MULU PINNACALES & THE ADVENTURE OF MULU
(DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE)
JANUARY 03, 2022 (MONDAY)
Taken ATR MasWings flying from Limbang - Miri (MH3471) @ 1120 am about 35 minutes. Transit about 1 hour and connecting Miri - Mulu (MH3632) @ 1315 pm about 30 minutes to Mulu Airport.
The small Airport but nice views because two (2) mountains front of Mulu Airport (Local called Gunung Susu).
From Mulu Airport taken private transport (Ninja Car) to Headquarters @ Mulu Park (about 5 minutes). Can walks if you can….
Adventure in Mulu Park, I am taken five (5) days Entry Pass for Sarawak World Heritage Areas @ Malaysian Adult (RM 15.00) - Blue wristband (Depending what day you come).
If you staying or visiting in the park for less than five (5) days does not alter this fee or Any Wristband.
And if you stay in Mulu World Heritage Area will be longer than 5 calendar days you are required to buy a second Park Entry Ticket.
For the first day (January 03, 2022 Monday), the first activity for me just check-in at Long House Belian 1 for one (1) nite.
Besides that, after I get five (5) days ENTRY PASS, afternoon I’m doing my own leisure for walk around at Mulu National Park, World Heritage Area.
WHAT I BRING TO MULU ?
1 - THE BOTANICAL TRAIL
This trail has 2 loops of 1.5 kilometers each which branches to the left off the path to Deer Cave about 450 metres from the Park HQ. It has a range of information panels along the way to provide you with an introduction to the evolution of plants in general and to many of the interesting families of tropical rainforest plants.
2 - THE KENYALANG LOOP
This about 2.5 kilometres trail provides an opportunity for you to explore a slightly different area of the rainforest away from the heavily used Deer Cave Walk without needing a guide.
3 - THE PAKU VALLEY LOOP ( 3 TO 5 HOURS )
This trail is an 8 kilometres long trail where you can stroll at your own pace to discover the rainforest following your own particular interest, be it birds or bugs, ferns or fungi or just a chance to be alone in a beautiful place.
The full of 8 kilometres walk should take you around 5 to 6 hours. A shorter walk will be to turn around after Paku Waterfall.
While the Paku Valley Loop is an easy walk, the section along the Melinau ia all concrete and is usually very slippery (please becareful and take it slow and easy) and on other sections there are a few small streams to cross where water levels can change quickly.
Before heading off to explore any part of the Paku Valley Loop we must register plans with the Security near the park entrance bridge. Let them know where we are going and when expected to be back soon. If something goes wrong at least we’ll know where to start looking guys!
4 - THE PAKU WATERFALL ( 2 TO 3 HOURS )
We can enjoy the forest at our own pace and follow our own particular interest be it birds, insects, ferns or just the chance to be alone. Follow the Deer Cave Walk from Headquarters and after 1.3 kilometeres we will climb down to the forest floor to follow a clearly market trail along the Paku River. Although it is an easy walk you will need good walking shoes. The trail is often muddy with streams to cross and you will get dirty. We must register at Park Security to let them know when were expected to be back soon. And We may NOT PROCEED beyond the waterfall to CAMP 1 without a guide.
5 - TREE TOP TOWER
A 10 minutes walk from Headquarters brings to the 30 metre tree top tower. This bird hide provides the opportunity to ‘SPY’ on canopy life in the rainforest, especially during fruiting season in Mulu National Park. Birdwatchers can pre-book a time slot for dawn and dusk.
The tower is locked for safety reasons and we’re required to pay about RM 50.00 per person refundable deposit at Park Security.
January 04, 2022 (Tuesday)
Departing at 0915am from Headquarters after taken my breakfast, with 4 others traveller, first activities at Batu Bungan Handicraft Market (Penan Village).
6 - BATU BUNGAN HANDICRAFT MARKET (PENAN VILLAGE)
Visiting the morning market on the way to ClearWater about 20 minutes from Headquarters or Mulu National Park. Bring your own money to support villagers and bought something for your love. To support the Penan Community, I bought one (1) handicraft rattan bag @ RM 35.00.
7 - CLEARWATER CAVE & CAVE OF THE WINDS
The cost about RM 30.00 per person includes guide and longboat fees.
We cruise up the Melinau River in a longboat and after visit a Penan LongHouse & Market at Batu Bungan (Market not open on Sundays).
