The crown jewel of Malaysian Borneo, Gunung Mulu National Park should be at the top of your Borneo bucket list! With ancient limestone caves, densely lush rainforest, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, and so much more, there’s no doubt that Mulu has a special magic to it.
This guide has everything you need to plan your Mulu experience. Whether you’re a daredevil trying to tackle Mulu’s most extreme adventures or just a nature-lover seeking to soak in the rainforest’s healing greenery, Gunung Mulu National Park is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip to Malaysian Borneo.
Gunung Mulu National Park Map & Resources
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- 🇲🇾 Malaysia Backpacking Guide
- 🦧 Sarawak Backpacking Guide
- 🗺️ Sarawak Itinerary
- 📍 Nearby Places: Miri | Brunei | Niah National Park
Gunung Mulu National Park – Guide for Travellers ⛰️
Best Time to Visit Gunung Mulu National Park 🌦️
March to October is generally the best time to visit Gunung Mulu National Park, with the driest (and busiest) months being between June and September. Of course, rainforest weather is known to be unpredictable, and rain can happen at any time of year.
Don’t let the threat of rain dissuade you from visiting, though. Rain usually comes in shorter bursts, so it’s unlikely to prevent you from getting out and enjoying all the park has to offer. Just be wary that certain tours might be canceled if it starts raining during the tour hours.
If you choose to visit during the peak season, make sure you book your stay and tours as early as possible, as spots fill up fast!
Mount Mulu ⛰️
In Malay, Gunung means mountain. The park is named for the second-tallest mountain in Sarawak, Mount Mulu (Gunung Mulu), which stands at 2,377 metres at the heart of the park.
How Long Should You Spend in Gunung Mulu National Park? ⏳
With tons of exciting activities to offer, Gunung Mulu National Park can easily keep you occupied anywhere from three days to over a week.
Tickets cost 30 MYR (approx. $7 USD) and will allow you unlimited entry into the park for up to five days. If you want to stay longer than five days, you’ll need to buy another ticket. You can purchase tickets by contacting the national park through the official website.
Depending on the activities and tours you choose, I’d recommend spending the full five days in Mulu. There’s definitely enough to keep you busy the whole time!
Where to Stay Near Gunung Mulu National Park 🛏️
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To truly immerse yourself in the incredible rainforest experience, I’d highly recommend staying in the park itself. They offer a good range of accommodation, from private bungalows to mixed and female-only hostels. You can book accommodation directly on the park’s website.
You can also opt for one of the accommodations outside the park. Prices for dorm beds are fairly comparable in and outside the park. However, if you’re looking for a budget private room, you may be better off staying in town, but bear in mind that you might have to make a bit of a trek to get into the park each day.
Some of our favourite accommodation options in Mulu are:
Things to Do in Gunung Mulu National Park 🏞️
Most activities in Gunung Mulu (with the exception of a few short hiking trails) require a guide and are best booked in advance via the Gunung Mulu National Park Website. Email the park the days and times you want to do each activity, and they will confirm your spot or inform you of other availability.
With so many adventures to choose from in Mulu, you certainly won’t suffer from a lack of things to do!
Go on a Canopy Walk Tour 🌳
Cost: 50 MYR
Duration: 2 hours
For those not afraid of heights, don’t miss the opportunity to get a treetop view of the jungle on a canopy walk. Try to book an early morning tour, as it’s less likely to be crowded and you’re more likely to spot birds and other wildlife.
Spot Wildlife on a Night Walk 🦂
Cost: 30 MYR
Duration: 1-2 hours
Night walks are the first tours I’d recommend to wildlife lovers. The guides are experts at finding even the most elusive little critters and love sharing their extensive knowledge about the animals and forest. Bring your own torchlight and challenge yourself to catch sight of something before your guide can!
“I’m not usually one for organized tours, but I was so impressed by all the guides I had at Mulu. Their passion for the work they do and their love for the rainforest really shone through every moment, and it enhanced my experience in Mulu so much. The night walk tour is especially underrated—it was one of my favorites during my time there. I learned so much and was so excited to try and spot wildlife whenever I went adventuring on my own.” Bethany Hansel, South East Asia Backpacker Contributor
Tackle the Summit of Gunung Mulu ⛰️
Cost: 657 MYR
Duration: 4 days 3 nights
Gunung Mulu (Mount Mulu) stands at 2,377 metres. Described by many as more challenging than the famous Mt. Kinabalu and Pinnacles trail, this multi-day trek to the summit is considered the most difficult challenge in Mulu—but also one of the absolute highlights for those who dare to brave it. Each day will require between 4 and 10 hours of hiking, so endurance and physical fitness are a must. Come prepared for an intensive challenge, fascinating lessons on the rainforest, and breathtaking views!
Climb the Pinnacles 🧗
Cost: 455 MYR
Duration: 3 days 2 nights
Warning: this trail is not for the faint-hearted! But if you’re up for a challenge and not intimidated by heights, the pinnacles – one of Sarawak’s most famous landmarks – can easily be the most spectacular activity you take on in Mulu. After a day trekking through the jungle with your group, you’ll begin the ascent up the pinnacles early the next morning. While the trail to the peak is only 2.4km, there’s a 1,200m elevation gain that requires you to traverse tricky rope and ladder sections. Luckily, you’ll be rewarded with the most amazing views from the top!
