Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour from Siem Reap & Ta Prohm

Angkor Wat at dawn, before the tour buses arrive

You start before sunrise at Angkor Wat, climb the main entrance in low light, and watch the temples emerge as the sky brightens. Your private guide takes you through Bayon's 54 towers, the Terrace of Elephants, Ta Prohm's jungle ruins, and Banteay Kdei, with cold water and a cold towel included throughout. The early timing means smaller crowds and cooler temperatures, and you're back by afternoon without arranging transport or tickets yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Angkor Wat3h
2. Bayon2h
3. Ta Prohm2h
4. Banteay Kdei1h

Sunrise and Angkor Wat temples tour

• Climb main entrance of Angkor Wat
• Admire sunrise over Angkor Wat
• Visit central Angkor Thom and Bayon
• See Baphoun and Terrace of Elephant
• Explore Terrace of Leper King and Phimeanakas
• Visit Ta Prohm temple with fig trees
• Afternoon visit to Banteay Kdei temple

The experience

The alarm on your phone goes off at 4:30am and you're not ready for how dark it still is outside. Your guide picks you up from your hotel in Siem Reap in an air-conditioned vehicle, and you're half-asleep until you reach Angkor Wat and climb the main entrance in near-darkness with maybe a dozen other people instead of the thousands who show up by 8am. The sky shifts from black to purple to orange, and suddenly you can see the towers of Angkor Wat rising above the reflection pools. It's the kind of moment that doesn't photograph the way you want it to, so you just stand there instead.

After sunrise, your guide walks you through Angkor Thom: the walled city at the heart of the complex. You stop at Bayon, where 54 towers are carved with 216 faces of Avalokiteshvara, and your guide explains the history without making it feel like a lecture. Then the Terrace of Elephants, where the king once held court, and the Terrace of the Leper King, which is one of those places where the mystery of why it's called that is part of what makes you want to stay longer. The heat builds as the morning goes on, and your guide hands you a cold towel and cold water: small things that matter more than you'd think when you're walking temple grounds in Cambodia humidity.

Ta Prohm comes next, the jungle temple where massive fig tree roots have split the stone walls and wrapped around the ruins. It's the one most people recognize from films, but your guide knows the angles and the quieter corners, so you're not just standing in line with everyone else's camera. After that, Banteay Kdei: a sprawling, largely unrestored monastic complex built in the same style as Ta Prohm, but with fewer crowds and a different feel. By afternoon, you've covered the main temples of the Angkor complex without the heat and the press of the midday tour groups.

The whole day runs on the guide's schedule and knowledge of how to move through the temples without getting stuck behind tour buses. You don't have to arrange your own transport, negotiate entry fees, or figure out which temple to skip because you're running out of time. The vehicle is waiting, the guide knows the site, and the early start is what makes the whole thing work.

What’s included

Your day includes private air-conditioned vehicle pickup from your Siem Reap hotel, an English-speaking guide for the full tour, cold towels and cold water throughout, and visits to Angkor Wat at sunrise, Bayon, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei. Park entry fees are arranged separately.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private day tour of Angkor WatUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 and 10:00Length: 8 hours. Transport by car or minivan. One chilled bottle of water. Pickup is included

Private guided sunrise tour of Angkor Wat, full day, departing from Siem ReapUp to 12 per booking · Guide in English · 04:30Pickup is included

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 04:30, the last at 10:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 6 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Angkor Wat Travel Tour

Is this one for you?This works well if you want to see the main temples of Angkor without arranging transport, hiring a guide separately, or spending your afternoon in the heat and crowds: the early start and private vehicle are what make that possible.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years): free.

What time does the tour start?

Early morning pickup from your Siem Reap hotel, arriving at Angkor Wat before sunrise (around 5:30am depending on the season).

Is the guide included?

Yes, an English-speaking guide is included throughout the day. They're trained in the history of the temples and know how to avoid the heaviest crowds.

What temples are included?

Angkor Wat, Bayon (in Angkor Thom), Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei. The tour also covers the Terrace of Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.

Is transport included?

Yes, private air-conditioned vehicle pickup and transport throughout the day is included.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs from early morning through the afternoon, typically 8–10 hours depending on pace and stops.

What's included besides the guide and transport?

Cold towels and cold water are provided throughout the day. Park entry fees are not mentioned as included. Confirm with the operator.

Why go at sunrise instead of later?

Sunrise means smaller crowds, cooler temperatures, and better light for photographs. The temples are far less crowded before 8am.