Tour Program
DAY 1
Arrival at Mulu airport and transfer to Mulu National Park. Proceed to the National Park Headquarters for registration and lunch at the Park's canteen.
After lunch, you will take an approximately 45 minutes' walk along a wooden plank path through riverine and lowland limestone forest leading to Lang's Cave. Explore this beautiful cave with its stunning stalagmites and stalactites, followed by the Deer Cave with the largest cave passage in the world. This cave also houses an estimated 2 million bats, so be prepared for the stinging smell of guano.
After the exploration of these two amazing caves, you will proceed to the bat observatory platform. If weather permits you will witness the bats emerging from the cave in spiraling black streams.
Walk back to the Park's Headquarters the same way. Dinner at the Park's canteen.
Overnight at Mulu National Park, ROH. (L/D)
DAY 2
After breakfast, you will embark on a 30-40 minutes boat ride (depending on water level). During a short stop at a Penan settlement, you can learn about their formerly nomadic lifestyle and visit a small handicraft market.
Then proceed by boat to Wind Cave. Climb up a few stairs to the cave entrance. Inside the cave you will sometimes feel a slight breeze, which gave this cave its name. You will also find the beautiful King's chamber with its astonishing rock calcite formations. After exploration of this cave, take a 10 minutes' walk to the Clearwater Spring, where you will take a short break.
In order to reach the entrance of Clearwater Cave, you need to climb 200 steps. Inside the cave many more steps await you. But it is worth it, as this cave is probably the most impressive amongst all, with a system of cave passages of more than 100 km length.
A simple picnic lunch will be served at the Clearwater Spring.
Proceed to Kuala Litut on another 1 hour boat ride (depending on water level; during dry season boats need to be pushed at very shallow spots). A 2 hours trek will lead you from Kuala Litut to Camp 5, a big shelter, located at the foothills of Mount Api.
A simple dinner will be served at Camp 5.
Overnight at Camp 5 (very simple accommodation). (B/L/D)
Note:
Very basic accommodation at Camp 5. Guests need to bring their own sleeping bag, as there are no beds or mattresses provided.
DAY 3
After a light breakfast, you will start to climb Mount Api. Even the trail is rather short, with a length of less than 3 km, this formidable steep mountain provides a real challenge. Take only the bare essentials and drinking water with you for this climb. Start your climb of 4-5 hours up to the top of Mount Api.
At an altitude of 850 meters above sea level, the lowland limestone forest disappears and an enchanting realm of montane forest with pitcher plants and orchids takes over. Then the steepest part of the climb begins. A series of aluminum ladders have been strategically placed over the worst of the gaping voids.
Once you have reached the top (1,710 m above sea level), you can enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding limestone landscape with the famous Pinnacles, which are up to 45 meters tall and appear to stand out like huge knifes against the hardy trees that manage to get a foothold in narrow crevice of the limestone landscape.
After a simple picnic, trek back to Camp 5. Relax or have a cooling bath in the river before dinner.
Overnight at Camp 5 (very simple accommodation). (B/L/D)
DAY 4
After an early breakfast, trek back to Kuala Litut and proceed by boat downriver to the Clearwater Spring. After a simple picnic lunch continue by boat to Mulu airport for the flight to your next destination. (B/L)