Tag Archives: Cambodian Countryside

Calf In Causeway Entrance At Preah Ko

Beng Mealea / Roluos Group

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Combining these two ancient Khmer Temple locations is the way to go. These temples are much older than Angkor Wat but in surprisingly great condition.

Temple Highlights Tour

Tour Highlights:

  • Journey Through The Cambodian Countryside
  • Lolei
  • Preah Ko
  • Bakong
  • Beng Mealea

Tour Walkthrough:

This full-day tour will give you an insight into the frequently overlooked temples of Siem Reap. First on your journey will be a stop at Lolei, a small but exquisite temple. Marvel at the detail on the four brick temple towers, then head next door and peek inside the modern-day Buddhist pagoda.

After you have finished discovering Lolei, we will take you to Preah Ko, the oldest temple in the Roluos group. Featuring six sanctuary towers with depictions of Garuda, Nagas and warriors, you will want to spend some time taking in the intricate detail and workmanship.

You will then travel a few minutes down the road to the magnificent Bakong temple. Walk over an ancient bridge surrounded by a moat, and step into another time. You can easily lose yourself in your thoughts whilst exploring this glorious sandstone temple. Challenge yourself by climbing the five-tiered pyramid and arriving at the central sanctuary, where the view will take your breath away.

After you have left Bakong, you can sit back and relax in the comfort of your tuk-tuk. It is a 55km drive to your next destination, Beng Mealea. This predominantly unrestored temple features collapsed galleries and towers, large sandstone blocks covered with moss and a mass of trees and thick brush. After you are finished exploring this humid temple you can pick up some local food in a restaurant across from the temple entrance. Alternatively, you may want to pack a picnic lunch and dine in the serenity of the bushland surrounding Beng Mealea.

Estimated Tour Time: Full-day

Tour Includes:
Hotel Pickup And Drop Off, Transport To Beng Mealea, A Cold Bottle Of Water And A Traditional Khmer Snack

Tour Excludes:
Angkor Archaeological Park Entry Fee ($37 USD 1 Day / $62 USD 3 Day), Entry Fee To Beng Mealea ($5 USD), Meals

Suggestions:
Wear Comfortable Sandals Or Shoes Such As Keen Or Teva
$20-$50 For Lunch, Extra Water, Souvenirs Etc.

Tour Cost:
Tuk Tuk $30 USD
*At Sunrise Add $5 USD

Car $50 USD
*At Sunrise Add $5 USD

Location: Beng Mealea / Roluos Group

Time: 8 hours

Description: Beng Mealea offers moss covered jungle ruins which came after the Roluos Group. The Roluos Group, some of the oldest structures, had humble beginnings as the Kingdoms capitol. Uniquely intricate, the Roluos Group is a great addition to the Beng Mealea tour.

Main Temple Set At Koh Ker

Koh Ker Temple

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Koh Ker Temple is approximately two hours into the Cambodian country. It’s best to get there by car.

🏛️ Koh Ker: The Lost Capital of the Khmer Empire

📜 A Capital for Just 20 Years
  • Koh Ker served as the Khmer Empire’s capital from 928 to 941 AD under King Jayavarman IV.
  • Due to political strife, he moved the capital from Angkor to Koh Ker and launched a massive construction campaign. His successor briefly continued the rule before the capital shifted back to Angkor.
    • 🏯 What Makes Koh Ker Unique
  • The main temple, Prasat Thom, is a rare seven-tiered pyramid—a striking departure from the flat temple designs of Angkor Wat.
  • Over 40 temples were built in just two decades, many still hidden within dense jungle, giving the site an air of mystery and abandonment.
    • 🗿 Famous for Colossal Sculptures
  • Koh Ker was known for producing enormous and exquisite Khmer sculptures, including representations of Shiva, Garuda, and Durga.
  • Some statues were looted during the 20th century and sold internationally. Many are now being returned to Cambodia in high-profile repatriation cases.
    • 🧭 Still Off the Beaten Path
  • Despite its grandeur, Koh Ker remains a relatively quiet site compared to Angkor. Its remote location and jungle surroundings make it a favorite for adventurous travelers.
  • It’s a hauntingly beautiful place where you can walk among ruins almost entirely alone, hearing only the sounds of nature and history.

    • 🗺️ Tour Highlights:

    • Journey through the Cambodian countryside
    • Koh Ker Temple

    📖 Tour Walkthrough:
    Your journey to this glorious temple will take you through the Cambodian countryside. Located 120km from Siem Reap, Koh Ker was briefly the capital of the Khmer empire in the 10th century. Despite many hand-chiselled statues being looted and remaining in museums and private collections today, a trip to Koh Ker is certainly worth the distance. Depending on the time of day, you can be hard pressed to come across another soul whilst exploring the collection of structures in the Cambodian jungle. Without a doubt, your favourite structure will be the well-preserved pyramid that you can walk up to witness a spectacular jungle view.

