Battambang: Tuk Tuk Day Tour Bat Caves, Bamboo Train & Local Snacks

Summary

Ride the bamboo train, taste sticky rice and watch bats swirl at dusk in Battambang

You’ll ride through Battambang by tuk tuk with a local guide, tasting sticky rice and meeting families who make traditional snacks along village roads. Visit ancient temples and hear real stories at Wat Samrong Knong before riding the original bamboo train and watching millions of bats stream from Phnom Sampov at sunset—it all lingers long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

The tuk tuk rattled a bit as we left Battambang’s old French buildings behind—our guide, Dara, grinned in the rearview mirror and pointed out the statue of Lok Ta Dambong Kra Nhoung. He told us it’s the city’s symbol but I was still thinking about the smell of grilled fish wafting from the morning market. We stopped to wander through stalls stacked with herbs and dried things I couldn’t name. Dara bought something wrapped in banana leaf for us to try (sticky rice with coconut—I liked it more than I thought I would).

Wat Samrong Knong felt heavy. The old temple walls are faded and beautiful, but there’s this silence around the Well of Shadows that made me pause. Dara explained about the Pol Pot regime—he didn’t rush it. There are skulls in a glass case; I didn’t expect to feel so much just standing there. Afterward we rode through villages where kids waved and shouted “hello!” at our tuk tuk like we were celebrities or something. We sampled fresh rice paper (still warm), banana chips, even this pungent fish paste they call Cambodian cheese—honestly, not my favorite but you have to try it once.

The original bamboo train is… well, kind of wild. It’s just a wooden platform on wheels hurtling down a single track past green fields and water buffaloes. Dara said they might close it soon—so if you’re thinking about this day trip in Battambang, don’t wait too long. Kampong Pil Pagoda glinted gold by the river; we crossed a little bridge where farmers smiled at us without stopping their work.

Phnom Sampov was our last big stop—the climb is steep but you can hop on a motorbike if you’re tired (I did). Monkeys everywhere; one tried to grab my water bottle so keep an eye on your stuff! The killing cave is sobering—bones inside a stupa, sunlight slanting through cracks—and then suddenly dusk came on fast. That’s when the bats started pouring out of their cave in this endless ribbon across the sky. It went on for ages—thousands? Millions? Hard to count when your mouth is open like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Battambang city and countryside tour

• Pick up from hotel at 9:00am
• Visit French colonial buildings and local market
• See Lok Ta Dambong Kra Nhoung symbol
• Visit Wat Samrong Knong temple and killing field
• Explore small villages and local families making snacks
• Walk around fish paste market
• Visit Ek Phnom temple and big Buddha statue
• Drive through villages and visit fruit farms and pagoda
• Stop at Golden Gate Bridge for photos
• Ride the original bamboo train
• Visit Phnom Sampov mountain and killing cave
• Watch bats flying out of Bat Cave
• Return to hotel

Top questions

How long does the Battambang day tour last?

The tour runs from 9:00am until around 6:30pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Battambang tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included in Battambang city.

Do I need cash for extra expenses during the tour?

Bamboo train ride costs $5 per person; most snacks and entrance fees are included.

What are the main stops on this Battambang day trip?

You’ll visit Wat Samrong Knong, Ek Phnom temple, Kampong Pil Pagoda, villages, bamboo train, Phnom Sampov mountain, killing cave, and bat caves.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

No full lunch is included but you’ll get plenty of snack samples along the way.

Can children join this day trip from Battambang?

Yes, it’s suitable for all fitness levels; infants sit on adult laps in the tuk tuk.

How do we get up Phnom Sampov mountain?

You can walk up or take a motorbike or pickup truck for an easier climb.

Are entrance fees included for attractions like bat caves?

Yes, entry fees for killing cave and bat cave are included in your tour price.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel in Battambang city by tuk tuk with a local guide who handles all entrance fees for sites like Wat Samrong Knong and Phnom Sampov bat caves. You’ll sample traditional snacks—like sticky rice and banana chips—with donations given directly to local families along your route before returning to your hotel in the evening.