Full Day Underwater River Angkor Era Sculptures Of Kbal Spean

General information

Destination	Category
Siem Reap, Cambodia	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

Discover the incredible riverbed carvings of Kbal Spean, known as ”The River of a Thousand Lingas”. In the middle of the jungle, sculptures of “lingas”, symbols of the Hindu god Shiva, seem to emerge from the flowing river. The tour is offered after the monsoon season when the water level dips allowing visitors the best views of this natural art museum. From the entrance, we’ll stroll for a half-hour along a shaded path to reach this hidden marvel. We’ll follow the river gazing at these artistic masterpieces created by monastic hermits beginning in the 11th century. They created these sculptures to honor the gods whom they believed would purify and fertilize the river’s water that was essential for nearby rice fields. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch and continue our journey that will allow us to admire not only the lingas but carvings of cows, frogs and the Hindu gods Brahma, Rama, Vishnu and others. Marvel at man’s creativity and ingenuity alongside the beauty of Mother Nature. Few tourists have traipsed to this archeological site. An ethnologist with the help of a hermit discovered the carvings in 1969. Kbal Spean was opened to the public twenty years later. This tour includes a stop at Banteay Srei, the 10th century temple with intricate bas-relief carvings that honor the deity Shiva.

Meeting/ Pick up point: Lobby of Hotels in Siem Reap
Start or opening time: 8am.
End or closing time: 2pm.
Languages: English.