Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen: Waterfalls & 1000 Lingas Tour
Description
Your day begins with a scenic 1.5-hour drive (50km) from Siem Reap to the sacred Phnom Kulen National Park, the birthplace of the Angkor Empire. Explore the mountain’s spiritual and natural wonders, including the River of a Thousand Lingas—where ancient Hindu carvings of Vishnu, Shiva, and other deities adorn the riverbed—and the stunning two-tiered Kulen Waterfall, where you can take a refreshing dip. At the summit, visit the iconic Reclining Buddha, a revered stone statue. After a picnic lunch amid nature, journey back toward Siem Reap, stopping at a traditional Khmer village to immerse yourself in local life: sample palm wine and sugar (seasonal), try handmade snacks, and observe crafts like weaving or rice farming. You’ll return to Siem Reap by late afternoon, with time to relax or explore further.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The tour starts with a one-hour drive from Siem Reap to Kulen Mountain. We'll stop along the way to take in the spectacular rainforest views from Kulen hill.
Journey to Phnom Kulen National Park, a sacred pilgrimage site, and seamlessly blend natural exploration with spiritual discovery. On this small-group tour, you'll hike through vibrant jungle landscapes, swim beneath a breathtaking waterfall, and witness the unique carvings at Kulen mountain's River of 1,000 Lingas. The experience culminates with a visit to the mountaintop reclining Buddha. Enjoy the exclusivity of a tour capped at 7 travelers, complete with entrance fees and convenient hotel transfers.
Venture into the Cambodian heartland to find the River of a Thousand Lingas. Here, the riverbed transforms into an underwater gallery, carved with hundreds of lingas and yonis. Depending on the water level, these ancient symbols emerge and submerge, creating a dynamic, living artwork. Imagine the cool water flowing over the sandstone, each carving a testament to centuries of Khmer devotion. Sunlight filters through the canopy, illuminating the intricate details and casting dancing shadows on the river floor. The air hums with the quiet energy of this sacred place.
Ascend Kulen Mountain, where the air is thick with the scent of incense and the whispers of ancient prayers. Here lies the Giant Reclining Buddha, a silent sentinel overlooking the landscape. Explore the weathered stones of forgotten temples, each etched with stories of kings and gods. Feel the cool mist on your skin as you wander through the jungle, and listen to the monks' chants echoing through the trees. Engage with the warm smiles of the local villagers, and discover the living heart of Cambodian spirituality.
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the falls, where the sounds of rushing water create a natural symphony for a memorable experience. Take a refreshing dip in these sacred waters (allow approximately 45 minutes). Capture stunning photos as rainbows shimmer in the mist. Kulen's ethereal beauty is a photographer's dream, offering postcard-perfect images at every turn.
As we journey back to Siem Reap from Kulen Mountain, we will pause for a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick you up from any hotels in Siem Reap Town which located within 5 kilometers from Siem Reap Royal Residence with 5 minutes.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- You are advised not to bring valuables with you on the tour.
- You must cover your knees and shoulders when entering the temples.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Reviews(27)
I think if a guest is looking at what to do in Cambodia, this is a great activity to do as a rest or relaxation day AFTER seeing the temples, AFTER seeing the elephants, AFTER seeing the Aspara Dinner Show. I think there are more key experiences to have in Siem Reap than this one, but, I did really like this tour and I had a great guide. I was very thankful for Mr. Tom and his excellent service. Mr. Tom always had cold water available and a cooling towel and even got me his local favorite treat so I could try it. I really enjoyed that and appreciated how prepared he was to make me feel welcome and supported. He also took me to several small temples in the area after the tour which was very kind. I put this tour in my itinerary as a "rest" activity before going to the temples, and I think that was a really good idea. Especially if you are coming from the western hemisphere or even Europe and Africa, this is a great tour to do when you are recovering from jet lag. I really liked the ridge view in Kullen National Park and the waterfall was beautiful and relaxing. I also got to see a reclining Buddha statue, which was a wonderful surprise to me. The heat of Cambodia is definitely something to consider when you are making your plans to come here. I would definitely not do multiple days of being out in the heat all day. This is a great activity to break it up and give your body a break while also seeing the beauty of Siem Reap.
Dear Erikah, Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful and detailed review of your Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen tour! I am absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a great time and found it to be the perfect "low-stress" day. You make a fantastic point for future travelers about pacing an itinerary—balancing the grand, full-day temple explorations with a relaxing nature day is exactly what we recommend, especially when adjusting to jet lag and the Cambodian heat. It was truly my pleasure to be your guide for the day. I am so glad you felt welcomed and supported, and that you enjoyed the local treats and the extra stops at the smaller, quieter temples. Seeing the beautiful ridge view, the relaxing waterfalls, and the Reclining Buddha are always highlights, and I am honored that I could share those special moments with you. Thank you again for your kind words and for choosing to explore with us. Whenever you decide to return to Cambodia, we would love to welcome you back! Warm regards, Travel to Inspire Team
My day trip from Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen was absolutely unforgettable. My guide, Thom, was incredible from start to finish. He arrived exactly on time and was fully prepared for the extreme heat with plenty of cold water and refreshing, cool towels. Throughout the journey, Thom was incredibly considerate, even stopping to buy delicious local snack foods to try along the way.The highlight of the day was swimming in the waterfall. The scenery was stunning, the water was perfectly refreshing, and it truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Seeing the 1000 Lingas carved into the riverbed was also fascinating. If you are visiting Siem Reap, this tour is a must-do. Ask for Thom if you can!
