TOURS

Explore Siem Reap with Babel Hotels

While the Angkor Wat temple complex is iconic, Siem Reap has so much more to offer. We have chosen a range of tours that take you from the famous main temples to the hidden, quiet corners of our province.

Our goal is to help you discover the true heart of Cambodia. Here is how our tour program works:

Our Commitment to Fair Tourism

When you book a tour with us, you are supporting local families. We set our tour prices together with our Tuk Tuk drivers and local staff. These prices ensure our partners earn a proper living wage, which is especially important as we continue to recover from the impact of the pandemic.

We kindly ask you to respect these prices, as they are essential to maintaining the high quality and ethics of our service.

Practical Information

• How to Book: You can book all tours directly at the reception of your hotel (Babel Guesthouse or Babel Boutique Hotel) upon arrival.

• Exceptions: Please note that a few specific tours may require advance booking during peak tourist months; these are clearly marked in the tour descriptions.

• Easy Payment: To make your stay stress-free, most Tuk Tuk tours and recommended activities will be added directly to your room bill. You can settle the total amount conveniently at the end of your stay.

General information Angkor

Temple Entrance Fees

Before you visit the temples, you will need an Angkor Pass. Please purchase this at the official ticket office or online.

• 1-Day Pass: $37

• 3-Day Pass: $62

• 7-Day Pass: $72

Choosing Your Angkor Pass

• 1-Day Pass: Best for a quick visit. This covers the "Iconic Three" (Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm) on a Small Tour.

• 3-Day Pass: Our most popular choice. This gives you enough time to see the main temples and explore the magic of the remote, countryside temples.

  • Important: You do not have to use these days in a row. You have a 7-day window to use your 3 entry days.

• 7-Day Pass: Best for total freedom. This pass is valid for one month. It allows you to take your time and visit the temples at different times of the day to experience the unique light and atmosphere at each location.

Need Advice? Please come and talk to our reception team! We are happy to help you plan your itinerary so you can get the best experience possible.

Our Popular Tuk Tuk Tours

All prices are per Tuk Tuk (not per person).

Each Tuk Tuk can carry a maximum of 4 adults. You can book these at our reception when you arrive.

For a deeper understanding of the Angkor complex and Khmer culture, we highly recommend booking a Certified Temple Guide.

• English-Speaking Guide: $40 (Standard Small/Big Tour) Note: Prices may vary slightly ($40–$50) during peak season or for special requests.

• Specialty Language Guides: Available in French, German, Spanish, Italian, and more. Due to limited availability, please pre-book specialty guides.

Why Book a Babel Guide?

• Certified & Licensed: All our guides are fully qualified and certified by the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism.

• Seamless Logistics: Your guide will meet you at Babel and join you in your tuk-tuk.

• Authentic Storytelling: Beyond just dates and facts about the temples, our guides share insights into daily Khmer life.

• Small Tour: $18 - (maximum 7 hours)

• See the Iconic Three - Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Phrom.

• Big Tour: $18 - (maximum 7 hours)

• Preah Khan, Neak Poan, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Banteay Kdei.

• This tour does not include the Iconic Three

• Full Day Tour: $28 - (maximum 10 hours)

• A combination of the Small and Big Tour

Flexibility & Extra Time

We want you to enjoy your experience at your own pace. While we have set standard durations for our tours—7 hours for the Small and Big circuits, and 10 hours for the Full Day tour—you are welcome to make your tour shorter or longer based on your preference.

• Need more time? If you wish to extend your tour beyond the standard hours, we are happy to arrange that. An additional fee of $5 USD will be added to your bill to cover the driver's extra time.

• Shorter tours? No problem at all! You can finish your tour whenever you are ready.

Have a look at our video from a tour to Angkor Wat

Add-ons

The Cambodian sun can be intense! Many guests prefer to explore in the morning, return to Babel for a swim or lunch, and head back out in the afternoon.

• Return to town for a break: Add $10 * (Covers the extra 15–20km of driving and additional fuel for the round trip).

• Sunrise OR Sunset: Add $5

• Sunset 0r Sunrise ONLY:$10 total

  (Direct transfer to temple and back to Babel).

Outlying Temples & Hidden Gems

While the main temple area is famous, the outlying temples offer a quieter, more unique experience. These tours take you a bit further into the countryside to see a different side of Cambodia.

Our Outlying Temple Tours

All prices are per Tuk Tuk (not per person).

• Banteay Srey: $30

• A beautiful, small temple made of red sandstone with the most detailed carvings in the region. The walls are covered with some of the most beautiful carvings of any Angkorian temple. Tip: Catch the soft afternoon glow on these remarkably detailed temple carvings for an even more magical experience.

