Siem Reap: Phnom Kulen Waterfall & 1000 Lingas Hike
The mountain holds water, stone, and stories older than the kingdom itself.
You hike to a waterfall and swim in it, walk through a riverbed carved with a thousand Hindu symbols, visit an ancient pagoda, taste palm sugar at a working factory, and return to your hotel by late afternoon. Hotel pickup, a licensed guide, water, and transport are all included. You bring hiking shoes and a willingness to get wet.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Phnom Kulen National Park
- Start guided tour from Siem Reap
- Visit Phnom Kulen National Park
- See 1000 carved lingas
- View waterfall and reclining Buddha
- Visit local market and palm sugar factory
- Taste palm sugar with locals
The experience
The sound hits you first, not the waterfall itself, but the forest breathing around it. Phnom Kulen National Park sits about an hour north of Siem Reap, and the drive up the mountain road winds through villages where the air changes temperature every few kilometers. Your guide meets you at the hotel early, usually around 7 or 8am, and from there it's a steady climb into the park's 373 square kilometers of forested slopes. The hike to Kulen Waterfall takes a few hours depending on pace, and the water is cold enough that you'll feel it the moment you step in, which most people do, because after hours of walking, the pool at the base is exactly what your body needs.
What makes this day different from other waterfall hikes is what you find carved into the riverbed before you reach the falls. Kbal Spean, known as the River of the Lingas, holds over a thousand stone carvings (lingas, which are symbols of the Hindu god Shiva) etched directly into the rock. Your guide will point out how they're arranged, explain the spiritual weight they carry in Cambodian culture, and let you stand there long enough to actually see them, not just photograph them. The carvings are underwater most of the year, so the timing of your visit matters. In the dry season they're more visible. You'll also visit Preah Ang Thom, a reclining Buddha statue inside a pagoda on the mountain, which sits quietly and requires a bit of respect but no long explanation.
On the way back down, the tour stops at a local palm sugar factory and market. This is where the day shifts from hiking to watching. You'll see how palm sugar is made, taste it fresh (it's sweeter and softer than you'd expect), and have a few minutes to walk through a market that's built for locals, not tourists. The guide handles the talking. You just move through it. The whole day runs about eight hours from pickup to drop-off, and you're back at your hotel by late afternoon, usually around 4 or 5pm.
The park itself was established in 1993 and covers an area that feels genuinely remote even though it's close to the city. Your guide will be a licensed English or Japanese speaker, and the van is air-conditioned for the drive, which matters because the mountain can be hot and humid. Mineral water is included, which you'll drink more of than you expect. The hike is suitable for most fitness levels, though "hike" here means uneven terrain, some scrambling over rocks, and a few steep sections, not a casual walk.
What’s included
Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Siem Reap, a full-day licensed guide who speaks English or Japanese, transportation in an air-conditioned van, mineral water throughout the day, entry to Phnom Kulen National Park, the hike to Kulen Waterfall with a swim stop, a visit to the carved lingas at Kbal Spean, entry to Preah Ang Thom pagoda, and a stop at a local palm sugar factory where you taste fresh palm sugar and walk through a working market.
Options for this experience
2 optionsInformation
Lasts 6h, runs every day at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00, from US$ 75 per person, with a live guide in English and Japanese, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.
Prices and times updated 15 days ago
Operated by Bayon Tabi Tour
Is this one for you?Right for travelers based in Siem Reap who want a full-day mountain hike with swimming and cultural stops, and who'd rather not arrange transport or navigate the park alone. Expect uneven terrain and a few steep sections. That's what gets you to the waterfall and the quiet parts of the forest.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Japanese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3).
How long is the hike to Kulen Waterfall?
The hike typically takes a few hours depending on pace and fitness level. The full day, including all stops and travel, runs about eight hours total.
Is the waterfall safe to swim in?
Yes, most visitors swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall. The water is cold, especially in the dry season. Bring a change of clothes or a quick-dry shirt.
What are the 1000 lingas?
They are stone carvings of lingas, symbols of the Hindu god Shiva, carved directly into the riverbed at Kbal Spean. Over a thousand of them are visible, especially in the dry season when water levels are lower.
What time does the tour start?
Hotel pickup is typically around 7 or 8am. Confirm the exact time with the operator when you book.
Do I need to be very fit to do this tour?
The tour is suitable for most fitness levels, but it does involve hiking on uneven terrain, some rock scrambling, and a few steep sections. Wear proper hiking shoes.
What's included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off, a licensed English or Japanese-speaking guide, transportation in an air-conditioned van, and mineral water.
Is there a local market visit?
Yes, on the way back you stop at a local palm sugar factory and market where you can taste fresh palm sugar and see how it's made.
What should I bring?
Hiking shoes, a swimsuit or clothes you don't mind getting wet, a change of clothes, sunscreen, and a hat. The guide provides water.
Siem Reap: Phnom Kulen Waterfall & 1000 Lingas Hike
6h · EN +1 · at your hotel
from US$ 75 per person