Angkor Wat sunrise tour from Siem Reap: 8 hours, small group

Enter Angkor Wat in darkness and watch the sunrise from the ancient library pools

This 8-hour guided temple tour from Siem Reap begins with a pre-dawn pickup and sunrise at Angkor Wat, then moves through the Bayon's central towers carved with over 200 enormous faces, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the overgrown Ta Prohm temple. An English-speaking local guide leads the small group through bas-relief carvings and Khmer history in an air-conditioned minivan, with hotel pickup, water and a cool towel included. The temple pass is purchased on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Angkor Wat3h
2. Srah Srang1h
3. Terrace of the Elephantspass by
4. Bayon1h 30m

Sunrise and major Angkor temples

• Depart hotel pre-dawn for Angkor Wat
• Watch sunrise outside Angkor Wat
• Explore Angkor Wat corridors and terraces
• Breakfast outside Angkor Wat
• Visit Angkor Thom and consider its grandiosity
• Explore Bayon temple and its towers
• Pass Terrace of the Leper King and Terrace of Elephants
• Explore maze-like interior of Ta Prohm temple
• Return to hotel

The experience

The day starts before sunrise. A pickup arrives at your hotel between 4:30 and 4:40 am depending on the season, and the drive to Angkor Wat takes you to the eastern entrance. The side fewer visitors use. You enter the great temple in near-darkness and walk the hoary cloistered corridors past the longest stretch of bas-relief carvings in the world, your guide deciphering the stories carved into stone. As dawn breaks, you stand at the edge of one of the ancient library pools and watch the light reach the temple. The guide then spends two full hours walking you through the corridors, central chambers and upper terraces, explaining the myriad of scenes and what they reveal about life during the height of the Khmer empire.

After breakfast (bring your own or buy nearby), the group moves to Angkor Thom, the majestic former capital of the Khmer Empire. The Bayon temple sits at its center: its beautifully crafted central towers are covered in more than 200 enormous carved faces, each one distinct. You pass by the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, both carved with intricate detail. The final stop is Ta Prohm, the maze-like temple that once housed 2,740 monks and still looks much as it did when French explorer Henri Mouhot rediscovered it in the 1850s. Tree roots grip the stone, corridors twist without warning, and the atmosphere is unlike the other temples. After exploring its interior, the minivan returns you to your hotel.

The tour runs in a small group with an air-conditioned vehicle, so the heat of midday is spent indoors between sites. Bottled water and a cool towel are provided. Respectful dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered (a scarf over the shoulders is acceptable, but shoulder-baring garments are not). Comfortable walking shoes matter. The temples involve uneven stone and stairs. Children from age 8 can join. The temple entrance fee is not included and can be paid in cash or by card at the site just before sunrise.

What’s included

• Experienced and licensed English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transport in an air-conditioned minivan.
• complimentary bottled water and cool towel.
• local tax.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 04:30

Book up to7h before

AgesAdult (12 to 85 years) · Child (8 to 11 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 37

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Journey Cambodia

Is this one for you?The 8-hour commitment means sunrise and the three major temples fit into one morning and early afternoon, leaving the rest of your day free, but it also rules out a leisurely pace or a second destination. Choose this tour if you want the highlights of Angkor in a single push and don't mind an early start.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 11 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What time does the pickup happen and when do I get back to my hotel?

The pickup happens between 4:30 and 4:40 am depending on the season, and the return to your hotel is in the late afternoon after exploring Ta Prohm. The full tour runs 8 hours.

What are the 200 faces I keep hearing about at the Bayon?

The Bayon temple's central towers are carved with more than 200 enormous stone faces, each one distinct and beautifully crafted. Your guide will explain what they represent and their place in Khmer history as you walk through the temple.

Is breakfast included, and where do we eat?

Breakfast is not included in the tour price. If your hotel provides a breakfast pack, you can request it and eat after the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Otherwise, a local restaurant near the temple offers food, or you can bring your own.

Do I need to buy the temple pass before the tour, or can I pay on the day?

The temple entrance fee is not included and is purchased on the day of the tour, just before sunrise. The site accepts both cash and visa cards.

What should I wear, and are there any dress rules?

Respectful dress is required: shoulders and knees must be covered. A scarf can cover your shoulders, but sleeveless or bare-shoulder garments are not allowed. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended because the temples have uneven stone and stairs.