Phnom Kulen Day Trip with Two-Tier Waterfall, River of 1000 Lingas and Khmer Village Visit

Phnom Kulen National Park lies 50 km from Siem Reap, and the drive takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half, with a halt on the way for views of the rainforest from Kulen hill. The park is a pilgrimage site and the birthplace of the Angkor Empire. The River of a Thousand Lingas carries carvings of Vishnu, Shiva and other Hindu deities, with hundreds of lingas and yonis that rise into view or sink with the water level. The two-tiered Kulen waterfall has a swimming spot (allow about 45 minutes). At the summit sits the Giant Reclining Buddha. Lunch is at a local restaurant on the way back and is not included. A stop at a traditional Khmer village follows, where seasonal palm wine and sugar can be sampled, handmade snacks tried, and crafts such as weaving or rice farming observed. The return to Siem Reap is by late afternoon. Snacks, drinking water, cold towels, hotel pickup and drop-off and a local English-speaking guide are included, and the operator puts half of its profits toward education for poor students. Lunch, travel insurance, tips and the Kulen entrance fee are not. Knees and shoulders must be covered at temples, and walking shoes are recommended. Not recommended for pregnant travelers.