2D1N Mulu Show Caves & Park HQ Stay Print

• Explore Mulu National Park Show Caves 
• Visit World’s Largest Cave Passage
• Visit Longest Cave in Southeast Asia
• Biodiversity of Mulu Rainforest
• Airport Pickup / Drop Off

The oldest of Mulu’s caves started to form about 5 million years ago when sideways earth movements resulted in the formation of both limestone and sandstone mountains, lying side by side. Millions of years of heavy rain and the action of rivers and running water carved out the vast subterranean system that exists today. The weathering process still continues; dripping water creates new rock features, limestone is slowly worn away, and underground rivers carve and sculpt the caves, transporting limestone debris to the cave mouth or redistributing it within the system.

Although Mulu is the synonymous with caves, the ‘Mulu experience’ is not limited to underground attractions; above ground there is plenty to and do. It is covered in rich primary rainforest and offers a whole range of nature-based activities. There are some excellent jungle treks and mountain hikes, including the challenging trek to view the Pinnacles – 45 meter high, razor sharp limestone spikes that sit majestically on the slopes of Gunung Api.

With its rich bio-diversity, and world-famous caves, Mulu offers the adventurous traveler an exhilarating cave and rainforest experience, possibly unmatched anywhere else on Earth.

Deer Cave is reached by following a three kilometer plank walk which passes through peat swamp, alluvial flats and limestone outcrops. There is much to see on the way to the cave, including some superb rainforest, jungle streams and an ancient Penan burial cave.

When you reach the cave entrance you are left in no doubt that you are about to enter the largest cave passage in the world. Deer Cave is simply huge – 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. This is the area where deer used to shelter so the local Penan and Berawan people named the Gua Payau or Gua Rusa (Deer Cave).

A path leads into the cave and winds its way around, following the natural contours of the cave floor. Although the path is lit, a flashlight is useful for examining the guano-covered cave floor and its population of insects. The path eventually leads to the “Garden I Eden” where a hole in the cave roof lets in a shaft of light which allows the rich green vegetation to thrive. Another feature is the famous profile of Abraham Lincoln, which guards the southern entrance of the cave.

Not surprisingly, Deer Cave is home to many species of bats. Between 5 and 7pm, if the weather is fine, visitors may be treated to the spectacular sight of a black cloud of free-tailed bats emerging from the entrance of the cave to go in search of food. Originally, this cloud was thought to contain hundreds of thousands of bats but a recent study that the figure is well over a million.

A visit to Deer Cave is usually combined with one to Lang’s Cave, whose entrance is a short distance away from that of Deer Cave. Lang’s Cave is the smallest of the show caves but its rock formations are well worth seeing. These are made all the more attractive by the strategically positioned spotlights which highlight stalactites and stalagmites. As the cave is relatively small and well-lit, it offers good opportunities to see some of its inhabitations such as bats, swiftlets and even cave-dwelling snakes.

Clearwater cave is a Asia’s longest cave, measuring some 107 km. It has a subterranean river, part of which is navigable by boat. There are two ways of reaching Clearwater. Firstly, you can trek along a 4 km nature trail which takes approximately one and a half hours. Alternatavitely, you can travel by long boat along the Melinau River, usually stopping off at Wind Cave along the way. It normally takes about 15minutes to reach Wind Cave by boat. When the water level is low the journey takes longer as the boatman often has to jump out of the boat and push.

A plankwalk leads from the riverbank to the entrance of Wind Cave, so named because of the cool breezes which can be felt at the narrow parts of the cave. Wind Cave, which is part of the Clearwater system, has many impressive stalactites, stalagmites, flowrocks, helitites and rock corals, some which are illuminated in the ‘King’s” Room.

From Wind Cave you can either follow a plankwalk or take a boat to a picnic area near the entrance of Clearwater Cave. Either way the journey takes about 5 minutes. 200 steps lead up through the forest to the mouth of Clearwater Cave. With its underground river, Clearwater is fascinating cave to scroll around. Plankwalks, paths and small floating bridges make this an easy and enjoyable experience. There are excellent photo opportunities for those who have the patience for cave photography.

After a tour of the cave you have to climb down the steps to the picnic area. At the base of the steps there is a crystal clear pool that is filled by water that flows out of the cave. This is an excellent swimming spot and many visitors decide to take a refreshing clip. The less energetic can relax on the picnic benches and admire the rainforest scenery, or perhaps watch the swarms of butterflies that are often found fluttering around near the river bank. If you are lucky you may see the Rajah Brooke butterfly with its huge bright-green colored wings.