15 Ng. 100 Đ. Nguyễn Xiển, Thanh Xuân Nam, Thanh Xuân, Hà Nội 100000
Embark on an extraordinary and deeply immersive full-day small group tour that seamlessly blends spiritual reverence with thrilling archaeological discovery. Golden Trail Travel invites you on an unforgettable journey from the sacred heights of Phnom Kulen Mountain to the captivating, jungle-consumed ruins of Beng Mealea temple. This meticulously crafted tour offers a unique combination of natural beauty, profound historical insight, and the mystique of a temple reclaimed by nature, perfect for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photographers seeking a diverse and impactful understanding of Cambodia's ancient past beyond the central Angkor complex.
Your captivating adventure begins with a comfortable pick-up directly from your Siem Reap accommodation by your professional, English-speaking guide and a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. The scenic drive to these distinct locations will take you through picturesque rural landscapes, passing lush green rice paddies and traditional villages, offering serene glimpses into authentic Cambodian daily life. Your guide will provide fascinating context and historical background during the drive, setting the stage for a day of diverse and impactful discoveries.
The morning portion of your tour is dedicated to the revered Phnom Kulen Mountain, a site of immense historical and religious significance in Cambodia. Considered the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, where King Jayavarman II declared independence in 802 AD, Phnom Kulen is a vital pilgrimage destination. Here, you'll explore its key highlights:
River of 1000 Lingas (Kbal Spean): Within the cool, clear waters of the riverbed, you'll discover thousands of meticulously carved lingas (Hindu phallic symbols representing the deity Shiva) and various Hindu deities, intricately etched directly into the sandstone. These ancient carvings, hidden beneath the water's surface, were believed to fertilize the waters flowing to Angkor, ensuring agricultural prosperity and spiritual blessings. You'll enjoy a gentle trek through a peaceful forest path to reach the riverbed, where your guide will illuminate the intricate symbolism and profound spiritual importance of this unique site.
Preah Ang Thom Pagoda: At the mountain's summit, you'll visit this prominent and highly sacred site housing a massive, impressive Reclining Buddha statue carved directly into the natural bedrock. This serene site offers a moment of quiet reverence and provides often breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding forest and plains.
Kulen Waterfall: Enjoy the beauty of the majestic multi-tiered Kulen Waterfall, which cascades dramatically into a large, inviting pool below. It's a popular and refreshing spot for both locals and visitors to cool off, swim (conditions permitting), and simply relax amidst the lush natural surroundings.
After immersing yourself in the spiritual and natural beauty of Phnom Kulen, a delicious and authentic local Cambodian lunch will be provided at a carefully selected restaurant along the way, allowing you to refuel and savor regional flavors amidst the beautiful countryside.
The afternoon transitions to a completely different yet equally captivating experience: the remote and enigmatic Beng Mealea Temple. Located approximately 60 kilometers east of Angkor Wat, Beng Mealea is a sprawling 12th-century Hindu temple that has been largely left as it was found – consumed by the relentless embrace of the jungle. Unlike its more famous, restored counterparts, Beng Mealea offers a captivating sense of raw adventure and profound discovery. You'll feel like a true explorer as you navigate its crumbling stone walls, overgrown corridors, and towering trees that have wrapped their roots around the ancient structures. Your guide will lead you safely through its pathways, pointing out significant carvings and explaining the temple's history and its unique battle with nature. The atmosphere here is truly mystical and profoundly photographic, offering a powerful sense of what the first European explorers must have felt upon discovering Angkor.
Throughout the day, your knowledgeable guide will offer insightful commentary, answer your questions, and ensure a flexible itinerary that caters to the small group's interests and pace. Traveling in a small group allows for a more intimate and personal experience than larger coach tours, fostering camaraderie and ensuring everyone has ample opportunity for exploration and photography.
This Phnom Kulen & Beng Mealea Tour is perfect for history buffs, nature lovers, spiritual seekers, and anyone seeking a comprehensive, unhurried, and deeply immersive experience of Cambodia's ancient treasures and natural wonders, venturing beyond the main Angkor complex to discover sites of exceptional historical and artistic merit. Return to your accommodation in Siem Reap in the late afternoon, filled with spectacular memories, breathtaking photos, and a profound appreciation for the artistic genius, enduring legacy, and unique charm of the ancient Khmer civilization and Cambodia's natural beauty. Golden Trail Travel ensures seamless logistics, comfortable transportation, and an insightful journey into these captivating archaeological and natural wonders.
Sacred Phnom Kulen Mountain: Explore Phnom Kulen, Cambodia's holy mountain and the birthplace of the Khmer Empire, a vital pilgrimage site for locals.
River of 1000 Lingas (Kbal Spean): Discover a unique ancient site featuring thousands of Hindu lingas and deities carved into a riverbed, symbolizing fertility and blessings, accessed via a serene forest walk.
Majestic Kulen Waterfall: Enjoy the beauty of the multi-tiered Kulen Waterfall, a stunning natural cascade where you can swim and relax in its refreshing pools (seasonal).
