Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Wind Cave & Clearwater Cave
(per person incl boat ride RM50; departures at 8.45am & 9.15am)
Zipping along an
upland jungle river in a flat-bottomed longboat is not a bad way to start the day! This tour
takes about four hours, leaving time for another cave visit in the afternoon - or the after-
noon flight to Miri.
The Wind Cave, named for the deliciously cool breezes that flow through it, has several
chambers - including the cathedral-like King's Chamber - filled with phantasmagorical
forests of stalactites and stalagmites. Clearwater Cave is vast - as of 2012, 225km of pas-
sages had been surveyed - of which only a tiny segment is open to casual visitors. As the
name suggests, the highlight here is an underground clearwater river.
After visiting the caves, you can take a dip in the refreshingly cool waters of a sandy
swimming hole so don't forget your swimsuit; changing facilities are available. It's no
longer possible to walk back to park HQ.
Tours begin with a stop at the riverside village of Batu Bungan, set up by the govern-
ment as part of a campaign to discourage the nomadic lifestyle of the Penan. Locals sell
trinkets and handicrafts.
CAVE
Fast Lane
(per person incl boat RM55; 1.30pm)
This route through Lagang Cave has gotten rave
reviews since it opened in 2010 thanks to its extraordinary stalactites and stalagmites.
Keep an eye out for 'moonmilk', a fibrous mineral formation - known to scientists as
Lublinite - created when bacteria break down calcite, the main component of limestone.
Don't touch it - it's very fragile!
Getting to the cave requires a one-hour walk; the entire visit takes three or four hours.
Groups are limited to eight people.
CAVE
Adventure Caves
Cave routes that require special equipment and a degree of caving (spelunking) experien-
ce are known here as 'adventure caves'. Rosters for the eight half- or all-day options fill
up early so reserve well ahead. Groups are limited to eight participants. Heavy rains can
cause caves to flood.
Caving routes are graded beginner, intermediate and advanced; guides determine each
visitors' suitability based on their previous caving experience. If you have no background
in spelunking, you will be required to do an intermediate route (Racer Cave) before mov-
ing on to an advanced one. Minimum ages are 12 for intermediate and 16 for advanced.
The park office has details on 'family adventure caving', ie a section of Lagang Cave
