Kulen Waterfall & 1000 Lingams: Siem Reap Day Trip with Lunch

The driver knows exactly where to stop on Kulen Mountain, and it's not the obvious place

You get picked up from your hotel, driven up Kulen Mountain to see the sacred 1000 Lingams river and the Reclining Buddha, swim at a jungle waterfall for ninety minutes, eat a set lunch, and optionally visit the Landmine Museum before returning. The whole day runs about eight to nine hours, and everything (entry, guide, transport, food) is included upfront, so there's no negotiating at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Phnom Kulen National Park1h · entry included
2. Cambodia Landmine Museum45m

Explore Kulen Mountain and Waterfalls

• Pick up from hotel in Siem Reap
• Drive up Kulen Mountain
• Visit Amazing Cliff viewpoint
• Walk to River of a Thousand Lingams
• Receive blessing with holy water
• Discover Pagoda and Reclining Buddha
• Trek to Kulen Waterfalls
• Swim and relax at waterfalls
• Have lunch at local restaurant
• Visit traditional sugar palm village
• Optional tour to Landmine Museum

The experience

Your hotel pickup happens about thirty minutes before departure, which gives you time to grab water and ask the driver questions. Ours started asking about where we were from before we'd even left the lobby, and by the time we reached the base of Phnom Kulen, he'd already explained which parts of the mountain were carved by hand centuries ago and which ones tourists usually miss. The drive up takes maybe forty minutes, winding through forest with views opening up suddenly: stone cliffs and the Rang mountain range spreading out below you. It's the kind of road where you notice the light changing.

Once you're at the hilltop, the first real stop is the River of a Thousand Lingams. It's a shallow sacred river where the stone floor is covered in Shiva Linga carvings: some underwater, some worn smooth by centuries of water and hands. You can wade in, get blessed with holy water the Cambodian way, and just stand there for a minute understanding why this place mattered when the Khmer Empire started in AD 802. After that you walk to the Reclining Buddha, an 8-meter statue called Preah Ang Thom, sitting on the mountain top near a pagoda. It's quieter than you'd expect. Then comes the waterfall. There are two of them, the second one is bigger, maybe 15 to 20 meters, and you get about an hour and a half to swim in the pool below it, surrounded by jungle and clear water. Bring a change of clothes or accept that you'll be damp for the rest of the day.

Lunch happens around mid-afternoon at a restaurant the tour sets up. They handle the menu, so you don't have to negotiate or decide. After eating, there's an optional stop at the Cambodia Landmine Museum, which is run by Aki Ra, a CNN Hero who's cleared over 50,000 mines by hand. It's not a cheerful place, but it's real, and it changes how you think about the country. Your guide will tell you if it's worth the time based on your energy level and how much daylight's left.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, chilled bottled water and a towel, all entry fees and taxes, and lunch at a restaurant with a set menu. The optional Cambodia Landmine Museum visit is extra.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 49 years) · Senior (50 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years)

GroupUp to 15 · max 6 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 3

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Angkor Wat Shared Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the main Kulen highlights (the sacred river, the Buddha, the waterfall swim) without arranging transport, tickets, or timing yourself. The fixed schedule and included lunch mean you show up ready to go, and the small-group format keeps it from feeling rushed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 2 years).

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 is the drive from Siem Reap to Kulen Mountain?

About forty minutes from the base of the mountain. Hotel pickup happens thirty minutes before departure.

Can you swim at the waterfall?

Yes. You get roughly an hour and a half to swim at the second waterfall, which is 15–20 meters tall with a clear pool below it.

Is the Landmine Museum included?

No, it's optional. Your guide can advise whether there's time and if you want to visit.

What's included in the lunch?

Lunch at a set-menu restaurant is included. The tour arranges the menu in advance.

Is this suitable for people who aren't very fit?

Yes. The itinerary is suitable for all fitness levels. Most walking is gentle, and you can rest at the waterfall.

What should I bring?

A change of clothes or swimwear for the waterfall, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes. Chilled water and a towel are provided.

What language is the guide?

English-speaking guide.