Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour from Siem Reap with Small Group

Summary

Sunrise at Angkor Wat then ancient faces at Bayon and jungle trees at Ta Prohm

You’ll start before dawn in Siem Reap with hotel pickup for an early sunrise at Angkor Wat, guided by a local who shares temple secrets and stories. Wander through Bayon’s smiling faces and Ta Prohm’s tangled roots before ending at Banteay Kdei. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter — it’s more than just sightseeing.

What’s the experience like?

It’s too early for my brain to work but there we were, bundled into the van in Siem Reap, windows foggy from the AC. Our guide, Dara, handed out cold water bottles even though it was barely 5am. He joked that Cambodians never get used to these tourist wake-up calls either. The ticket counter was already buzzing — I fumbled with my credit card and tried not to look half-asleep in the ID photo. There’s this weird hush when you cross the bridge toward Angkor Wat in the dark, just sandals scuffing stone and a few murmured “wow”s as the towers start to show against that blue-grey sky.

I didn’t expect the sunrise itself to feel so quiet — no big crowds yet, just our small group and some monks drifting by in orange robes. Dara pointed out how the reflection in the pond lines up perfectly if you stand a certain way (I never quite managed it). When we finally went inside Angkor Wat, he told stories about old kings and pointed at carvings I’d have missed on my own — one looked like someone riding an elephant but he laughed and said it’s actually a god fighting demons. The stones felt cool under my hands; everything smelled faintly of incense and old rain.

Bayon was next, those big serene faces watching us from every angle. Dara explained how each tower represents a province — 54 of them — which is wild when you think about how long ago they built all this. We stopped for lunch after driving past the Terrace of Elephants (the name made me hungry honestly). There was a lot of laughter when someone in our group tried to pronounce “Baphuon” — even Dara had to pause to catch his breath from laughing.

Ta Prohm is where things got tangled: tree roots everywhere, squeezing between stones like they’re hugging the ruins tight. It felt humid and green and almost too quiet except for birds overhead. By Banteay Kdei I was running low on energy but still curious; Dara kept telling little stories about King Jayavarman VII building temples for his mom (not sure if that’s true or just local legend). I still think about that first glimpse of Angkor Wat reflected in the pond — hard to explain why it sticks with you, but it does.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom temples tour

• Pickup from hotel early morning
• Stop to buy Angkor Park Pass
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat main entrance
• Explore Angkor Wat temple with guide
• Visit South Gate of Angkor Thom
• See Bayon and Baphuon temples
• Learn history of Angkor temples
• Lunch break
• Drive past Terrace of Elephant and Terrace of Leper King
• Visit Ta Prohm “jungle temple”
• Visit Banteay Kdei temple

Top questions

What time does the Angkor Wat sunrise tour start?

The tour begins with hotel pickup between 4:15-4:40 am from Siem Reap.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip?

Yes, hotel pickup is included from your accommodation in Siem Reap.

Do I need to buy an Angkor Park pass separately?

You’ll stop at the ticket counter before entering; passes are purchased there using cash or credit card.

How many people are on this small group tour?

The maximum group size is 13 people per tour.

Which temples are visited on this itinerary?

You’ll visit Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei temples.

Is lunch included during the tour?

No, lunch is not included but there is a stop for lunch during the day trip.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, children can join but must be accompanied by an adult; infants sit on laps.

What language does the guide speak?

The local guide speaks English throughout the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes early morning hotel pickup in Siem Reap, all transportation by air-conditioned vehicle with cold water and towels provided along the way, guidance from an English-speaking local expert through Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei temples—plus plenty of chances to pause for photos or just take it all in quietly together before returning to town.