Battambang bamboo train, bat cave & Phnom Sampov: Afternoon tour

Ride the last of Battambang's bamboo trains before they're gone

An afternoon tour of Battambang and Phnom Sampov combines the original bamboo train ride at Osrolao village with a climb up Phnom Sampov mountain to visit the bat cave and the killing cave from the Pol Pot regime. A guide picks you up at your hotel, drives you through villages and countryside, and returns you at the end of the day. Entrance fees and water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Ta Dumbong Kro Nhong30m
2. Battambang Bat Caves1h

Afternoon tour of Battambang highlights

• Pick up from hotel or restaurant
• Briefing and visit French colonial buildings
• See Ta Dambong Kra Aung statue
• Travel through villages and fruit farms
• Visit suspension bridge near Kampong Pil Pagoda
• Ride the original bamboo train at Osrolao village
• Late lunch at village restaurant
• Visit Phnom Sampov mountain and killing cave
• Climb mountain or take vehicle to pagoda
• Watch bats fly out of the bat cave
• Return to hotel

The experience

The tour starts with a briefing and a drive through Battambang's French colonial quarter, passing the Ta Dambong Kra Aung statue that marks the city center. From there you head into the countryside, stopping in small villages to see fruit farms and riverside pagodas while the guide explains how locals live. You'll cross a suspension bridge near Kampong Pil Pagoda for river views before reaching Osrolao village, where you board the original bamboo train. The ride covers about seven kilometers through small villages and farmland. The government plans to close this service soon, making it one of the last chances to experience it. After the bamboo train, you stop for a late lunch at a village restaurant.

The second half focuses on Phnom Sampov mountain. The guide drives you to the base, where you choose how to ascend: walk, take a motorcycle, or ride in a pickup truck. At the top, you visit the killing cave, where victims were executed during the Pol Pot regime and pushed into the cave below. Afterward, you see the Buddhist pagoda and the mountain views. The bat cave is the final stop. It holds millions of bats that take 30 to 40 minutes to emerge at dusk, creating a visible cloud as they fly out. The cave resembles a long dragon in shape. After watching the bats, your guide drives you back to your hotel.

Monkeys live on the mountain and some are aggressive, so keep your distance. The tour runs seven hours total and suits various fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

• Private tuk-tuk transportation from your hotel.
• an English-speaking local guide for the full afternoon.
• bottled water.
• entrance fees for Phnom Sampov mountain, the killing cave, and the bat cave.
• hotel drop-off at the end of the day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Special Price for GroupUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 12:00 and 13:00This is a private package option, with a tuk-tuk held exclusively for your group. Rates by group size: 6-15 people; choose the option that best fits how many of you wish to book the tour if you are travelling together. Duration: 7 hours. The tuk-tuk is a traditional Khmer vehicle. Option included: a pickup truck carries you to the Phnom Sampov peak and drops you off at the bat cave. Pickup is included.

Private TukTuk Package TourUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 12:00 and 13:00This is a private package option, with a tuk-tuk held exclusively for your group. Rates by group size: 2-3 or 4-5 people; pick the option that suits how many of you want to book if you are travelling as a group. Duration: 7 hours. The tuk-tuk is a traditional Cambodian vehicle. Additional information: if the booking reaches four people, a pickup truck transfer to the top of the Phnom Sampov mountains is included. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 12:00 and 13:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 38 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Battambang Tour: Mr Lychee

Is this one for you?Book this afternoon tour if you want to combine the bamboo train ride with Phnom Sampeau's caves in one outing, rather than doing them separately.

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Top questions

What is the original bamboo train at Osrolao village?

The original bamboo train is a historic narrow-gauge rail system that runs through the Battambang countryside. Passengers sit on a flat bamboo platform mounted on a motorized cart that travels along the tracks, passing through villages and farmland for about seven kilometers. The government plans to close this service, making current rides among the last available.

What will I see at Phnom Sampov mountain?

Phnom Sampov has three main stops: the killing cave, where executions occurred during the Pol Pot regime; a Buddhist pagoda at the summit with views across the landscape; and the bat cave, which holds millions of bats that emerge together at dusk over 30 to 40 minutes. You can walk, take a motorcycle, or ride in a pickup truck to reach the top.

How do I get to the villages and countryside from Battambang?

Your guide picks you up at your hotel and drives you by tuk-tuk through the French colonial quarter and then into the rural areas. You stop in small villages to see fruit farms and pagodas along the riverbank, cross a suspension bridge near Kampong Pil Pagoda, and continue to Osrolao village for the bamboo train.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes private tuk-tuk transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking local guide, bottled water, and entrance fees for Phnom Sampov mountain, the killing cave, and the bat cave. The bamboo train ride is not included in the tour price.

Should I choose the private tuk-tuk package or the group option?

The private tuk-tuk package gives you a dedicated vehicle and guide for your group, while the group option shares transportation and the guide with other travelers. Choose private if you want flexibility in pacing and a more personalized experience. Choose group if you prefer to meet other visitors and split costs.