Angkor Wat Sunrise Jeep Tour: Temples, Jungle & Meals

Summary

See Angkor’s sunrise then ride off-road to hidden temples with breakfast and lunch included

You’ll start before dawn in Siem Reap for an Angkor Wat sunrise jeep tour with local guide Dara leading you to quiet photo spots. Explore ancient temples like Bayon and Ta Prohm, enjoy Cambodian breakfast and lunch included along the way, and ride through jungle roads past rural villages—ending your day with memories that stick.

What’s the experience like?

Didn’t expect to be standing in the dark at 5am outside my hotel in Siem Reap, clutching coffee and wondering if I’d regret this. But then our jeep rumbled up—open air, old army style—and suddenly it felt like a real adventure. Our guide, Dara, grinned and handed us cold water before we bounced off toward Angkor Wat. The air was still cool, which surprised me (I’d heard Cambodia is always hot), and there was this earthy smell from the night rain. By the time we reached the temple moat, there were already quiet clusters of people waiting for the sun. Dara found us a spot that wasn’t packed—he seemed to know exactly where to go—and when the sky finally cracked open over those towers… well, I’m not sure photos really do it justice. I mostly just listened: birds waking up, monks chanting somewhere far off. Breakfast tasted better than usual after that—sticky rice and strong coffee right by the temple wall.

After eating, we wandered into Angkor Wat itself. Dara pointed out carvings I’d have missed on my own—a whole story about churning oceans and gods fighting demons (I still can’t pronounce half the names). He laughed when I tried “Bayon” with his accent. We drove on through Angkor Thom’s stone gates—giant faces staring down at us—and stopped to walk around Bayon Temple and the Terrace of the Leper King. At one point I just leaned against a cool stone wall and let my sweat dry while Dara told us about old Khmer kings; honestly, it was a lot to take in but somehow not overwhelming because he kept things light. There was a break for fruit and water under some trees where local kids waved at us from their bikes.

The last stretch got bumpy as we took these narrow dirt tracks toward Ta Prohm—the one tangled up with roots and vines like something out of a dream or maybe an Indiana Jones movie (yeah, cliché but true). It smelled like moss and wood smoke from someone cooking nearby. Lunch came after that at a little spot near Srah Srang; nothing fancy but good—grilled chicken, rice, fresh mango. On the drive back through villages you could see daily life happening: women selling fruit in bright scarves, kids chasing chickens across red mud roads. It all felt kind of unreal by then—I kept thinking about that first moment at sunrise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Angkor Wat sunrise and temple tour

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

Top questions

What time does the Angkor Sunrise Jeep Tour start?

The tour starts with pickup from your accommodation at 5:00 am.

Is breakfast included on this day trip?

Yes, breakfast is included after sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Which temples are visited during this jeep tour?

You’ll visit Angkor Wat for sunrise, then explore Angkor Thom (including Bayon Temple), Elephant Terrace, Ta Prohm, and pass Srah Srang.

How many people are on each jeep tour?

The small-group tour has a maximum of 6 people per tour.

Is hotel pickup included in Siem Reap?

Yes, round-trip pickup from your accommodation is included.

Are drinks provided during the tour?

Bottled water and light refreshments are provided throughout the day.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 2 years old; children under 2 aren’t permitted on this tour.

What should I wear for visiting Angkor temples?

You should cover shoulders, chest, and knees as per dress code requirements for temple visits.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Siem Reap by open-air army jeep with an experienced driver and professional English-speaking guide; entrance to Angkor Wat for sunrise viewing; Cambodian breakfast near the temple; guided visits to Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Leper King, Elephant Terrace, Ta Prohm; light refreshments and bottled water throughout; traditional lunch near Srah Srang; plus return transfer through local villages back to your hotel in the afternoon.