First a 2 hr drive on bumpy tarmac. 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).
(See also the detailed notes under 
