Angkor Temples: 2-Day Sunrise & Sunset Guided Tour from Siem Reap

Summary

Angkor sunrise stillness, Bayon faces, jungle temples and sunset glow

You’ll start before dawn with Angkor Wat’s sunrise hush and end your second day watching sunset from Phnom Bakheng’s hilltop ruins. With a local guide handling stories and logistics — plus hotel pickup and plenty of water breaks — you’ll get time to wander ancient halls, spot hidden carvings, and soak up Cambodia’s temple magic without rushing past what matters.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll never forget how the air felt at 4:30am when our driver picked us up in Siem Reap. Still warm but with a little edge — not exactly cool, just less heavy than later. We rolled towards Angkor Wat in near silence, except for the odd scooter zipping past. Our guide, Dara, handed out cold water (he’d keep doing that all day — honestly a hero move) and told us where to stand for sunrise. I thought it might be crowded but there was this hush over everyone as the sky turned pink behind those towers. The smell of damp earth and incense drifted around us. I tried to take a photo but gave up; some things just don’t fit in a frame.

After wandering inside Angkor Wat (Dara pointed out carvings I’d have missed — he even showed us his favorite apsara dancer), we hit the South Gate of Angkor Thom. The giant stone faces looked both kind and stern at once. At Bayon, Dara made a joke about how the faces look like his uncle when he’s annoyed — maybe you had to be there, but it cracked me up. Breakfast was simple noodles by the road (not included in the tour price), which tasted better than they should’ve after all that walking. By midday we were sweaty and dusty at Ta Prohm, roots swallowing walls — it’s almost cliché but really does feel like nature’s winning here.

The second day started later (thankfully), with more time to notice little things: monks in orange robes sweeping leaves at Pre Rup, dragonflies hovering over Neak Pean’s pools. The sun was sharp but our van stayed cool enough between stops. Ta Som was quieter than the big temples; I liked that nobody hurried us along. Dara explained how Preah Khan used to be its own city — hard to picture now with trees growing everywhere, but he pointed out old library stones hidden under vines.

We ended at Phnom Bakheng for sunset, climbing slowly with everyone else — legs tired but spirits weirdly light. Up top, people found their own quiet spots among crumbling stones while kids sold cold drinks nearby (I caved and bought one). The view over Angkor stretched hazy and gold; I didn’t say much then because sometimes you just want to let things settle inside you for a bit. Even now I remember that soft light more than any single temple detail.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise small tour at Angkor

• Pick up from hotel
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Explore Angkor Wat with guide
• Visit South Gate of Angkor Thom
• Explore Bayon temple
• Breakfast break (not included)
• Visit Ta Keo temple
• Explore Ta Prohm temple

Day 2 — Sunset big tour of temples

• Visit Pre Rup temple
• Explore Ta Som temple
• Visit Neak Pean temple
• Explore Preah Khan temple
• Watch sunset at Phnom Bakheng

Top questions

How early does the Angkor guided tour start?

The first day starts at 4:30am with hotel pickup for sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Is hotel pickup included in this 2-day Angkor tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included both days from Siem Reap hotels.

Which temples are visited on this Angkor tour?

The tour covers Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo, Pre Rup, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan, Phnom Bakheng and more.

Is lunch or breakfast included in the price?

No meals are included; food is available for purchase during breaks near temples.

Are entrance fees or temple tickets included?

No mention of entry fees being included; travelers should budget separately for temple passes.

How long is each day of touring?

The first day runs from about 4:30am to 1pm; the second from 10:30am until after sunset around 7:30pm.

Is this guided tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Are infant seats available in the vehicle?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available upon request.

What’s included

Your two days include hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle each morning and evening, a knowledgeable local guide sharing stories at every stop across eleven temples (from sunrise at Angkor Wat to sunset at Phnom Bakheng), plus unlimited cool bottled water and wet towels so you can keep going even when it gets sticky out there.