National park · Malaysia
Gunung Mulu National ParkTaman Negara Gunung Mulu
Base yourself at the park for 3 nights: book the Deer–Langs bat exodus and one show cave on day one, the Clearwater–Wind caves plus canopy walk on day two, and a guided trek or adventure cave on day three; every cave needs a licensed guide, so reserve before you fly.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
529 km² (204 sq mi)204 sq mi (529 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Mar–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
At a glance
- Country
- Malaysia
- Area
- 529 km² (204 sq mi)204 sq mi (529 km²)
- About 528.6 km²; boundaries follow the Melinau and Tutoh catchments (check).
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Mar–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak is a UNESCO World Heritage site defined by its massive limestone karst formations and extensive cave systems, including the world's largest cave chamber. The park offers accessible show caves with daily bat exoduses for casual visitors, while serious trekkers can attempt the multi-day Pinnacles or Summit trails. Located near the Brunei border, it requires careful planning due to weather-dependent flights and mandatory guided access for all significant activities.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1974.
Size and age
529 km² (204 sq mi)204 sq mi (529 km²) · national park since 1974
About 528.6 km²; boundaries follow the Melinau and Tutoh catchments (check).
Why go
- Cave passages on a scale found nowhere else: the Sarawak Chamber is the largest known cave chamber, and Clearwater is among the world's longest caves.
- The Pinnacles — 45 m limestone blades on Gunung Api — are reached only on a guided 3-day trek.
- A 480 m canopy walkway above the forest, plus the daily bat exodus from Deer Cave at dusk.
- Forest and karst in one small park, with lodging, cafe and trailheads inside the boundary.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanWet season; some trails and river trips limited (check)
- FebDrier spells possible; caves fine in rain (check)
- MarOften drier; good for treks (check)
- AprOften drier; bat exodus reliable (check)
- MayWarm; afternoon showers (check)
- JunWarm and humid; book caves early (check)
- JulBusy; rain still possible (check)
- AugBusy; river levels can rise (check)
- SepWet; flights often delayed (check)
- OctWet; check trek departures (check)
- NovWet; some departures cancelled (check)
- DecWet; short dry windows (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bat exodus from Deer CaveAll year · Around dusk; dry evenings give the best flights. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hornbills and forest birdsMar–Aug · Canopy walkway early morning. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Cave swiftlets and snakesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leeches on wet trailsSep–Jan | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Miri
MASWings rural air service to Mulu airport (MZV), then a 1.5 km (0.9 mi) walk or a short minivan ride to Park HQ. Check current schedules and fares with the airline.MASWings rural air service to Mulu airport (MZV), then a 0.9 mi (1.5 km) walk or a short minivan ride to Park HQ. Check current schedules and fares with the airline.
30–35 min flight (check)
From Kota Kinabalu
Flight via Miri, or a direct service on some days; check current routes with the airline.
2–3 h with connection (check)
From Kuching
Direct flight to Mulu; check current routes with the airline.
1.5–2 h (check)
From Limbang
Headhunter's Trail on foot and by longboat; no scheduled flights.