After that, we make a second stop at Cave of the Winds where we have to negotiate a long ramp and a few stairs going up.
ClearWater River Revival Tour also I’m do and take me on a journey through the ancient underground river into areas only our most advanced cavers usually experience. By entering and exiting the system through the boardwalks of ClearWater Cave this tour is suitable for intermediate cavers with confidence in water and rock climbing for sure. The adventure begins when we step off the show cave boardwalk and into the cool, clear waters that have been carving out the expansive 200 km of passages in the ClearWater system for over 2 million years. Depending on the water levels you will wade this, swim and climb to the far reaches of ClearWater Cave and return via the same passage. For this activities the cost @ RM 220 per person.
Besides that, next activities are CLEARWATER CONNECTION…
8 - CLEARWATER CONNECTION
This trip is relatively long about 4.8 kilometres away and depending on levels of your fitness takes between 4 to 8 hours. The larger the number of people in the group the longer the trip will take up to 10 hours. Luckily my group only have 5 persons with tour guide with son.
The tour begins in the show cave section of Wind Cave before leaving the constructed trail and moving into a wind cave chamber off the Kings Chamber in Wind Cave. The route taken is over highly broken terrain that includes strew boulders and requires some climbing up and clambering down. Areas that are hazardous have muddy slopes, tour continues on for about one kilometre before arriving at the show cave section of ClearWater Cave. For many the river is the highlight of the tour being exceptionally beautiful and refreshing following the hard caving.
The ClearWater Connection tour is weather dependent, as it is not safe to run the tour when the water levels in the ClearWater River are too high. Reservations are essential, helmets and head lamps are provided. But if you can bring your own is more better. Required for this activities : Swimming Ability, Reasonable Levels of Fitness, Closed In Shoes, Waterproof Camera or Drybag Is Necessary For This Tour and Finally You Will Get Wet Later (SMILE).
9 - CAMP 5 & PINNACLE ( Mulu Meets All Four Of These ! )
The caves of Mulu are important for their classic features of underground geomorphology, notably the sediments and the layered sequences of wall notches that demonstrate an evolutionary history ofmore than 1.5 million years. The giant doline of the “ Garden Of Eden “ offers one of the world’s finest examples of the collapse process in karstic terrain.
They also provide outstanding opportunities to study the origins of cave faunas and the large-scale transfer of food energy from forest to Caves by bats and swiftlets is an exceptional ecological process. Much of Mulu’s invertebrate cave fauna belong to ancient groups which have largely disappeared from the modern land surface and are now represented by a few widely scattered species.
With its deeply-incised canyans, wild rivers, rainforest-covered mountains, spectacular limestone pinnacles, cave passages and decorations, Mulu has outstanding scenic values and the phenomenon of millions of bats and swiflets leaving and entering the caves is truly superlative wildlife spectacle.
Mulu also provides significant natural habitat for a wide range of plant and animal diversity both above and below ground. Its lowland and montane forests are botanically rich in species and high in endemism and Mulu is one of the richest sites in the world for palm species. The
park also hosts one of the highest number of bat species (35) and populations in the region as well as an exceptionally diverse cave living species.
KUALA LITUT & CAMP 5
Camp 5 in the center of the Park is a great place to spend a night or two (2) after a 90 minute long boat ride followed by a 3 hours walk from Kuala Litut Shelter. It’s easy, follow the well-trodden path.
We can do this a day trip but if want to spend the night we must check whit the office staff to book a boat and a sleeping space before we go to CAMP 5.
Mostly hikers plan to hike Pinaccale overnight here as transit before hike to Pinaccale.
For sure from Kuala Litut Shelter Ms Zoey Accountant (Petaling Jaya), Peter Finance Executive (Holland) and Jack walk about 2 hours 15 minutes to CAMP 5. Playing with leeches a lot make me crying…haha…
Overnight at CAMP 5.
About Pinnacle…
The Mulu Pinnacle climb is a high risk and extreme activity therefore the Park offers it only as a three (3) days and two (2) nights trip.
The first day includes a boat ride on the Melinau River for 1-2 hours after visiting the Batu Bungan Penan Village (Handicraft) and visiting
ClearWater Cave tour. After that continuing to Kuala Litut which is the beginning of the 9 kilometers walking trail to CAMP 5.
CAMP 5 is a basic forest shelter that caters to visitors travelling on the HeadHunter’s Trail and to those climbing the Mulu Pinnacles, providing accommodation for up to 30 guests per night.