• Banteay Srey & Kbal Spean: $35

• A mix of culture and nature. Visit the temple, then enjoy a 2 km walk up a jungle path to see ancient carvings in the riverbed.

• Note: Banteay Srey is located north of the main temple area and is included in your Angkor Pass. Kbal Spean is also covered by the Angkor Pass, with no separate tickets available. Please note that Kbal Spean closes after 3:00 pm.

• Best time for Kbal Spean: We recommend visiting between September and January for the best experience.

Insider Tip:

Want to maximize your day? Add Banteay Srey to your Big or Small Tour for a total of only $35! This is a fantastic way to see the main sights and the beautiful red sandstone temple in one trip.

Recommended Stops (On the way to Banteay Srey Temple)

While you are in the Banteay Srey area, there are two wonderful places located along the main road that we highly recommend visiting. They are only 5 minutes apart, so it is easy to see both in one trip.

• Banteay Srey Butterfly Centre: A beautiful conservation project where you can walk through a large netted garden filled with thousands of native Cambodian butterflies.

  • Traveling with young kids? This is a favorite among our guests with children. Not only does it offer a refreshing break from the temples, but the lovely garden also provides plenty of shade, nature, and a cozy little cafe for parents to relax while the kids explore.

• The Landmine Museum: This museum offers a deep and important insight into Cambodia’s history. You will learn about the history of landmines in the country, how they work, and the impact they have had on local communities. It is a very educational experience that provides a better understanding of Cambodia's past and present.

More Outlying Temples: Beng Mealea & Roluos

Escape the crowds and discover the origins of the Khmer Empire

• Price: $40 (Tuk Tuk)

• Duration: Full Day (Approx. 6–8 hours)

• Best Time to Visit: Arrive at 7:00 AM for a crowd-free experience.

• Beng Mealea is one of the few temples where you can pay a separate entrance fee ($10) without holding an Angkor Pass.

The Great Lake of Tonle Sap

Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of the richest fishing lakes in the world. What makes this lake truly unique is how dramatically it changes between the wet and dry seasons. In the wet season, it swells to around 12,000 km², while in the dry season it shrinks to about 2,500 km². Water levels rise by 8–10 meters between seasons, transforming the entire landscape.

Chong Khneas Floating Village

Chong Khneas is the most accessible floating community on the Tonle Sap. While it has become heavily commercialized and can feel "touristy" to some, it remains a fascinating look at a resilient community living in harmony with the lake's rising and falling tides.

• Tuk Tuk Transfer: $15 round trip

• Bonus Stop – The Lotus Fields: Ask your driver to stop at the beautiful lotus fields on the way. It’s a perfect spot for photos, a refreshing drink, and a quiet moment away from the crowds.

• Sunset Experience: We highly recommend a late afternoon trip to watch the sunset over the horizon of the lake.

Kampong Phluk: The Stilted Village & Flooded Forest

Kampong Phluk is a village about 25 km east of Siem Reap. It is famous for its very tall houses built on bamboo poles (stilts). This village is different because the houses do not float; they stay high above the water.

Kampong Phluk is a leader in keeping the Tonle Sap clean. Local people, like our friend Sea Sophal, have started great recycling programs to pick up plastic and protect the nature here.

• Tuk Tuk Transfer: $18 round trip

• Community Boat Ticket: Generally $20 – $27 per person.

  • Note: Fees are managed by the local community cooperative. Babel does not control these rates, and they may vary based on group size or season.

• Optional Canoe Ride: Approx. $5 per person (Highly recommended during the wet season for exploring the mangroves).

  Inside tip!

  • Walk with your Driver: Ask your Babel driver to show you the main paths and the pagoda. It’s a great, informal way to see the village through a local’s eyes.

  • Book a Certified Guide: For a deeper dive into the "fish-economy" and history, hire an expert guide to join you and answer all your detailed questions.

    Kampong Khleang: The Authentic Giant

    Looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience? Located 50km from Siem Reap, this is the largest community on the lake (10,000+ residents) and offers a raw, non-touristy look at Cambodian life.

    Why visit?

    Scale: Massive stilted houses reaching up to 10 meters high.

    Authenticity: A bustling community focused on fishing and trade.

    Eco-Friendly: A proud partner of the NGO2 BambooShoot Foundation waste management program. Note: Does not include a flooded forest.

    Tuk Tuk: $40 | Car: $60 (Round trip)

    Boat Tickets: ~$20–$27 per person (Set by the local community).

