River Junkie – fuel the addiction
River Junkie – fuel the addiction

River Junkie Tours Sdn. Bhd. — licensed Kota Kinabalu tour operator (KPL/LN5696), MATTA member, running wildlife safaris, Mount Kinabalu climbs and cave trips across Sabah and Sarawak since 2008.

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Mulu pinnacles view

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Mulu National Park

4D3N Mulu National Park - The Pinnacles & show caves

4 days
3 nights
Departs Mulu
Basic
Price fromRM 1,880
Private room (twin share) & Camp 5, per person, minimum 2 people per trip
Duration4 days
3 nights on the road
DepartsMulu
Groupmin 2 pax
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About this trip

For those who dare to climb the Pinnacles, a breathtaking view over 50-meter tall, jagged rocks rising out of a tropical rainforest awaits! It will no doubt be one of the most memorable parts of your trip, both for the views and the challenge of getting there. On this 4D3N adventure you will also visit Deer, Lang, Wind and Clearwater cave, watch as over 3 million bats soar high into the Mulu sky, take longboat trips on the Melinau river, stop-off at a local Penan settlement and hike a picturesque 9km trail on your way to and from camp 5. This trip is suitable for physically fit visitors aged 16 or above. Alternative camp 5 trekking itineraries without the pinnacles can be arranged on request.

Highlights

  • Four stunning and unique caves
  • Mass exodus of 2.5-3.5 million wrinkle-lipped bats
  • Challenging but rewarding climb to the Pinnacles viewpoint
  • Scenic longboat ride on Melinau river
  • Remote jungle camp with stunning view of limestone cliffs

    • Trip facts

    Mulu National Park
    Caves, Cultural, Jungle walks, Multi-day hikes, Wildlife
    4 days of travel
    Physical difficulty 4 / 5
    Departs from Mulu
    Minimum 2 pax per departure
    Rates: Prices are valid until 31st Dec 2026
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    Day by day

    Day 1

    Deer & Lang's cave + bat exodus

    Pick up from Mulu airport and transfer to your accommodation in Mulu National Park. If you arrive before your room is ready, there is luggage storage available at Park HQ. Have lunch at the cafe in the park (at own cost) and explore the surrounding area if time permits. At 2.15pm, meet your guide at Park HQ and join a 3km walk through the rainforest boardwalk to reach the entrance to Deer cave. A powerful underground river once flowed through this limestone mountain, dissolving and eroding the limestone and leaving a cave passage up to 148m high as well as a perfect profile of President Lincoln in a rock formation within the cave. The sheer size of the cave is awe-inspiring and has to be seen to be fully appreciated! From Deer cave, your guide will take you on to Lang’s cave. Whilst not as large as Deer’s cave, Lang’s cave has some of the most spectacular stalactites and stalagmites in Mulu National Park. After visiting both caves, make your way over to the bat observatory to witness the mass bat exodus around 5.30pm. 12 species of bats have been recorded in the caves, including 2.5 - 3.5 million wrinkle lipped bats. As the sun moves towards the horizon, bat hawks gather on the cliff face awaiting the mass exodus. Most days, the bats will leave between 5.30 - 6.30pm but on some occasions, they don’t leave at all and you may need to return the following evening and try again - such is nature! After the bat exodus, make your way back to Park HQ via the 3km boardwalk, arriving back around 7 -7.30pm.

    Day 2

    Wind & Clearwater cave to Camp 5

    Meet your guide at Park HQ around 9am and board your traditional longboat for a 20min journey up the Melinau river to Wind cave, making a stop at a Penan handicraft market along the way. On arrival at Wind cave, explore the “King’s Chamber” and forest of stalagmites & stalactites within the cave and learn more about the formation of these incredible geological features. Return to your longboat and continue a few minutes up river to Clearwater jetty. From there, climb 200 steps to reach the main entrance to Clearwater cave system. At 227km long, it’s one of the longest cave systems in the world and home to more of the incredible geological features Mulu is famous for.. After visiting both caves, enjoy a simple picnic by the river before continuing by longboat to Kuala Litut (approx 1 hour). From there it is a long but relatively easy 9km trek to camp 5. Arrive late afternoon, take a dip in the river and rest before your big climb the next day (B, L, D)

    Day 3

    Ascent to the Pinnacles view point (the hard bit!)

