Angkor Wat Sunrise: Private Tour, Bayon, Ta Prohm & Banteay Srei

Summary

Early morning Angkor sunrise private tour with Ta Prohm jungle temple and pink stone carvings at Banteay Srei

You’ll start before dawn for sunrise at Angkor Wat with a private guide, then wander Ta Prohm’s jungle ruins and see intricate carvings at Banteay Srei. There’s time for picnic breakfast near the temples and lunch at a local spot before exploring Bayon’s serene Buddha faces—leaving you tired but honestly kind of awestruck.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the quiet shuffle of our group in the dark outside the hotel in Siem Reap—5am is early, but everyone was half-whispering, maybe out of respect for the hour or just not quite awake yet. Our guide, Mr. Sokha, handed out cold bottles of water (a small mercy) and helped us sort out the Angkor pass. The ticket booth was already busy—turns out sunrise at Angkor Wat isn’t exactly a secret—but Sokha moved us along quickly. I didn’t expect the air to feel so soft that early, almost cool against my arms as we walked through the temple gates by flashlight. There’s this hush before dawn that I still think about sometimes.

Watching the sky change behind those towers—honestly, it’s hard to describe without sounding dramatic. The sun came up slow and orange over Angkor Wat, and people around us were mostly silent except for a few camera shutters and one guy quietly humming. Sokha pointed out some carvings I’d have missed on my own; he told stories about Vishnu and kings while we ate our packed breakfast sitting on a low wall nearby. My coffee was cold by then but tasted weirdly good with all the incense lingering in the air.

After sunrise we headed to Ta Prohm—the “Tomb Raider” temple—which looked like it was being swallowed whole by tree roots. The way the light slants through broken stones there is kind of eerie but beautiful. At one point I tried to say “Ta Prohm” properly and Li (one of our group) burst out laughing—I probably butchered it. Banteay Srei was further out than I thought (maybe 45 minutes?) but worth it for those pink sandstone carvings; they’re smaller than Angkor Wat but so detailed you want to run your fingers over them (don’t worry, I didn’t). Lunch was at a roadside place with plastic chairs and really spicy fish amok—I liked it even though my lips went numb.

The last stop was Bayon Temple—those faces everywhere, watching from every angle—and by then I was tired in that good way where your feet ache but your head feels full. We passed through Angkor Thom’s South Gate on the way back, just as school kids were heading home on bikes. It felt like we’d squeezed a week into one day. Still not sure how Mr. Sokha kept his energy up all afternoon; maybe he knows some secret only locals do.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise and Angkor temple highlights

• Buy day temple pass
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Explore Angkor Wat monument
• Visit Ta Prohm jungle temple
• Visit Banteay Srei pink sandstone temple
• Lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Bayon temple with Buddha faces
• Visit South Gate of Angkor Thom
• Transfer back to hotel

Top questions

What time does the Angkor Wat sunrise tour start?

The tour starts at 5am with hotel pickup in Siem Reap.

Is breakfast included on this private Angkor day trip?

You bring your own breakfast box from your hotel for a picnic near Angkor Wat after sunrise.

How far is Banteay Srei from Angkor Wat?

Banteay Srei is about 45 minutes’ drive from Angkor Wat.

Are entry tickets included in the price?

No, you’ll need to buy an Angkor day pass separately ($37 per person).

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Lunch is included at a local restaurant near Banteay Srei.

What temples are visited on this private tour?

You’ll visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Banteay Srei, Bayon Temple, and pass through South Gate of Angkor Thom.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes, roundtrip hotel transfers are included in an air-conditioned SUV or minivan.

Can children join this private guided tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants can ride in strollers or sit on laps.

What should I wear when visiting these temples?

A formal dress code applies: knees and shoulders must be covered to enter holy sites.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Siem Reap by private air-conditioned SUV or minivan with chilled water and cold wipes throughout. You’ll have help buying your temple pass (not included), guided visits to all main temples with stories from your local guide, time for picnic breakfast (bring your own), lunch at a local restaurant near Banteay Srei, plus all tolls and parking covered before returning to your hotel mid-afternoon.