    Let us handle the details! We offer a half-day private tour with a minivan, professional guide, and refreshments. (Please book at least 2 days in advance).

Is it worth going during the dry season?

The experience at Kampong Phluk changes entirely depending on when you visit:

The Wet Season (August – December): The village is flooded, and houses appear to float. This is the peak time to visit the "Flooded Forest." You can take a small canoe through the submerged mangrove trees—a truly meditative experience.

The Dry Season (January – July): The water recedes, revealing the massive 6–10 meter bamboo stilts that support the houses. You can walk through the village streets that were underwater months prior, offering a unique architectural perspective.

Important: Travel Safety & Ethical Visiting

At Babel Hotels, we want your visit to the Tonle Sap lake to be meaningful and respectful. Unfortunately, some areas have become known for tourist scams.

Avoiding the Scams

If a boat driver or local guide suggests stopping at a floating school to buy "schoolbooks, rice, or noodles" for the children: Please politely decline.

• The Reality: These "schools" are often set up purely for tourism. The supplies you buy are frequently returned to the shop and resold once you leave.

• The Children: The children are often brought to these locations by recruiters rather than attending their actual village schools.

• How to help instead: If you wish to support local education, we can recommend verified NGOs or community-led projects like the BambooShoot Foundation that ensure 100% of your donation reaches those in need.

The Tara Riverboat Sunset Tour

The Most Popular Experience on the Tonle Sap

For a stress-free and ethical way to see the lake, we highly recommend the sunset tour aboard the Queen Tara. This 100-year-old former cargo vessel has been beautifully restored into the lake’s largest and most comfortable floating restaurant.

Tour Pricing

• Price:$38 per person (All-inclusive)

• Includes: English-speaking guide, a light and refreshing local dinner buffet (vegan and vegetarian options available), unlimited open bar (beer, soft drinks, spirits), and round-trip transfers.

What to Expect

• Hotel Pickup: A friendly, knowledgeable guide will pick you up from Babel in a comfortable minivan.

• The Scenic Route: Your journey to the lake passes through lush rice paddies and blooming lotus fields.

• Exploring the Villages: Before boarding the Queen Tara, you will explore the floating villages and mangrove forests in a smaller boat to get a closer look at local life.

• Sunset on Deck: Relax on the expansive top deck of the Tara. As a 100% solar-powered vessel, you can enjoy the "golden hour" in peace, without the noise or fumes of a diesel generator.

• Dinner and Drinks: Enjoy a freshly prepared buffet dinner meal and cold drinks as the sky turns to fire over the "Great Lake." It is the perfect, quiet escape from the city’s heat.

You can book your sunset tour directly with our reception staff.

Tours in and around Siem Reap

The Babel Village Tour

A Local Family Experience

This isn't a standard tour—it is an invitation into our community. Created and hosted by our own Tuk Tuk drivers, this trip takes you away from the crowds and into the heart of rural life.

The Local Market

Every morning the village market is full of life. Your driver will show you how rural families shop and eat:

• Seasonal Flavors: Discover the fresh fruits, vegetables, and local meats available right now. Your driver will explain why "village-fresh" food tastes so different.

• Unique Local Tastes: Explore the snacks and specialties that make Cambodian cuisine famous—from sweet treats to more adventurous bites.

• Traditional Wisdom: Learn how families use natural methods to preserve food and keep traditions alive in the modern world.

The Village Pagoda

Visit the local temple, the "Safe Haven" of the community. Your driver will explain how this peaceful place supports everyone in the village.

A Living Grocery Store

Visit their family home surrounded by food. Walk through gardens of Jackfruit, Coconut, and Bananas, and learn the difference between "Light Rice" and "Heavy Rice" seasons.

Dining with the Family (Our Favorite Part!)

For a small fee, enjoy an amazing traditional meal prepared by the family.

• Get Involved: You are welcome to help cook and ask questions!

• Family Friendly: This is perfect for guests with kids. The village children love meeting new friends and practicing their English.

• Dietary Needs: Please tell our reception if you are vegetarian or have allergies.

Tour Pricing

Prices are the total for your whole group:

• 1 Person: $25

• 2 People: $35

• 3+ People: $40 (Includes Tuk Tuk transport, your driver/guide, and the village experience. The family meal is a small additional cost.)

The Lotus Silk Farm

An Eco-Tourism Gem

Discover the world’s most sustainable textile at the Samatoa Lotus Silk Farm. Since 2003, this heartwarming initiative has empowered local women by transforming the sacred lotus flower into rare, luxurious silk using ancient Cambodian techniques.

