Angkor Wat Sunrise & Angkor Thom Sunset: Full Day Siem Reap

See Angkor Wat at dawn, when the crowds haven't arrived yet

You're picked up before sunrise, positioned for the best view of Angkor Wat as light breaks, then guided through Ta Prohm's jungle-wrapped stones and the quieter Banteay Kdei temple. After lunch, you explore Angkor Thom's terraces and the Bayon, finishing at the South Gate for sunset over the moat. Transport, guide, and water are included. The full day runs from 4:30am until early evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Angkor Wat4h
2. Banteay Kdei1h
3. Angkor Thom3h

Sunrise and sunset at Angkor temples

• Pickup at 4:30 am
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Explore Angkor Wat temple
• Visit Ta Prohm temple
• Walk through Banteay Kdei temple
• Visit Angkor Thom ancient city
• See Royal Palace and terraces
• Watch sunset at Angkor Thom South Gate
• Return to hotel

The experience

Your pickup comes at 4:30am. Early enough that you're still half-asleep in the car, but that's the whole point. By the time you reach Angkor Wat and find a quiet spot near the reflecting pool, the sky is just starting to shift from black to deep blue. The temple sits there, barely visible at first, and then the light comes up and suddenly you can see why people travel thousands of miles for this moment. It's not crowded. Most tourists sleep through the sunrise, which means you get the main temple almost to yourself, and your guide can actually explain the architecture without shouting over a hundred other people.

After sunrise, you walk through Angkor Wat itself: the guide talks through the history and the intricate carvings while it's still cool enough to think straight. By mid-morning you move to Ta Prohm, the temple where they filmed Tomb Raider. The trees have literally grown through the stone walls and across the roofs. It's surreal and photogenic, but also genuinely eerie. Then comes Banteay Kdei, a quieter Buddhist temple from the same era that most day-trippers skip. Your guide calls it peaceful, and it is. You can actually hear yourself walk through it, which feels rare after the crowds at the other two.

The afternoon shifts to Angkor Thom, the old capital city. You see the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Bayon temple with its famous stone faces. It's a lot of ground, a lot of steps, and by this point the heat is real, but that's why you started before dawn. The day ends at the South Gate of Angkor Thom, where you stand on a bridge flanked by 54 giant sandstone statues and watch the sun drop over the moat. If the light is good, it's the kind of view that makes the 4:30am alarm feel worth it. Your driver takes you back to your hotel as the light fades, and you've seen the Angkor Archaeological Park from first light to last.

What’s included

• Your day includes hotel pickup at 4:30am, AC transport throughout, an English-speaking guide who explains the history and architecture at each temple, and bottles of cold drinking water.
• You visit Angkor Wat at sunrise, Ta Prohm with its jungle-grown stones, the quieter Banteay Kdei temple, and Angkor Thom's terraces and Bayon in the afternoon, finishing with sunset at either the South Gate moat or Phnom Bakheng hill.
• Temple entry fees and meals are separate.

Information

Lasts 9h–10h, runs every day at 04:30, from US$ 59 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30Another time? ›

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Book up to12h before

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

Moderate physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Angkor Doors

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see the main Angkor temples in one day without arranging your own transport or timing. The early start is what keeps the crowds away and the heat manageable, and the fixed schedule gets you from sunrise to sunset without gaps.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start?

Pickup is 4:30am from your hotel in Siem Reap. You arrive at Angkor Wat before sunrise.

Is the sunrise tour crowded?

No. Because most tourists sleep through it, the main temples are quiet in the early morning. Crowds build later in the day.

How much walking is involved?

Significant. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are large complexes with many steps and uneven ground. The early start helps because you walk while it's cool.

What's included in the price?

AC transport, an English-speaking guide, and bottles of cold water. Meals and temple entry fees are separate.

Can I choose sunset at Phnom Bakheng instead of the South Gate?

Yes. The tour offers both options: the South Gate (moat and statues) or Phnom Bakheng hill. Your guide can discuss which works best on the day.

What should I bring?

Sunscreen, a hat, comfortable walking shoes, and a light rain jacket if you're visiting in the wet season. Cambodia is hot year-round.

How long is the full tour?

Roughly 12 hours, from 4:30am pickup to return to your hotel in early evening.

Do I need to book temple entry separately?

Yes. Temple passes are not included and must be purchased on arrival at the Angkor Archaeological Park.