First a 2 hr drive on bumpy
tarmac from Miri.
Stop for refreshments at the
turnoff to Batu Niah - Ngoo’s Food Market - and see some of the natural produce on
display.
After arrival at Park
Headquarters and check in to the chalet accommodation, which is large and spacious, it is
time to start the 3 km plank walk to the main cave - about 1 hour each way. (Can be
slippery when wet; easy walk when dry.)
Take water; some drinks are
also available along the way (sometimes!).
Traders
Cave comes first just before the main cave - it is a long low cave with old trading
stalls made out of Belian wood (ironwood), some of them nearly 100 years old.
Then the main cave with its
little houses and shelters. Follow the marked route into the depths of the cave system
(you need a torch which can also be hired for a pound!).
It is basically a circular
tour through the cave system and then head back to entrance, unless you want an extra
hour’s walk to the Painted Cave, which is interesting
but adds a lot of walking!
Visit Rumah
Chang Longhouse on the way back if you wish - it is now re-built and thoroughly
modernised! They even park their cars underneath nowadays, where the chickens and pigs
used to live!
The Museum at the river end
of the plank walk is very interesting, though small. A lovely traditional building too!
It is open until 5 p.m. (4.30
they start shutting up!)
The evening can be spent at
the Park H.Q. or in the town of Batu Niah a few minutes away by car (also a very pleasant
river cruise from the Park in the daytime), where there are a number of Chinese
Restaurants and Hotels.
The next day there is time
for further exploration and leisure before the drive back to Miri and supper at one of the
open air Chinese restaurants (Mors Jaya or Taman Selera).
Full meals provided for this
package.
