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Khmer Water Blessing: Cambodian Spirituality Tour
5.0
13 Ratings
Siem Reap
Immerse in Cambodian culture with a Khmer water blessing by a monk and a serene lotus farm visit in Siem Reap.
Immerse in Cambodian culture with a Khmer water blessing by a monk and a serene lotus farm visit in Siem Reap.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Siem Reap - Hotel pick-up is available. The guide and driver will meet you at your hotel. The exact pick-up time will vary based on your location.
- Royal Residence - After picking you up from your hotel, the local guide will escort you to the Royal Residence and its spiritual house “Phreah Ang Chek, Phreah Ang Chom.” You will receive a…
- Siem Reap - Hotel pick-up is available. The guide and driver will meet you at your hotel. The exact pick-up time will vary based on your location.
- Royal Residence - After picking you up from your hotel, the local guide will escort you to the Royal Residence and its spiritual house “Phreah Ang Chek, Phreah Ang Chom.” You will receive a detailed tour of the site, and the local guide will explain how locals visit the spiritual house for fortune telling and grief counseling. The Royal Residence, with its spiritual house, is regarded as one of the most significant and sacred places for people in Siem Reap, renowned throughout Cambodia.
- Psar Chaa - Old Market - Meet the owner of one of the famous fried banana businesses in Siem Reap town, which has been operating for over 20 years. Enjoy tasting delicious fried banana and sweet potato as the first snack of this tour.
- 7RXQ+8M - The next stop is the lotus farm. Along the way, you will see the lotus fields lining the road to Tonle Sap Lake. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the lotus ponds while the local guide explains the farming and harvesting methods. Cambodians utilize every part of the flower, and lotus is often used in religious decorations and offerings. The edible parts of the plant—the roots, stems, and seeds—are commonly used in Cambodian cuisine. Even a unique type of silk is crafted from lotus fiber. You will also have the opportunity to pick some lotus flowers to prepare for the traditional water blessing ceremony at the temple.
- Wat Po Banteaychey - Before the water blessing, you will learn more about Buddhist beliefs, the role and structure of a local temple, and activities at the temple. Before preparing for the traditional water blessing, you will have the unique chance to speak with a monk at the pagoda and hear his personal stories. This is your opportunity to ask any questions related to Buddhism and Cambodian traditional beliefs. After the monk shares some wisdom, incense sticks and candles will be presented to the monk. A bright red symbolic bracelet will be given to you as a gift for a peaceful life and to remain blessed following the monk’s blessing. You can offer prayers for anything you wish, including good fortune, safe travel, and a long and happy life.
PLEASE NOTE: During the water blessing, you will get completely wet, so be sure to bring a towel and clothes to change into.
- Siem Reap - After the blessing, please change your clothes and prepare to explore the pagoda area. Feel free to ask the guide any additional questions you may have—they are there to help you. Afterward, the tour will conclude, and you’ll be taken back to your hotel or the city center if you prefer.
What's Included
- Lotus farm entrance fee
- Local English-speaking tour guide
- Cold water and local snacks
- Transportation with Remork (Tuk Tuk)
- Monk offering and donations
- Lotus farm entrance fee
- Local English-speaking tour guide
- Cold water and local snacks
- Transportation with Remork (Tuk Tuk)
- Monk offering and donations
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Personal Expenses
- Gratuities
- Personal Expenses
Additional Information
Experience the rich spirituality and culture of Cambodia by attending a traditional Khmer water blessing in Siem Reap. This unique opportunity allows participants to engage in a traditional ritual where a monk chants and sprinkles or pours holy water over them. Participants can wish for good fortune, happiness, or health. Alongside learning about…
Experience the rich spirituality and culture of Cambodia by attending a traditional Khmer water blessing in Siem Reap. This unique opportunity allows participants to engage in a traditional ritual where a monk chants and sprinkles or pours holy water over them. Participants can wish for good fortune, happiness, or health. Alongside learning about Buddhist religion and Cambodian beliefs, the guide will provide detailed explanations at each stop of the tour.
Location
Siem Reap
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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1 star
X754tysarahb
Mar 25, 2025
Best experiences - It was a nice tour; I learned a lot about Buddhism in Cambodia and enjoyed the blessings. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. We chatted with Monk about his life, and that was a special part of the tour. Highly recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_g
Mar 5, 2025
A truly special & memorable experience! - I had the most incredible experience on a tour with Hong, along with her trainee and our driver—they were all absolutely fantastic! This was, without a doubt, the best tour experience I've had in Siem Reap and even in all of Cambodia. I’ve spent time in Phnom Penh and Koh Rong but this tour truly stands out as my most memorable experience.
Hong is incredibly knowledgeable, and the places she took us felt so special—hidden gems tucked away in the village she grew up in that most tourists probably don't visit That made the experience even more unique and special.
