Phnom Kulen jungle trek: Swim at waterfall tour
Phnom Kulen gives you three sacred sites and a waterfall swim in one trek
A guided jungle trek through Phnom Kulen National Park from Siem Reap takes you from the base of Kulen Mountain through rainforest to Preah Ang Jub temple, the Valley of 1000 Lingas carved into the riverbed, and the 15-meter reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom. The trek ends at the Phnom Kulen waterfall, where you swim or rest before returning to your hotel.
Step-by-step itinerary
Jungle trek and sightseeing at Phnom Kulen
- Hotel pickup and transfer to park
- Trek from Preah Ang Choub Pagoda
- Visit Valley of 1000 Lingas carvings
- See Reclining Buddha at Preah Ang Thom
- Relax and swim at Phnom Kulen waterfall
- Stop at Poeung Ta Kho viewpoint
The experience
Phnom Kulen National Park sits about an hour from Siem Reap, and the day starts with a hotel pickup and transfer to the foot of the mountain. Your guide meets you at Preah Ang Jub, a local Buddhist temple at the trailhead, before the 3-hour jungle hike begins. The forest is dense and the path climbs steadily, but the guide sets the pace and the route is suitable for all fitness levels. Along the way you pass through sections where the landscape opens enough to see the mountain rising ahead.
The Valley of 1000 Lingas is the centerpiece: a sacred riverbed where hundreds of lingams, ancient Hindu symbols, are carved directly into the rock. Water flows over them, and the guide explains the spiritual significance and the legend of the king who commissioned the carvings as an act of devotion. From there the trek continues upward to Preah Ang Thom, a temple perched on top of a rock outcrop with a massive 15-meter reclining Buddha carved from sandstone inside. The space is small and can get crowded, but the sculpture and the preserved Hindu statuary make it worth the climb. On the descent, if the timing works, you pass Poeung Ta Kho, a cliff viewpoint called "Amazing Cliff", best seen in the morning light.
The trek ends at Kulen Waterfall, where the water is cool and the jungle surrounds you completely. You can swim, wade or simply sit and rest after the hike. Bottled water is provided throughout the day. Your guide handles all admission fees to the sites, and the air-conditioned vehicle brings you back to your hotel. Lunch is available at local restaurants along the route at your own cost, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
What’s included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle.
- an English-speaking licensed guide (also available in Spanish, Italian, French and additional languages).
- all admission fees to the temple sites and national park.
- and bottled water throughout the trek.
Options for this experience
3 optionsInformation
Lasts 7h–9h, runs every day at 07:30 and 08:00, from US$ 113.05 per person, with live guides in 7 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated today
Operated by About Cambodia Travel & Tours
Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the guide's full attention and flexibility to move at your own pace; pick the small group option to share the cost with a few other travelers while keeping the group intimate; go with the big group tour if you prefer a livelier atmosphere and the lowest per-person price.
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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: Child (4 to 6 years): free. Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.
How long is the actual hiking at Phnom Kulen?
The jungle trek itself is 3 hours, starting from Preah Ang Jub and climbing through the rainforest to the temple sites. The full day, including transfers, visits to each site and the waterfall, runs 7 to 9 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.
What is the Valley of 1000 Lingas?
The Valley of 1000 Lingas is a sacred riverbed within the park where hundreds of lingams (ancient Hindu symbols carved into the rock) are etched into the stone. Water flows over the carvings, and according to local belief, the water gains healing power from the carvings. The site is a spiritual landmark and a key stop on the trek.
Can I swim at the waterfall?
Yes, Kulen Waterfall is where the trek ends, and you can swim in the pool at the base or simply relax in the jungle setting. The water is cool and refreshing after the hike, though swimming is optional.
What are the private tour, small group tour and big group tour options?
You choose your group size at checkout: a private tour is just your group; a joint small group tour combines you with a few other travelers; a big group tour is a larger shared departure. All three follow the same route and include the same guide, sites and waterfall swim.
Is this trek difficult?
The trek is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The 3-hour hike climbs steadily through the forest, but the pace is set by the guide and the route is well-established. The itinerary does note that the mountain route is not recommended for anyone with back or bone conditions.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking guide (available in Spanish, Italian, French and other languages), all admission fees to Preah Ang Jub, the Valley of 1000 Lingas, Preah Ang Thom and Kulen Waterfall, bottled water throughout the day, and private air-conditioned transport are all included. Lunch is at your own expense at local restaurants.
Phnom Kulen jungle trek: Swim at waterfall tour
7h–9h · EN · ES · FR · DE · IT +2 · at your hotel
from US$ 113.05 per person