A 30-minute immersive journey through heritage craftsmanship.

• Price:$5 (Adults) | Free (Children under 12)

• Departures: Every 30 minutes (English & French)

• Includes:

  • Professional Guided Tour: See the entire lotus silk production process.

  • Tea Ceremony: Enjoy a traditional lotus tea tasting.

  • Educational Presentation: Learn about the social impact and heritage of the farm.

  Recommended Add-on: Lotus Boat Excursion

Duration: 30 Minutes | Price:$10 per person Go beyond the workshop with an authentic boat trip through the blooming lotus cultivation areas. It is the best way to see the beauty of the flower in its natural habitat and take incredible photos.

Your Afternoon Escape

Travel with one of our Babel Tuk Tuk drivers into the peaceful countryside to one of our favorite local farms.

• Relax & Unwind: You can choose to spend the afternoon in a private bamboo bungalow overlooking the fields. It is the perfect spot for a cold drink, some local food, or a quiet nap in the breeze.

• Flexible Timing: You choose when to go! Stay for an hour or spend the whole afternoon "chilling" in nature.

• Tuk Tuk Transfer: $12 total (Round trip from Babel).

• Lunch & Drinks: Not included in the price (available to purchase).

Kids love this afternoon trip!

WEST BARAY 

West Baray is a rectangular shaped reservoir from the Angkor Wat period. Measuring approximately 7,8 by 2,1 kilometers, this is the largest man made lake in Angkor. It is impressive considering it is build by hand.  

This is a very popular destination for locals to hang out and have picnic with their friends and families, especially on Sundays. Rent a small bamboo hut with hammocks, relax and enjoy the happiness of people playing in the water. Food stalls are available, where you can taste local fresh fruit, coconuts, chicken, fish, frogs – you name it!

Tuk Tuk to West Baray - $13  

ANGKOR BALLOON

(Temporary closed as of February 2025)

You don’t need a drone to take amazing aerial shots of Angkor Wat! Instead, experience Angkor from above with Angkor Balloon, a tethered helium balloon that ascends to approximately 120m for a bird´s eye-view over Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, West Baray and this characteristic Kingdom of Wonders countryside landscape with its rice fields and sugar palm trees. 

Located just 10 minutes drive from Siem Reap airport - ask us about the price of Tuk Tuk.  

Adult - $15 

Children under 12 years old - $7

Children under 5 free. 

– temple pass not needed - 

PHNOM KUHLEN  

Located 50 km from Siem Reap this is the place where the 500 year long Age of Angkor began. The mountain contains several minor ruins, an active pagoda, the river of thousand lingas and a beautiful waterfall. Phnom Kulen is not only a historical site and one of the most holy places for Khmers, but also a very beautiful place for a refreshing day tour. The waterfall is accessible for a cooling dip on a warm day, and it´s also a great picnic spot, well set up in Cambodian style with hammocks and shelters to keep you shaded from the sun. 

Practical information - Phnom Kulen

• In Cambodian culture people dress conservatively even whilst swimming. Keep your shorts and t-shirt on. No bikinis or speedos please!

• It´s around 1.5-2 hours drive from Siem Reap. You need to go early, as the road in one-way traffic only.

A day tour to Phnom Kulen is $65 pr taxi. Trekking with a guide is also possible. Come and talk with us for more info.

Phnom Kulen is within the Kulen National Park, which requires a separate ticket to the Angkor Archaeological Park – $20.

ANGKOR ZIP LINE

In the deep jungle of the majestic temples of Angkor, prepare to soar on ziplines, traverse suspended sky bridges, abseil from towering trees, be amazed by the majesty and magic of the rainforest and fly like never before!

A team of experts, with over 20 years of experience, have constructed a thrilling and safe eco-adventure incorporating the jungle´s natural features while protecting its towering trees, exotic flowers, fauna and native wildlife.

Kids above 100 cm can enjoy this when accompanied by an adult

– temple pass not needed -

Come and talk with us about prices.

KULEN ELEPHANT FOREST  

The elephants of Angkor will never carry tourists again! From 2020 all the elephants that used to have long tough days carrying tourists around in the hot temples were moved to Kulen forest. Here they can now roam and socialize unburdened, within 530 acres of lush forest. 

Experience the daily life of the elephants and spend your time observing them as they enjoy their natural surroundings. You get to interact with the elephants while feeding them, and you get to walk with them into the forest and witness how they choose to spend their time.  

Come and talk with us about prices.

