Angkor Wat & Banteay Srei: 2-Day Temple Tour with Sunrise & Sunset

Summary

Angkor temples sunrise sunset tour with Banteay Srei pink stone carvings

You’ll walk ancient corridors as dawn breaks over Angkor Wat, climb Phnom Bakheng for sunset views with locals sharing snacks, and touch the intricate pink carvings at Banteay Srei. With hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide handling every detail, you can focus on small moments—the hush under giant trees or laughter over lunch—that make this two-day journey linger long after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try the sticky rice?” our guide asked, grinning as we waited in line for temple passes outside Siem Reap. I was still half-asleep but nodded anyway—my first taste of Cambodia before even seeing Angkor Wat. The morning air was thick and a bit sweet, like someone had left fruit out overnight. By 8am we were walking through those massive stone gates, and honestly, the scale of Angkor Wat just made me stop talking for a while. Our guide, Dara, pointed out tiny details in the carvings—he said you could spend days here and still miss things. He laughed when I tried to pronounce “Bayon” correctly (I definitely didn’t).

Ta Prohm felt like something from a dream—roots swallowing walls, birds echoing somewhere above us. It’s crowded but weirdly quiet at times; everyone seems to hush themselves under those trees. Lunch was at a roadside spot with plastic chairs and cold Coke bottles—nothing fancy but exactly what I needed after sweating through my shirt. After that we ducked into Ta Nei, which barely had anyone inside except two monks who smiled at us and went back to their conversation. The air smelled like old leaves and incense.

By late afternoon we’d circled Bayon’s faces (Dara counted them all—he swears it’s 216), then wandered through the Elephant Terrace where kids played near the steps. Climbing Phnom Bakheng for sunset was harder than I expected—I’m not used to stairs in this heat—but sitting up there with everyone waiting for the sky to change color felt kind of communal. Someone shared dried mango slices; I still think about that view sometimes.

The next day started before dawn—5am pickup is rough but watching sunrise at Angkor Wat is worth it (even if you’re surrounded by sleepy strangers clutching coffee cans). After breakfast back at the hotel we headed out again: Preah Khan’s mossy stones, Neak Pean on its little island, and finally Banteay Srei in the afternoon when the pink sandstone almost glowed in the sun. Dara called it “the jewel of Angkor”—I get why now. There were fewer people around so it felt quieter, almost delicate compared to everywhere else.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Angkor Wat Small Circuit and Sunset

• Pick up and buy temple pass
• Visit Angkor Wat temple
• Visit Ta Prohm temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Ta Nei temple
• Stop at Victory Gate
• Visit Bayon temple
• Visit Baphuon temple
• Visit Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas
• Visit Terrace of Elephants
• Visit Terrace of Leper King
• Climb Phnom Bakheng for sunset

Day 2 — Angkor Wat Big Circuit and Banteay Srei

• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Preah Khan temple
• Visit Neak Pean temple
• Visit Ta Som temple
• Visit East Mebon temple
• Visit Pre Rup temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Banteay Srei temple
• Visit Banteay Samre temple
• Visit Banteay Kdei temple

Top questions

How early is pickup for the Angkor Wat sunrise tour?

The pickup for sunrise at Angkor Wat is at 5:00am from your hotel or guesthouse.

Is lunch included on both days of this tour?

Lunch is not included but there are stops at local restaurants where you can buy food (about $5 per dish).

Does this 2-day Angkor Wat tour include hotel pickup?

Yes, both days include hotel pickup and drop-off in Siem Reap.

Are temple entry fees covered?

No, temple passes must be purchased separately during the tour.

Is there an English-speaking guide on this tour?

Yes, a licensed English-speaking guide leads both days of the tour.

How long does it take to climb Phnom Bakheng for sunset?

The climb takes about 20-30 minutes; you may wait up to 2 hours for sunset due to limited space at the top.

What temples are visited on day two?

You’ll visit Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Banteay Samre, and Banteay Kdei.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for most fitness levels but involves walking and climbing stairs in hot weather.

What’s included

Your two days include hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed English-speaking guide leading you through every temple—from sunrise at Angkor Wat to sunset at Phnom Bakheng—with cool water and fresh towels provided along the way so you can just focus on exploring without worrying about logistics.