Your journey begins with an 8:00 AM departure from your hotel. After approximately 40 minutes, arrive at the exquisite Banteay Srei temple, dating back to 967 AD. Dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, this temple is famed for its intricate carvings in warm pink sandstone—some of the finest in all of Angkor.
Continue onward to Phnom Kulen, a sacred mountain located about 30 km from Angkor Wat and widely regarded as the birthplace of the Khmer Empire. It was here, in 802 AD, that King Jayavarman II declared independence from Java, marking the rise of the Angkorian era.
Explore the lush forest surroundings and visit the ancient riverbed adorned with over 1,000 lingam carvings, etched just beneath the flowing water. These sacred symbols of fertility, along with carvings of Vishnu
resting on the serpent Ananta, make this site deeply significant in Hindu tradition. The holy river flows downstream into a waterfall, where you can relax and take in the natural beauty.
Nearby, visit the revered Ang Tho monastery, home to a reclining Buddha carved into a massive boulder. Climb the wooden staircase to reach the statue, where locals come to pray, burn incense, and offer fruits in a peaceful spiritual setting.
After enjoying a local lunch (own cost), begin your return journey to Siem Reap. On the way, stop at Banteay Samré, a beautifully preserved 12th-century temple built during the reign of King Suryavarman II. Its elegant
architecture and quiet surroundings offer a perfect conclusion to the day. You will return to your hotel at approximately 5:30 PM.
Note: The road to Phnom Kulen operates as a one-way system—vehicles travel uphill before noon and downhill after noon.