Angkor Sunrise Jeep Tour from Siem Reap: Angkor Wat at dawn

The temples come alive in the first light, before the crowds arrive.

A guided jeep tour from Siem Reap that starts before dawn to catch the sunrise at Angkor Wat, then moves through Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm with a professional English-speaking guide. The 9-hour day includes hotel pickup, breakfast, lunch, light refreshments and bottled water. You travel by open-air jeep (or SUV, depending on your choice at checkout) with a maximum of six people per tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Angkor Wat2h
2. Angkor Thom3h
3. Srah Srang2h

Sunrise and temple exploration

• 05:00 am pick up from accommodation
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Explore Angkor Wat inner sanctum
• Have breakfast near Angkor Wat
• Drive to Angkor Thom
• Visit Bayon Temple and Royal Enclosure
• Enjoy light refreshment break
• Visit Elephant Terrace
• Visit Ta Prohm temple off-road
• Return to Siem Reap via villages
• Free time in the afternoon

The experience

The pickup comes at 5am from your accommodation in Siem Reap. Your guide positions you at the best vantage point to watch the sun rise over Angkor Wat, then you explore the inner sanctum of the temple while it's still bathed in that warm morning light: the carvings and architecture read differently at this hour than they do later when the sun is overhead and the site fills with tour groups. Breakfast happens after you've had time to absorb the scale of it.

From there the route threads through Angkor Thom, where stone sculptures of demons and deities line the approach. Your guide walks you through the Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Leper King and the Royal Enclosure, explaining the cultural weight of each one. A light refreshment break keeps your energy up before you head to the Elephant Terrace. Then comes Ta Prohm: the temple overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with sections crumbling back into the earth. The jeep takes you off the main roads to reach it, which is how you avoid the crowds that pack the standard routes.

Lunch happens after Ta Prohm. On the return to Siem Reap, you pass through Cambodian villages that show rural life beyond the temples. The rest of the afternoon is yours. The jeep is open-air, so you're exposed to the heat and sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen and stay hydrated. Your guide makes regular stops for water and shade.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup at 5am and return transport to Siem Reap.
• breakfast at Angkor Wat and lunch after Ta Prohm.
• light refreshments and bottled water throughout the day.
• an experienced English-speaking guide.
• round-trip travel by open-air jeep or SUV (your choice at checkout).
• entry to all temples visited.

Options for this experience

2 options

SUV car option with English-speaking guide05:00SUV car: designed for travelers who prefer an air-conditioned vehicle yet still want to join this remarkable tour. Pickup is included

Jeep option with English-speaking guide05:00Pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 9h, runs every day at 05:00, from US$ 80 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 8 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 83 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (15 to 75 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tours By Jeeps

Is this one for you?Book the jeep option if you want the open-air experience and don't mind the heat and sun exposure. Choose the SUV if you prefer shelter and climate control while you explore. Either way, the early start is what puts you at Angkor Wat before the crowds: that timing is fixed and it's the whole point of the tour.

Traveler reviews

4.97★★★★★★★★★★

319 verified traveler reviews

5 ★314

4 ★3

3 ★0

2 ★1

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the Angkor Sunrise Jeep Tour pick me up, and when do I get back to Siem Reap?

Pickup is at 5am from your accommodation. The full tour runs 9 hours, so you're back in Siem Reap by mid-afternoon with the rest of the day free.

Does the tour include meals, or do I need to bring my own food?

Breakfast, lunch and light refreshments are included, along with bottled water throughout the day. Your guide stops regularly to let you eat and drink in the shade.

What is Ta Prohm temple, and why is it different from Angkor Wat?

Ta Prohm is an ancient temple that has been reclaimed by jungle: massive tree roots grow through the stone walls and sections of the structure have crumbled. It's the temple most recognizable from films, and the jeep takes you off the main roads to reach it, so it feels less crowded than the central sites.

Can I choose between the jeep and the SUV, and does it change what I see?

Yes, at checkout you pick either the open-air jeep or the SUV car option. Both follow the same route and stops. The jeep gives you more exposure to the air and light, while the SUV offers more shelter from the sun and heat.

What should I wear to the temples?

Cover your shoulders, chest and knees. This is a dress code enforced at the temples. Bring a hat, sunscreen and light, breathable clothing. The temples are in full sun for much of the day, and your guide will make stops to rest in the shade.