OBS! This tour sells out quickly in high season! Please send us an email to reserve your spot if you are interested in this trip.

REMOTE TEMPLES

Do you have some extra time? And are you looking for something very different? Read this!

Thanks to a network of new roads, very remote temples can now be reached in relative ease by Taxi. We have reliable Taxi drivers at Babel Guesthouse who can gladly take you to temples like Preah Viaher, Koh Ker or Prei Kuk.

Preah Viaher is an ancient Hindu temple that is situated on top of a 525-metre cliff. You will be blown away by the breath-taking view over both Cambodia and Thailand from the temple. A trip to Preah Viaher can be combined with a visit to beautiful Koh Ker on the way back to Babel. Leave early, as it´s around three hours one way to get to this magical temple.

Deep in the jungle in Kampong Thom province you´ll find the stunning temples of Sambor Prei Kuk. You are at one with nature, as you walk peacefully around - very few tourists visit these temples. The Prei Kuk temples are our absolute favourite temples, and we can strongly recommend you to visit.

Preah Viaher Tour $120 (per Taxi)

Preah Viaher + Koh Ker Tour $140 (per Taxi)

Prei Kuk Tour $120 (per Taxi)

Please double check the taxi prices with us.

DIRT BIKE TOURS

Are you really adventurous and tough, and want to see far away temples, villages and waterfalls where almost no tourists visit? Then Hidden Cambodia is a great option for you.

Established in year 2000, Hidden Cambodia is the first dirt bike company of its kind in Cambodia. Almost two decades of doing dirt bike tours, they know so many hidden places that you wouldn’t see on normal tours. The local guides are very experienced riders, so you can count on them to bring you to fun places to ride. They make sure to take care of you and meet your level, whether you are riding for the first time or not.

Hidden Cambodia specializes in tailor made tours to rural areas, jungle, forest, mountains, down hill, up hill, rocky roads, remote temples in the middle of the jungle, and remote temples on mountain hills.

The two most popular tours are to the jungle temple Koh Ker and a tour to kulen mountain.

Koh ker tour – $100

Kulen mountain tour – $130 (plus entrance fee for the mountain - $20)

They also tailor make tours to remote temples.

QUAD BIKE TOURS

The quad bikes are specially designed off road vehicles that cope with all kind of terrain. After clear instructions and practice, you will go for an unforgettable off road experience amongst rice fields and traditional villages. Their guides will show the way.

TRADITIONAL APSARA DANCING

This beautiful dance has been a part of Khmer culture for well more than a millennium. The dances are better described as dance-dramas as they also convey a story or message. This dance form is an important piece of Khmer cultural heritage. It was almost destroyed during the Khmer Rouge regime, but over the last two decades it has seen a great revival.

PHARE - THE CAMBODIAN CIRCUS

NO ANIMALS INVOLVED

This is Siem Reap´s top rated evening entertainment. They have long been no 1 on TripAdvisor, and there is a reason for that. More than just a circus, Phare shows are unlike any in the world: dance, theater, original live music and breathtaking circus arts are used to tell uniquely Cambodian stories from recent history, folklore and modern society. The young artists will astonish you with their energy, emotion, enthusiasm and talent.

We can REALLY recommend this for families with children, but no matter what age - EVERYONE loves these shows!

OBS! This show sells out quickly in high season! Please send us an email to reserve your seats if you are interested in seeing this show.

COOKING CLASS

Want to learn how to cook Khmer food yourself?

Start the day with a guided tour of a local Cambodian market. Learn all about the colourful produce, amazing fruits and typically Cambodian ingredients. From the marked you head out to the countryside for your hands on interactive class. Led by fantastic chefs, you´ll learn how to cook three delicious Cambodian dishes that you will be able to re-create back home.

You can choose to do a Normal cooking class or Just dessert cooking class. Each participant has his or her own cooking station and equipment. Both classes will last about 3 hours. 

$32 per person.

APOPO - HERO RATS

Not far from the city center of Siem Reap is Apopo´s Visitor Center. This center gives you the chance to discover the history of conflict in Cambodia, the impact of landmines on local communities, and the opportunity to meet and see the HeroRATs in action.

They have designed and build a demonstration area where the HeroRATs will sniff out buried items, scratch the surface to indicate they´ve found something to trainers and of course receive a tasty treat as a reward.

SIEM REAP HAS SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER!

Pottery class, basket knitting, jewelry making, ferris wheel, trick ark museum, butterfly cetre, wake park, minigolf, playgrounds...  and a lot more!

Come talk to us at the reception for the up to date offers!