There are few cavers in Malaysia and no active caving clubs. Much of the exploration work and documentation of Malaysian caves has been done by foreign spelaeologists. Expeditions regularly go to Mulu, but few chose the peninsula despite the fact there are many caves waiting to be surveyed. Various international caving expeditions have explored caves in Peninsular Malaysia in recent years, they include :

PERLIS

1996, 1998 - Axbridge Caving Group (UK) Perlis 1996 and Perlis 1998.
The ACG made 2 reconnaissance trips and 2 full expeditions to explore the caves of Perlis. They explored, filmed and surveyed many new caves, and documented the cave fauna. In 1996 2192m of cave passage was discovered, and 1628m in 1998. Expedition reports were published. See : Perlis 1996 and 1998 expeditions.

During the Axbridge Caving Group Thailand & Malaysia Expedition December 2000 - January 2001 the cavers visited one cave, Gua Tok Yed on Langkawi, Kedah. See : Thailand Malaysia

2010 - In July 3 cavers from South Wales explored caves in Perlis. However new and complicated regulations for obtaining permits cut short the expedition, so they moved to Langakwi, Kedah.

colourful cavers from Perlis 1996 expedition

long straw in Perlis cave

PERAK

1993 - a team of German cavers surveyed Gua Tempurung, Gua Kelawar and Gua Layang Layang in Perak.

1998 - Cavers from Verein für Höhlenkunde in Obersteier, Germany, explored and surveyed Batu Kurau (Anak Kurau) & Gua Cicak (Gunung Lanno) in Perak.

Then various recce trips were made to caves in Perak, resulting in an expedition Gunung Lanno 2001. In November 2001 a group of ten speleologists, under the lead of the Verein für Höhlenkunde in Obersteier held an expedition in the Kinta Valley, Peninsular Malaysia. During three weeks, 32 caves were documented and 12 kilometres of passages surveyed. See VHO 2001 Lanno - click on activities, Malaysia (in German). The expedition book was published in 2005.

2001 - cavers from Adelaide, Australia surveyed 3 caves in Perak, Gua Anak Tempurung, Gua Kanthan and Gua Kandu.

Lanno cavers

Gua Gereja Hujan

PAHANG

1990 - French cavers under Le Speleo Club de l'Aerospatiale explored caves in Kenong Rimba Park in Pahang, especially at Gunung Putih, and documented their results.

1999 - French cavers from Spelaeological Society of the Ariege - Pays d'Olmes, SSAPO, visited Gua Peningat area in northern Pahang.

KELANTAN

In 2006 some French cavers surveyed about 15 caves in Kelantan, Gua Musang area.

© Liz Price 2004-2010
Page last updated 3 Aug 2010