Serene Reclining Buddha: Visit Preah Ang Thom Pagoda at the mountain's summit, housing a large, sacred Reclining Buddha statue carved into the bedrock, offering spiritual tranquility and panoramic views.
Jungle-Consumed Beng Mealea Temple: Explore the captivating, largely unrestored Beng Mealea, a sprawling Hindu temple dramatically embraced by nature, offering a profound sense of adventure and unique photo opportunities.
Small Group Intimacy: Experience a more personal and interactive tour with a small, intimate group, allowing for closer engagement with your guide and fellow travelers.
Expert English-Speaking Guide: Benefit from the insightful commentary, historical context, archaeological details, and in-depth cultural knowledge of a professional, English-speaking guide throughout your journey.
Comfortable Air-Conditioned Transportation: Travel in comfort and style with air-conditioned vehicle transfers directly from your Siem Reap hotel, ensuring a relaxed and seamless journey to these diverse sites.
Delicious Authentic Lunch: Savor an authentic local Cambodian lunch at a carefully selected restaurant, providing a taste of regional flavors amidst the beautiful countryside.
Diverse Historical & Natural Immersion: Experience a unique blend of spiritual pilgrimage, natural beauty, and the profound mystique of a temple reclaimed by the jungle.
Notes:
*All prices are based on per adult, in Double/Twin sharing
Surcharge will be applied for single traveler or single room request
Important Notes:
HOTELS, PROGRAMS & SCHEDULES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE
GUIDE/LEADER:
English speaking guide. French , Germany , Spanish, Italian, Russian speaking guide can be arranged with on request.
Golden Trail Travel knows that sometimes, all you need is a quick getaway. As Asia's leading tour operator, we specialize in crafting custom short tours to the region's most captivating destinations, including its beautiful coastlines. We'll perfectly match your desires and budget to create a seamless, relaxing, and unforgettable brief escape.
Our dedicated team of local experts, drivers, and travel specialists are committed to making your short adventure perfect. Whether you're exploring solo, with family, or in a group, we'll design an itinerary just for you. Think of our sample itineraries as a starting point; we'll personalize everything based on your ideas, preferences, and budget. We're happy to modify an existing trip or build a brand-new program from scratch until it's exactly what you envision.
Ready for a quick dose of paradise or a vibrant cultural immersion? Tell us your requirements, and let's plan your dream short tour across Asia!
We will take you at your hotel at 8:00 am and drive 48 km northeast of Siem Reap to visit the natural day trip - Phnom Kulen (Lychee Mountain), a sandstone plateau considered sacred by the Khmers. This place is widely regarded as the birth place of the ancient Khmer Empire. Our vehicle will bring us by a steep dirt road near the top of the mountain, on the way up you will be able to admire a dramatic scenery. There, you will see the ancient sculptures on the riverbed by crossing the bridge, then a stair will take you to a pagoda nestled between large rocks where you will see the biggest reclining Buddha of the country, carved in the rock. Enjoy the view of the countryside from there. The hike will continue towards the 30 meters high waterfalls where you will have a picnic lunch. This is a very popular place for Khmer people to come and enjoy their weekend with a picnic. More carvings stand in the riverbed above the waterfall. After a good and refreshing swim with the locals, (don’t forget your swimsuits), we will continue to the temple of Beng Melea, 7 km southeast of Phnom Kulen.
Beng Melea jungle temple was built during the 12th century during the reign of Suryavarman II, at about the same time as Angkor Wat of which its layout and style closely mirror. However, Beng Melea is completely ruined and largely overrun by vegetation and competes with Ta Prohm for the “lost in the jungle” ambience. It is a tangle of trees, lichen-covered stones, broken towers and galleries. Many impressive sculptures are hidden among the rubble and the vegetation. This temple is very lightly touristed and offers plenty picturesque pictures’ opportunities. After the visit, we will drive to the south and along the national road 6 to reach Kompong Kdei bridge.
Phra Phutthos, better know as Kompong Kdei bridge because of its vicinity with the city of the same name, was constructed at the end of the 12th century during the reign of Jayavarman VII. This is an imposant stone structure with more than twenty narrow arches spanning 75 meters. Receiving few visitors, Phra Phutthos is notwithstanding the longest corbeled stone-arch bridge in the world and really worth the detour! After the visit, we will drive you back to your hotel.
Answer: Golden Trail Travel specializes in offering a wide range of travel packages to Vietnam and other Indochina countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, China, and Malaysia. We offer themed tours including Classic Highlights, Cycling, Trekking, Beach Holidays, Luxury Honeymoon, Short Trips, Family, Off The Beaten Track, Multi-Country, Motorbiking, Veteran, Food, Students, Luxury, Golf, Photography, Cooking Class, Bird Watching, Indochina Cruises, Kayaking, Muslim-friendly tours, Offroad 4x4WD, Indochina MICE Travel, Cave Expedition, and Helicopter tours.
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