    ⏳ Estimated Tour Time:
    Full-day

    ✅ Tour Includes:
    Hotel Pickup; Transport to and from Koh Ker, a cold bottle of water and a traditional Khmer snack

    ❌ Tour Excludes:
    Entry fee to Koh Ker ($10 USD)
    Meals

    💵 Tour Cost:
    Car $90 USD
    with Preah Vihear *link* $130 USD

    Location: Koh Ker Temple

    Time: 8 hours

    Description: See the highlights of the Angkor Wat Big Tour.

    View Over Valley Of Kulen Mountain

    Phnom Kulen Mountain

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    Phnom Kulen Mountain is another “Must See”. You’ll have to take a motorbike or a car up the mountain though, a Tuk Tuk can not make the journey up the bumpy mountainside roads. Once up the mountain you can drink from one of the most pure water springs on earth and play in a massive waterfall!

    🏞️ Phnom Kulen Mountain – A World Hidden In The Jungle

    🛕 What is Phnom Kulen?
  • Phnom Kulen is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Khmer Empire. In 802 CE, King Jayavarman II declared independence from Java atop this mountain, marking the start of a unified Khmer kingdom and the Devaraja cult.
  • The mountain’s name means “Mountain of the Lychees,” and it holds deep spiritual importance for both Hindus and Buddhists, with numerous sacred sites scattered across its jungle-covered slopes.
    • 🌇 Why Visit Phnom Kulen?
  • Visitors can explore Mahendraparvata, the lost city that predates Angkor, with over 40 hidden temples and ancient structures.
  • The mountain is home to two breathtaking waterfalls, one wide and serene, the other taller and tucked into dense greenery—both perfect for a refreshing dip or quiet reflection.
  • Phnom Kulen is also rich in biodiversity, boasting over 800 plant species, 40 mammal species, and 200 bird species.
    • 🚶‍♂️ Access
  • Located about 48 km from Siem Reap, Phnom Kulen is accessible by road. The route winds through scenic countryside and forests.
  • Visitors often trek to reach sacred waterfalls, carvings like the River of a Thousand Lingas, and temple sites nestled deep in the jungle.

    • 🧭 Phnom Kulen Mountain Tour

    🗺️ Tour Highlights:
    • Journey through the Cambodian countryside
    • Visit Waterfalls
    • See the Carved Riverbed
    • See the Natural Spring
    📖 Tour Walkthrough:

    When you arrive at Phnom Kulen, take your time to walk slowly through the local market strip and bargain with the local sellers. Once you have browsed to your heart’s content, walk up a long set of stairs towards a local pagoda. Once you have caught your breath at the top, visit a reclining Buddha made from sandstone; the biggest of its kind in Cambodia. You can take in the views of Cambodia’s lush forests and jungles whilst on top, then casually walk around the pagoda, taking in all the detail.

    Next, eat lunch at a local restaurant and taste the tantalising flavours that Cambodian food has to offer. You will want to rest before continuing your journey, so be sure to sit by the river and watch as locals picnic on the banks and have fun in the water. Once you are energised, take a walk to the waterfalls of Phnom Kulen and plunge into the refreshing water. Be sure to bring a change of clothes, as it is customary to frolic in the water fully clothed in Cambodia. Once you are ready to leave (though we doubt you will want to), head back to your tuk-tuk and sleep on the journey home.

    ⏳ Estimated Tour Time:
  • Full-day

    • ✅ Tour Includes:
  • Hotel Pickup; Transport to and from Phnom Kulen, a cold bottle of water and fresh fruit.

    • ❌ Tour Excludes:
  • Phnom Kulen entry fee ($20 USD)

    • 💵 Tour Cost:
    Car $65 USD

    Location: Phnom Kulen Mountain

    Time: 8 hours

    Description: If you have seen Angkor Wat this IS the second best place to see. There is a natural spring with the best water you have ever tasted. 1000’s of carvings right in the riverbed. Contact us for a secret, unadvertised, off-road tour.

    Buddhist Temple At Lolei Roluos Group

    Roluos Group of Monuments

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    The Roluos Group are some of the oldest monuments in Cambodia dating back over 900 years. There are Male and Female monuments and much of what you will see is original to the towers. Because the towers were built close together there are some fantastic carvings to be seen. We recommend going in the morning as the suns angle will compliment your photos.

    🏛️ Roluos Group – Quick Background

    📜 What is the Roluos Group?
  • The Roluos Group refers to a set of three early Angkorian temples — Lolei, Preah Ko, and Bakong — located about 13 km east of Siem Reap.
  • These temples date back to the late 9th century and mark the beginning of the Angkor era under King Indravarman I and his successor Yasovarman I.
  • Part of the ancient city of Hariharalaya, one of the first capitals of the Khmer Empire, before Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom were even imagined.
  • Roluos Monuments represent the transition from brick construction to the sandstone and laterite style that defines Angkor’s later temples.
    • 🌟 Why Visit the Roluos Temples?
  • These temples are quieter and less touristy than their Angkor counterparts, allowing for peaceful exploration and photography.
  • Bakong is considered the first large-scale sandstone temple mountain, a prototype for Angkor Wat.
  • Preah Ko has six intricate sanctuary towers lined in two rows, with incredibly well-preserved carvings.
  • Lolei was originally built on an island in a baray (reservoir), an early example of symbolic water features in Khmer architecture.
  • Modern-day monks still live and worship at Lolei, giving visitors a sense of Cambodia’s living spiritual heritage.
    • 🧭 Insider Tip
  • Visit in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light and a chance to witness monks chanting at the pagoda near Lolei.
  • If you’ll appreciate seeing the evolution of Khmer temple design begin here at The Rolous Group.

