Angkor Wat Sunrise & Main Temples Small Group Tour

Summary

Angkor sunrise with Bayon faces, Ta Prohm roots, and breakfast by the water

You’ll start before dawn with hotel pickup in Siem Reap and watch sunrise paint Angkor Wat’s towers gold. Enjoy breakfast by Srah Srang’s waterside calm before exploring Bayon’s mysterious faces and Ta Prohm’s tangled roots — all with a local guide sharing stories along the way. It’s an early start, but you’ll remember those quiet moments long after.

What’s the experience like?

I still remember the way the air felt at 5am outside my hotel in Siem Reap — kind of heavy, but not yet hot. Our minibus was already waiting, headlights cutting through the dark. I’d barely woken up, honestly, but there was this quiet excitement as we joined a handful of others heading to Angkor Wat for sunrise. Our guide, Dara, handed out cold towels (which felt weirdly comforting at that hour), and off we went. By the time we reached the temple moat, the sky had started to hint at pink. There were more people than I expected but somehow everyone just hushed themselves when that first bit of light crept over the towers.

Watching sunrise at Angkor Wat is one of those things you think will be overhyped — but I don’t know, it got me. The lotus pond reflected everything so perfectly for a few minutes that even Dara stopped talking about history and just watched. Afterward, we piled back into the minibus and drove to a little place by Srah Srang for breakfast. The rice porridge was simple but good (and coffee strong enough to wake anyone). Someone tried to order eggs in Khmer — Li laughed when he tried, probably butchered it — but they made it anyway.

The rest of our day trip from Siem Reap moved fast: Bayon Temple with all those stone faces staring down from every angle (I tried counting them but lost track), then wandering through Ta Prohm where tree roots spill over ancient walls like something out of a dream. Dara pointed out carvings half-hidden by moss; he seemed to know every corner. It was humid and my shirt stuck to my back, but I didn’t care much — there’s something about seeing those places up close with a small group that makes you forget discomfort for a while. We ended around lunchtime and Dara made sure everyone got dropped off back at their hotels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise and main temples tour

• Watch sunrise atop Angkor Wat
• Enjoy local breakfast at restaurant
• Explore Bayon Temple with guide
• Visit Ta Prohm Temple with guide
• Tour ends with hotel dropoff

Top questions

What time does the Angkor Wat sunrise tour start?

The tour starts with hotel pickup between 4:20am and 4:50am.

Is breakfast included on this day trip from Siem Reap?

Yes, breakfast is included at a local restaurant near Srah Srang.

Which temples are visited on this small group tour?

The tour visits Angkor Wat (for sunrise), Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm.

Is hotel drop-off included after the tour?

Yes, hotel drop-off is included around 12:30pm.

How big is the group on this shared minibus tour?

This is a small group tour using an air-conditioned minibus.

Are children allowed on this Angkor Wat sunrise tour?

This shared option isn’t suitable for infants or kids under 12 years old.

What should I wear for visiting Angkor temples?

Please wear smart casual clothes covering shoulders and knees; comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Siem Reap, transport by air-conditioned minibus with cold towels and bottled water along the way, guidance from an English-speaking local expert at each temple stop, entry to Angkor Wat for sunrise plus visits to Bayon and Ta Prohm temples, breakfast at a handpicked restaurant near Srah Srang lake, and return drop-off at your hotel around midday.