At CAMP 5 please don’t worry about what to eat and how to cook !!!
Here I am sharing what happens what have in CAMP 5…
CAMP 5 has 5 bedrooms built on raised timber platform with a roof and half walls, NO windows, No doors and No insect screens.
>>> Sleeping mats are provided, but no bedding. Bring your own or pay a deposit for blanket, sheet and towel at HQ. Get a refund on returning the bedding at HQ.
>>> Mosquito net rental MUST be paid at HQ and can be collected at CAMP 5.
>>> CAMP 5 has separate showers (cold water only) and toilets.
>>> Eating facilities are self - catering with an equipped kitchen that provided gas and utensils for cooking and eating.
>>> Free filtered / boiled drinking water available to refill your bottles.
>>> No cell phone reception - only radio communication.
Briefing about Pinnacles climb activities at 1900 pm. Mr Eugine brief us what to bring and what to do…
0600 am begin to hike and climb. The Cut Of Time (COT) for the first check point - 900 metres at 1000 am. Teammates must arrived before 1000 am ( 4 hours ). If not, all teammates must return to CAMP 5. Because of failed to completed 4 hours rich to 900 metres first means walking and climbing returning back to CAMP 5 possibly at dark time or 1800 or 1900 evening.
JANUARY 05, 2022 (WEDNESDAY) - PINNACLE CLIMB
The trail to the top is only 2.4 km long but rises 1,200 metres to the viewpoint. The last section of the trail is near vertical with rope sections and 18 ladders to climb. For many, the descent is more difficult and can take 5 hours or more depending on your teammates.
The climb is well worthwhile though as it culminates in spectacular views of the pinnacle formations, some of which tower up to 50 metres high. The trail itself, which climbs steeply from the Melinau Gorge passes through some intriguing limestone forest and as you reach the higher altitudes includes some spectacular pitches plants (Nepenthes sp), sightings of rare orchids and Mountain Shrews.
The Pinnacle trail is regarded as an extreme climb (not a trek) on a natural route. Man-made assistance comes in the form of vertical steel ladders bolted into the rock faces and ropes. If you suffer from vertigo or fear of heights this is not for you. The visitors that were injured on this trail were people that underestimated the trail and their own fitness levels. These visitors were often not well equipped and did not adhere to the advice of their guides. Rescues are extreme (and costly) and even more so in the dark.
JANUARY 06, 2022 (THURSDAY) - CAMP 5 BACK TO KUALA LITUT SHELTER & MULU HEADQUARTERS
After a second night at CAMP 5 you retrace your steps back to Kuala Litut Shelter where you meet a boat at a pre-arranged time. For us it take 2 hours 20 minutes back to Kuala Litut Shelter and meet Mr Neil (Our New Friend - Penan Community).
Infront of the Mulu Pinnacle is Kerangas Mountain and Kerangas Forest or The Melinau Gorge.
The Pinnacles Activity cost about RM 443.00 per person.
Don’t worries…
Long Boat Return from Park HQ to Kuala Litut, sharing with others in your group. It is not possible to walk to CAMP 5 from Park Head Quarters.
If you have a reason to be back before 1230 noon then you need to have your own charter boat.
JANUARY 06, 2022 (THURSDAY) - ARRIVED AT MULU PARK HQ AROUND 11 AM
1430 pm - Joining the Deer and Lang Caves Activities.
Deer & Lang Caves are two distinctly difference caves situated 150 metres apart in the Southern Hills area of the Mulu HQ Park.
While Lang Cave is the smallest of Mulu Park 4 ‘ Show Caves ‘ it too is very special. It has a spectacular display of stalactities, stalagmites, helictites, shawls and rimstone pools. The geological development was influenced more by the action of standing ground water dissolving the limestone rather than an active stream passage eroding it. Look carefully for the evidence - the flat ceiling and notches in the walls are two (2) hints.
In contrast Deer Cave is not only the biggest show cave at Mulu National Park it is the largest cave passage in the world. A powerful underground river once flowed through this area, dissolving and eroding the limestone to create this incredible space. The massive Deer Cave passage is an over-whelming and awesome sight.
