Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise Bike Tour with Breakfast & Lunch

Summary

Angkor sunrise by bike, temple faces in morning light, Khmer flavors shared together

You’ll watch dawn break over Angkor Wat’s towers before cycling ancient trails with a small group and local guide. Share Khmer breakfast outside the temple, pedal through jungle paths past Bayon’s mysterious faces, then rest by Srah Srang reservoir for lunch. It’s equal parts sweat and wonder — a day you’ll remember whenever you see sunrise again.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s handing me a cup of hot coffee in the dark — I can’t see their face yet, but the smell is enough to wake me up. The air around Angkor Wat at 5am is thick and quiet except for the soft shuffling of other sleepy travelers. Our guide, Dara, waves us over with a grin that somehow makes the early hour less painful. He picks out a spot by the lotus pond where we just wait, not really talking much. When the sun finally edges up behind those towers… yeah, I get why people do this. I didn’t expect it to feel so peaceful with so many others around.

Breakfast is outside the temple — eggs and fruit and something sweet I still can’t name (Dara tried to teach me but I probably butchered it). Then we’re on bikes, rolling along sandy paths while birds kick up from the trees. The main keyword here is “Angkor Wat sunrise tour by bike,” but honestly it felt more like drifting between worlds. At Bayon Temple, Dara pointed out faces carved into stone — some smiling, some serious — and told us stories about old kings and gods while we munched on tiny bananas he’d brought along. My hands got gritty from touching the carvings; you can feel how old everything is.

The Terrace of the Elephants was longer than I expected, lined with these faded carvings that almost look like they’re melting back into the stone. We kept cycling through patches of jungle where you could hear cicadas buzzing louder than our tires. At Ta Prohm, roots twist around broken walls and there’s this cool dampness under the trees — I caught myself just standing there for a while, not really thinking about anything else. Lunch came by Srah Srang reservoir: fish amok and rice in an air-conditioned spot that felt like cheating after all that sun (but no complaints from me). The ride back was mostly quiet; everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts or maybe just tired legs.

I still think about that sunrise sometimes when I wake up too early at home — how Dara laughed when someone tried to pronounce “Srah Srang,” or how my shirt stuck to my back before breakfast even started. If you’re looking for a day trip from Siem Reap that feels both sweaty and kind of magical (with pickup and meals sorted), this Angkor sunrise bike tour is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Angkor Wat sunrise and temple cycling

• Pickup from hotel
• Travel to Angkor Wat
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Guided tour of Angkor Wat
• Enjoy breakfast near Angkor Wat
• Cycle to Bayon temple
• Short break with local fruit
• Visit Terrace of the Elephants
• Cycle through forest to temples
• Explore Bayon and Ta Prohm temples
• Lunch at Srah Srang reservoir
• Return transfer to hotel

Top questions

What time does the Angkor sunrise bike tour start?

The tour starts before dawn with hotel pickup; exact time is confirmed after booking.

Is breakfast included on this Angkor Wat sunrise tour?

Yes, a Western-style breakfast is served just outside Angkor Wat after sunrise viewing.

How difficult is the biking part of this tour?

The cycling is low difficulty but does require some biking skill; dirt paths are involved.

Are entry fees to Angkor included?

No, Angkor Entrance Fee is not included; you’ll need to purchase it separately to enter the complex.

What temples do we visit during this day trip from Siem Reap?

You’ll visit Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants, Ta Prohm, and Srah Srang reservoir.

Is hotel pickup provided for this Angkor bike tour?

Yes, round-trip transport by air-conditioned minivan from your Siem Reap hotel is included.

What meals are provided on this tour?

A Western breakfast and Khmer lunch are both included during your day trip.

Are child seats available for families?

Specialized infant seats are available upon request for children weighing up to 14kg.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Siem Reap by air-conditioned minivan, all bike equipment and safety gear provided throughout your ride, plus snacks and refreshments along the way. A Western breakfast awaits after sunrise at Angkor Wat followed by a traditional Khmer lunch near Srah Srang reservoir before returning in comfort later that afternoon.