Banteay Srei and Big Tour from Siem Reap: Pink sandstone temples

Pink sandstone carvings that outshine size with craftsmanship

A small-group temple tour from Siem Reap visiting Banteay Srei, East Mebon, Neak Pean, Preah Khan and Preah Dak Village over six to seven hours with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and shared transport. The route centers on Banteay Srei, a 10th-century Hindu temple 35 kilometers north of the city, where three central towers carved from pink sandstone stand out among Angkor's temples for the quality of the reliefs rather than their scale. Park entrance ticket (37 USD per person) is purchased on arrival. Lunch is on your own at local restaurants in the park.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Banteay Srei3h
2. Neak Pean1h
3. Preah Khan1h

Visit temples and local villages

• Hotel pickup and ticket purchase
• Drive to Banteay Srei temple
• Explore Preah Dak Village souvenirs
• Visit East Mebon temple
• See Prasat Neak Pean temple
• Tour Preah Khan temple
• Return to hotel or city center

The experience

Six to seven hours means the day starts early: pickup runs between 7:40am and 8:20am from your hotel, with a stop at the National Park ticket office for anyone who hasn't bought a one-day pass yet. The group travels by shared air-conditioned minivan, and the drive north to Banteay Srei covers 35 kilometers through changing landscape. Once there, the temple itself is small compared to Angkor's sprawl, but the three central towers carry the detail: male and female divinities carved into pink sandstone, the stone contrasting against laterite walls. The craftsmanship is what travelers come back to: the precision of the reliefs rather than the footprint of the structure.

On the return route, the itinerary passes through Preah Dak Village, where most of the handmade objects and arts for sale are made by villagers from the surrounding area. The afternoon temples come in quick succession: East Mebon stands on what was once an island in the artificial lake of the Easter Baray, now dry and ringed by rice fields; Neak Pean is a 12th-century temple with five ponds arranged to represent a Himalayan mountain lake from Hindu mythology; Preah Khan closes the day as a labyrinth of pavilions, halls and chapels enclosed by four walls, built by King Jayavarman VII at the end of the 12th century. The guide leads the group through each site and back to your hotel or a requested drop-off point in the city center.

Lunch happens during the park's midday hours at local restaurants. You choose where and what to eat. Bottled water is provided throughout the day. The group size varies depending on bookings, so it stays small enough for the guide to move at a steady pace without losing people in the crowds that can form at the major temples.

What’s included

• Transport by shared air-conditioned minivan.
• hotel pickup and drop-off within Siem Reap.
• English-speaking guide throughout the day.
• bottled water.
• small-group format with variable size depending on daily bookings.

Information

Lasts 6h–7h, runs every day at 08:30, from US$ 52 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 154 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

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

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Green Era Travel

Is this one for you?This is a shared-group tour on a fixed schedule, so you move with the guide's pace and the group's rhythm rather than setting your own. It suits travelers who want the temples explained and the logistics arranged without building the day themselves, and who don't mind company at the sites. If you prefer to explore at your own speed or need a private vehicle, a different format would serve you better.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Banteay Srei and why is it different from the other temples on this tour?

Banteay Srei is a 10th-century Hindu temple 35 kilometers north of Siem Reap, known for the intricate reliefs of male and female divinities carved into pink sandstone. While many Angkor temples impress through sheer size, Banteay Srei stands out for the quality and precision of the craftsmanship on the stone itself.

What time does the tour start and how do I get picked up?

Hotel pickup runs between 7:40am and 8:20am depending on which hotel you're staying at, so wait in the lobby and be ready when your guide arrives. The group travels by shared air-conditioned minivan.

Do I need to buy a park entrance ticket before the tour?

No, the tour stops at the National Park ticket office on the way, and you can buy a one-day ticket there for 37 USD per person if you don't have one already. The guide will wait while you purchase it.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included, but the tour breaks during midday hours at local restaurants inside the National Park where you can eat on your own account and choose what suits you.

What are the other temples on this tour besides Banteay Srei?

The tour also visits East Mebon, a temple with five towers that once stood on an island in an artificial lake; Neak Pean, a 12th-century temple with five ponds representing a Himalayan mountain lake; and Preah Khan, a labyrinth of pavilions and halls built by King Jayavarman VII. The route also passes through Preah Dak Village, where handmade souvenirs are sold by local artisans.

How physically demanding is this tour?

The tour requires at least a moderate level of physical fitness. You'll be walking through temple grounds and climbing some structures. It is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health. Wear long pants or knee-length skirts or dresses, as they are required for temple entry.