Phnom Kulen is a long, forested plateau north-east of Siem Reap, and it is the most sacred mountain in Cambodia. In 802 King Jayavarman II held a ceremony here proclaiming himself a universal monarch and independent of Java, the founding moment of the Khmer Empire, and the mountain’s sandstone quarries later supplied the stone for Angkor’s temples. Today it is a national park and a place of pilgrimage. On the plateau, the River of a Thousand Lingas runs over carvings of lingas, gods and animals cut into the rock beneath the water, blessing the stream that flows down to Angkor. A short walk away, a monastery shelters a great reclining Buddha carved from a boulder at the summit, and the walk ends at the Kulen waterfall, where you can swim in the pool below. This page links to a join-in day trip on Viator, rated 4.9 from more than 2,700 reviews, that travels by shared minibus and includes a local picnic lunch.
How to visit: Phnom Kulen is about 50 kilometres from Siem Reap, roughly one and a half hours by road, and the last section climbs a steep mountain road. The national park is not covered by the Angkor Pass; foreign visitors pay a separate entry fee of about 20 US dollars, so check whether your tour includes it. A swimsuit, a towel and shoes you can get wet are worth packing.
The tour: the Viator join-in tour travels by shared minibus with a guide and stops at the riverbed carvings, the hilltop pagoda with the reclining Buddha and the waterfall, with a local-style picnic lunch on the mountain. It is excellent value and has thousands of reviews; confirm pickup time, inclusions and the park ticket when booking.
Making the most of it: the waterfall is fullest during and just after the rainy season, so November is a lovely time to come. Weekends and Cambodian holidays bring local families and picnic crowds; weekdays are calmer. Dress respectfully for the pagoda, remove your shoes, and stay on marked paths, since the wider plateau is still being cleared of old ordnance.
What to expect
The experience
A shared minibus day trip with a guide to the riverbed carvings, the reclining Buddha pagoda and the waterfall, with a picnic lunch on the mountain.
Best time
Weekdays from October to January, when the waterfall is still full after the rains and the air is cooler.
How long
A full day, with about three hours of driving in total.
Tips
Check whether the park ticket is included, bring a swimsuit and sandals for the falls, and dress modestly for the pagoda.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want nature and a swim after a few days of temples, and anyone curious about where the Khmer Empire began.
- Families
- Children love the waterfall pool and the picnic, and the walking is short and manageable.
- Couples
- A cool swim under the falls and lunch in the forest make a relaxing change of pace together.
- Pair with
- Banteay Srei, which lies on the way; some tours combine the two in one long day.
- Time needed
- A full day from Siem Reap.
Good questions
Is Phnom Kulen included in the Angkor Pass?+
No, Phnom Kulen National Park needs a separate ticket, about 20 US dollars for foreign visitors. Check whether your tour includes it before you book.
Can you swim at the Kulen waterfall?+
Yes, you can swim in the pool below the waterfall, and many visitors do. Bring a swimsuit, a towel and shoes you can get wet.
How long is the drive to Phnom Kulen?+
It takes about one and a half hours each way from Siem Reap, ending on a steep mountain road. Join-in tours handle the driving in a shared minibus.
What is the River of a Thousand Lingas?+
It is a stretch of river where Khmer carvers cut lingas, gods and animals into the rock of the riverbed. The water flowing over them was believed to be blessed on its way to Angkor.
When is the best time to visit Phnom Kulen?+
The waterfall is fullest during and just after the rainy season, so autumn and early winter are ideal. Weekdays are quieter than weekends and holidays.
