Fluttering bats of Mulu - Borneo jungle adventure

Soar across the tree tops of the tropical rainforest before your plane lands on a jungle air strip in the largest national park in Sarawak, Royal Mulu National Park. Even your evenings will be spent in a jungle atmosphere as your accommodation during this Borneo wildlife adventure module will be a rustic jungle lodge made entirely out of wood. Along with your guide you'll trek deep into the tropical rainforest where you'll explore one of the largest limestone caves in the world. This cave is filled with the most bizarre looking stalagmites, stalactites and other rock formations. As the sun goes down and you arrive at the cave exit, you'll experience the mass exodus of thousands of of bats fluttering out of the cave and into the night sky in search of food. To make your Borneo jungle adventure complete, after watching the bats fly off you'll sail straight through the rainforest in a wooden jungle boat and will arrive back at your lodge in the dark. Need more action and adventure during your trip? Then extend your stay and go on a strenuous trek to the 'Pinnacles' of Mulu or go on adventure caving deep in the labyrinth of caves.

Duration:	3 days /2 nights	Accommodation:	traditional jungle lodge accommodation category 2 luxury jungle resort accommodation category 4
Price:	from $249 per person - based on 2 people sharing, lodge from $485 per person - based on 2 people sharing, luxury resort	Includes:	bus and boat transfer to and from Mulu, park entrance fee, jungle walks, cave visit (incl. 1 x packed lunch) with English speaking guide, 2 nights in traditional jungle lodge
Transport:	minibus and boat	Excludes:	domestic flight Miri - Mulu, other meals

Day 1 - Miri - Gunung Mulu National Park

Get going on this Borneo jungle adventure module from Mulu, which is only a quick domestic flight away from Kuching or Kota Kinabalu (layover in Miri). Make sure you get a window seat, this alone will give you an incredible view of the tropical rainforest below you. After about 40 minutes you'll begin to descend and eventually land on Mulu's small air strip where your guide will be waiting for you. A 'longboat' will then take you to your modest wooden jungle lodge. The jungle lodge is built on 3m high poles, resembles traditional longhouses and was built according to longstanding traditions. All parts of the building are connected by a central wooden walkway. If you prefer a more luxurious accommodation, you can also stay at the only luxury resort in the area. This resort is located in the heart of the jungle, on the banks of the Melinau River and is available for an additional charge.

After you check in you'll head straight out into the park and off you go on a 3km hike across a wooden walkway. Looking around you'll see a wide variety of amazing plants, birds, insects and if you look close enough, monkeys. The first cave you'll reach is 'Lang Cave', an enormous cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites. You may want to bring along a raincoat, quite a bit of ground water drops down from the cracks in the limestone. The cave is illuminated by large lamps and it is easily accessible by walking across the walkways. The next cave, 'Deer Cave' is nearby. Millions of bats live in this cave. Don't forget to bring along a flashlight, the cave is quite dark and has some slippery spots. As the sun begins to set, you'll walk back towards the cave entrance (the largest cave entrance in the world). Out of nothing, you'll hear an immense noise, whirring and fluttering. When you look around you'll see thousands of bats flying out of the cave. They'll head out into the nocturnal jungle as one swarm in search of insects. Being able to watch this is truly quite an extraordinary experience. At around 7pm or 8pm you'll be back at the lodge and you'll be able to sit down to a delightful meal at the restaurant. In the evening you can relax in your spacious, comfortable room.

Borneo wildlife adventure - Natural swimming pools

Day 2 - Gunung Mulu National Park

At around 8:30am, after a hearty breakfast, you'll set out through the jungle in a long, wooden jungle boat. Along the way you'll pass Penan tribe villages. The first cave you'll come across is the 'Wind Cave', an enormous cave filled with bizarre natural pillars. Your boat ride will then continue on towards 'Clearwater Cave', which was created by an enormous network of underground rivers. A long staircase will take you through this fascinating cave network. Temperatures can soar in the caves, so it's best to wear cool clothing. After visiting the caves, pull on those swimming trunks and hop into the emerald waters of the pools to cool off. While enjoying a picnic lunch, you may see the beautiful 'Rajah Brooke' butterflies fluttering above the water. Eventually your boat will take you back to your lodge where you'll arrive in the late afternoon, so you'll have time to sit back and relax until dinner. At the end of the day you'll spend the night at the lodge.

