Angkor Wat & Siem Reap: 2-Day Sunrise & Sunset Temple Tour

Two Days, Two Dawns: Angkor's Temples from First Light to Last

You arrive before dawn on day two to watch Angkor Wat emerge from darkness, spend two hours inside the main temple with a guide who reads the carvings, then move through Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm. Day one covers Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Banteay Srei, and a sunset at Pre Rup. Hotel pickup, water, and guide are included. The temple pass is paid separately on arrival.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Banteay Srei and Grand Circuit Temples

• Travel to Preah Khan temple
• Visit Neak Pean island temple
• Explore Banteay Srei temple
• Enjoy sunset at Pre Rup temple
• Return to town

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise and Angkor Thom

• Depart hotel pre-dawn for Angkor Wat
• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Explore Angkor Wat interior
• Have breakfast outside Angkor Wat
• Visit Angkor Thom and Bayon temple
• Pass Terrace of the Leper King
• Pass Terrace of the Elephants
• Explore Ta Prohm temple
• Return to hotel

The experience

Most people see Angkor Wat once, usually midday, usually crowded. This tour flips that. You start before sunrise on day two, entering the temple from the eastern side while it's still dark, walking past the longest stretch of carved stone in the world as the light arrives. Day one, though, comes first: Preah Khan in the morning, where tree roots have wrapped around crumbling walls for centuries, then Neak Pean on its artificial island, then Banteay Srei. The smallest temple on the circuit but carved with such precision that every relief looks fresh. By late afternoon you're at Pre Rup or Bakheng, watching the sun drop behind the jungle.

The second day is the one people remember. Hotel pickup happens between 4:10 and 4:30 am depending on the season. Early enough that you're standing outside Angkor Wat in near-darkness, waiting for the sky to change. Your guide, English-speaking and licensed, walks you through the corridors and explains the bas-relief stories while the temple fills with grey light. Two hours inside the main structure, then breakfast outside with a view, then a rest. After that, Angkor Thom: the old capital, massive and deliberate, with the Bayon temple at its center. Over 200 carved faces staring down from the towers. You pass the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, both carved with such detail you can still read the weight and posture of the figures. Last stop is Ta Prohm, the one with the trees growing through the stones, the one that looks like it's been abandoned for a century even though it was only "lost" until the 1850s.

The pace is steady but not rushed. You're in an air-conditioned vehicle between sites, and the guide carries bottled water and a cool towel. Small groups mean you're not shuffling behind fifty other people. The temple pass costs an extra USD 62 and you pay that on the day you arrive. Wear something that covers your shoulders and knees inside the temples, and bring shoes you can walk in for hours. If the two-day schedule doesn't fit your calendar, you can swap the days around.

What’s included

• Your two days include hotel pickup and drop-off, an English-speaking licensed guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport between all sites, complimentary bottled water and a cool towel, and entry to Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Banteay Srei, Pre Rup, Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King, and Ta Prohm.
• Breakfast on day two is your own (takeaway from your hotel).
• The temple pass is paid separately on arrival.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · 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$ 62

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Journey Cambodia

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you want to see Angkor's main temples across two days without arranging transport, timing, or a guide yourself: the early start on day two is what makes the sunrise at Angkor Wat possible, and the small-group format keeps the pace manageable across the distance.

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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 tour start on day one?

Day one begins in the morning with a visit to Preah Khan. Day two starts with hotel pickup between 4:10 and 4:30 am for the sunrise at Angkor Wat.

Is the temple pass included in the price?

No. The 2-3 day temple pass costs USD 62 and is paid on the day of your activity.

Can I do the sunrise day first instead of the sunset day?

Yes, the itinerary is flexible and you can swap the two days to fit your schedule.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, cool towel, and entry to all temples on the itinerary. Breakfast on day two is your own (takeaway from your hotel).

How much walking is involved?

Substantial. You'll walk through multiple temples over two days, often in heat and humidity. Comfortable walking shoes are essential. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but expect several hours of walking each day.

What should I wear?

Casual clothing is fine, but shoulders and knees must be covered inside the temples. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring sun protection.