Cambodia · Religious & Spiritual

2-Day Siem Reap and Phnom Kulen Tour with Angkor Wat and Banteay Srei

2 Days Round trip from Phnom Kulen Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Visit Phnom Kulen, the birthplace of the Angkorian Period and Mahendrapura
02 See the Buddhist Pagoda with its giant Reclining Buddha and the riverbed carvings of Shiva Lingas
03 Explore Banteay Srei's delicate pink sandstone carvings and the gorgeous temple of Banteay Samré
04 Enter Angkor Thom through the South Gate to discover Bayon, Baphuon, and the royal terraces
05 Marvel at Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built

Witness the beauty and grandeur of Siem Reap and Phnom Kulen on this 2-day tour through some of Cambodia's most remarkable religious and historical sites. Explore the birthplace of the Angkorian Period, Mahendrapura, visit the astounding Buddhist Pagoda with its giant Reclining Buddha, and marvel at the Hindu carvings in the stone river bed. Discover splendid temples such as Banteay Samré, Banteay Srei, Bayon, Baphuon, and Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built. Along the way, experience Khmer history, culture, and civilization in detail, with the chance to swim beneath the refreshing waterfall at Phnom Kulen.

Visit the sites of Phnom Kulen, including a Buddhist Pagoda with a giant Reclining Buddha, Hindu carvings in the stone river bed, and an impressive waterfall where swimming is possible.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Siem Reap, Phnom Kulen

Languages Cambodian, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Phnom Kulen, Banteay Srei, and Banteay Samré

Meet your tour guide and driver at 8:00 AM in the lobby of your hotel.
Depart for Kulen Mountain, located 40 km northeast of Siem Reap. Known as the cradle of Khmer civilization, it is also an important pilgrimage site for Cambodian people.
Visit the sites of Phnom Kulen, including a Buddhist Pagoda with a giant Reclining Buddha, Hindu carvings in the stone river bed, and an impressive waterfall where swimming is possible.
On the way back, proceed to the small temple of Banteay Srei, which is well known for its beautiful and delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone.
Continue to Banteay Samré, a larger temple that is often overlooked by tourists. It looks gorgeous in the late afternoon light.

Day 02

Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat Exploration

Pick up at the lobby of your hotel at 8:00 AM.
Enter the ancient city through its South Gate and see the temple of Bayon. Take photographs of the temple while your guide explains the many intricate carvings on the gallery walls.
See Baphuon Temple with its long causeway and impressive giant Reclining Buddha.
Visit Phimeanakas Temple, hidden in the shaded jungle, which offers a decent over-the-treetops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top.
Proceed to admire the esplanade of the Royal Palace, more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.
Continue to Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built. One can simply spend hours marvelling at the grandeur of this temple, its many levels, and the intricate carvings adorning its galleries.

Where this trip takes you

Angkor Wat, Bayon, Banteay Srei, Phnom Kulen waterfall

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Phnom Kulen 2 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
Driver/guide
Professional guide
Professional photographer guide
Private tour
Transport by private vehicle
Toll roads
Car parking
Cold water and wipes
Gasoline
Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

Temple pass/entrance fee
Meals
Accommodation
Other services not mentioned

What to bring

Some cash
Hand sanitizing gel
Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent
Hat
Sunglasses
Power bank and charger
Daily medicine

Know before you go

To enhance your experience and to preserve Angkor for generations to come, we kindly urge you to observe the following points:

Dress code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees, as well as bare shoulders, are prohibited in sacred places. Respectful attire is strongly encouraged in Angkor.
Monuments: Touching carvings, sitting on fragile structures, leaning on temple structures, moving or taking archaeological artifacts, and graffiti are strictly prohibited. Backpacks, umbrellas with sharp tips, tripods, and high heels are discouraged inside the temples.
Sacred sites: As Angkor is a sacred site, loud conversation, noise, and other inappropriate behaviour in Cambodian culture are considered offensive and may disturb other visitors. Please remain calm and respectful.
Restricted areas: For your own safety and for the conservation of Angkor, please comply with all signs on the site and be mindful of your steps at all times. Do not climb on loose stones.
Smoking and littering: As a member of the World Health Organization, Angkor has been a smoke-free site since 2012. Smoking disturbs others and cigarettes can start bush fires. To protect the environment, please do not smoke or litter.
Candy or money to children: Buying items from, or giving candy or money to, children encourages them not to attend school but to beg. If you wish to help children, please consider donating to a recognized charity.
Monks: Monks are revered and respected. If you want to take pictures, please ask for permission first. Women should not touch, stand, or sit too close to monks.