his is a difficult cave to reach but one that is extremely interesting for the more adventurous who are keen to visit the heart of Borneo to see Sabah’s exciting interior.

The journey to Sapulut from Kota Kinabalu cuts across cool hills, scenic padi fields, quaint villages and fascinating jungle tracts and it takes five to six hours to reach the small village of Sapulut.

The journey up-river which takes two and a half hours during the wet season and four to five hours during the dry season cuts across massive timber bridges, rapids with treacherous currents and river banks with some of the most diverse fauna and flora that can be seen in Sabah.

The boat is often somewhat unsteady, and there will be many moments when you are sure that the boat will capsize. After a long ride, the long-house of the family of Lantir and Antagu is finally reached. This will be the venue for the night. A taste of Murut culture and life-style is found here and visitors will be fascinated by the way the villagers live and the hospitality shown.

Get ready to drink the local rice wine – “tapai” – straight from the jar as you spend the night here. There will be moments of revelry as visitors are invited to participate in the local dances.

Early the next morning, the boat-trip to Batu Punggul from the long-house is made. As the boat proceeds further up the river into largely uninhabited jungles near the Indonesian border, a white limestone outcrop suddenly comes into view. It is an enthralling sight.

A short distance ahead is Batu Punggul. A strenous climb is made to reach the caves. The caves are not different from the others and there are a few linked caves which can be explored.

The real attraction of Batu Punggul is the climb up the sheer rock face, not recommended for those who are afraid of heights. It can be dangerous.

The climb is 90 degrees vertical in some places but the limestone handholds are a great help. The view from the top is well worth the absorbing climb. Leeches are sometimes encountered in Batu Punggul but they are easily taken care of with a pinch of salt or some tobacco.

How to Get There
From Kota Kinabalu arrangements can be made with a local tour company to handle the entire trip. Alternatively, visitors can hire a four-wheel drive vehicle for the trip. The journey is from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau and from Keningau to Sapulut.

The following items are recommended for the trip: change of clothes, towel, first-aid kit, gloves, good pair of rubber shoes, spare socks, plenty of drinks, snacks and sweets, enough insect repellent and a packet of salt for the leeches.