Bokor Mountain tour from Sihanoukville: Palace, pagoda, waterfall

The Black Palace and a waterfall in the hills above Kampot

A five to six hour tour from Sihanoukville into Bokor National Park, visiting the ruins of King Sihanouk's former summer residence, a pagoda on the mountain, an abandoned church, and ending at Popokvil Waterfall. An English-speaking guide leads the stops and explains the history of each site. Pickup from your hotel, lunch of vegetarian fried rice, and bottled water are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bokor National Park sights

• Travel to former royal Black Palace
• Visit Wat Sampov Pram pagoda
• See abandoned Catholic church
• Tour Bokor Palace ruins
• Enjoy views at Bokor Mountain Lake
• Relax at Popokvil Waterfall

The experience

The day starts with a drive up to the Black Palace, the remnants of a small royal residence that takes an hour to reach. From there you move to Wat Sampov Pram, a pagoda sitting at the top of Bokor Mountain in what was once a French colonial resort area built in the 1920s: the 30-minute drive winds through the hills. The guide walks you through the history of each place: how the palace stood, what the mountain meant during the wars, how the resort fell into disuse. A 10-minute stop at an abandoned Catholic church in the high hills shows you the strategic position that mattered in conflict and the views that stretch across the landscape.

After the church, you spend 10 minutes at what the operator calls a jewel on the Cambodian skyline: the old resort itself, now a landmark after decades of war and uncertainty. The final stop is Popokvil Waterfall, a two-tiered cascade where you can rest after the walking and climbing. The drive down takes 20 minutes. Lunch, homemade vegetarian fried rice, is served during the tour, and you'll have bottled water throughout the day.

The route covers ground, so the pace is steady: you're moving between sites every 10 to 30 minutes, with time to look around at each one. A guide who speaks English means you get the context for what you're standing in front of, not just the names.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sihanoukville.
• an English-speaking guide for the full tour.
• lunch of homemade vegetarian fried rice.
• bottled water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (5 and older) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 46 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Two Brothers Travel Cambodia

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you follow the history and context at each stop without translation delays. Book this one if you want to understand what you're looking at, not just see it.

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Top questions

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.

How long does it take to drive from Sihanoukville up to the Black Palace?

The drive to the Black Palace takes 60 minutes. It's the first stop on the tour and sits at the start of the route into Bokor National Park.

What is Wat Sampov Pram and where is it located?

Wat Sampov Pram is a pagoda on top of Bokor Mountain, built in what was a French colonial resort area from the 1920s. The 30-minute drive from the palace winds up the mountain to reach it.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Yes, lunch of homemade vegetarian fried rice is provided for all guests during the tour, along with bottled water.

What happens at Popokvil Waterfall?

Popokvil Waterfall is a two-tiered cascade where you relax after the morning of walking and visiting the historic sites. It's a 20-minute drive from the church and the last stop before heading back.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Sihanoukville are included. Pickup outside the selected area costs an additional $5.

What language does the guide speak?

The tour guide speaks English and explains the history and context of each site you visit.