Angkor and Kulen Mountain Trek Spectacular

Siem Reap

Transfer from airport to hotel: 20 mins

Upon arrival, be picked up from the airport by the guide and driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Relax after the flight and enjoy some time at leisure.

Tonight, get acquainted with Khmer cuisine with a welcome dinner served at Madam Butterfly Restaurant in a beautiful wooden Khmer house. Finish the day with a briefing by the local guide on the upcoming tour

Overnight at Siem Reap.

Siem Reap – Chao Srei Vibol Pagoda – Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham

Transfer from hotel to starting point: 50minsTrekking distance: Approximately 20km over 5-6 hoursDifficulty: Medium

After breakfast and a detailed trip briefing, take a short transfer out of town to begin trekking. Heading across dazzling green rice-paddies and farmland, pass through several small villages.

Cambodia is one of the friendliest countries in Southeast Asia, and there will be plenty of smiles and waves along the way! The area is also dotted with temples and pagodas, which make for great rest breaks. After a lunch-break in one of the villages, continue trekking through rice fields and green pastures before receiving a transfer to Wat Preash Bat Bunthan, where a camp will be set up for the evening. The transfer takes around 50 minutes.

Overnight at a campsite at Preash Bat Bun Than Pagoda and enjoy the unique environment. 

Wat Preash Bat Bun Tham – Beng Mealea - Svay Leu

Transfer from Beng Mealea to Svay Leu: about 30 minsTrekking distance approximately 20km over 7-8 hoursDifficulty: Medium

After breakfast in the morning, leave the pagoda and head towards Kulen Mountain. After passing a small village, head across paddy fields and be treated to fabulous views of Phnom Kulen in the distance. Following cow cart tracks, head towards Beang Mealea Temple and see the fascinating ruins of this little-visited temple. Take some time to explore before receiving a short transfer to the campsite of the evening at Svay Leu Pagoda. There is often a lively local market near the pagoda which is a great place to explore and provides interesting insight into local life in remote rural areas in Cambodia.

Overnight in Camp site at Svay Leu Pagoda.

Svay Leu – Kulen Mountain

Trekking distance approximately 26km over 7-8 hoursDifficulty: Medium

After an energising breakfast, set off on a challenging trek to the top of Kulen Mountain (487m), Cambodia’s sacred mountain. Deeply revered, local people make pilgrimages to the pagodas and ruins scattered across the plateau on the mountaintop. From there, enjoy panoramic views of the forests and fields below. Then, head west across the mountain, taking undulating tracks through forests and villages. Stop for lunch in Anlong Thom, a small village of stilted thatched houses. Then, continue to the ‘Big Buddha’ which overlooks the central plain; a short distance away is a very picturesque waterfall.

Camp overnight along the nearby river and spend some time bathing in the ‘River of 1000 Lingas’ and admire the elaborate carvings of the riverbed itself.

Overnight at the campsite on Kulen Mountain.

Kulen Mountain – Tbang Pagoda

Trekking distance approximately 18km over 6-7 hoursDifficulty: Medium

Set off after a hearty breakfast on an old trail that has seen little use since the construction of a road. Along the way it’s possible to see local people who still use the path for hunting, cutting lianas and to working on farms higher in the hills. The trek leads to a small jungle trail further down the mountain which, in turn, leads back to the flat plains at the base of the mountain. From there, continue with the trek on sandy, sometimes muddy tracks. There is little shade while passing rural villages, local schools and an abundance of pagodas.

After a long day of trekking, arrive at the campsite for the evening at Tbang Pagoda and get settled for the night.

Overnight in Camp site at Tbang Pagoda.

Tbang – Angkor Wat - Angkor Thom

Transfer from Angkor Wat to hotel: 25minsTrekking distance approximately 7-10km over 2-3 hoursDifficulty: Medium

Enjoy a final breakfast in camp before setting off on the final 7km stretch before arriving at Angkor Wat. The first section of the trek is on a tarmac road before returning to cow cart tracks leading towards the Angkor complex. Reach the first Angkor temples upon arrival to Prasat Ta Som. Then, hop on local transport for a fun ride to Angkor Wat in a colourful procession of tuk tuks. Along the way, pass many temples and ruins before being treated to spectacular views of the walled city of Angkor Thom and the famous Bayon Temple, standing in the exact heart of the ancient city of Angkor.

Adorned with fabulous wall carvings and mysterious giant faces, Bayon is a real highlight of the journey. Then continue to the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. It is worth climbing the remarkably steep and narrow steps of the central spire for unparalleled views over the whole temple. Explore the temple complex before enjoying a spectacular sunset over Angkor. Then, transfer to the hotel by bus.

After a long shower, celebrate the completion of a monumental trek with a farewell dinner while enjoying Khmer Cuisine at Viroth’s Restaurant, a stylish and comfortable restaurant set in a quiet garden.

Optional:

After a holiday of trekking and climbing around temples ruins, a relaxing massage at Bodia Spa can do wonders. Massage for health and relaxation is a time-honoured tradition throughout Southeast Asia and well worth taking time to do.

• Reflexology feet massage (60 mins-16USD/hour)
• Bodia tonic (60 mins-21 USD/hour)

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Siem Reap – Departure

Transfer from hotel to airport: 20 mins

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, spend free time at leisure until check out.  Alternately, ask us about a great extension trip to Phnom Penh and/or the coastal towns of Sihanoukville, Kep or Koh Kong. 

Optional: Tuk tuk transfer to explore Siem Reap or soke in the Angkor Art Center, Old Market and continue to visit Artisans d’Angkor for some souvenir.

Transfer to Airport for the flight (TBA)