2 Days-Taste of Battambang and Bamboo train from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh

Getting away as a group tour or private like local on public bus from Siem Reap or Phnom Penh for 2 days to Battambang Province, Battambang  is a provincial capital of Battambang province and is the second biggest town of Cambodia. However it still has a very local, untouristed, provincial atmosphere. You will stroll around the city to see the old colonial buildings of the Governor’s residence, the small museum. A real life experience on the bamboo train will bring you through countryside and local villages and catch a local taxi back to Siem Reap.

Day 1 – Siem Reap / Phnom Penh to Battambang by public bus

Pickup at 7 am from your hotel and then transfer to bus station in Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. The bus to Battamang takes about 4-5 hours. At arrival in Battambang and after check in at the hotel, we will go for lunch at the local restaurant on your own account.  

Battambang is the provincial capital of Battambang province and is the second biggest town of Cambodia. However it still has a very local, untouristed, provincial atmosphere. In the afternoon, we will stroll around the city to see the old colonial buildings, such as the Governor’s residence, the small museum which hosts some interesting pieces such as some carved lintels coming from the surrounding temples and some stone or wooden Buddha statues and Wat Kampheng, a colorful temple in a peaceful garden. Then, we will drive 11 km along the Sang Ker River to Wat Ek Phnom temple (built by Suryavarman I in the 11th century). Then we take you back to your hotel after tour.

Day 2 – Battambang to Siem Reap by overland

Breakfast at the hotel, then we will drive 18 km to  to Phnom Bannon hill and climb the 337 steps to reach the top (20 minutes climbing). There, we will visit the 12th century's Prasat Bannon temple and enjoy another outstanding view over the surrounding plains. We will continue to the natural cave located down the hill. After a 15 minutes’ walk through banana plantations and forest, we will get the cave of the holy water. The "Kouhea Preah Toeuk" still hosts some Buddha statues brought by locals in this immense natural room. A real life experience on the bamboo train will bring us back to Battambang where we will have some time to relax and having lunch (own account) before taking a private local taxi back to Siem Reap and taking a share taxi/public bus back to Phnom Penh.