Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour by TukTuk: Four Temples in One Morning

Bayon's hundred stone faces are not carved into a single wall. They rise from towers across the entire temple.

A guided tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, and Ta Prohm by TukTuk, starting before sunrise and ending mid-morning. You arrive at Angkor Wat around 5:00 AM to watch the temple emerge from darkness, then move through the 12th-century capital city, see the giant carved faces of Bayon Temple, and walk through the vine-covered stones of Ta Prohm. Your English-speaking guide explains the Khmer Empire's history and architecture at each stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Angkor Wat2h
2. Angkor Thom15m
3. Bayon40m
4. Ta Prohm1h

Sunrise and temple exploration

• Arrive at Angkor Wat at sunrise
• Explore Angkor Wat temple grounds
• Visit Angkor Thom south gate
• Tour Bayon Temple
• Explore Ta Prohm temple

The experience

You're picked up from your hotel before dawn and driven by TukTuk to Angkor Wat, arriving around 5:00 AM. The temple rises in silhouette as light fills the sky, and you have time to explore the main grounds and photograph the structure while your guide walks you through what you're seeing. The early hour means fewer crowds at the most visited temple in the complex.

From there, the tour moves to Angkor Thom, the walled capital of the Khmer Empire built in the 12th century. You stop at the south gate to learn how the city was designed and defended, then continue to Bayon Temple, known for the colossal stone faces carved into its towers: some depicting deities, others depicting kings. The temple blends Hindu and Buddhist elements and was built under Jayavarman VII as a statement of both spiritual devotion and imperial power. After Bayon, you spend about an hour at Ta Prohm, the temple famous for massive tree roots growing through its walls and ancient carvings still visible beneath the vegetation. This is the temple used as a filming location for Tomb Raider.

The entire tour runs six to seven hours and includes bottled water throughout. Your guide speaks English and can answer questions about the temples' construction, the empire's history, and the religious symbolism carved into the stone. The TukTuk is open-air, so you'll feel the heat and humidity as the morning progresses. Bring a hat and sunscreen, and wear comfortable walking shoes for the temple grounds.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• bottled water throughout the tour.
• transportation by TukTuk.
• English-speaking guide at all four temples.

Information

Lasts 6h–7h, runs every day at 05:00, from US$ 45 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 05:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate1 group tour ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

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

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Senior (71 to 80 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 12 years): free · Under 8: can't be booked

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

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Cambodia Overland Travel

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't need to arrange your own transport to Angkor Wat before sunrise, and the TukTuk is sized for small groups, so the pace stays manageable even when the temples are busy.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (8 to 12 years): free. Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What time does the tour start and when does it end?

Hotel pickup happens before dawn, and you arrive at Angkor Wat around 5:00 AM to watch the sunrise. The full tour lasts six to seven hours, so you'll be back at your hotel by mid-morning.

Do I need to buy a ticket to enter Angkor Wat and the other temples?

Yes, Angkor Temple Passes are required for entry and cost $37 per person. These are not included in the tour price and you'll need to purchase them separately.

What is Bayon Temple known for?

Bayon is famous for the giant stone faces carved into towers throughout the temple. These faces represent different deities and kings, and the temple is one of the most distinctive structures in the Angkor complex because of them.

Is Ta Prohm the temple from the Tomb Raider movie?

Yes, Ta Prohm was used as a filming location for Tomb Raider. The temple is distinctive because massive tree roots have grown through its walls over centuries, creating the overgrown, jungle-wrapped appearance you see today.