Kbal Spean walking tour: Lingas river and pink temples

Kbal Spean's stone carvings emerge from the riverbed itself, carved into the rock where water still flows.

This private walking tour explores three Angkorian sites near Siem Reap: Kbal Spean, known as the River of Thousand Lingas for its carved sandstone riverbed; Banteay Srei, a late 10th-century temple in pink stone with dense, intricate carvings; and Banteay Samre, a 12th-century temple in Angkor Wat style. Hotel pickup, a professional English-speaking guide, bottled water and travel insurance are included. The 3-kilometer jungle walk to Kbal Spean requires at least moderate fitness; wooden staircases help over the steeper sections, but the path is well-worn and manageable.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Kbal Spean and Temples

• Pick up at hotel
• Transfer to Kbal Spean archaeological site
• Hike 3km jungle trail to see stone carvings
• Visit Banteay Srei pink sandstone temple
• Visit Banteay Samre temple
• Return to hotel and drop off

The Experience

Kbal Spean sits 25 kilometers northeast of the main Angkor group, along a 150-meter stretch of the Stung Kbal Spean River on the Kulen Hills' southwest slopes. The site's name translates to "River of a Thousand Lingas"—and the riverbed lives up to it. Myriads of lingams (phallic symbols of the Hindu god Shiva) are carved as neatly arranged bumps across the sandstone surface, alongside lingam-yoni designs and depictions of gods including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Lakshmi, Rama and Hanuman, plus animals like cows and frogs. The carvings sit in the riverbed and banks themselves, so you're walking among active stone work rather than viewing it from a distance.

The 3-kilometer jungle walk to reach the top of Kbal Spean involves a fairly steep incline, but the path is well-worn and wooden staircases help you over the biggest obstacles and boulders. Medium-level fitness is required; the guide and the infrastructure are there, but the climb is real. On the way back, you visit Banteay Srei, a compact late 10th-century temple built by King Rajendravarman V. Its walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple, carved in warm pink sandstone that looks entirely different from the larger, grander structures elsewhere in the region.

The day finishes at Banteay Samre, a larger temple east of the East Baray, built under Suryavarman II and Yasovarman II in the early 12th century in the Angkor Wat style. It's often overlooked by tourists and looks especially striking in late afternoon light. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as is a professional guide, bottled water and travel insurance. Temple tickets are arranged separately at checkout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• private guide in English.
• bottled water.
• travel insurance.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tour Guide-Siem Reap

Is this one for you?The jungle walk and the carved riverbed itself set this tour apart from temple circuits that stay on paved grounds—you're moving through the landscape where the carvings live, not viewing them from a viewing platform. The private guide and fixed itinerary mean the three sites hold together in a single day without you arranging transport or timing between them.

Top questions

What exactly are the lingas carved into Kbal Spean's riverbed?

Lingas are phallic symbols of the Hindu god Shiva, carved as neatly arranged bumps across the sandstone riverbed at Kbal Spean. The site also holds lingam-yoni designs and depictions of other Hindu gods and animals, all carved directly into the stone formations where the river flows.

How steep is the jungle walk to Kbal Spean, and will I need special equipment?

The 3-kilometer walk involves a fairly steep incline, but the path is well-worn and wooden staircases help you over the biggest obstacles and boulders. You'll need at least moderate fitness; no special climbing gear is required, though sturdy walking shoes are essential.

What makes Banteay Srei different from other temples on this tour?

Banteay Srei is built in warm pink sandstone and is much more compact than Banteay Samre. Its walls are densely covered with some of the most beautiful and intricate carvings of any Angkorian temple, carved in fine detail that sets it apart from the larger structures elsewhere.

Is this tour private, or will I be in a group?

This is a private tour with hotel pickup and drop-off included, so you'll have a professional English-speaking guide to yourself throughout the day.

When is the best time of day to visit Banteay Samre on this tour?

Banteay Samre is visited late in the day, in late afternoon light, which makes the temple look especially striking and is often when fewer tourists are present.