1-Day Phnom Penh Royal Ploughing Ceremony Tour: Sacred Ploughing Ritual & Royal Oxen Predicting the Harvest
Day tour
International tour
Festival tour
Cultural tour
Standard
Departure point
→
Destination
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phnom Penh
1N (Participation Duration)
Car,Walking (Transportation)
English (Language)
Number of participants 0/12
0 booked
Tour description
The Royal Ploughing Ceremony is a Brahmanical–Buddhist ritual dating back to the Angkor period, held around May to mark the beginning of the rainy season and rice-planting season. It is one of the few occasions when locals and visitors can witness a Cambodian royal ceremony.
During the ceremony, a representative of the Royal Family (Sdach Meak – the 'king of the season') guides a pair of sacred oxen as they plough the field three times, followed by the Queen of the Season (Preah Mehuo), who scatters seeds. The royal oxen are then released to freely choose what to eat from seven trays containing rice, corn, beans, sesame, grass, water and wine; their choices are interpreted by Brahmins as predictions about next year's harvest, rainfall and epidemics—predictions awaited by the entire country.
After the ceremony, visit the National Museum, Wat Phnom and the Central Market amid the festive atmosphere.
During the ceremony, a representative of the Royal Family (Sdach Meak – the 'king of the season') guides a pair of sacred oxen as they plough the field three times, followed by the Queen of the Season (Preah Mehuo), who scatters seeds. The royal oxen are then released to freely choose what to eat from seven trays containing rice, corn, beans, sesame, grass, water and wine; their choices are interpreted by Brahmins as predictions about next year's harvest, rainfall and epidemics—predictions awaited by the entire country.
After the ceremony, visit the National Museum, Wat Phnom and the Central Market amid the festive atmosphere.
Meeting point:
View on map
Khách sạn của quý khách tại trung tâm Phnom Penh
Đón và trả khách tại khách sạn trong trung tâm Phnom Penh. Địa điểm tổ chức lễ do Hoàng gia công bố (thường tại Veal Preah Meru cạnh Hoàng cung, một số năm tổ chức ở tỉnh khác); chúng tôi sẽ xác nhận khi quý khách đặt tour.
Detailed itinerary
Morning (06:30): The guide will pick you up at the hotel and take you to the ceremony venue to secure a good viewing spot.
07:30: Witness the sacred ploughing ritual, the scattering of seeds, and the royal oxen choosing food to predict the harvest; the guide will explain the significance.
10:00: Visit the National Museum of Cambodia.
Noon (12:00): Enjoy a Khmer lunch.
Afternoon (13:30): Visit Wat Phnom and stroll through the Central Market.
15:00: Return to the hotel and end the tour.
07:30: Witness the sacred ploughing ritual, the scattering of seeds, and the royal oxen choosing food to predict the harvest; the guide will explain the significance.
10:00: Visit the National Museum of Cambodia.
Noon (12:00): Enjoy a Khmer lunch.
Afternoon (13:30): Visit Wat Phnom and stroll through the Central Market.
15:00: Return to the hotel and end the tour.
Meals: Lunch
Tour price includes
• English-speaking local guide throughout the tour
• Private car/tuk-tuk according to the itinerary
• Admission tickets to the National Museum and Wat Phnom
• 01 Khmer lunch
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Phnom Penh
• Private car/tuk-tuk according to the itinerary
• Admission tickets to the National Museum and Wat Phnom
• 01 Khmer lunch
• Bottled water
• Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Phnom Penh
Tour price excludes
• Drinks not included in the itinerary
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance
• Tips for the guide and driver
• Travel insurance
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation with a 100% refund when notified at least 24 hours before departure. Cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable. In the event of bad weather or attraction closures required by the authorities, we can help reschedule the tour or provide a full refund.
Other notes
Departure schedule: the festival tour operates only during the ceremony, according to the Khmer lunar calendar; the ceremony date changes every year. Departure dates currently available for booking follow the nearest published schedule, and dates for subsequent years will be updated. Hotels and vehicles are very busy during the festival, so booking at least 1–2 months in advance is recommended.
Dress code: when entering temples, pagodas and the Royal Palace, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts below the knees; sports shoes are recommended because some sections have steep stone steps.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other language guides can be requested (please indicate this when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest and is based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors need a Cambodian visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at a land border crossing/airport); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
2027 schedule: 24/5/2027. The ceremony area is subject to security controls, and spectators must stand in designated areas; large bags are not allowed. If the ceremony is held in another province, the pickup point will be changed and the price quoted again.
Illustrative photos: Royal Palace, Phnom Penh Cambodia 1 – Hanay, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Pawilon Chanchhaya (02) – Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Hor Samritvimean (03) – Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Hala Tronowa (04) – Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Dress code: when entering temples, pagodas and the Royal Palace, please wear clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers/skirts below the knees; sports shoes are recommended because some sections have steep stone steps.
The tour is normally led by an English-speaking local guide; Vietnamese, French, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and other language guides can be requested (please indicate this when booking, subject to guide availability).
The price applies per guest and is based on a private tour for groups of 2 or more guests. Larger groups receive better rates; please contact us.
Visa: international visitors need a Cambodian visa (apply for an e-visa online before the trip or obtain a visa at a land border crossing/airport); citizens of ASEAN countries are visa-exempt. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months.
2027 schedule: 24/5/2027. The ceremony area is subject to security controls, and spectators must stand in designated areas; large bags are not allowed. If the ceremony is held in another province, the pickup point will be changed and the price quoted again.
Illustrative photos: Royal Palace, Phnom Penh Cambodia 1 – Hanay, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Pawilon Chanchhaya (02) – Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Hor Samritvimean (03) – Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons); 2016 Phnom Penh, Pałac Królewski, Hala Tronowa (04) – Marcin Konsek, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons).
Detailed price list
| Guest type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults | $58 |
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