Known as the Mona Lisa of the East, Banteay Srei is so different from all the other temples around Angkor, not just for its beautiful rusty colours but the style and quality of the carvings are incredible. Don’t miss out this place while staying in Siem Reap.

You will be picked up at your hotel around 8 am transfer to Phnom Kulen National park, a mountain situated at the north-east of Angkor Complex about 50 Km, it takes an approximately 2-hour drive up to the hilltop of 487 metres height and plateau that stretches 30 km long.

On arrival, you will climb up to the top of the mountain to have a look and to pray at the pagoda with the large resting Buddha. The statue of Buddha is carved in a boulder of sandstone and is one of the biggest you can find in Cambodia. Walk around the statue and you will notice that at the back of the statue a lot of people leave money and small notes with wishes for their families and friends.

Before going down take you time to enjoy the view. You will see a part of the jungle and forests that are still presented in Cambodia. After this, you can go down by following a small trail which leads to small sanctums and a natural source with holy water. A lot of people wash their hands and face with this holy water hoping it will bring them good luck.

Noontime, it is time to go and have a refreshing swim in the waterfall. You will see many people swimming and playing in the cold refreshing water. There are a small trail and steep stairs leading you to the bottom level of the waterfall. Stay on the trail because it can be slippery in raining season. Pay attention to the riverbeds which are carved with gods and lingas images.

In the afternoon, you will continue your trip by visiting Banteay Srei, known as the Mona Lisa of the East. Banteay Srei is really quite a different experience to many of the other Angkorian temples. Here the demonstration of wealth, power and the veneration of the gods are apparent in detail and intricacy, rather than in the sense of enormity and gravitas of Angkor Wat or Bayon. It provides an interesting counterpoint for those willing to go a little bit further in their journey of understanding and experiencing the Kingdom of Angkor.

You will be transferred back to your hotel and the trip ends there around 4.00pm.