Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour: Private Guide & Hidden Temples

Summary

Sunrise over Angkor Wat then jungle temples and quiet ruins

You’ll watch Angkor Wat wake up in soft morning light, walk beneath ancient faces at Bayon temple, and see Ta Prohm’s roots twisting through stone walls. A local guide shares stories as you explore hidden corners and quieter ruins—with cold towels and hotel pickup making things easy along the way.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is the sound—just this low, steady hum of monks somewhere behind the stone. It was still dark when our guide, Sopheak, handed me a cold bottle of water (felt good against my palm) and we walked up to Angkor Wat’s moat. The sunrise wasn’t one of those perfect Instagram ones; it was hazy, pinkish gold leaking through clouds, but honestly that made it feel more real. There were a few other sleepy faces around us but mostly just quiet. Sopheak pointed out carvings in the stone I’d never have noticed on my own—one looked like a dinosaur? He laughed and said it’s a local joke.

After sunrise, we climbed through Bayon’s towers—54 of them, apparently, each with these massive faces watching you. The air smelled like wet earth and incense. At some point, I lost track of which temple was which (Bayon? Baphuon? I kept mixing them up), but Sopheak never seemed bothered by my questions. He told stories about King Jayavarman VII while we wandered the Terrace of Elephants—kids were playing nearby, chasing each other barefoot on the stones. I tried to repeat one Khmer word he taught me for “thank you.” Pretty sure I butchered it; he grinned anyway.

Ta Prohm is where everything felt tangled—the roots wrapped around doorways like something out of a dream. It’s half jungle, half ruin; birds calling overhead and everything green and damp. We took a break there with cold towels (I didn’t realize how much I’d need that). By afternoon at Banteay Kdei, the crowds had thinned out again. Stones were warm under my hand and there was this sense of quiet that stuck with me even after we left. Hard to explain why that part hit me most—it just did.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise and Angkor Wat temples tour

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

Top questions

What time does the Angkor Wat sunrise tour start?

The tour starts early before sunrise to reach Angkor Wat in time for dawn views.

Is hotel pickup included from Siem Reap?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup in Siem Reap is included.

Which temples are visited on this day trip?

The tour visits Angkor Wat, Bayon (in Angkor Thom), Ta Prohm, and Banteay Kdei.

Are cold towels or water provided during the tour?

Yes, cold towels and bottled water are provided throughout the day.

Is lunch included in this private Angkor Wat tour?

No lunch is mentioned as included in this tour description.

How long does the full-day Angkor Wat sunrise tour last?

The tour lasts a full day from early morning until late afternoon.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; children must be accompanied by an adult and infants sit on laps.

Will an English-speaking guide lead the group?

Yes, an English-speaking local guide leads your private group.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup in Siem Reap, entry to all main temples like Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm, guidance from an English-speaking local expert, plus plenty of cold towels and bottled water to keep you comfortable as you wander Cambodia’s ancient ruins together.