Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean Tour from Siem Reap
Private Full-Day Temple and Forest Tour
See the delicate pink sandstone carvings of Banteay Srei, then walk through the forest to the River of a Thousand Lingas at Kbal Spean, with a licensed local guide.
⭐ Licensed Local Guide · 🤝 10+ Years Experience · 🔒 Private Tour, Your Group Only · 🚐 Hotel Pickup Included · 💵 Book Now, Pay on the Day
Overview
Quick answer: This private full-day tour visits five Angkor Pass sites: Banteay Srei, a small temple carved in pink sandstone, and Kbal Spean, a forest river with carvings in the riverbed, then Banteay Samre, Pre Rup and East Mebon on the way back. Expect about nine hours. Choose an air-conditioned car (Lexus SUV), minivan or tuk-tuk. Private tours start at $90 per group.
Banteay Srei is one of the most admired temples around Siem Reap, known for the fine detail of its pink sandstone carvings. Because it is small, it is best seen early, before the tour buses arrive, so this tour visits it first.
From there you drive to the foot of the hill at Kbal Spean and walk uphill through the forest to the River of a Thousand Lingas, where Hindu carvings cover the riverbed and rocks. After lunch at a countryside restaurant, the afternoon moves to the temples east of Angkor: Banteay Samre, the stepped temple mountain of Pre Rup and East Mebon. Your guide, Tivorn, a licensed local guide, explains the carvings and the stories behind them, and because the tour is private, you set the pace.
⏰ Duration
About 9 hours
🕓 Departure
8:00 AM from your Siem Reap hotel
🔒 Tour Type
Private, your group only
🌐 Language
English
Full Itinerary
⏰ 8:00 AM — Hotel Pickup
Pickup in Siem Reap city in your chosen vehicle: air-conditioned car (Lexus SUV), minivan or tuk-tuk. If you still need your Angkor Pass, we stop at the ticket office on the way. The road passes villages and rice fields.
⏰ 9:00 AM — Banteay Srei
Arrive early to see the pink sandstone carvings before the tour buses.
⏰ 10:30 AM — Drive to Kbal Spean
A short drive to the foot of the hill and the start of the trail.
⏰ 11:00 AM — Kbal Spean and the River of a Thousand Lingas
A forest walk uphill, with time at the riverbed carvings.
⏰ 12:45 PM — Lunch
Lunch at a countryside restaurant.
⏰ 2:15 PM — Banteay Samre
A compact temple built in the Angkor Wat style, on the way back toward town.
⏰ 3:15 PM — Pre Rup and East Mebon
Climb the stepped temple mountain of Pre Rup, then see East Mebon, once an island temple, in the softer afternoon light.
⏰ 4:30 PM — Return to Siem Reap
Drive back, with hotel drop-off around 5:00 PM.
Times are for the air-conditioned car. A tuk-tuk is slower, so Tivorn will confirm an earlier pickup if you choose one.
Choose Your Vehicle
Every tour is private, and the vehicle is your choice. Tivorn’s main vehicle is an air-conditioned Lexus SUV. A minivan or a tuk-tuk is available on request.
🚙 Air-Conditioned Car (Lexus SUV)
Tivorn’s main vehicle. Best for couples, families and groups of up to 4 guests.
$110 per group
🚐 Air-Conditioned Minivan
Best for larger groups and families traveling together up to 8 people
$130 per group
🛺 Tuk-Tuk
Open-air and slower, for adventurous travelers who don’t mind a longer ride. Not air-conditioned. It holds up to 3 people.
$90 per group
Private tour from $90 per group
Your group only. The Angkor Pass is not included: it costs US$37 per person for one day, and Tivorn can stop at the ticket office on the way. Book now and pay on the day, with no deposit.
Included / Not Included
✅ Included
✓ Licensed local guide
✓ Hotel pickup & drop-off in Siem Reap city
✓ Your choice of vehicle: air-conditioned car (Lexus SUV), minivan or tuk-tuk
✓ Bottled water
❌ Not Included
✗ Angkor Pass (required for every temple on this tour)
✗ Lunch (paid on the day)
✗ Tips (optional)
What Travelers Say
Tivorn Angkor Guide is rated 5.0 on Tripadvisor. Read what guests say about their mornings at Angkor Wat, in their own words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean, Banteay Samre, Pre Rup and East Mebon are all covered by the Angkor Pass, so you pay nothing extra at the gates. A 1-day pass costs US$37 per person. See our Angkor Wat sunrise guide for pass prices and how to buy online.
About 9 hours, from an 8:00 AM hotel pickup to a drop-off around 5:00 PM. Because the tour is private, you can end earlier by skipping the last temples.
It is a steady uphill walk on forest paths and rock steps. Wear closed shoes and bring water. It suits most fit travelers and older children.
Yes. You travel only with your own group, with your own guide and vehicle, and you set the pace together.
The Lexus SUV, an air-conditioned car, suits most couples, families and groups of up to 4. The minivan suits bigger groups. A tuk-tuk is open-air and slower, and the road to Banteay Srei is long, so a full day in one is hot and tiring; it suits adventurous travelers who bring sun protection. Tell Tivorn your group size and he will recommend the best fit.
Yes. Because the tour is private, Tivorn can swap Banteay Samre, Pre Rup and East Mebon for other temples, such as Ta Prohm, or you can use a 3-day Angkor Pass to spread the sites across days.
Early morning, when the pink stone is soft in the light and the site is quietest. That is why this tour visits Banteay Srei first.
Cover your shoulders and knees at the temples, and wear closed shoes you can walk uphill in at Kbal Spean.
Message Tivorn on WhatsApp with your date and number of guests. You can book now and pay on the day, with no deposit, as set out in our Terms.
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Ready to Explore Banteay Srei and Kbal Spean?
Message Tivorn on WhatsApp to check availability for your dates. Book now and pay on the day.