I truly wish Hong and her business, CWE Travel Cambodia all the success in the world! I’ve already recommended her to several travelers I met who are heading to Siem Reap, and I really hope they book with her because they won’t regret it. If I ever return, I’ll absolutely sign up for more tours with Hong!
Hong, thank you for such a beautiful and memorable experience. I hope to see you again, and I’m wishing you continued success with your business and in life!
Review provided by Viator
Isabella_j
Feb 8, 2025
Our first review ever, for a special tour! - This is one of the best experiences we have had in Cambodia, our guide Hong, really loves her culture and country, you can sense that right at the beginning of the tour.
On top of that , she is more than wiling to share all of her knowledge and how they go about their day to day life, experiences from her ovn life, her family’s and friends, which makes the tour very personal and special - we enjoyed every minute! If we have had more time in Cambodia we would have booked the food tour aswell.
Thank you Hong for sharing.
Review provided by Viator
Kristag261
Dec 8, 2024
Awesome tour, highly recommend! - Highly recommend this experience. It's a great way to explore some of the less touristy areas and learn about Khmer culture. My tour guide Hong was kind and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed learning about life in the villages and the lotus flower. The water blessing was beautiful and healing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elisa_c
Nov 20, 2024
A must for a unique experience - I think this was one of my favorite experiences on my entire trip. Bo is a wonderful tour guide. She was friendly and very knowledgeable. I also enjoyed how the tour was planet-friendly by riding around in a tuk-tuk rather than a van. It was just me, so it was perfect. It really was a peaceful and enjoyable experience.
Review provided by Viator
Charleyhooker
Oct 31, 2024
Brilliant once in a lifetime experience - Siem Reap is packed to the brim with amazing things to do, but do not sleep on this experience. It was brilliant to pick the lotus flowers myself for the monks and to learn how to fold them properly. The water blessing was an experience I won’t forget too. Borey was an excellent and compassionate guide (I had an issue with my eyes and she was so kind in trying to help me). She is extremely knowledgeable and answered all of my (sometimes bizarre) questions. I cannot recommend this tour highly enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N7745htkatherinet
Sep 25, 2024
Favorite tour of my trip! - I was worried that the water blessing might have just been a tourist trap but it was absolutely not. My wonderful guide Hong grew up near the lotus farm so had a lot of local knowledge and was able to answer many questions about Buddhism and the role the local temple plays for her family. She translated the monks blessing and took heaps of great photos and videos of the water blessing for me.
The lotus farm was also interesting and incredibly peaceful. I had no idea about how much of the plant gets used and I was able to try different parts of it, as well as different fruits and traditional desserts against the perfect backdrop! Hong had more stories about growing up in the area which really felt like I was getting an insight into Cambodian culture.
The Phreah Ang Chek Phreah Ang Chom shrine was beautiful and again Hong took time to explain the customs. There were lots of local people at both the shrine and the temple but Hong made me feel comfortable and no one batted an eye at me being there.
Hong and Ms Na Routh picked me up on time at my hotel, and they really put a lot of thought into all the details, like ice cold drinks and wet towels, to look after me. The Tuktuk was super clean and I always felt safe with very good driving.
Hong’s English is excellent, she laughs easily and I really had such a great day on this tour. Being a new business they are still building their repertoire of available tours and I look forward to going back for another outing one day.
PS - definitely bring a change of clothes! They’re not exaggerating when they say you will be drenched after the water blessing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katherine_t
Sep 25, 2024
Favorite tour of my holiday! - I was initially worried that the water blessing might have just been a tourist trap, but it was absolutely not. My wonderful guide Hong grew up near the lotus farm so had a lot of local knowledge and was able to answer many questions about Buddhism and the role the local temple plays for her family. She translated the monks blessing and took heaps of great photos and videos of the water blessing for me.
The lotus farm was also interesting and incredibly peaceful. I had no idea about how much of the plant gets used and I was able to try different parts of it, as well as different fruits and traditional desserts against the perfect backdrop! Hong had more stories about growing up in the area which really felt like I was getting an insight into Cambodian culture.
The Phreah Ang Chek Phreah Ang Chom shrine was beautiful and again Hong took time to explain the customs. There were lots of local people at both the shrine and the temple but Hong made me feel comfortable and no one batted an eye at me being there.
Hong and Ms Na Routh picked me up on time at my hotel, and they really put a lot of thought into all the details, like ice cold drinks and wet towels, to look after me. The Tuktuk was super clean and I always felt safe with very good driving.
Hong’s English is excellent, she laughs easily and I really had such a great day on this tour.
PS - definitely bring a change of clothes! They’re not exaggerating when they say you will be drenched after the water blessing.
Review provided by Viator
Patti_g
Sep 14, 2024
Great!! - I really enjoyed this tour!! It was so interesting to see the lotus fields and get to try the fruit and learn how all the parts are used. I loved the the water blessing and the opportunity to talk to a monk. Hong was an amazing guide and the best part for me was knowing I was supporting a women owned and operated business. Highly recommend!!
Review provided by Viator
