Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen                                                                                             [L, D]

An early morning departure from your accommodation in Siem Reap signals the start of this exhilarating tour option outside this worldwide acclaimed centre of the Angkor Era and into the countryside, filled with dazzling sights, sounds and smells of seeing the rural side of Cambodia. Accompanied by an expert trekking guide (English speaking), you head towards Phnom Kulen.
Situated around 50 kilometres northeast of Siem Reap, it is here where you will be spending most of the day, exploring examples of a bygone era, intertwined with an unaltered insight on how locals have lived, worked and protected their homestead for generations. Upon arrival at Phnom Kulen, you will follow in the footsteps of your guide and a park ranger through 8 kilometres of dense jungle and primary forest. Some moderate climbs, muddy roads are to be expected but this all will lead to seeing Cambodia through new eyes and with a deep, fresh breath of air in your lungs.

The hike ends at the River of the Thousand Lingas – something that may sound surreal, but it actually is not; numerous pre-Angkor carvings located both below the surface as well partially covered up along the riverbanks. Symbols that primarily portrait fertility and now form an almost indescribable view of beauty also mark the arrival at our overnight address at Preah Ang Thom. Our journey through the green landscape does not end here: hiking further for another 7 kilometres and you will be standing face to face with the Sras Damrei, an elephant pond in the heart of the Phnom Kulen jungle where you will enjoy a picnic lunch.

Picnic lunch included in the jungle

Taking a breather after an intense hike yet also thoroughly enjoy the stunning landscape you will call home for the day includes listening to the story behind the creation of the Sras Damrei with its animal-shaped carved sandstone sculptures. Staying true to the adventure, heading into nearby bat cave and see how these gentle, yet often associated with the darker side of life, earn their respect from the locals as part of the community. It is time to head back to Preah Ang Thom to meet your host family for the night and reflect on what new experiences you’ve taken into.

In the afternoon, there is ample time to enjoy the refreshing waters nearby. Locally sourced by a 30-metre high waterfall, it is the meeting place to see locals enjoying their free time, too, as young and old swim and relax the day away. When time permits, paying your respect to the deities, the ancestral spirits and the residents of the Preah Ang Thom monastery – with its reclining
Buddha – may be an excellent idea.

As night falls, your host family will prepare and serve a locally sources, traditionally cooked Khmer meal while the sounds of nature as your back ground companion. The night over will be spent at a traditional stilted house with basic amenities: a mattress with mosquito net, clean toilets and a shower. To follow in the footsteps of the locals, turning in at an early hour is common and respecting these traditions is key.

Overnight at a traditional wooden house at Preah Ang Thom

Phnom Kulen – Siem Reap                                                                                              [B, L]

There is actually no need to set an alarm; with the arrival of the first sunrays and slowly hearing nature waking up, it is also your time to leave the comfort of your mattress and head out into village life. Part of the experience is preparing breakfast and you’re more than welcome to help out cooking the first meal of the day at your homestay

At around 8 am, it is time to explore other regions of the Phnom Kulen region. A brisk, refreshing morning hike of around 20 kilometres heads into the direction of Kulen Mountain and the small settlement of Svay Leu, situated on the eastern side of the mountain. The walk along and over a carefully selected route avoids having impact on the natural splendour yet also gives you the chance to pass by other villages, meeting the locals and learning about their traditions and habits. At the end of this easy morning hike, lunch will be served at Svay Leu and where you will rendezvous with the driver.

Picnic lunch included in the jungle

Ending lunch also marks the end of your 2 day natural exploration of historical treasures and meeting the locals of Phnom Kulen. The final part of the day is reserved for an air-conditioned ride back from Svay Leu to Siem Reap (75 kilometres, around 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive)