National park · Malaysia
Kelabit Highlands
Enter the Kelabit Highlands via a Bario flight (check current fare) and hike a day trail (e.g., Bario‑Pa Umor, 1 h) for under RM150 total; for multi‑day treks hire a licensed guide (RM80 day, RM100 night).
- 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
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Mar–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Drug 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.
- Sarawak ↗Sarawak runs its own immigration control: even arriving from Peninsular Malaysia or Sabah you pass a checkpoint and get a stay permit (commonly 90 days). Carry your passport or MyKad.
- Sarawak ↗Saltwater crocodiles live in brackish water and mangroves, notably around the Batang Lupar. Follow signage; don't swim or wade at river mouths.
At a glance
- Country
- Malaysia
- Area
- 500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²)
- Exact park boundary not defined; the highland plateau covers several hundred km² (check).
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Mar–May
- Permits
- For some areas
The Kelabit Highlands offer remote jungle trekking, cultural homestays, and Sarawak’s highest peak, Gunung Murud, with flights into Bario as the main gateway.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
500 km² (193 sq mi)193 sq mi (500 km²) · national park since 2026
Exact park boundary not defined; the highland plateau covers several hundred km² (check).
Why go
- Jungle trekking on remote highland trails.
- Visit Sarawak's highest peak, Gunung Murud (2,423 m).
- Experience Kelabit village culture and homestays.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanRainy season; trails muddy, flights may be cancelled (check).
- FebRainy season; occasional storms (check).
- MarDryer, cooler nights, good trekking.
- AprDry, pleasant temperatures.
- MayDry, warm days, clear skies.
- JunEnd of dry period, occasional showers.
- JulShort rains, still trekable.
- AugRainy but trails usable; bring rain gear.
- SepRain tapering, good for trekking.
- OctRainy season resumes; trails often wet.
- NovHeavy rains, risk of landslides.
- DecPeak rainy season; limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds of the highland forestMar–Sep · Best spotting during dry months. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
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 flight to Bario (≈50 min) or Ba Kelalan (≈35 min).
0.5–1 h
Open the page →
From Lawas
MASWings flight to Ba Kelalan (Mon & Sat).
0.5 h
From Kuching
Fly to Miri then connect to Bario flight.
≈3 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bario village | Main entry hub, airstrip, homestays, guide office. | Open to visitors; ticket required for flight. |
| Ba Kelalan | Northern village, start of multi‑day treks. | Open; guide required for treks beyond village. |
| Gunung Murud area | High‑altitude climbing zone. | Guided only; permits via licensed guide. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 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.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the highland plateau.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bario flight (entry to highlands) | Free | person | Check current fare and surcharges; historical fare was RM91. |
| Licensed guide (day trek) | MYR 80 (≈ US$19) | guide per day | Fixed price set by guide association (source). |
| Guide tip | MYR 10 (≈ US$3) | guide per day | Suggested amount. |
| Guide (overnight trek) | MYR 100 (≈ US$25) | night | For multi‑day treks (source). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Licensed guide for multi‑day treks permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- RM80≈ US$19
- RM10≈ US$3
- RM100≈ US$25
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 MASWings flight information (archived) before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Licensed guides required for multi‑day treks (e.g., Bario Loop, Bario‑Ba Kelalan); short day walks from Bario (e.g., to Pa Umor) usually need no guide.
- Camping
- Only in designated homestays or with guide permission; not in wild forest.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided cooking facilities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no dumping.
- Drone
- Not allowed without official permission.
Where to stay
In the park
Gem's Lodge
Homestay in Bario town; meals included.
In the park
Bariew Backpacker Lodge & Tour
Budget lodge with meals, guide booking assistance.
In the park
Mado Homestay (Pa'Lungan)
Rooms with full board; guide services available.
Safety
Rain‑induced landslides medium
Getting lost on unmarked trails high
Altitude on Murud low
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
- Bario village reachable by road from Miri (4‑wheel‑drive).
- Trails are steep and rough; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed local guides to support community income.
- Stay in homestays that source food locally.
- Avoid single‑use plastics; carry reusable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kelabit Highlands?
There is no confirmed entry fee. A flight to Bario costs check (historical fare was RM91 per person before taxes). Add guide fees if you trek beyond short day walks (RM80 /day, RM100 /night).
What are the best hikes in Kelabit Highlands?
For a short walk try Bario‑Pa Umor (1‑3 h). For a multi‑day experience, the Bario‑Ba Kelalan trek (4 days, crosses Indonesia) or the ascent of Gunung Murud (check duration with a guide) are popular.
When is the best time to visit Kelabit Highlands?
The dry season March – September offers the most reliable trekking conditions; the rainy season October – February brings muddy trails and possible flight cancellations.
Do I need a guide for day walks?
No, short day walks from Bario (e.g., to Pa Umor) are unmarked but safe without a guide. Multi‑day treks (e.g., Bario‑Ba Kelalan, Gunung Murud) require a licensed guide.
Can I camp in the forest?
Camping is only allowed in designated homestays or with guide permission; wild‑forest camping is prohibited.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kelabit Highlands
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