Siem Reap: Kulen Mountain Waterfall Day Trip & Picnic Lunch

Summary

Kulen Mountain’s waterfalls, sacred carvings, and riverside picnic from Siem Reap

You’ll ride from Siem Reap into real Cambodian countryside, taste fresh palm sugar at a village, climb up Kulen Mountain to see its ancient reclining Buddha and holy riverbed carvings, then swim beneath waterfalls before sharing a riverside picnic lunch with local food and beer. Expect laughter, cold water shocks, and memories you’ll replay long after you’ve dried off.

What’s the experience like?

We left Siem Reap just after sunrise — not that I was fully awake yet — but watching the countryside roll by helped. Our guide, Dara, kept pointing out little things: water buffalo in the paddies, kids waving from those wooden stilt houses. The Palm Sugar Village was our first stop. I’d never seen sugar made like that — they tap the trees before breakfast and boil it down right there. The air smelled sweet and smoky at the same time. I tried a spoonful straight from the pot (hotter than expected), and one of the ladies laughed at my face.

The drive up to Kulen Mountain got twisty, but Dara played Khmer pop songs and told us stories about his childhood here. There’s this viewpoint where you can see green stretching forever — honestly, my phone photos don’t do it justice. We climbed up to see the reclining Buddha carved into the rock; monks were lighting incense, and a breeze carried that scent around us. It felt quieter than anywhere else we’d been in Cambodia so far. Dara showed me how locals touch their foreheads to the stone for luck — I gave it a try but probably did it wrong.

The River of 1000 Lingas was next, all these ancient carvings underwater that you’d miss if someone didn’t point them out (thanks again, Dara). He explained how pilgrims still come here for blessings; I dipped my hand in because why not? Then we finally reached the waterfalls — louder than I expected, cold enough to make me gasp when I jumped in. Lunch was laid out on smooth rocks: grilled chicken with sauces that stung a bit and some local beer that tasted better after swimming. We ate with our feet dangling in the water while kids splashed nearby.

I keep thinking about that moment under the falls — sunlight flickering through leaves, everyone laughing over sticky fingers and soggy towels. It wasn’t perfect (I lost a flip-flop downstream), but somehow that made it better.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Kulen Mountain and Waterfalls

• Pick up from hotel lobby
• See locals and rice paddies
• Visit Palm Sugar Village
• Walk to panoramic viewpoint
• Climb to reclining Buddha statue
• View sacred fertility symbols riverbed
• Picnic and swim at waterfalls
• Return to hotel in Siem Reap

Top questions

How long is the Kulen Mountain waterfall tour from Siem Reap?

The tour is a full-day trip with pickup between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM from your hotel in Siem Reap.

Is lunch included on this Kulen Mountain day trip?

Yes, a picnic lunch with local food (like grilled chicken and sauces) plus drinks is included by the waterfalls.

Can you swim at Kulen Mountain waterfall?

Yes, there are crystal-clear pools at the waterfall where swimming is encouraged during your visit.

What do you see on this day trip from Siem Reap?

You’ll visit Palm Sugar Village, panoramic viewpoints on Kulen Mountain, the reclining Buddha statue, River of 1000 Lingas carvings, and swim at waterfalls.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

Yes, hotel pickup in Siem Reap is included in your booking for this day trip.

Are guides provided on this Kulen Mountain tour?

A professional English-speaking guide leads the tour throughout the day.

What should I bring for swimming at Kulen Mountain?

Bring swimwear and maybe an extra towel for swimming at the waterfalls; mineral water and towels are also provided.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Siem Reap between 8:00 AM–8:30 AM, entry fees to Kulen Mountain sites like the reclining Buddha and River of 1000 Lingas, an English-speaking guide throughout, transportation by minivan or bus with an experienced driver, cool mineral water with towels and seasonal fruits or soft drinks along the way, plus a picnic lunch featuring local food (grilled chicken with special sauces) served by the waterfalls before returning to your hotel later that afternoon.