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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
236 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
74
Average
44
Poor
10
Terrible
5
Marc W
Weymouth, UK1,355 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
After reading another review on here I'd say it would be hard work to find the caves on your own without a guide.
We were a large group and had several guides who along the way told us about the milking of the rubber trees, coco plants, starfruit trees and many other strange and beautiful things we saw on the way.
The trek wasn't too long or hard until you get to the entrance then it becomes rocky, steep, narrow and fun!! Remember to take water with you as there's no shops in the jungle!!
This is good to fill a couple of hours, we did see bats, this was the aim!!
We were a large group and had several guides who along the way told us about the milking of the rubber trees, coco plants, starfruit trees and many other strange and beautiful things we saw on the way.
The trek wasn't too long or hard until you get to the entrance then it becomes rocky, steep, narrow and fun!! Remember to take water with you as there's no shops in the jungle!!
This is good to fill a couple of hours, we did see bats, this was the aim!!
Written November 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rik256
Singapore, Singapore85 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
The bat caves were a relatively short and interesting walk from Bukit Lawang. When we arrived there were two locals outside managing the entrance charges. They repeatedly tried to convince us to hire one of them as a guide, whereas we just wanted to pay the cheaper entrance fee and look around ourselves. Finally we paid and went in.
The caves were very interesting and very deep. We are not great fans of caves (they're a bit dark and spooky) so made our way slowly into the cave with our flashlights. However, after being in the cave for about 5 minutes, one of the 'guides' from outside followed us in and again started trying to sell us the tour. It was just two of us and him, and it made us feel quite uncomfortable, he wouldn't leave us alone so in the end we just walked away from him out of the cave.
The caves were very interesting and very deep. We are not great fans of caves (they're a bit dark and spooky) so made our way slowly into the cave with our flashlights. However, after being in the cave for about 5 minutes, one of the 'guides' from outside followed us in and again started trying to sell us the tour. It was just two of us and him, and it made us feel quite uncomfortable, he wouldn't leave us alone so in the end we just walked away from him out of the cave.
Written April 23, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maninawaz
Oxford, UK239 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
Booked an excursion through our hotel. A nice walk through the jungle and had to climb some steep rocks to get to the cave. Overall it was a wonderful experience and the guide provided by the hotel on the rocks was amazing. If you in the area a must see.
Written February 9, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thim-Kwai
Bangkok21 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
Bat Cave near Bukit Lawang is easily to reach by a 30 minutes walk through the green. Not seldom one can already observe monkeys in the forest on the way, who make their way through the treetops. Bat Cave itself is a beautiful cave inmiddle of the green. One does not need a guide for the cave, one merely should be half-way good in shape, because it requires a bit climbing over big rocks who are partially slippery.
For an richly illustrated information on the Bat Cave and Bukit Lawang I recommend you this website:
http://www.asienreisender.de/bukitlawang.html
For an richly illustrated information on the Bat Cave and Bukit Lawang I recommend you this website:
http://www.asienreisender.de/bukitlawang.html
Written August 19, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
DaveandL0uise
Rossendale, UK26 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This place is about a 15 minute walk from the ecolodge resort in Bukit Lawang. It is well sign posted, through a couple of plantations and them up some steps.
When I went it was low season and the guides looked totally bored waiting for the next tourist - you do need a guide to enter and find your way around, the price was only 35000rp.
Make sure you take good walking shoes as there are bits of scrambling between the caves which will make this difficult for people with reduced mobility.
The caves themself were nothing special but a break from the jungle and the guide whom was bare footed took his time pointing out lots of interesting features.
I saw lots of bats, scorpions, centipedes, swallows nests (off the Chinese soup type) - there are even small fish in there, along with the natural rock formations some of which are rather impressive.
When I went it was low season and the guides looked totally bored waiting for the next tourist - you do need a guide to enter and find your way around, the price was only 35000rp.
Make sure you take good walking shoes as there are bits of scrambling between the caves which will make this difficult for people with reduced mobility.
The caves themself were nothing special but a break from the jungle and the guide whom was bare footed took his time pointing out lots of interesting features.
I saw lots of bats, scorpions, centipedes, swallows nests (off the Chinese soup type) - there are even small fish in there, along with the natural rock formations some of which are rather impressive.
Written April 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ibdal
Denmark67 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
Went here with children (ages 5 and 8). We had quite an adventure going through the bat cave equipped with flashlights. There are many tricky places and slippery surfaces all over the place so remember to wear appropriate footwear. I guess it's possible to go in without a guide but traveling with children I strongly advise that you bring along a skilled guide who knows the caves well. Also because help to support or grab the kids might be needed from time to time.
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
almatyit
Travedona-Monate, Italy95 contributions
Jun 2018 • Solo
Didnt see any bats. To reach the cave entrance is easy but then after you pay it becomes slipery and dangerous. If you fall you can be in serious trouble.
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nora2703
Canberra, Australia17 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Caves are just cool to begin with (in more ways than one) add bats, toxic toads and swiftlets, and it is just magical.
Just a short walk from the village it's easy to get to, but it is challenging once inside. Bring a head torch. Worth the effort
Just a short walk from the village it's easy to get to, but it is challenging once inside. Bring a head torch. Worth the effort
Written May 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jay H
Ruislip, UK25 contributions
Dec 2017 • Couples
A fantastic experience.
Booked through Sumatreks. Guide, the excellent Yahya,
Tip, see my Sumatreks review
Booked through Sumatreks. Guide, the excellent Yahya,
Tip, see my Sumatreks review
Written December 17, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
maggie44_11
York, UK174 contributions
Nov 2017 • Solo
I went here alone. The route from my Bukit Lawang guest house took about an hour, with stops for photos and to ask directions. It’s a lovely walk. Bat cave only costs 25,000 including a guide which is dirt cheap, I can’t understand how some previous reviews have suggested entry is expensive. Because it was low season, no cave guides were around so rather than wait I went in alone. Take a really a good torch and decent footwear and if you don’t like slippery scrambles, darkness or bats (or heights, probably) don’t go. It was really hard to find the way between caves 1 and 2 on my own, and even worse on the way back! But it was a brilliant adventure. I was the only one in there so I did wonder how long it would take for someone to come and find me if I’d broken my ankle... Highly recommend for atmosphere and bats, take a guide if you’re at all nervous but really to find the caves you don’t need one, just a tongue in your head. I’m a fairly fit woman in her 50s and it was fine, but I met someone later who’d cut her leg really badly in the first cave, so it’s not a trivial trip.
Written November 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Bat Cave (Bukit Lawang) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Bat Cave
- Hotels near Bat Cave:
- (0.32 mi) Batu Kapal Guest House
- (1.07 mi) On the Rocks Bungalow & Restaurant
- (1.32 mi) EcoTravel Cottages Bukit Lawang
- (0.44 mi) Villa Paradise
- (1.16 mi) Thomas Retreat
- Restaurants near Bat Cave:
- (1.21 mi) Lawang Inn Restaurant
- (1.20 mi) Eriono Restaurant & Art shop
- (0.86 mi) Ricky's Bar (RNB)
- (1.27 mi) Jungle Hill Cafe
- (0.90 mi) Kapal Bambu Restaurant