Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour: Small Group, Bayon & Ta Prohm

Summary

Angkor sunrise, ancient faces at Bayon and jungle-wrapped Ta Prohm

You’ll start before dawn with hotel pickup in Siem Reap and watch sunrise unfold over Angkor Wat’s ancient stones. Explore hidden corridors with your local guide, see Bayon’s mysterious faces up close, then wander through Ta Prohm where jungle roots tangle with history. It’s not just about seeing temples—it’s about feeling their age and quiet magic.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the soft shuffle of sandals in the dark—everyone half-whispering as we crept toward Angkor Wat before sunrise. Our guide, Dara, handed me a bottle of water and grinned, “You’ll need this,” like he knew something I didn’t. The air smelled faintly of wet earth and incense. We waited by one of those old library pools, the sky slowly leaking color behind the towers. I thought it’d be crowded but somehow it felt hushed, almost private. When the sun finally cracked over the stones, I caught myself just staring—didn’t even bother with my camera for a minute.

After wandering through Angkor Wat’s endless corridors (those carvings go on forever), we sat outside with our breakfast packs—mine was just some bread and fruit from the hotel but honestly it tasted better than usual. There were monks in saffron robes crossing the grass and Dara explained bits of Khmer history between bites. He told us how each carving tells a story—some about battles, some about gods—and pointed out details I’d have missed on my own. It got hotter fast after that; glad we started early.

Bayon was next—the temple with all those stone faces stacked up like they’re watching you. Dara joked that if you count them all you’ll lose track (I tried anyway). The place is kind of dizzying; faces everywhere you look, moss creeping into cracks. Then we passed by the Terrace of Elephants—honestly I barely took it in because I was still thinking about Bayon’s weird smiling faces. The last stop was Ta Prohm, where trees have swallowed whole walls and roots twist around doorways. It feels like nature’s winning there. Someone said it looked like a movie set but to me it felt more dreamlike—quiet except for cicadas buzzing and someone’s laughter echoing down a stone hallway.

I’m still not sure what stuck with me most—the sunrise itself or just how old everything feels out there in the jungle near Siem Reap. If you do this day trip to Angkor Wat from Siem Reap, go early and let yourself get lost for a second or two. You won’t regret it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunrise and major Angkor temples

• Depart hotel pre-dawn for Angkor Wat
• Enter Angkor Wat eastern side in darkness
• Explore bas-relief corridors and library pools
• Discover temple interior and upper terraces
• Breakfast outside Angkor Wat
• Rest briefly after breakfast
• Visit Angkor Thom city entrance
• Explore Bayon temple and its towers
• Pass Terrace of the Leper King and Elephant
• Explore maze-like interior of Ta Prohm temple
• Return to hotel

Top questions

What time does the Angkor Wat sunrise tour start?

The tour begins with pickup between 4:30 and 4:40 am depending on season.

Is breakfast included on this Angkor day trip?

No formal breakfast is included; bring a takeaway pack from your hotel to eat after sunrise.

Which temples are visited during this tour?

You visit Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, Terrace of the Elephants, Srah Srang, and Ta Prohm.

How long does the Angkor Wat guided tour last?

The full tour lasts about 8 hours including transport from Siem Reap.

Is hotel pickup included for this small group tour?

Yes, convenient hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Siem Reap.

Do I need to buy an Angkor temples entrance ticket separately?

Yes, entrance fees are not included but can be purchased on the morning of your tour (Visa cards accepted).

Are there any dress code requirements for visiting Angkor Wat?

You must cover shoulders and knees (scarves over shoulders aren’t allowed).

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 8 years old; younger children cannot join.

What’s included

Your day includes an early morning hotel pickup in Siem Reap by air-conditioned minivan, guidance from a licensed English-speaking local expert throughout all major temples—Angkor Wat at sunrise, Bayon Temple in Angkor Thom, Terrace of Elephants and Ta Prohm—and plenty of bottled water plus cool towels along the way before returning to your hotel later that afternoon.