The 4 Best Monk Blessings & Buddhist Ceremonies in Siem Reap

1.1-Hour Cambodian Buddhist Water Blessing

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 68 reviews · 2 hours · from $37Our pick

Ride by tuk-tuk from Siem Reap to Wat Arang Pagoda, where an English-speaking guide explains Cambodian Buddhist customs before a monk performs a short blessing or a full water ritual. You receive red wrist ties, a sarong for the longer ceremony, and a stop at a local market.

“What a beautiful experience. I totally recommend it for the education, insight into the life of a monk in a monastery, the blessing you receive and opportunity it affords to give back. The cost of your experience includes a donation of foodstuffs given to the monk who uses it to feed the poor or people that rely on the monastery for shelter and assistance. The guide was wonderful, informative and helpful in ensuring you follow the correct protocol during the blessing. I chose the full water immersion (for lack of better term) where you change into a sarong provided, sit on a step and get completely doused in water. A…”

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2.Monk Blessing Ceremony in Siem Reap

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · from $45Top rated

Travel by private car or tuk tuk to Wat Athvear, where an English-speaking guide explains a Buddhist blessing before a monk chants and pours holy water over you. Sela is one guide associated with the experience. Bring dry clothes: the ceremony can leave you soaked from head to toe.

“A wonderful experience at a pagoda just outside of the main city. Our driver and guide was great and explained as he took us through the monk blessing. It was around an hour in total and was definitely a unique experience.”

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3.Private Guided Angkor Wat Tour by Lady Tuk Tuk with Monk Blessing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $37

Start early with a female tuk tuk driver and English-speaking guide, then visit Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon at a flexible private pace. Finish at a local pagoda for a monk blessing with chants, incense, and a red protection bracelet. Sunrise is optional.

“It was excellent experience. The tour started within time, guide was having experience and was explaining in detail. Good AC vehicle.”

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4.Khmer Water Blessing by Monk and Lotus Farm Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 4 hours · from $55

Spend four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Sarath or Hong, visiting a royal shrine, tasting fried banana, learning about lotus farming, and receiving a traditional water blessing at Wat Po Banteaychey. Bring dry clothes and a towel: the blessing leaves you completely wet.

“This was the best part of my trip to Siem Reap. Highly recommend everyone to do it. My guides were both women and so was my tuk tuk driver. The conversation with the monk was moving and inspiring. I am so so glad I did this and would highly recommend it to everyone.”

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