Mulu National Park Guide: Caves, Pinnacles and Access
Some of the largest caves on Earth, millions of bats at dusk and razor-sharp limestone pinnacles, reached only by air or river.
Gunung Mulu National Park, in the far north of Sarawak, protects one of the most remarkable cave landscapes on Earth. The Sarawak Chamber is among the largest underground chambers known, Clearwater Cave is the longest cave system in Southeast Asia, and every evening millions of bats pour out of Deer Cave into the sky. Above ground, rainforest climbs to the summit of Gunung Mulu at 2,376m, and the limestone flanks of Gunung Api are carved into the famous Pinnacles.
The park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. It is remote, with no road access, yet it is surprisingly comfortable to visit once you arrive, thanks to well-maintained plank walks, a good park headquarters and a choice of places to stay.
Top things to do in Gunung Mulu National Park
Deer Cave and Lang’s Cave
Deer Cave has one of the largest cave passages in the world, so big that daylight reaches deep inside. The guided afternoon tour combines it with Lang’s Cave, a smaller cave full of delicate stalactites and curtains. Both are reached by a plank walk through the forest from headquarters.
The bat exodus
Around dusk, the wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats that roost in Deer Cave, estimated in the millions, leave to feed in long, twisting ribbons that can last for an hour or more. Watch from the bat observatory near the cave entrance after the Deer Cave tour. The exodus does not happen in heavy rain, so if you have the chance, plan two evenings.
Clearwater Cave and Wind Cave
The morning show cave tour travels upriver by longboat on the Melinau River, usually with a stop at a Penan handicraft market. Wind Cave has beautiful formations in its King’s Chamber; Clearwater Cave, part of a cave system with over 200km of mapped passages, has an underground river and a swimming spot outside the entrance in clear spring water.
Canopy walk and night walk
The canopy skywalk is one of the longest in the world at around 480m, strung between trees above the forest. Guided night walks near headquarters reveal stick insects, frogs, spiders and sleeping birds, and are often a highlight for families.
The Pinnacles
The Pinnacles trek is Mulu’s great adventure: a 3-day, 2-night trip that includes a boat ride and walk to Camp 5, then a very steep climb up Gunung Api with ropes and ladders near the top. It requires good fitness and a head for heights. Places are limited, so book well ahead through the park.
Adventure caving
For more than the show caves, the park runs guided adventure caving trips of varying difficulty, from Lagang Cave for beginners to the Clearwater Connection and the overnight Sarawak Chamber trip for experienced cavers. Expect to scramble, crawl and wade.
Fees and booking
At the time of writing, a 5-day park entry pass costs RM30 for foreign adults and RM15 for Malaysian adults, and guided activities are charged separately. The park also introduced additional conservation fees in 2026 for visitors with freelance guides or tour operators, and for Camp 5, the Summit and the Headhunters Trail. Check current prices and book activities on the official Mulu National Park website.
June to September and holiday periods are the busiest times, and the park advises booking accommodation and popular activities in advance.
How Mulu fits a Sarawak or Borneo trip
Most people combine Mulu with Kuching, flying between the two via Miri or on direct services when they operate. It also links well with Sabah, as there are flights to Kota Kinabalu. Our 2 weeks in Malaysia itinerary shows how to fit it into a longer trip, and the Sarawak state guide covers the rest of the state.
Practical tips
- Pack for rain and humidity. Bring a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and shoes with good grip for wet plank walks.
- Carry a torch. Even the lit show caves have dark corners, and you need one for night walks and the walk back from the bat observatory.
- Bring cash. Mulu is remote, so do not count on finding an ATM; confirm card payment with the park and your accommodation before you fly.
- Allow flight buffers. Weather can delay or cancel small-plane flights, so do not plan tight international connections.
- Drones and filming need a permit. Sarawak Forestry Corporation must approve drone use, even for personal footage.
How long to stay and when to go
Three to four days is enough for the four show caves, the canopy walk, a night walk and the bat exodus. Add three days for the Pinnacles, or a day or two for adventure caving.
Mulu can be visited all year, and rain is frequent in every season. A typical day starts clear and warm, with showers most likely between early afternoon and late afternoon, and evenings are usually fine. The months from March to September are often a little drier, but they include the busiest period from June to September, so book early.
Where to stay in Mulu National Park
- Park headquarters: the park’s own longhouse rooms, simpler rainforest rooms with fans and a shared dormitory, a short walk from the trailheads and the cafe. Suits independent travellers and anyone joining early or night activities.
- Mulu Marriott Resort: the resort beside the Melinau River, a short boat ride or drive from park headquarters, with a pool and restaurant. Suits couples and families who want more comfort.
- Homestays and guesthouses near the airport and Long Pala: simple, family-run rooms on the edge of the park, often with meals. Suits budget travellers when park rooms are full.
- Camp 5: a basic hostel-style camp deep in the park used on the Pinnacles trek and the Headhunters Trail. You bring or buy your own food. Suits fit trekkers only.
How to get to Mulu National Park
Mulu has no road connection. The usual way in is by air to Mulu Airport, a few minutes by road from park headquarters. MASwings, which is transitioning to the AirBorneo name, operates the flights. The park lists flights of about 30 minutes from Miri, about 55 minutes from Kota Kinabalu and about 1 hour 20 minutes from Kuching, but schedules change, so check the current timetable before planning.
Heavy rain can delay or cancel flights, so leave a buffer day before any international connection.
Adventurous travellers can still go by river: a boat from Marudi up the Baram and Tutoh rivers, then a hired boat for the final stretch. It takes a full day and needs local arrangements.
What to eat in Mulu National Park
- Cafe at park headquarters: the park cafe serves Malaysian staples such as nasi goreng, mee goreng and curries from breakfast to late evening, and packs lunches for day treks.
- Local cafes near the park entrance: small family-run spots just outside headquarters serve simple rice and noodle dishes and cold drinks, usually cheaper than the park cafe.
- Sarawak jungle ferns: look for midin or paku stir-fried with garlic or belacan, a Sarawak staple that turns up on many local menus.
- Self-catering at Camp 5: bring noodles, rice and snacks for the Pinnacles trek; there is a kitchen at the camp but no shop.
Mulu National Park: frequently asked questions
How do I get to Gunung Mulu National Park?
Most visitors fly into Mulu Airport, a short drive from park headquarters. Flights are operated by MASwings (now transitioning to AirBorneo), with the most frequent connections from Miri and some services from Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. There is no road access, and the river route from Marudi takes a full day.
How many days do you need in Mulu?
Three to four days covers the four show caves, the canopy walk and a night walk. Add three more days if you want to do the Pinnacles trek, which is a 3-day, 2-night hike from Camp 5.
What time is the bat exodus at Deer Cave?
The bats usually leave Deer Cave around dusk, when millions of wrinkle-lipped bats stream out in long ribbons to feed. Rain can delay or cancel the exodus, so plan more than one evening if you can. Watch from the bat observatory near the cave mouth.
How much does it cost to enter Mulu National Park?
At the time of writing, a 5-day entry pass costs RM30 for foreign adults and RM15 for Malaysian adults, with reduced rates for children. Guided cave tours and treks are charged separately, so check current prices on the official park website.
Do you need a guide in Mulu?
Yes for the show caves, adventure caves, the Pinnacles and most boat trips, which run as guided activities booked through park headquarters. Some trails, such as the walk to the bat observatory and short loops near headquarters, can be done on your own.
Things to do in Mulu National Park
Itineraries that visit Mulu National Park
Mulu National Park travel guides
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