Kbal Spean Trek & Angkor Grand Circle: 5 temples in one day

Five temples and a jungle trek to carvings beneath flowing water

A full-day tour from your hotel combines a trek through forest to Kbal Spean (where ancient lingas and bas-reliefs lie carved into the riverbed) with four stops on the Angkor Grand Circle: Banteay Srei's pink sandstone detail, Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Pre Rup. A professional English-speaking guide leads the route by private air-conditioned vehicle, with pickup and drop-off at your accommodation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Kbal Spean3h
2. Preah Khan1h
3. Neak Pean1h
4. Pre Rup1h

Explore temples and jungle trek

• Trek through jungle to Kbal Spean
• Explore Banteay Srei Temple
• Visit Preah Khan Temple
• Visit Neak Pean Temple
• Visit Pre Rup Temple

The experience

The day starts with a hike through jungle to Kbal Spean, a sacred river where linga carvings and bas-reliefs sit just beneath the water surface: works of art submerged in flowing water that make the site distinct among Khmer temples. The riverbed itself is the canvas, discovered only in 1969 and known locally as the River of 1000 Lingas. From there, the tour moves to Banteay Srei, a 10th-century temple built at a smaller scale than the main Angkor sites but dense with carved detail in pink sandstone. Many visitors rank it above Angkor Wat for the intricacy of its ornamentation.

The afternoon follows the Angkor Grand Circle route, stopping at Preah Khan, Neak Pean and Pre Rup before returning to your hotel. The full itinerary runs seven to nine hours. Your guide speaks English and is available in Spanish, Italian, French and several other languages. The operator will help you purchase the Angkor Pass at the park entrance before the tour begins. A moderate level of physical fitness is advisable for the jungle trek.

You choose between a private tour or a shared small or large group departure. All transport is by private air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel. The guide and all transfers are included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional English-speaking tour guide available in multiple languages.
• all transfers between sites.
• assistance purchasing the Angkor Pass at the park entrance.

Options for this experience

3 options

Big Group TourUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 08:30This tour package does not include any admission fees. Pickup and drop-off at the hotel are included.

Private TourUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30This is a private tour meant only for you or your family, so you can have a personal experience during your trip. Pickup is included.

Joint small group tourUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 08:00Small group tour: a joint small group tour with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Siem Reap included.

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

Information

Lasts 7h–9h, runs every day at 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30, from US$ 71.25 per person, with live guides in 7 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30, 08:00 and 08:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

AgesAdult (5 to 89 years) · Infant (under 5): free

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

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by About Cambodia Travel & Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the flexibility to move at your own pace and skip sites. The shared departures keep costs lower and move through all five temples on a fixed schedule that fits the full route into a single afternoon.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★Exceptional14 verified traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian and Chinese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 5): free.

What exactly is Kbal Spean and why is it different from the main Angkor temples?

Kbal Spean is a sacred river where ancient linga carvings and bas-reliefs are carved directly into the riverbed, lying just centimeters below the water surface. The carvings remain submerged beneath flowing water (a distinctive feature unique to this site), and were not discovered until 1969. It is reached by a trek through the jungle rather than by vehicle.

How small is Banteay Srei compared to other temples on the tour?

Banteay Srei is notably modest in size, which often surprises first-time visitors. What sets it apart is not scale but the abundance and precision of its pink sandstone carvings. The building and ornamentation are so integrated that they are nearly inseparable, creating a harmony many visitors rank above larger temples.

Do I need to buy the Angkor Pass separately, or is it included?

The Angkor Pass is not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately. Your guide will assist you in buying it at the entrance to Angkor Park before the tour begins.

What is the difference between the private tour and the group options?

You can book a private tour for your group alone, or join a small group or larger group departure. All three options include the same route, guide, vehicle and hotel pickup. The choice is whether you travel with others or as a private party.

Is the jungle trek to Kbal Spean difficult?

The operator recommends at least a moderate level of physical fitness for the trek. The hike is through forest terrain to reach the river, so comfortable walking shoes and readiness for uneven ground are practical considerations.