. Do lots of walking, climbing, crawling, and scrambling on stones, boulders, crevices, holes and guano littered ground... maybe even some swimming in underground waters.

Accommodation

Basic bunk beds in hostel. If Mulu Park hostel is no available, we will find a bed outside of Mulu Park.

Prerequisite

There is no refund once confirmed. All participants must accept the safety risk involved in adventure caving. There is no hospital in Mulu. All participants must be,

• 16 years and above
• Physically fit for strenuous activities and certified healthy by a medical officer. Participants should prepare themselves with a full body strength and cardio workout program at least 2 months before arrival
• Must have personal insurance covering caving activities including evacuation
• Have swimming skills
• Comfortable in dark, wet and tight places
• Positive, humble and calm besides a desire to explore

The Mulu Park Guide has a responsibility to ensure participants safety and the park's clean bill of safety therefore they reserve the right to cancel any tour for the following reasons:

• The water level in the cave is too high
• The weather is showing clear signs that heavy rain can be expected during the tour
• Some or all participants will not fit into parts of the cave which cannot be avoided
• Some or all participants have demonstrated that they are unwilling or unable to follow the instructions of the guide

Itinerary

Duration 5 Day or 4 Day Program

Other than lunch on Day 2, no other meals included in the program. You can dine at Mulu Park Cafeteria or outside the park. You will need to prepare your own lunch for treks as well.

Day 1
0950 Arrive Mulu Airport (MAS MH3630).  Meet guide then transfer to Mulu Park to check-in room.
1030 Meet guide to proceed Garden of Eden.  Garden of Eden (beginner adventure caving) includes Deer and Langs Cave plus Bat Observatory.
You will visit the Garden of Eden pool then climb, walk and swim up the Eden River. This secluded valley receives few visitors. It is an ideal place for a picnic lunch, photography, exploring and enjoying the peace.  After exiting Deer Cave, you will proceed to Langs Cave. the tour ends at the Bat Observatory where you will get to witness the exodus of bats flying out for food at dusk.

Day 2 (Lunch)
After your breakfast, we ride a longboat to Wind and Clear Water caves. After lunch, we will proceed to Racer cave. This is an intermediate level cave. You climb up and down the passageways with the aid of ropes. This cave requires some upper body strength. You will see insects with long feelers to navigate in the dark underground world and possibly spot Racer Snakes that have learned how to catch a meal as it flies past.
Time taken approximately 3 to 4 hours. You will to Mulu Park by 5pm. Dinner at your own expense. Overnight.

Day 3
Early morning 0630, after own breakfast, we begin the Sarawak Chamber trek. This is the biggest chamber in the world. This takes journey takes 10 hours.
Sarawak Chamber is a challenging trek even for fit and experienced cavers. From Park HQ Office we will follow the Summit Trail for about 3 hours to reach the entrance to Good Luck Cave. Access to the chamber takes about 3 hours along a 800 metre river channel with sheer rock faces rising to about 50 metres on either side. After a 200 metre traverse and a steep boulder slope you come face to face with the darkness of Earth’s largest chamber. After short rest, we will proceed back to Mulu Park Headquarters.
(If during the trek to the cave entrance the guide finds water levels too high in Sarawak Chamber an alternative activity will be conducted )

Day 4
Own Breakfast. Find own way to Airport.
OR
Option to continue with Clearwater Connection (Advance Adventure Caving)
Clearwater Connection is a 4.8km long trip and takes 6 to 8 hours to complete.
Beginning in the show cave section of the Cave of the Winds adventurers leave the tame pathways behind and venture into the ‘wild’ chambers over rugged terrain strewn with boulders that requires some climbing up then clambering down muddy slopes and swimming back and forth across the underground river.
Areas that are hazardous have fixed ropes and guides carry personal ropes to assist you in sections that require climbing. For many the 1.5km river section is the highlight as it is exceptionally beautiful and refreshing after strenuous workout.

Day 5
Own Breakfast. Find own way to Airport

Rate is Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and per person

Minimum 3 person and maximum 5 person. If more than 5 person, please enquire.

Private Tour

Valid until 31 March 2015

What does it include?

Hostel accommodation, 1 way transfer from Mulu Airport, Mulu park guides, and entrances fee.
Where required during caving, you will be provided with a caving helmet, head lamp and ropes as required.

What does it exclude?

Domestic and international flights, insurance, meals/drinks, and items not mentioned

What to wear/bring?

Expect to get wet, muddy and dirty so bring the right clothing and equipment for the environment.

For activities, you will need to head lamp, wear quick-dry clothing made of tough fabric, and good condition hiking shoes suitable for caving and trails. Sandals no matter which brand is not suitable as they have poor foot protection. Running shoes is not suitable as it has poor traction on rocks and wet surface. Travel light and bring a waterproof bag to hold personal items eg. food and drinks, raincoat, first aid kit, personal medication, and a back-up torchlight/batteries.

Bring towel, clothing, earplugs, and toiletries.

There are a few small, basic sundry shops inside and outside Mulu Park. However, choices are limited. You may shop in Miri and bring items with you. Hot cooked food, basic necessities and some gear can be purchased at eateries inside and outside the park.

Best time to visit    

This tour, though available throughout the year, is better during non-monsoon period, March to October. During rainy season, there may be changes in the program due to high water in the caves. This is unpredictable and guides will only know the conditions the same day of the event. There are no refunds with any changes in the program or cancellation.

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.