    After breakfast, set off with your guide to the Pinnacles viewpoint, a 2.4km hard climb that may leave you wishing you'd stayed at camp 5! You will need to move quickly enough to reach each section by the allocated cut-off time (see "is this trek right for me" below) whilst still paying attention to where you are putting your hands and feet. The limestone rocks can be extremely sharp and there are a lot of tree roots underfoot. It should take you no more than 2.5 hours to complete the first 2km with a total elevation gain of over 900m (we weren't kidding when we said it's a "steep" climb) and reach the first of 17 ladders designed to help you reach the top. From there, it is a further nearly vertical 400m up the ladders to the viewpoint. On arrival, take a well-deserved photo and enjoy the stunning view over Mulu's Pinnacles! The descent back to camp 5 takes longer than the ascent and for this reason you will only spend around 30 - 60min at the viewpoint before starting your descent. Once back at camp 5, take a swim and settle in for the night. There's a good chance that you'll feel pretty proud of what you achieved today, for good reason! (B, L, D)

    Day 4

    Camp 5 to Park HQ / airport

    After breakfast at camp 5, gather your belongings and begin the 9km walk back out to Kuala Litut, along the same scenic trail you arrived on (approximate walk time 3 hours). From there, a longboat will take you back to Park HQ, estimated time of arrival is around 11am - 12pm. Guests flying out same day will be transferred onwards to the airport. If you would like to stay an extra night after the hike then just let us know at the time of booking.

    Where you'll stay

    Mulu National Park HQ

    Mulu National Park HQ

    Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
    Gunung Mulu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Area in northern Sarawak, famous for its cave systems, pinnacles and the nightly bat exodus. These accommodations are within the park itself and put you a short walk away from the start of your cave tours and give you easy access to the free trails within the park.
  • Deluxe Garden Bungalow1 Double & 1 single bed, air-conditioning & an ensuite bathroom.
  • Rainforest Lodge roomEither 1 double or 2 single beds, air-conditioning & ensuite bathroom.
  • Longhouse roomsEither 4 super single or 1 King & 4 super single beds, air-conditioning, ensuite bathroom, communal veranda
  • Hostel dormitory14-beds, shared bathroom facilities
    • FacilitiesAll private rooms at Park HQ have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a private bathroom and a set breakfast included. The hostel uses shared bathrooms with hot water. There is a restaurant at Park HQ and some simple local restaurants just outside the park entrance. Mulu Gallery and shop, 8am to 5pm, selling handicrafts & basic trekking groceries (cash only).
    Good to knowMulu is reached by air only, with daily flights from Miri, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, and heavy rain can cause cancellations, so build slack into your itinerary. There are no ATMs and no banks in Mulu, so bring enough cash in Ringgit. There is no wifi and no phone signal so prepare to be offline for a few days. Check-in is at 2pm and check-out 10am. Camping is prohibited park-wide, and occupancy may not exceed the number of beds in a room.
    A closer look
    Camp 5 at Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

    Camp 5 (Mulu National Park)

    Camp 5, Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
    Camp 5 is the park's remote riverside base for the Pinnacles climb and the Headhunters' Trail. It is reached by longboat up the Melinau river to Kuala Litut, followed by a 9 km walk through forest and over hanging bridges. Accommodation is simple and communal, the Melinau river runs alongside the camp for swimming, and the Pinnacles trail starts from the camp itself with Gunung Api and the Melinau gorge rising directly behind.
  • Shared open-air dormitoryMattresses on a raised platform with mosquito nets and bedding provided.
    • FacilitiesOpen-air communal sleeping platform with mattresses. Mosquito nets and bedding are provided. Shared bathrooms with cold water. All meals are provided while you are at the camp. The Melinau river beside the camp is safe for swimming. Mosquito nets & bedding are provided in our packages.
    Good to knowCamp 5 can only be reached on foot after a longboat transfer, so pack light and bring a dry bag. There is no electricity for charging, no phone signal and no shop, so carry what you need in. There are no upgrade options at Camp 5. Occupancy is on a shared basis and the camp is used by all trekkers on the Pinnacles and Headhunters routes.
    A closer look

    What's included

  • 1 night accommodation at Mulu Park HQ & 2 nights at Camp 5
  • 3 x breakfast, 2 x lunch, 2 x dinner
  • Activities as per itinerary
  • Park entry fee & conservation fee
  • Return airport transfers from Mulu airport
  • Registered Mulu guide