Explore the Jungle 🥾
Cost: Free!
Duration: Varies depending on trail
There are several free walking trails you can take on without a guide if you’re looking for something to do during your tour-free hours. Don’t worry, the trails are well-marked and hard to get lost on—and for extra safety, just check in with the park HQ before you set off!
Visit the Caves 🔦
Caves are a must-see during your visit to Mulu. You can opt for group walking tours through the four “show caves”, which allow you to explore these underground worlds with the added luxuries of artificial lights and walking paths. For the more daring, consider tackling one of the adventure caves. To complete the adventure caves, you will need to pass a physical fitness test and/or demonstrate that you have previous advanced caving experience.
SHOW CAVES
- Clearwater and Cave of the Wind
Cost: 70 MYR
Duration: 4 hours
Getting to Clearwater and Wind Cave involves a relaxing glide along the river inside a traditional Bornean longboat. After the tours, you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear river just outside the cave’s entrance. Just what you need after trekking in the Bornean heat!
- Deer and Lang Cave
Cost: 35 MYR
Duration: 3 hours
Boasting one of the world’s largest cave passages at 150m wide and 120m tall, Deer and Lang are amongst Mulu’s most impressive caves. Be sure to visit Deer Cave during the evening to witness the famous bat exodus, a true sight to behold as two million bats emerge from the cave to feed!
- Fastlane
Cost: 70 MYR
Duration: 2.5 hours
Some of the most breathtaking cave sights you’ll see at Mulu are in Fastlane! Keep an eye out for creepy cave fauna while you explore this millions-year-old wonder, including spiders, snakes, bats, and crabs.
“Mulu’s caves were some of the most amazing sights I witnessed in Malaysian Borneo. It’s like being in a whole other world. The cave tours really opened up an interest for me in caving—something I never thought I’d enjoy!” Bethany Hansel, South East Asia Backpacker Contributor
ADVENTURE CAVES
- The Clearwater Connection
Cost: 258 MYR
Reserved for advanced cavers, the Clearwater Connection is a six to eight-hour adventure through the wild segments of the Wind and Clearwater caves. After intensive climbing through the cave’s channels, you’ll be rewarded with a refreshing swim through the cave’s waters.
- Clearwater Revival
Cost: 223 MYR
This intermediate caving experience will give you a glimpse into the 200km of passages that make up the Clearwater system. Enjoy treading through cool waters and climbing ancient cave walls during your tour of this fascinating cave system.
- Lagang
Cost: 160 MYR
One of the more accessible adventure caves, this spectacular underground playground will have you scrambling over boulders and traipsing along ancient riverbeds.
- Racer Cave
Cost: 165 MYR
New to caving? This fun-filled adventure cave allows you to traverse dark passageways and glimpse curious-looking critters, including the famous racer snakes that the cave is named after.
- Sarawak Chamber
Cost: 312 MYR
Visiting Sarawak Chamber will involve an overnight stay and is one of the more difficult adventure cave experiences. Involving long hikes and swimming through muddy cave waters, you must have demonstrable prior experience with adventure caving to tackle the Sarawak Chamber.
How to Get to Gunung Mulu National Park 🛩️
The easiest way to get to Gunung Mulu National Park is to take a domestic flight from Miri (the nearest city) or Kuching in Sarawak or Kota Kinabalu in Sabah to Mulu Airport. MASwings offers daily flights to Mulu from these locations.
If you’re staying outside the park, your hostel might offer to arrange airport pickup when you arrive. If staying inside the park, it’s roughly a 20-minute walk to the park entrance from Mulu Airport. As long as you’re not lugging around too much heavy luggage, the walk is very doable and will give you the chance to fully enjoy the gorgeous scenery of this sleepy town.
What to Bring to Gunung Mulu National Park 🧦
You’ll need to be prepared for a rainforest environment and changeable weather. Here’s what we recommend taking with you when visiting Mulu:
- Long-sleeve tops and pants
- Full-length hiking socks
- Non-slip hiking shoes or boots
- Torch
- Leech socks
- Raincoat
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Small personal first aid kit
- Hand gloves (if you’re adventure caving or going on extreme tours)
- Money (both cash in RM and credit/debit card)—there’s no bank or ATM in Mulu!
- SIM card or eSIM—the only way to stay connected in Mulu
- Camera
- Swimsuit
- Water bottle
Where to Go Next: 🚌
Bario, The Kelabit Highlands: Just a short plane ride away in a tiny 16-seat Otter plane (great fun), this is a must for all those who want to experience the remote Bornean wilderness.
Brunei: You’ll be right by the Brunei border, so why not make it a quick stop on your Borneo tour? Featuring magical rainforests and stunning Islamic architecture, it’s just a bus ride away from Miri to the Sungai Tujoh Control Post, the closest port of entry to Brunei.
Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu is a popular next stop on travelers’ Borneo tour. As the capital of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, there are plenty of cultural and natural attractions to enjoy in and near Kota Kinabalu.
Bethany Hansel
Deciding to take a leap of faith after university, Bethany decided to uproot her life in the United States and move to Cambodia. She’s since fallen in love with Southeast Asia and is dedicating herself to exploring all the region has to offer. In her free time, you can find her trekking through jungles, cycling through rice fields, and traveling to random hidden gems she finds on Google Maps.