Angkor Wat Private Tour: Bayon & Ta Prohm with Local Guide

Move through three temples at your own pace with a guide who knows the stories behind the stones.

A private full-day tour of Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm with a local English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, and an air-conditioned vehicle: no large groups, no fixed schedule. You spend roughly two hours at Angkor Wat exploring bas-reliefs and central spires, then move through Bayon's famous stone faces, the Royal Enclosure, and the Terrace of the Leper King before ending at Ta Prohm, where tree roots grip ancient walls. Your guide explains the history and symbolism at each stop while you set the rhythm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. Angkor Wat2h
2. Bayon1h
3. Royal Enclosure20m
4. Terrace of the Leper King15m
5. Terrace of the Elephants20m
6. Baphuon30m

Explore Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom temples

• Meet guide at hotel lobby 8:00 AM
• Explore Angkor Wat temple complex
• Visit South Gate of Angkor Thom
• Discover Bayon Temple and carvings
• Climb Phimeanakas royal temple
• Explore Terrace of the Leper King
• Walk along Terrace of the Elephants
• Admire Baphuon Temple
• Visit Preah Palilay Temple
• Explore Ta Prohm temple

The experience

Angkor Wat opens with a two-hour walk through the temple's grand galleries, intricate carvings, and towering central spires. The guide walks you through the bas-reliefs and explains the architectural choices that made this one of Southeast Asia's most recognizable landmarks. You have time to photograph, sit in the quieter corners, and move without the pressure of a group schedule. The Angkor Pass (USD 37 per person for a one-day ticket) is purchased separately on arrival. Your guide handles the process if you need help.

After Angkor Wat, the route moves through Angkor Thom's South Gate (lined with statues of gods and demons pulling a sacred Naga serpent), and into Bayon Temple, where you spend roughly an hour and fifteen minutes among the serene stone faces carved into towers. The guide explains the temple's symbolism and the daily-life scenes carved into its walls. From there you climb Phimeanakas inside the Royal Palace for a view over the ancient city, then walk the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants, where detailed carvings of elephants and garudas show the artistic skill of the Khmer Empire. Baphuon Temple, a massive three-tiered mountain temple with a reconstructed reclining Buddha on its western side, comes next.

Ta Prohm closes the day with roughly an hour and fifteen minutes among the giant tree roots that grow over ancient walls, creating the mysterious atmosphere the Tomb Raider film made famous. The private format means you move without waiting for other groups to clear a shot or a passageway. Cold water travels with you throughout the eight-hour day, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles the transitions between sites. The terrain across all temples includes uneven ground, narrow paths, and steep stairs. Comfortable walking shoes and a hat are essential.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking local guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in the Siem Reap city area.
• private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day.
• cold bottled water throughout the tour.

Information

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 08:00, 08:15 and 08:30, from US$ 55 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:15 and 08:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Audio guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (5 to 80 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Vicheth Tour

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to move through the temples without the pressure of a group schedule and hear the stories behind the carvings from someone who knows the site. The private format and local guide make the difference when you want to linger at a carving or skip ahead, and when you want context that goes deeper than a standard group tour provides.

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Top questions

What is the Angkor Pass and do I need to buy it separately?

The Angkor Pass is a one-day temple admission ticket costing USD 37 per person. It is not included in the tour price and must be purchased on arrival at the park. Your guide will assist you with the process if needed.

How much time do I spend at each of the three main temples?

Angkor Wat takes approximately two hours, Bayon about one hour and fifteen minutes, and Ta Prohm roughly one hour and fifteen minutes. The remaining time covers the South Gate, Royal Enclosure, Terrace of the Leper King, Terrace of the Elephants, Baphuon, and Preah Palilay Temple.

What makes Bayon Temple different from the other temples on this tour?

Bayon is famous for its stone faces: serene and smiling expressions carved into towers throughout the temple. The guide explains the symbolism of these faces and shows you the carvings depicting daily life and battles from the Khmer Empire, making it one of the most photographed temples in Angkor Thom.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though most temples have uneven terrain, narrow paths, and steep stairs. Comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and light clothing are highly recommended. If you have cardiovascular concerns, discuss them with your guide before the day begins.

What does the private format actually mean for how the day feels?

Private means only your group participates: no large tour groups, no waiting for other visitors to move, no fixed pace dictated by a schedule. You set the rhythm at each temple, spend as long as you want photographing or sitting quietly, and move when you're ready.