    • 🏛️ Roluos Group Temples Tour

    🗺️ Tour Highlights:
    • Lolei
    • Preah Ko
    • Bakong
    📖 Tour Walkthrough:

    This half-day tour will give you an insight into the frequently overlooked Roluos group of monuments in Siem Reap. First on your journey will be a stop at Lolei, a small but exquisite temple. Marvel at the detail on the four brick temple towers, then head next door and peek inside the modern-day Buddhist pagoda.

    After you have finished discovering Lolei, we will take you to Preah Ko, the oldest temple in the Roluos group. Featuring six sanctuary towers with depictions of Garuda, Nagas and warriors, you will want to spend some time taking in the intricate detail and workmanship.

    You will then travel a few minutes down the road to the magnificent Bakong temple. Walk over an ancient bridge surrounded by a moat, and step into another time. You can easily lose yourself in your thoughts whilst exploring this glorious sandstone temple. Challenge yourself by climbing the five-tiered pyramid and arriving at the central sanctuary, where the view will take your breath away.

    We will then drop you back in Siem Reap town where you can spend the remainder of the afternoon shopping to your heart’s delight!

    ⏳ Estimated Tour Time:
  • Half-day

    • ✅ Tour Includes:
  • Transport to and from the Roluos Temples, a cold bottle of water and fresh fruit

    • ❌ Tour Excludes:
  • Angkor Archaeological Park entry fee ($37 USD)

    • 💵 Tour Cost:
  • Tuk Tuk $15 USD
    *Add Beng Mealea $30 USD
    *At Sunrise Or Sunset Add $5 USD

  • Car $25 USD
    *Add Beng Mealea $50 USD
    *At Sunrise Or Sunset Add $5 USD
    • Small Outer Temple Beng Melea

    Beng Mealea

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    Beng Mealea is one of the more interesting stops. Much of the Temple has fallen in but there are many hidden treasures to be seen.

    🏯 Beng Mealea – Quick Background

    🛕 What is Beng Mealea?
  • Beng Mealea is a largely unrestored Hindu temple located about 70 km east of Siem Reap. Its collapsed galleries and towers, overgrown with trees and thick brush, create a captivating, adventurous atmosphere.
  • Originally built in the 12th century, it was later converted for Buddhist use. The moss-covered sandstone blocks and sprawling ruins make it a must-see for exploration lovers.
    • 🌿 Why Visit Beng Mealea?
  • Unlike the restored temples of Angkor, Beng Mealea offers a raw, untouched temple experience with plenty of hidden treasures.
  • Adventurous visitors can explore slippery swimming spots behind the temple and enjoy peaceful picnics surrounded by bushland.
    • 🚶‍♂️ Access
  • The temple is approximately 70 km from Siem Reap, reachable by tuk tuk or car.
  • Bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water, as the site is less developed and can be humid and slippery in places.

    • 🌿 Beng Mealea Adventure Tour

    🗺️ Tour Highlights:
    📖 Tour Walkthrough:

    The drive to Beng Mealea is long but rewarding. Explore the collapsed galleries and moss-covered sandstone blocks, wander among the dense vegetation, and soak in the historic ambiance of this 12th-century temple. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the slippery swimming area behind the temple.

    After your visit, enjoy a meal at a local restaurant near the temple entrance or pack a picnic to savor in the peaceful bushland surroundings.

    ⏳ Estimated Tour Time:
  • Full Day
    • ✅ Tour Includes:
  • Hotel Pickup And Drop Off, Transport To Beng Mealea, A Cold Bottle Of Water And Fresh Seasonal Fruit
    • ❌ Tour Excludes:
  • Angkor Archaeological Park Entry Fee ($37 USD 1 Day / $62 USD 3 Day)
    Entry Fee To Beng Mealea ($5 USD)
    Meals
    • 💡 Suggestions:
  • Wear Comfortable Sandals Or Shoes Such As Keen Or Teva
  • $20-$50 For Meals, Extra Water, Souvenirs Etc.
    • 💵 Tour Cost:
    Tuk Tuk $40 USD
    *At Sunrise Or Sunset Add $5 USD

    Car $50 USD
    *At Sunrise Or Sunset Add $5 USD

    Location: Beng Mealea

    Time: 8 hours

    Description: Beng Mealea is an amazing place to see ruins directly in a jungle settings. All around you will see carved reliefs on the ground for easy close up pictures.