Battambang Day Trip from Siem Reap-Bamboo Train, Bats Cave
Description
Escape the busy streets of Siem Reap with a private or small-group day tour to Battambang, just three hours away. As Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang offers an authentic, laid-back atmosphere with fewer tourists. Explore key attractions such as the ancient Ek Phnom Temple, a traditional rice paper-making factory, and Psa Nat market. Admire colonial architecture at the Governor’s residence and take a thrilling ride on the famous bamboo train through scenic countryside and villages. End your journey at Phnom Sampeau, where you can witness millions of bats soaring from the cave at sunset.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will get picked up from your hotel in Siem Reap and leaving for Battambang. The journey takes approximately 3 hours to Battambang city.
Situated about 10 km north of the Cobra Bridge are the ruins of Ek Phnom. It was built during the Bayon period and unfortunately is much worse for the wear than Phnom Banan. It's an interesting place, however, because there is a freshly constructed working temple right in front of the ruins. This temple, along with the temple ruins, is the center of holiday festivities for the people of the nearby village. They dress up in their Sunday best and have a celebration between the old and the new temples and climb all around the ruins with their families. The ruins are on a very small hill so there is no workout involved in viewing them much of the temple is in shambles and was heavily looted. There are still some sitting Buddha images intact higher up on the walls. On the inside is a carving of a tug-of-war with participants tugging away on a serpent. The participants on the left have lost their heads to looters (they lost face), with the guys on the right still having their heads intact.
Battambang is a provincial capital of Battambang province which is the second biggest town of Cambodia. However it still has a very local, untouristed, provincial atmosphere. You will stroll around the city to visit: - Rice Paper Local Factory - Psa Nat, the local market - The old colonial buildings of the Governor’s residence - Experience the Bamboo Train Riding - Old colonial building along the Sangke River
At Phnom Sompov (Sompov Mountain), sit back and relax to watch millions of bats leave the cave during the beautiful sunset.
We leave Battambang for Siem Reap after sunset and the journey will take about 3 hours, arrival and drop off at your hotel in Siem Reap. Ends of services
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
• Small Group Tour, departs at 7:30 am, so pickup is variable between 7:30-8 am. So please be ready from 7:30 until pickup. • Private tour, we pick up from your hotel at the chosen departure time, so please ready 10 mn before pickup.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
- Seats are assigned on departure day and will not be known in advance of the travel date
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Reviews(51)
Bamboo train was kind of funny. Not exactly a comfortable ride. Noisy and bumpy. The bat cave was heavily visited. Just to see the thousands of bats you have to have very good eyes or a camera that magnifies greatly. Telescope maybe? Was otherwise a nice event. Hundreds of tourists, good beers and another stream of bats into the bargain. With a little imagination you could see them clearly.
Great tour with our guide San and Phearom! Our guide was really there for us all the time - thanks and best recommendations!
We had a wonderful time with Vantha! We had an authentic experience of Battambang and loved the experience. We especially enjoyed riding the bamboo train and watching the bats come out of the caves.
An awesome tour! Great road trip, with sights along the way. Comfortable vehicle. Rom was an excellent driver and Bunrong was a great guide. Lots of information and experiences along the way. I highly recommend this excursion!
Experienced a fantastic day out in Battambang and beyond. What a beautiful day we had, great weather all whilst being treated like close family by our wonderfully generous guides Phirom and San. The tour offers some unique and fun moments and a deeper dive into the Khmer culture. Highly recommend.
San & Phirom were phenomenal! My dad and I had a private tour around Battambang! Everything was so well timed and we never felt too rushed or bored. Top notch service and if you’re lucky to get them be ready for a full day of adventures!
This was an interesting full-day trip. The guide, Mr Bun Rong, was very good with information and tended to our every need. The driver, Mr Mom, was punctual and drove safely and well. We enjoyed the day.
We had a wonderful day with our tour guide San and driver Channa. We booked a small group tour but somehow it ended up being a private tour. We really enjoyed the rice paper factory and bamboo train.
My wife and I had the greatest day. Vantha our guide and the driver made sure we had the best trip. The itinerary was good and Vanthas expert knowledge of Cambodian history, mythology and culture made the day truly memorable. We couldn’t have been looked after any better!!
Bun is an amazing guide who helped me feel the culture of Siem Reap carrying me from one temple to another, and then there was a spectacular one-day to Kulen Mountain and a local dinner!
