Angkor Wat sunrise or sunset tour: 4 temples with guide

Stand at the world's largest temple as light breaks over the jungle

This small-group tour of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and Ta Keo runs 8 to 9 hours with a live English-speaking Khmer guide, hotel pickup in an air-conditioned minivan, bottled water and a cool towel. You choose sunrise or sunset timing at checkout, and the temple pass is an optional add-on. Dress code requires pants covering the knee and a shirt covering the shoulders.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Angkor Wat1h
2. Ta Prohm1h
3. Ta Keo Temple1h
4. Angkor Thom1h

Explore Angkor temples with guide

• Visit Angkor Wat at sunrise
• Explore Ta Prohm temple ruins
• Climb terraces of Ta Keo temple
• Tour Bayon temple in Angkor Thom

The experience

The day starts before dawn or in late afternoon, depending on which timing you pick. A driver collects you from your hotel and takes you straight to Angkor Wat, the world's largest religious monument. You arrive early enough to watch light move across the stone as the sun breaks the horizon or sinks toward the jungle. The moment the temple was built to frame. A Khmer guide walks you through the complex, explaining the symbolism carved into every wall and the ambition of the ancient Angkor civilization that built it.

From there the minivan moves to Ta Prohm, the ruin half-swallowed by jungle and famous from the Tomb Raider film. Massive tree roots grip the stone. The guide shows you how the site has been left partly reclaimed on purpose, a balance between preservation and the forest's slow takeover. Next is Ta Keo, a pyramid-shaped temple that was never finished: its unadorned stone and steep terraces give it a different character than the carved temples around it, and climbing the layers opens views across the canopy.

The final stop is Bayon temple at the center of Angkor Thom, the later capital of the empire. You enter through the South Gate, a causeway lined with carved gods and demons locked in an eternal tug-of-war. Inside, Bayon's towers are covered in enormous stone faces gazing out at the forest, a sight the guide will help you read. Transport back to your hotel closes the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned minivan.
• bottled water and a cool towel.
• English-speaking Khmer guide for the full 8 to 9 hours.
• entry to all four temples (Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo and Bayon at Angkor Thom).

Options for this experience

3 options

Sunset group optionGuide in English · 09:30We will collect all travelers: our tour offers pickup for all travelers in Siem Reap city. Lasts 9 hours, with cool water and wipe towels, a small tour by minivan. Pickup is included.

Shared sunrise group tourGuide in English · 04:30Lasts 8 hours. This option is calmer and lets you join a group of people from all over the world, giving you the chance to meet them. We provide cool water and wipe towels for the whole trip, but not with meals. Small tour of the temples: Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Keo, and Ta Prohm, by minivan or minibus with air conditioning. Pickup is included.

Sunrise tour, private optionGuide in English · 04:30Lasts 8 hours. A great way to travel with your own private group, letting you learn a lot about history from your guide and create unforgettable memories. We provide cool water and wipe towels for the whole trip, but not with meals. Small tour by car or van, with the vehicle depending on the group size. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:30 and 09:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (20 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 75 years) · Youth (13 to 19 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Angkor Wat Shared Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the sunrise departure if you want the temples at their quietest and the light at its most dramatic. The sunset option suits anyone who prefers to sleep in and watch the day close over the stone instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 19 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What time does the Angkor Wat tour start?

You choose sunrise or sunset when you book. Sunrise departs early morning to catch the light breaking over the temple. Sunset departs in late afternoon so you watch the sun drop toward the jungle from the stone.

Does the tour include the temple pass to enter Angkor?

The temple pass is not included in the base price. It costs $37 and you can add it at checkout, or arrange it separately before the tour begins.

What is Ta Prohm temple known for?

Ta Prohm is a ruin partially reclaimed by jungle, with massive tree roots gripping the ancient stone. It became famous as the "Tomb Raider temple" after the 2001 film was shot there.

How many temples does this tour visit?

The tour includes four main temples: Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo and Bayon temple at Angkor Thom.

Is hotel pickup included in the tour price?

Yes, the driver picks you up from your hotel in an air-conditioned minivan and returns you at the end of the day.

What should I wear to visit the temples?

Dress code requires pants that cover the knee and a shirt that covers the shoulders. The guide can advise on appropriate layers for the time of day you choose.