Clearwater Cave at Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak. — The Mulu Caves Project
Explore some of Malaysia’s finest wonders of nature this school holidays
The school holidays will soon be upon us again. For the adventure seekers and nature lovers out there, cave exploration may just be up their alley.
There are a number of caves one can visit in Malaysia, with some more popular and accessible than others.
Here are five extraordinary caves for those looking to go deep to connect with the outdoors on their next holiday.
1 Clearwater Cave
Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), the geological Melinau formation contains a remarkable concentration of caves that stretches over 295km and it has a geological history of more than 1.5 million years.
The cave’s carvings give it an otherworldly atmosphere, along with its walls sculpted by Mother Nature and glistening, translucent emerald-green water.
For RM67 per person, one can go on a tour with a guide as well as take boat rides, according to Gunung Mulu National Park website.
Plank paths, walkways and floating bridges will provide a supercharged experience for many.
Daily tours start at 8.45am or 9.15am and the duration is four hours.
Deer Cave in Sarawak. ― MULU National Park
2 Deer Cave
Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
The Deer Cave’s magnificent cave passage is the largest in the world.
It is home to a unique freshwater stromatolite that cannot be found in any other place on earth.
In an article in The Star, researcher Prof Joyce Lundberg from Carleton University’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies in Ottawa, Canada, said the stromatolites found near the northeastern entrance of Deer Cave were the only samples of their kind in the world.
Researcher Prof Lundberg with a piece of stromatolite found in Deer Cave. — Filepic
Apart from the stromatolites, in the cave lies a heavenly oasis named Garden of Eden that shoots columns of water with a scallop-formed wall view.
Fee for a guided tour is RM35 per person, according to Gunung Mulu National Park website.
A bat observatory can be reached through a series of plank paths.
The hike will take between 45 minutes and one hour.
Operating hours start at 2pm or 2.30pm, with a three-hour tour including watching the bat exodus.
The Dark Cave in Batu Caves. — Filepic
3 Batu Cave
Batu Caves, Gombak, Selangor
A fascinating ancient animal kingdom resides in Batu Cave.
According to the International Show Caves Association, it includes the world’s rarest spiders: Liphistius batuensis (Trapdoor Spider), Dugesia batuensis (Flatworm), and Ascetophacus macclurei (Spiny Millipede).
The cave has interesting subterranean cave formations of flowstone, cave curtains, cave pearls, stalactites and stalagmites.
It costs RM35 per adult and RM25 per child to explore with a tour guide. The price includes a trek to see bats.
Operating hours are from 10am to 5pm Monday to Friday and 10.30am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Gua Tempurung in Gopeng is also part of the National Geopark. — Filepic
4 Gua Tempurung
Gopeng, Perak
According to Tourism Perak website, Gua Tempurung is 400 million years old and has a multi-dimensional honeycomb cave system that holds five giant domes of stalactites, stalagmites and rock formations.
It resembles a gallery of coconut shells and sculptured chambers that will take one’s breath away.
It also has electric lighting and walkways for visitors.
Depending on the package selected, the guided tour fees range from RM3 to RM22.
The price is the same for children, adults and senior citizens above 60 years old.
Operating hours are from 9am to 4pm every day.
Gua Kelam (Dark Cave) at Kaki Bukit in Perlis. — Filepic
5 Gua Kelam
Kaki Bukit, Perlis
Famous for its “cave walk”, this limestone beauty gives one the impression of being in ancient times.
Its rocky landscape and vast dusky stalactites will leave anyone in awe.
According to explore.Perlis.gov.my, the cave was discovered in 1935 by an Englishman who realised the flowing water in the cave could be used to move iron ore from a nearby mine.
The only way to the cave is through a suspension bridge made of eight-foot-wide wood. This bridge connects Kaki Bukit to Wang Tangga, a valley at the opposite end of Gua Kelam. The bridge was built to facilitate movement of tin miners from Wang Tangga to Gua Kelam.
The tale goes that Gua Kelam was named so by the tin miners because of the enveloping dark gloom here.
Cave of Darkness is a limestone cave.
Facilities in the area include a campsite and a convenience store.
The admission price is RM1 for adults and 50sen for children.
It opens from 9am to 6pm every day.
