Siem Reap day trip

The Banteay Srei Road, one perfect day north of Siem Reap.

Four unforgettable stops on a single road: the jungle carvings of Kbal Spean, the pink-sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, the Cambodia Landmine Museum, and a garden full of butterflies. Here’s how to string them together — and why the museum’s $7 ticket is the most meaningful seven dollars you’ll spend in Cambodia.

4 stopsOne road, one day
~50 kmFurthest point out
$7Landmine Museum ticket
100%Of it funds programs

The itinerary

Drive furthest first, then work your way home.

If you’re planning your trip to Siem Reap and looking for things to do beyond Angkor Wat, this is the easiest day trip from Siem Reap to organise. Beat the heat and the crowds by heading straight for Kbal Spean in the cool of the morning, then stopping at each site on the road back toward town. All four attractions sit on the same 40-minute road north of Siem Reap — no backtracking, one tuk-tuk, one unforgettable day.

01 ~50 km · 60–90 min

Kbal Spean

The River of a Thousand Lingas.

A shaded 1.5 km jungle trek climbs to a stretch of river where 11th-century artisans carved the sandstone riverbed itself — lingas, Hindu deities and animals worn smooth by the current, ending at a small waterfall. Go early: the walk is cool in the morning and gloriously quiet before the tour buses reach the temples. No Angkor Pass? You can buy a $5 single-site ticket for Kbal Spean on its own at the entrance.

Angkor Pass covers entry
Or $5 Kbal Spean-only ticket
1.5 km uphill walk
02 ~32 km · 45–60 min

Banteay Srei

The jewel of Khmer art.

Built in 967 AD and dedicated to Shiva, Banteay Srei — the “Citadel of Women” — is cut from rose-pink sandstone that glows in low sun. Its miniature scale and impossibly deep, intricate carving are widely considered the finest in the entire Angkor complex. Come mid-morning after Kbal Spean, or late afternoon for the warmest colour.

Angkor Pass covers entry
~45 min visit
Golden hour glows pink
03 ~25 km · 45–60 min
Inside the Cambodia Landmine Museum near Banteay Srei
Cambodia Landmine Museum

One man’s mission, a $7 ticket.

Right on the road back, the museum tells the story of Aki Ra — a former child soldier who has cleared tens of thousands of mines by hand and now cares for children affected by them. Entry is just US$7, and every cent funds demining, mine-risk education, and the children’s home next door. It’s the most affordable — and most moving — stop of the day.

$7 entry · 100% to programs
Under 10s free
Open daily 7:30–17:30
04 ~25 km · 30–45 min

Banteay Srei Butterfly Centre

A gentle way to end the day.

Just minutes from the museum, this netted tropical garden is one of Southeast Asia’s largest butterfly enclosures — a community-run project where hundreds of native Cambodian butterflies drift among the flowers. A calm, kid-friendly finish before the drive back to town.

~$5 entry
Community project
Great for families

$7
The most meaningful stop

A $7 ticket that clears the ground you’re standing on.

Of the four tickets on this route, only one puts your money straight to work. Every $7 admission to the Cambodia Landmine Museum funds mine clearance, safety education in rural villages, and a home and schooling for children affected by the war.

100% to programs · No government funding · Founded by Aki Ra



Add a donation

Good to know

Plan the day right.

01

Hire for the day

A tuk-tuk runs roughly $25–30 for the full loop; a car with air-con about $45–55. Agree the route — Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei, Landmine Museum, Butterfly Centre — before you set off.

02

Bring your Angkor Pass

You’ll need it for Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei. The Landmine Museum and Butterfly Centre are separate small tickets, cash in US dollars or riel.

03

Pack for the trek

Kbal Spean means a real walk — closed shoes, water, and mosquito repellent. Start early to beat the midday heat and reach the temples before the crowds.

Planning questions

Frequently asked questions.

How much is the Cambodia Landmine Museum entrance fee?

Entry is just US$7, and 100% of it funds demining, mine-risk education, and the children’s relief programs. Children under 10 enter free.

What’s the best order to visit Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei and the Landmine Museum?

Drive furthest first: start at Kbal Spean (about 50 km out) in the cool morning, then work back to Banteay Srei temple, the Cambodia Landmine Museum, and the Butterfly Centre — all on the same road home.

Do I need the Angkor Pass for this day trip?

Kbal Spean and Banteay Srei temple are covered by your Angkor Pass. If you don’t have one, you can buy a $5 single-site ticket for Kbal Spean on its own at the entrance. The Landmine Museum ($7) and the Butterfly Centre (about $5) charge their own separate tickets, paid in cash.

How long does the whole route take?

Budget a full day if you include Kbal Spean’s 1.5 km jungle trek, or a relaxed half day for Banteay Srei, the Landmine Museum, and the Butterfly Centre alone.

What are the best things to do in Siem Reap besides Angkor Wat?

This Banteay Srei Road day trip is one of the best — it links four attractions on one road: Kbal Spean, Banteay Srei temple, the Cambodia Landmine Museum, and the Butterfly Centre. It’s a perfect second-day itinerary when you’ve already seen the main Angkor temples.

How do I get from Siem Reap to Banteay Srei?

Banteay Srei is about 32 km / 45 minutes north of Siem Reap. Most visitors hire a tuk-tuk for the day (roughly $25–30) or an air-conditioned car (about $45–55) to cover the whole loop — agree the route before you set off.

When is the best time to visit?

Start early — leave Siem Reap by 7–8 am to walk Kbal Spean in the cool morning and reach the temples before the crowds. Late afternoon light turns Banteay Srei’s sandstone a deep rose-pink.