Battambang City and Countryside Tour: Bamboo Train, Bat Caves

Ride the last bamboo train before it closes, then watch a river of bats pour from the caves.

A full-day tuk-tuk tour of Battambang and its countryside, with a local guide, covering the city's French colonial buildings, two Pol Pot regime sites, traditional villages making bamboo sticky rice and rice paper, the original bamboo train, and Phnom Sampov's bat cave. Hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, and bottled water are included. The bamboo train ticket costs extra.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Wat Samrong Knong30m · entry included
2. Battambang Bat Caves2h · entry included

Explore Battambang city and countryside

• Pick up from hotel at 9:00am
• Visit French colonial buildings and local market
• See Wat Samrong Knong and learn Pol Pot history
• Explore small villages and local food production
• Visit fish paste market and walk around
• Visit Ek Phnom temple and Buddha statue
• Ride the original bamboo train
• Visit Phnom Sampeau mountain and killing cave
• Watch bats fly from the cave
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts at 9am with pickup from your hotel. Your guide takes you through Battambang's French colonial architecture and the local market, then to Wat Samrong Knong, a 300-year-old Buddhist temple that served as a prison during the Pol Pot regime. The guide explains the history here and at the Well of Shadows, a killing field where over 10,000 people were killed. After that, you spend a few hours in small villages and countryside watching families make bamboo sticky rice, rice paper for spring rolls, and dried banana. You can taste samples along the way. A short walk through the fish paste market (called Cambodian cheese locally) rounds out this section.

Next is Ek Phnom temple, one of Battambang's oldest ruins, built in the early 11th century with a large Buddha statue nearby. Then comes the bamboo train: you ride the original bamboo platform train through small villages and countryside. The government plans to close this train soon, so this may be your last chance to experience it. The bamboo train ticket is 5 dollars per person and not included in the tour price. After the ride, you head to Phnom Sampov mountain, where you can walk up or take a motorbike or pickup truck to the summit. The mountain holds a killing cave where over 10,000 people were executed during the Pol Pot regime. You'll see real skulls and bones inside a stupa in the cave. From the top, there's a view of the countryside and a Buddhist pagoda. Monkeys live on the mountain. They're generally fine to observe but some are aggressive, so keep your distance.

The final stop is the Bat Cave, where millions of bats emerge at dusk in a stream that lasts 30 to 40 minutes. After watching them fly out, your guide returns you to your hotel. The tour runs 6 to 7 hours total and includes private tuk-tuk transportation, a local guide, entrance fees to the killing cave and bat cave, and bottled water. Lunch is not included.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private tuk-tuk transportation with a local guide.
• entrance fees to Wat Samrong Knong, the killing cave, and the bat cave.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cambo Tours

Is this one for you?This tour is built for travelers who want to understand Battambang's Pol Pot history and rural life in one day, with the bamboo train as a rare addition. Book it now if that train matters to you, since the government plans to close it permanently soon. The 6 to 7 hour pace and tuk-tuk travel suit most fitness levels, though you'll have the option to walk, ride a motorbike, or take a truck up Phnom Sampov if climbing isn't comfortable.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Wat Samrong Knong and why does the guide spend time there?

Wat Samrong Knong is a Buddhist temple built over 300 years ago that was used as a prison during the Pol Pot regime. Your guide explains the history of that period and shows you the Well of Shadows, a killing field where over 10,000 people were executed, so you understand the site's significance.

Can I really ride the original bamboo train on this tour?

Yes, the bamboo train is included as a stop, and you ride the original platform train through villages and countryside. The ticket costs 5 dollars per person, paid separately, and the government plans to close this train soon, making this one of the last chances to experience it.

What happens at Phnom Sampov mountain?

Phnom Sampov holds a killing cave where thousands were executed during the Pol Pot regime. You'll see skulls and bones inside a stupa there. You can walk, take a motorbike, or ride a pickup truck to the summit, where there's a Buddhist pagoda and countryside views. Monkeys live on the mountain but some are aggressive, so observe from a distance.

How long do the bats fly out of the cave?

The Bat Cave emergence lasts 30 to 40 minutes as millions of bats stream out at dusk, and it's the final stop before your guide returns you to your hotel.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not included, but you'll visit villages where families make bamboo sticky rice, rice paper, and dried banana, and you can taste samples. A walk through the fish paste market is also part of the day.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, private tuk-tuk transportation, a local guide, entrance fees to the killing cave and bat cave, and bottled water are all included. The bamboo train ticket (5 dollars per person) is separate.