Code: MZV/ET/02 Duration: Full Day
Trip
EX
: Miri
Established in 1974, the Niah
National Park encompasses 3,102 hectares of limestone and forest. The
park can only be reached through a succession of flight, road journey
and boat ride. The journey is a good way of seeing rural Sarawak. The
Niah Cave at the park is one of the major attractions in this part of
the world. Evidence exists of Homo sapiens who lived in these caves more
than 40,000 years ago, with their unique culture and beliefs. Artifacts
such as stone, bone and iron tools were discovered at this site and
primitive drawings can still be seen in certain parts of the caves. Here
lies the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia, along with many other
relics of prehistoric man. Today the cave is home only to bats,
swiftlets and other specially adapted forms of life. However, a few but
locals still venture into the dark interior or collect guano (bird and
bat droppings used as fertilizer) and bird’s nest.The famous Painted
Cave is another highlight of a visit to Niah. Here, little human-like
figures drawn in red hematite watch over a grave site where the bodies
of the dead were each laid in its own boat-shaped coffin. The painting
are rendered in red hematite and cover a long narrow strip
(approximately 30m) at the back of the cave wall. They portray
spread-eagled human figures, probably representing warriors and hunters,
some of the animals of the surrounding forest, and - most importantly -
longboats carrying the souls of the deceased on the
dangerous journey to the land of the dead. The Great Cave and Painted
Cave have been declared as National Historical Monuments.
Day Tri
Niah National Park
Meet at hotel lobby or airport in Miri and
depart for Niah National Park for a two and a half hour ride through
various rural area & plantation. Upon arrival Park headquarters,
register and have a brief study of the park information at the
information center. Then, take a short boat trip to cross the river to
visit Niah Museum. After visiting the museum , proceed on plank walk for
3 Km to the cave's main entrance. The walk to the cave take about 45
minutes. The Niah Cave is famous for its edible birds nest found high-up
in the cave about 300 ft from the ground. In the Painted Cave you are
about to see the prehistoric wall drawing as well as the preserved
remains of the Stone Age People dated 40,000 year old. Return journey on
the same plank walk to Niah National Park for lunch. After lunch,
transfer to Miri airport or hotel. ( Lunch )