1–2 days
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park HQ and Melinau riverfront | Reception, cafe, lodging, canopy walkway start and boat jetty. | Open with park entry. |
| Deer and Langs caves | The show caves south of HQ, with the bat exodus at dusk. | Guided only; fixed afternoon departures. |
| Clearwater and Wind caves | River caves north of HQ, reached by longboat. | Guided only; boat included in the trip. |
| Camp 5 and Melinau Gorge | Base for the Pinnacles and Headhunter's Trail, below Mount Api and Mount Benarat. | Guided treks only; reached by boat and on foot. |
| Gunung Mulu summit | The 2,377 m sandstone peak, far from HQ. | Guided 4-day trek only. |
Sketch map
- 1Mulu airport (MZV) · Ranger station≈4.048, 114.805Map ↗
- 2Park HQ · Headquarters≈4.043, 114.813Map ↗
- 3Deer and Langs caves · Cave≈4.026, 114.823Map ↗
- 4Clearwater and Wind caves · Cave≈4.062, 114.832Map ↗
- 5Paku Waterfall · Trail≈4.037, 114.829Map ↗
- 6Camp 5 · Sleep≈4.083, 114.883Map ↗
- 7Gunung Mulu summit · Summit≈4.050, 114.933Map ↗
- 8Batu Bungan · Village≈4.067, 114.833Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the airport and Park HQ to Camp 5 and the summit, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (5-day pass) | MYR 30 (≈ US$8) | person | 2026 estimate; check current tariff at Park HQ. Separate from cave and trek fees. |
| Show cave guided visit (Deer–Langs, Clearwater–Wind) | MYR 30–45 (≈ US$8–11) | person | 2026 estimate; check at Park HQ. Per cave, guide included. |
| Canopy Skywalk | MYR 35–45 (≈ US$9–11) | person | 2026 estimate; check at Park HQ. |
| Adventure caving (per cave) | MYR 120–250 (≈ US$30–60) | person | 2026 estimate; check. Varies by cave and group size. |
| Pinnacles 3-day trek | MYR 1,200–1,600 (≈ US$300–400) | person | 2026 estimate; check with the park or an operator. Guide, porters, Camp 5 and meals. |
| Mulu summit 4-day trek | MYR 1,400–1,800 (≈ US$350–450) | person | 2026 estimate; check with the park or an operator. Guide and camps. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Licensed park guide permit or guide
Adventure caving permit or guide
Pinnacles and summit treks permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- RM30≈ US$8
- RM30–45≈ US$8–11
- RM35–45≈ US$9–11
- RM120–250≈ US$30–60
- RM1,200–1,600≈ US$300–400
- RM1,400–1,800≈ US$350–450
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Gunung Mulu National Park — official site before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- A licensed park guide is required for all cave visits and most treks; unlicensed offers are not permitted.
- Cave formations
- Do not touch stalactites, stalagmites or cave life; stay on the marked route.
- Litter and fires
- Carry out all rubbish; no fires outside designated areas.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).check
- Wildlife
- Do not feed or handle animals; keep distance from bats and swiftlets.
Where to stay
In the park
Park HQ lodging
Garden bungalows, longhouse rooms and a dormitory; breakfast coupon included.
Near the park
Homestays and guesthouses near the airport
Dorms and camping within 500 m of the park junction; the cheapest beds.
Near the park
Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa
Upmarket rooms a short distance downstream of HQ.
Safety
Flight delays and cancellations medium
Heat, humidity and wet rock medium
River levels and flash floods medium
Getting lost off marked trails high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Park HQ, the cafe and the start of the canopy walkway are reachable on foot from the airport road.
- Cave visits involve long plankwalks, steps and uneven ground; the canopy walkway is elevated and narrow.
- Ask at Park HQ about which show caves suit limited mobility; boat access varies with river level.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed park guides and pay park fees directly; this funds trail and cave upkeep.
- Buy handicrafts from the Penan community at Batu Bungan rather than mass-produced souvenirs.
- Carry a refillable bottle and refuse single-use plastic; waste has to be carried out of the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gunung Mulu National Park?
Park entry is about RM30 per person for a 5-day pass (2026 estimate). Cave visits, the canopy walkway and treks are charged separately: show caves around RM30–45, canopy walkway RM35–45, adventure caving RM120–250, and multi-day treks from about RM1,200.
What are the best hikes in Gunung Mulu National Park?
For most visitors the guided show-cave walks and the canopy walkway are the main outings. Serious trekkers choose the 3-day Pinnacles Summit Trek, the 4-day Gunung Mulu summit climb, or the Headhunter's Trail toward Limbang. All need a licensed park guide.
When is the best time to visit Gunung Mulu National Park?
March to August is drier and best for treks and the bat exodus. September to January is wetter, with more flight delays and cancelled river trips, though caves can still be visited in rain.
Do I need a guide in Mulu?
Yes for all cave visits and most treks. Book licensed park guides at Park HQ or through your lodging; adventure caving should be reserved 3–4 weeks ahead.
How do I get to Gunung Mulu National Park?
Fly to Mulu airport (MZV) with MASWings from Miri (about 30 minutes), Kuching or Kota Kinabalu. From the airport it is a 1.5 km walk or a short minivan ride to Park HQ. A land-and-river route via Marudi and Long Terawan exists but takes one to several days.
Is there an ATM in Mulu?
No. Carry enough cash for the whole stay. Park HQ accepts cards and offers limited cash-back with a fee; most cafes and homestays do not take cards.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go