Kulen Mountain at a glance
Kulen Mountain, known in Khmer as Phnom Kulen, rises about 50 km northeast of the Angkor area. Visitors come for the river, the waterfall that falls in several steps, the carved lingas in the riverbed and a reclining Buddha. Many see it on a day trip from Siem Reap, either as a Phnom Kulen waterfall tour or with a private driver.
The mountain has its own access fee and is not covered by the Angkor Pass. It is a full day, so start early.
Our picks: Kulen Mountain
One small-group day includes the Kulen entry; on the other two you pay it separately.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kulen Mountain, Beng Mealea and the Tonle Sap
- English-speaking guide
- Picnic lunch
- Hotel pickup
Ten hours with a guide, transport and a picnic. Kulen ($20), Beng Mealea and the Tonle Sap boat ($15) are paid separately.
Check availability →Kulen Mountain in a small group with a picnic
- Kulen entry
- Guide and driver
- Picnic lunch
Eight hours with a guide and driver, a picnic lunch and the Kulen entry included.
Check availability →
Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea and Kulen Mountain with a picnic
- English-speaking guide
- Picnic lunch
- Hotel pickup
Ten hours with a guide and a picnic lunch. The Kulen pass ($20) and the Angkor Pass ($37) are paid separately.
Check availability →Phnom Kulen tours from Siem Reap
Guided trips to the Kulen waterfall and nearby temples, with live prices and availability.
Phnom Kulen fees and the road up
Prices in US dollars, 2026.
The access fee is around $20 per foreign visitor and is charged on top of any tour price unless your operator says otherwise. Ask what is included before you pay. There is no shared pass with other sites.
The road up is narrow. Vehicles drive up before 11 a.m. and come down after midday. Treat this as a rule to confirm with your driver on the day, not as a fixed schedule. If you start late, you may lose the chance to go up at all.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee | Around $20 per foreign visitor |
| Distance | About 50 km northeast of the Angkor area |
| Drive up | Around 2 hours |
| Timing | Ascent before 11 a.m., confirm with your driver |
| Children | Ask the operator before you book |
For most visitors, a tour with pickup and a driver who knows the road is the simplest option, because the timing rule makes a late start costly.
What to see on the mountain
A river, carvings and a waterfall.
The riverbed carvings
The river runs over stone carved with lingas. These carvings are a sacred sight, so keep to the paths and do not step on the carvings.
The reclining Buddha
A large reclining Buddha lies on the mountain. It is an active religious site, so cover shoulders and knees and speak quietly.
The waterfall
The water falls in several steps. Whether swimming is safe or allowed is not certain, so do not count on lifeguards. Ask locally before you enter the water, and take care on wet rock.
Kbal Spean is a separate stop
Not the same place as the Kulen waterfall.
Kbal Spean lies on the road beyond Banteay Srei and has its own $5 ticket, valid for one day, with hours from 06:00 to 18:30. It is not the Kulen waterfall and not the Kulen riverbed. Do not expect a Kulen ticket to cover it, and do not mix the two when you compare tours.
If you want both, plan them as separate stops with separate fees, and ask each operator what the price includes.
Safety and respect
Keep to marked paths. The US advisory of 15 September 2026 asks for increased caution in Siem Reap province because of unexploded ordnance, and the German Foreign Office advises staying on marked paths at temple sites. Wet stone is slippery, so wear shoes with grip, and do not shelter under large trees in a storm. Do not feed monkeys. Ask before you photograph monks.
Planning your day
Start from Siem Reap early so that you reach the road up before 11 a.m. A tuk-tuk driver is not a guide: a guide costs around $30 per day. Ask your operator whether the Kulen fee, lunch and the stop at the riverbed are included, and agree the return time before you leave.
Bring water, a change of dry clothes if you plan to get near the falls, and cash in small US dollar notes.
Phnom Kulen: frequently asked questions
How much does Phnom Kulen cost?
The access fee is around $20 per foreign visitor in 2026. A tour price on top depends on transport, group size and meals.
Is Phnom Kulen included in the Angkor Pass?
No. It has its own fee. Kbal Spean has its own $5 ticket as well.
How long is the drive?
Around 2 hours up the mountain, about 50 km northeast of the Angkor area. Start early because the road up is used for ascent before 11 a.m.
Can I swim at the waterfall?
Swimming is not guaranteed to be safe or permitted. Ask on site and take care on wet rock.
Is this site official?
No. It is an independent guide with no link to the APSARA National Authority, Angkor Enterprise or any ministry. Confirm fees and access on the day.