WHETHER you seek a serene escape in the rainforest or enjoy the thrill of exploring extensive cave systems, Mulu National Park is a tourist destination worth exploring.
Located in Sarawak, Mulu National Park offers an experience that tantalises the adventurous, leaving them eager for exploration.
This remote wilderness is accessible primarily by air, which provides a unique bird's eye view of the expansive tropical river systems leading to the South China Sea.
MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysian Airlines, provides daily flights to Mulu from Miri, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
Kuala Lumpur serves as the primary entry point into Malaysia. From there, flights to the island of Borneo connect to the mentioned ports.
Upon descent, the Melinau Formation emerges, rising from the sea floor around 5 million years ago, housing some of the world's largest and most renowned caves.
Mulu World Heritage Area has a hotel, a small village with a clinic and a primary school.
Then there's Mulu National Park, spanning 85,000 hectares of some of the oldest pristine rainforests globally.
However, within Mulu National Park, the only modes of transport are longboats and your own two feet. Come fit, come prepared.
There are no banks, no pharmacy, almost no roads and yes, limited connectivity.
Accommodations inside the National Park range from air-conditioned bungalows to shared hostel facilities.
Outside the Park, the luxurious Marriott Resort awaits, or you can opt for various homestays.
Begin your adventure with the best of the Park's show caves.
Embark on a morning boat ride to Clearwater Cave, and explore Deer Cave in the afternoon to witness the iconic bat exodus.
While it is possible to do both in a day, it is advisable to separate them due to the draining humidity.
Combine one of the show cave outings with an unguided walk at your leisure.
For those seeking more, adventure caving offers an exploration of Mulu's extensive cave system.
Participants must be at least 12 years old and possess decent fitness and strength.
Mulu also caters to extreme high-altitude adventurers with climbs like Gunung (Mt) Mulu and the iconic Pinnacles.
Note that these adventures require excellent health and fitness.
The 2.4km trail to view the Pinnacles rises 1,200 metres, with the last section nearly vertical, featuring ropes and ladders.
A person of good health and average fitness would take around 10 hours to ascend and descend.
For the fit, take your time, relish the limestone forest, observe tree shrews and anticipate a refreshing swim in the river upon returning to the camp.
If climbing is not your preference, take a walk to the Kerangas Forest, where poor sandy soils create an ideal habitat for pitcher plants.
Another short one-hour walk leads to the pools in the spectacular Melinau Gorge. Guides are essential for safety.
All in all, the world heritage destination demands advanced planning due to its remote location and unpredictable rainforest weather, but it is certainly a trip of a lifetime.