Remote Temples & Kulen Park: A Full Day Tour Review

Planning a trip to Siem Reap and that, too it’s like your thinking of escaping the crowds of Angkor Wat? A full-day tour to Kulen National Park and some rather far away temples just might be exactly what you’re looking for, so it could be said. We went on one of these excursions, and, as a matter of fact, this is, in a way, what we found, that you see. What follows now is a detailed review to help you make your decision.

What to Expect on the Road

The tour almost always kicks off early, I mean, we were picked up from our hotel right around 8:00 AM, that, too it’s just a little early to get the most out of the day, just as I was saying. The drive out to Kulen Park can be very much a adventure, particularly depending on the condition of the roads and what kind of transport you’re using, is that not right? Don’t be surprised if, really, you encounter some bumpy patches and, well, dirt tracks along the way. Typically, the scenery quickly shifts from built-up areas to that of pretty much the rustic Cambodian countryside. You know what, the journey itself offers views of rice paddies and village life which gives you a feel for the day to come, and things, like your daily chores.

We traveled in a comfy, air-conditioned van, and that makes such a difference, honestly! Our driver was, like your he’s a safe and courteous person, plus he knew the area so thoroughly. Just remember, this can often be a long drive – around 1.5 to 2 hours – before you actually arrive at the park’s entrance, just so you’re prepared, that, is it?

Exploring Kulen Mountain

Kulen Mountain, as a matter of fact, it’s known as Phnom Kulen by the locals, that makes perfect sense. It has major importance in Cambodia, not just historical, so too it is like being a really special site of pilgrimage, basically. It was here, in the year 802 AD, like when King Jayavarman II declared independence from Java, which then started the Khmer Empire, is that not very special? You, as it is so happens, might find that visiting here isn’t simply seeing the natural charm of the mountain and exploring historic sites but that of feeling the deep spiritual essence of the place too.

River of a Thousand Lingas

One of the first, really awesome places we explored was the River of a Thousand Lingas, you see, now! Kbal Spean, like your how the locals know it, and it displays some really wonderful ancient carvings right into the sandstone riverbed. What you see are lingas, like your how they represent the divine energy of Shiva, just to get more technical, as well as, like your you know, yonis that depict female energy. So, walking along the river, you almost see the detailed carvings, more or less, beneath the flowing water that sort of is a sensory experience.

Actually, it’s usually a short, rather mild hike to get to the river, just as a warning to you! This walk takes you through the jungle, too, and this can be another charming experience to keep you on your toes, that being what it is. The natural scenery around here is really breathtaking, and you will probably want your camera, honest.

Preah Ang Thom – The Reclining Buddha

Another main place that’s visited here is Preah Ang Thom, you see now, where you’ll find this massive reclining Buddha statue which has been carved right into a sandstone rock. What’s just a little spectacular is its great size and tranquil presence, is it not? So people flock to it for meditation and reflection, yet there’s some pretty good viewpoints on the mountain offering some excellent views across the Cambodian countryside too, if you’re more into that.

Kulen Waterfall

To visit the Kulen Waterfall, it would not hurt to get ready for a cool dip! Typically, this is just one of the great spots to refresh after spending the day going about exploring, as a matter of fact. Usually, it features multiple cascades plus a spacious area below that’s ideal when it comes to swimming, is it not so? If you happen to be local, I mean the people think that the waters of the waterfall are blessed and holy so that it is believed that people purify in them. So the vibe you see here is one of recreation, spiritual and natural beauty when all is said and done.

Visiting the Remote Temples

Besides Kulen Mountain, many full-day tours add something of an opportunity when it comes to discovering some pretty far away temples, that is often an exciting element. These are almost always not as crowded, which does then give one a calmer, even that of a more personal experience.

Banteay Srei: The Citadel of Women

What a wonder to see in our view, Banteay Srei is very well deserving of it’s reputation that this should be on your list! This one is rather famous due to, like your, its fine intricate carvings crafted in the bright pink sandstone which do just give this place some visual distinctiveness. It’s relatively compact when that of other sites like Angkor Wat come to mind, still what’s amazing just so much is its complex bas-reliefs telling Hindu tales. Almost always it will take your breath away when taking photos – which may require patience because it might be other travelers like yourselves, is that so bad though?

Beng Mealea: The Jungle Temple

As I was just about saying before about exploring jungle temples and wondering what it is like – just take a peek here. You may like that, so as a result you might prefer Beng Mealea, seeing how it really has largely been unrestored so for that you’ll often see that this location’s appearance just fits in great with how one might dream Angkor looking decades after having found. Overgrown with vegetation, massive trees that’s got roots wrapping around the buildings that will make any archeology or movie enthusiast’s mind feel blown and fascinated because it feels as if they could step into it from the movies, honest. What’s so great when traipsing around here that gives this location additional charm is seeing all types corridors not only blocked off due those of fallen rocks but it really helps create an adventure, literally.

What to Bring

What’s worth thinking about, anyway, before setting out is making absolutely sure one’s packed all one requires for this one full day away trip. What is needed in particular, this could even include a light top, how essential would comfortable hiking shoes also be?! Plus just one’s bathing suit when keen on dipping near and or under that there waterfall; clearly take sunscreen too because honestly the Cambodian sun’s really potent during those peak hours. One shouldn’t ever forget something insect- repelling because in some measure they might ruin your day too, for instance especially whilst taking those trekking times on Kulen mountain whilst seeing each spot along trails – just like all adventures should turn into happy memory that you should get when wanting nice journeys to do across your own personal world-travel plans now, you see.

Tour Options and What You’ll Pay

Almost always some may happen be going using some type of tours, at any rate it may require considering those various versions alongside associated amounts needed as one makes these arrangements to ensure one’s journey that is great to think when figuring where your hard earned monies may become dedicated better right from moment. Normally almost always just there’s group organized types, as a matter of fact this means that for folks who are not interested much in paying huge chunks cash may seem more suitable, or better off selecting those customized trips and those offering far different locations at that certain locale where they should become focused better than before that time whilst going upon journey away somewhere amazing which has its own cultural history so many shouldn’t neglect doing today too!

Any potential trip price actually is based across criteria ranging namely on that involving transportation approach opted alongside extra inclusion or add extras decided beforehand – however one can budget some number ranging that involving approximately like what between $75 ranging toward, then going completely upwards some more where over those one hundred plus marks dependent based mainly what is there upon being chosen from which it is that some may be deciding that one would go off from there next!

Overall Impressions

In brief I reckon which any full- day trip going round the remote place of worship and through Kulen National land really gave for me only that – like one totally stunning memories really really does just stay deep rooted firmly in me that it is, you know, what one likes; you learn culture then appreciate past cultures combined inside of natural place while exploring sites throughout that really really special piece ground: as a result these pieces combined definitely renders that as good that anything that other type excursion that one might experience at present!

Honestly, any individual, right, in seeking escape from that of the commonly really common visitors alongside in becoming captivated to ancient remains but keen upon some bit adventurous moment together must remember thinking deeply upon whether to purchase this full, very full complete opportunity that gives back experiences no average trip can!