To get Deer and Lang Caves…On the Rainforest Discovery Walk, along a 3 kilometres timber plankwalk from Mulu HQ Park to Caves Entrance. Please bring along a torch light ( because we will return in the dark. Watch out for the fire flies ) and during this activities please bring your own water, raincoat, and non slip walking shoes especially. Tours led by Park Guides leave daily at 1400 pm and 1430 pm.
1900 pm - Joining the Night Walk Activities at Mulu Park
With cost about RM 25.00 per person for 2 hours you can join this activities.
After vertebrates emerged from the water around 300 million years ago, the land became more and more crowded with large herbivores and predators. However, a rich habit remained available to those species that developed their abilities to find food and avoid predators at night. You too can join the thousands of species that use this time to hunt, nest and raise their young.
JANUARY 07, 2022 (FRIDAY - LAST DAY) - THE MULU CANOPY SKYWALK
0830 am - Joining the Mulu Canopy SkyWalk Activities at Mulu Park
With cost about RM 45.00 per person for 2 hours you can join this activities.
The Mulu Canopy SkyWalk I ‘ am enjoyed this activities. For the final activities such this make fulfill my leave diary at Mulu National Park, The World Heritage Area for Year 2021.
The Mulu Canopy SkyWalk at 480 metres long is the longest tree-based walkway in the world. As you walk among the ferns and vines 10 - 30 metres above the forest floor and river you can enjoy this unique opportunity to get closer to the rainforest ‘ web of life ‘. Compare the vegetarian of the riverine forest floor to the understorey, the treetops and the nearby limestone cliffs.
For your info, guided tours leave the office daily; the return trip will take approximately 2 hours.
>>>READ MORE ARTICLE HERE<<<
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2019/06/paku-midin-backpacker-ke-lombok.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2019/06/paku-midin-backpacker-ke-eropah.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2019/06/paku-midin-backpacker-ke-new zealand.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2019/06/paku-midin-backpacker-ke-genting.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2019/04/things-to-do-in-kapit-sarawak.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2019/03/backpacker-travel-alone-ke-tawau-lahad.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2018/11/7-great-thing-must-do-in-bario-sarawak.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2018/11/backpacker-to-bakelalan-lawas-sarawak.html
https://www.jacknjillscute.com/2018/10/backpacker-ke-bandung.html
@ Jackie San
Finally here I am sharing the accumulative cost for Mulu National Park, The World Heritage Area “ Travel Alone”
DATE | ACTIVITES | COST (RM) |
03 /01/22 (Mon) | Breakfast at Nurul Cafe Lmn | 19.00 |
MASWINGS TICKET LMN - MYY -MULU (RETURN) | 566.00 | |
NASI LEMAK TAPAU | 9.50 | |
PRIVATE TRANSPORT AIRPORT MULU - HQ PARK | 5.00 | |
MULU ACTIVITIES - PINNACLE, NIGHT WALK, THE ADVENTURE CAVE, CAVING, CANOPY SKYWALK ETC | 733.00 | |
04/01/22 (Tue) | Off To Batu Bungan Penan Village | Package |
Bough Ratan Man Bag | 35.00 | |
Tip to Neil (Long Boat) | 5.00 | |
Off to Wind & ClearWater Caves | Package | |
Off to Kuala Litut Shelter - Long Boat | Package | |
From Kuala Litut Shelter - Camp 5 Walking Leeches - 2 hours 15 minutes | Package | |
05/01/22 (Wed) | 0600 am wake up and climb and hike to Pinnacle Return back 1550 noon (8 hours climb & hike) | Package |
Rent blanket ( Camp 5 cold ) | 10.00 | |
06/01/22 (Thurs) | 0700 am wake up and walking return back Camp 5 to Kuala Litut Shelter ( 2 hours 20 minutes) | Package |
Meet Mr Neil & Pilot Long Boat and return to Mulu HQ Park ( 1 hour ) | Package | |
1430 pm - Deer & Lang Caves Activities | Package | |
Mulu Cafe - Fries and Hot Coffee | 15.00 | |
07/01/22 (Friday) | 0830 am - The Canopy SkyWalk Mulu Park | Package |
Bough Mulu T-Shirt at Mulu Souvenir Shop | 50.00 | |
Bough 3 nos Fridge Magnet ( Mulu Pinnacle & Abraham Lincolyn | 18.00 | |
Private Transport From Mulu HQ Park - Mulu Airport | 5.00 | |
Lunch at Adenan Restaurant (With Syahwan) | 11.00 | |
TOTAL COST RM | 1,481.50 | |