    • Not included

  • Flights to / from Mulu
  • Optional activities: Night walk & Canopy walk
  • Beverages
  • Guide tips / gratuities (optional)

    • Prices

    4D3N Dorm & Camp 5RM 1780per person
    4D3N Private room (twin share) & Camp 5RM 1880per person
    4D3N Private room (single occupancy) & Camp 5RM 1960per person
    Pricing notesOptional add-on: Night walk, per person — RM 60
    ChildrenThis trip is suitable for physically fit visitors aged 16 or above.
    Rate validityPrices are valid until 31st Dec 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Who is this trip suitable for?
    This trip is suitable for physically fit visitors aged 16 or above. You do not need any rock climbing experience to undertake the Pinnacles climb, but you must have a good level of physical fitness. If you would like to experience the tranquillity of Camp 5 without the climb, our 4D3N Caves & Trekking option is the better choice.
    How hard is the climb to the Pinnacles?
    The first section is 2km long with an elevation gain of over 900m, starting from Camp 5 at a 45 degree angle through dipterocarp and moss forest, where moss can make the limestone underfoot very slippery. At the end of that section you reach the first of 17 ladders and climb a further, nearly vertical 400m to the viewpoint over razor-sharp rocks, boulders and tree roots. The ascent usually takes around 4 hours and the descent takes even longer, so you will only spend around 30 to 60 minutes at the viewpoint.
    Are there cut-off times, and can the climb be called off?
    Yes. You must leave the viewpoint by 11.30am at the latest, and if you are taking too long your guide may need you to turn around part way through the ascent, because ascending or descending in the dark is not permitted and is extremely dangerous. The park ranger at Camp 5 also has the absolute right to cancel the climb if the weather is deemed too dangerous.
    What are the health, safety and insurance requirements?
    You will be trekking in a remote location where medical assistance may not be immediately available, so please make sure you have adequate travel insurance; rescue and evacuation is strictly at the climber's own expense. Climbing the Pinnacles is regarded as a high-risk activity due to the potential for slips, falls and injuries, participation is solely at your own risk, you will be required to sign a liability release, and you must follow your guide's instructions at all times. At certain times of year there are various species of bee around Camp 5, and guests allergic to bee stings should take extra care and carry an epipen if needed.
    Where will I sleep?
    Your first night is in your choice of a private air-conditioned ensuite room or fan-cooled dormitory accommodation within Mulu National Park. Your next 2 nights are at Camp 5, a simple but beautifully situated forest camp next to the river, where you sleep in a basic shared open air dormitory with communal bathrooms; mosquito nets and bedding are provided. If you would prefer to spend your first night at Mulu Marriott Resort & Spa please tell us at the time of booking, as there are no upgrade options for the 2nd and 3rd nights.
    How long is the walk in and out of Camp 5?
    After leaving Clearwater cave it is a scenic 1 hour longboat ride to Kuala Litut, followed by a 9km walk to Camp 5 that is long but relatively flat and easy, passing through forest and over hanging bridges. On the final day you walk the same 9km trail back out to Kuala Litut in around 3 hours, then take a longboat to Park HQ, arriving around 11am to 12pm.
    How do I get to Mulu, and what if my flight is cancelled?
    For safety reasons, flights to and from Mulu are occasionally delayed or cancelled due to bad weather. If Air Borneo cancels your flight due to weather, we will reschedule your tour as best we can, however you will need to pay for any additional accommodation expenses incurred.
    What should I pack?
    Mulu has no supermarkets, pharmacies or ATMs, so bring your medication and some cash, wear non-slip closed footwear, and pack a torch with spare batteries (a head torch is recommended for the Pinnacles), a water bottle, a raincoat, snacks, insect repellent and a basic first aid kit. You'll have a chance to swim in the river at Camp 5 and water shoes / sandals can be handy for this.

    Photos from this trip

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    Ready to book, or still deciding?

    Tell us your dates and we will come back with availability, the total cost and honest advice — including when a different trip would suit you better.

    Getting between destinations: we also run private van and 4X4 transfers across Sabah and a daily Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan shuttle — ask us to add either to your trip.

    WhatsApp / phone: +60 11 1265 8581
    Email: info@river-junkie.com
    Hours: 8am–5pm, Monday to Sunday
    Office: Wisma Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

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