Day 3 - Gunung Mulu National Park - Miri

After breakfast you'll be taken to Mulu airport where a turbo prop plane will be waiting to take you to Miri. No planes are allowed to fly into Mulu after 4pm so that they do not disturb the bats leaving their caves. On Borneo nature, and not humans, comes first. From Miri you can fly on to Bintulu to continue your Borneo wildlife adventure. You can also choose to continue travelling to the traditional city of Kuching or to the more modern city of Kota Kinabalu.

Borneo jungle adventure - No flying after 4pm

Accommodation images

Jungle Lodge

Luxury Jungle Resort

Extension with visit to the Pinnacles

One of Mulu National Park's most distinguishing features is the so-called 'pinnacles' (see photo). These pinnacles are quite unique and they are certainly worth a visit. However, be prepared for quite a climb. Anyone in relatively good health and a reasonable level of physical fitness can complete the climb to the panorama view at 1750m.

Day 1: as above

Day 2: Gunung Mulu National Park
On day two of this extension to your Borneo wildlife adventure, you won't return to your chalet at the end of the day. You'll head out by boat at 9am to the village Long Litut, approximately an hour away. From here trek through the rainforest for about three hours. You'll be in complete awe at how many different kinds of plants and trees you'll see all around you. You'll trek past the Litut River and on to the rustic lodge where you'll be served dinner in the evening. As you climb into bed tired yet satisfied at the end of the day, you'll fall asleep to the sounds of the jungle surrounding you.

Day 3: Gunung Mulu National Park - Pinnacles
After an early breakfast you'll start out on your last climb. The path is quite steep and goes on for 2.5km up the mountain to the panoramic view at 1750m. As you climb, you'll see the most beautiful orchids and 'pitcher plants'. The view is simply stunning. The intriguing rock formations, created by years of erosion, shoot up from the ground into the heavens. After you've had a chance to let everything sink in, you'll start to head back. Sometime in the afternoon you'll arrive at the campsite where you can go for a swim in the river. At the end of the day you'll spend another night at your lodge.

Day 4: Gunung Mulu National Park - Miri
The following morning a boat will take you back back to the park entrance where a transfer will be waiting to take you the airport for your flight back to Miri.

Duration:	4 days / 3 nights	Accommodation:	traditional jungle lodge accommodation category 2 and basic jungle camp accommodation category 1
Price:	from $849 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes:	transfers, park entrance fee, guided jungle walks, visits to caves, 2 day trek to the Pinnacles, English speaking guide, 1 night in a jungle lodge and 2 nights in Camp 5, meals: 3 x breakfast, 3 x lunch and 3 x dinner
Transport:	minibus and boat	Excludes:	tips

Extension with Borneo caving expedition

Fluttering bats and Borneo adventure caving
For the adventurous at heart who are also physically fit, we offer an exciting outdoor activity: adventure caving. You'll wade through underground rivers, crawl through small passage ways, climb over boulders and slide down a tightened piece of rope. This is an absolute must if you want to explore the caves completely... adventurous travellers only.

If you would like to participate in this excursion, be sure to mention this on the quote request form or booking form and we'll add it to your travel proposal. You'll spend an additional night in the Rainforest Lodge.

Borneo wildlife adventure - Mulu adventure cave

Duration:	4 days / 3 nights	Accommodation:	traditional jungle lodge accommodation category 2 and basic jungle camp accommodation category 1
Price:	from $339 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes:	transfers, accommodation with breakfast, 1 day adventure caving with English-speaking guide, meals during excursion
Transport:	minibus	Excludes:	other meals, tips

Tips

Best time to travel
Visit Royal Mulu National Park any time of year; but be prepared to encounter plenty of other jungle-enthusiasts during local holidays and school holidays. To avoid disapointment, avoid visiting the park during these times if at all possible. Have a look at the local holiday periods.

What to bring along
Bring along a raincoat, or even better yet, bring along a poncho so that you can also cover your daypack and/ or camera. A flashlight is also a must. Both can be purchased at the spot or in Kuching or you can simply bring them along from home.

Footwear
Don't go out and buy expensive fancy footwear if you're only going to use them during this module, not necessary. If you do choose to book an extension to visit the Pinnacles or to go adventure caving then it's best to bring along closed shoes with a sturdy tread. Some paths can be steep and if it rains some areas can become slippery.

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