Dear Daniel, Thank you for the fantastic review! I am so glad you enjoyed the Phnom Kulen tour, from the local snacks to the refreshing swim at the waterfall. Staying cool and comfortable is always our priority, and it was a pleasure sharing the history of the 1000 Lingas with you. Thank you for recommending me and the Travel to Inspire team. Safe travels on all your next adventures! Best regards, Travel to Inspire Team
Excellent trip. Thom was super friendly and knowledgeable - would highly recommend for anyone visiting Siem Reap
Dear Ben, Thank you so much for your excellent review! I’m glad you enjoyed the trip to Phnom Kulen and found the tour both friendly and informative. It was a pleasure showing you the Lying Buddha and the waterfalls. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and I hope you had a wonderful stay in Siem Reap! Best regards, Travel to Inspire Team
This is an excellent tour. Great to get out of the city, see the countryside and immerse yourself in nature. Our guide, Seng, was excellent with lots of local history and a professional yet laid back approach. Never in a hurry, he truly made our day a special experience.
Dear Linda, Thank you so much for the excellent review! I am thrilled to hear that your trip to Phnom Kulen was a highlight and that you enjoyed the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. I will certainly pass your kind words along to Seng. He takes great pride in sharing our local history at a relaxed pace, and I'm glad his professional yet laid-back approach made your day so special. Thank you for choosing to explore the countryside with us! Best regards, Travel to Inspire Team
What a wonderfully varied tour! Banteay Srey temple was so beautiful with the intricate carvings, and Pnomh Kulen was wonderful: Stunning vistas, a marvellous waterfall, as well as the 1000 Lingams and the reclining buddha! Plus Thom did a GREAT job explaining everything with enthusiasm and wit, as well as answering all our questions! The van was beautifully aieconditioned, and the cold hand towels and waters were lifesavers in the heat!
Thank you so much for such a kind and detailed review! It was a pleasure hosting you on this journey from the intricate beauty of Banteay Srei to the natural wonders of Phnom Kulen. I’m thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the blend of history and nature. Sharing the stories behind the carvings and the significance of the 1000 Lingas is always a highlight for me, and I’m glad my enthusiasm helped make the day memorable! We know how intense the Cambodian sun can be, so I'm happy the air-conditioning and cold towels provided some much-needed relief. I hope the vistas and the waterfall remain a wonderful memory for you. Wishing you many more incredible travels ahead!
Thom was our guide and he was excellent! Hi English was great and he provided great information about the sites we visited. We highly recommend him.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your trek through the waterfalls and the 1000 Lingas. Thom is a valued member of our team, and I will be sure to pass along your kind words to him—he will be delighted to know his English and historical insights made your trip memorable. We hope to welcome you back to Cambodia soon!
I had an incredible experience on the Siem Reap to Phnom Kulen: Waterfalls & 1000 Lingas Tour with Thom as my guide. From start to finish, Thom was genuinely kind, knowledgeable, and passionate about sharing the beauty and history of Cambodia. You can really feel how much he loves what he does—he brought every stop to life and made the entire day exciting and meaningful. One thing that stood out was how he always knew the perfect spots for photos—seriously, every shot turned out amazing thanks to him! If you’re planning this tour and want a memorable, smooth, and enriching experience, I highly recommend Thom. He truly made the day special.
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure guiding you from Siem Reap to the sacred Phnom Kulen. I am thrilled that you enjoyed learning about the history of the 1000 Lingas and the beauty of the waterfalls. Sharing the stories of our culture is my greatest passion, and I’m so happy the photos turned out amazing—you have some great memories to look back on now! We hope to see you back in Cambodia again soon.
Thom was our guide and he was exceptional. He went very much in depth with all explanations and answered all our questions and doubts. He made sure we spend as much time as we wanted in every location and we never felt rushed which made the day perfect. Besides that he is super friendly and kind, (he even provided us with very tasty snacks we didn’t know about and of course drinks and wet cloths all the time. Thom made our experience 5 stars and we definitely recommend him so much that we will use his services in the rest of our tours 😊
Thank you so much for the 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that Thom made your trip to Phnom Kulen so memorable. He truly prides himself on his 'no-rush' approach and deep knowledge of the 1000 Lingas, so we’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him. We’re so glad you enjoyed the local snacks, too! We can't wait to welcome you back for your upcoming tours.
Wow, amazing! I managed to beat the crowd and had the site seeing places to myself most of the morning. The admission fee was also included and took about 6 hours. My guide was so chill and very helpful. Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled to hear you enjoyed the views and the swim at Phnom Kulen. Our team always strives to time our departures so our guests can enjoy the waterfalls and the 1000 Lingas in peace before the crowds arrive. We will be sure to pass your kind words along to your guide. We hope to see you again soon!
Great experience and pleasant day. Day rich in emotion so amazing to discover and thanks to Tim for accompanying us all day and who made us discover the cliff. The waterfalls, the temple in very good conditions and attention. Recommend
Merci infiniment pour ce superbe retour ! Nous sommes ravis que votre journée à Phnom Kulen ait été riche en émotions. C'était un véritable plaisir de vous accompagner à la découverte de la falaise, des cascades et du temple. Votre recommandation nous touche beaucoup et nous sommes heureux d'avoir pu rendre cette expérience agréable pour vous. Au plaisir de vous revoir à Siem Reap !
