Full Day Koh Ker and Beng Mealea Birding Tour

This tour combines Cambodia's most important birding sites with conservation-based tourism, maximizing your chances of seeing your target species.

Koh Ker is a remote archaeological site in northern Cambodia, located about 120 kilometres from Siem Reap. It contains more than 180 sanctuaries within a protected area of approximately 81 square kilometres. Only around two dozen monuments are accessible to visitors, as most sanctuaries remain hidden within the forest. Koh Ker is situated in dry dipterocarp forest with areas of semi-evergreen forest, providing excellent habitat for wildlife. Notable bird species here include eight species of woodpeckers, Rufous-winged Buzzard, White-rumped Pygmy Falcon, and Collared Falconet.

Beng Mealea ("Lotus Pond") is an Angkor-period temple located about 40 kilometres east of the main Angkor temple complex. Originally built as a Hindu temple with later Buddhist carvings, it remains largely unrestored, with trees and dense vegetation growing among its towers and courtyards. The surrounding semi-evergreen forest offers excellent birding opportunities, including the chance to see migrant species such as Hainan Blue Flycatcher and White-throated Rock Thrush.

Best Season: November to April (Peak: January–March) — best time slot for birding and bird photography. Tours available year-round.

Bird species you may encounter: White-Rumped Pygmy Falcon, Rufous-winged Buzzard, Crested Serpent Eagle, Red-breasted Parakeet, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Brown Prinia, Rufescent Prinia, Small Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, Indochinese Cuckooshrike, Ashy Drongo, Black-hooded Oriole, Sooty-headed Bulbul, Purple Sunbird, Asian Green Bee-eater, Indochinese Roller, Hainan Blue Flycatcher, White-throated Rock Thrush, Collared Falconet.

Tour highlights: White-Rumped Pygmy Falcon, 8 woodpecker species, remote temples, forest birding, temple exploration, and Beng Mealea ruins.

Tour Duration: Approximately 12 hours (full day)