Mulu Caves - Langs and Deer Caves

At the HQ of the Mulu National Park

Immediately after breakfast at the Mega Hotel, we were taken to Miri Airport to catch 10.20 am MAS Wing flight to Mulu.  The flight was smooth and only took us 25 minutes to land at Mulu Airport.  Mulu National Park which has been declared as World Heritage is located in the interior of Sarawak.  We were greeted at the airport by Andy & Maria, who were our Licensed Park Guide.   A short van ride took us to Royal Mulu Resort, situated beside Melinau River.  Royal Mulu Resort was build in the style of long house, on wooden stilts and linked by plank walk way.

At the entrance of the Lang Cave

 After lunch, we were taken by van to the headquarters of the Mulu National Park.  After some registration procedure and quick look at the displays, we began the 3.8 km walk to Lang and Deer Caves.  It took us more than 1 hour (with 3 stops) along the 3.8 km plank walkway which passes through peat swamps, alluvial flats and limestone formations.   There was much to see and hear along the way to the caves, including magnificent canopies of rainforest, jungle streams, burial caves and droning noises of cicada and frogs.

Plank walk way to and fro the two caves

We were guided to the entrance of  Lang Cave first, led into about half kilometer circle in the cave. Lang Cave is the smaller of the two caves, but its rock formations are such a sight.  With the spotlights placed in strategic positions, the numerous stalagmites and stalactites; and the columns (when stalactite and stalagmite get connected), we were indeed amazed by the nature's beauty.

The entrance of the Deer Cave

Deer Cave is a short distant away from Lang Cave.  Upon entering the Deer Cave, we were told by our guide that this the world largest cave. It is indeed huge, over two km in length and about 100 meters high and wide.  The cave was full of massive rock formations, boulders and showers of waters dropping from the cave ceiling. Certain parts of the cave were filled with guano (bats droppings).  Planks and cement steps were provided throughout the walk in the cave.  One of sights that were pointed to us was the famous rock formation resembling the sharp profile of Abraham Lincoln.

Rock formation & Juairiah giving a special pose

Column form when stalactite and stalagmite get connected

Abraham Lincoln profile seen with the bats stream up 

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Tourists at the bat observatory point looking up towards the sky

Short video of streams of bats

The cave is the home to many species of bats.  Between 5 to 7 pm, if the weather is fine, visitors may be able to watch the spectacular sight of thousand of black dots of bats making circular formations emerging from the entrance of cave, move upwards and disappear from view.   As we were coming out of the cave, our attention was drawn to the fact that the bats has already stated to emerge from the cave. It was just about 5 pm in the evening.  We hurried to the bat observatory point.   We sat and watch the bats formation for about 45 minutes before taking a leisure walk back.  We reached Royal Mulu Resort past 7 pm, ate dinner and retired to our room good night sleep.  A memorable day for members of the group.

Since the 1978 expedition explorers have been making a photographic record of the spectacular caves of Mulu. A considerable archive has been compiled by 19 expeditions over the past 33 years.  Check out this link: http://www.mulucaves.org