Sunrise or sunset bicycle tour: Angkor Wat temples

Cycle through jungle temples at dawn or dusk, guided by a local expert

A guided bicycle tour around Angkor Wat and nearby temples in the national park, with your choice of sunrise or sunset timing. You ride unspoiled routes between five major sites (Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei and Ta Keo) on a bike provided by the operator, with a Khmer guide leading the way and water included throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each6 stops

1. Angkor Wat1h
2. Angkor Thom1h
3. Ta Prohm1h
4. Banteay Kdei1h
5. Ta Keo Temple1h
6. Phnom Bakheng1h

Cycle through Angkor temples

• Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat
• Cycle through Angkor Thom South Gate
• Visit Bayon temple
• Explore Ta Prohm temple
• See Banteay Kdei ruins
• Climb terraces of Ta Keo
• Watch sunset at Phnom Bakheng

The experience

The choice between sunrise and sunset shapes the whole day. A sunrise departure means leaving early to watch light break over Angkor Wat, the largest religious complex in the world, before the crowds arrive. The sunset option lets you start mid-morning at a gentler pace, then climb Phnom Bakheng (a hilltop temple built centuries before Angkor Wat) to watch the sun drop over the temple complex itself. Both routes cover the same major sites, cycling at a pace that lets you absorb each one without rushing.

The temples themselves anchor the route. Angkor Thom, the empire's later capital, opens through the South Gate lined with carved gods and demons. At its centre, Bayon's countless stone faces gaze out at the forest. Ta Prohm, famous from the 2001 film Tomb Raider, shows what happens when jungle reclaims stone: trees grow through the walls and roots weave across the ruins. Banteay Kdei, the citadel of monks' cells, has silk cotton trees whose roots spiral through the stonework in patterns that draw photographers. Ta Keo, never finished, rises as a square pyramid with terraces you can climb for views over the canopy.

Bicycles and water come with the tour. Your Khmer guide handles the route and the stories. If you don't already hold an Angkor Pass, the operator can stop at the ticket office so you can buy one. Seven to eight hours on the bike means active travel, and the operator notes this suits travelers with at least moderate fitness. The cycling routes themselves stay on unspoiled paths through the national park, keeping environmental impact low.

What’s included

• Bicycles and bottled water throughout the day.
• pickup and drop-off.
• a live guide in English who is a local Khmer expert.

Information

Lasts 7h–8h, runs every day at 04:30 and 10:00, from US$ 45 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 04:30 and 10:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 151 private ›

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (15 to 70 years) · Under 15: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Angkor Wat Shared Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the sunrise departure if you want to see Angkor Wat before the crowds arrive and prefer an early start. Pick the sunset option if you'd rather begin mid-morning and end on a hilltop watching the light fade over the temple complex. The tour suits active travelers with at least moderate fitness, since seven to eight hours on a bike through the national park is the core of the experience.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the sunrise and sunset options on this tour?

Sunrise departs early to catch light breaking over Angkor Wat before crowds. Sunset starts mid-morning and ends on Phnom Bakheng hilltop overlooking the temple complex at dusk. Both visit the same five major temples but at different paces and times of day.

Do I need to buy an Angkor Pass before the tour starts?

If you don't already have one, the operator can stop at the Angkor Ticket Office during the tour so you can purchase it there.

What is Ta Prohm like compared to the other temples on the route?

Ta Prohm is partially reclaimed by jungle, with trees growing through the walls and roots weaving across the ruins. It's the temple made famous by the 2001 film Tomb Raider and looks dramatically different from the more intact sites like Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom.

How long does the bicycle tour take?

The tour runs seven to eight hours, covering five temples on unspoiled cycling routes through the national park.

Is this tour suitable for someone who cycles occasionally but isn't highly athletic?

The operator recommends at least moderate physical fitness for this tour. It involves seven to eight hours of cycling through the temple complex. The pace is described as gentle, but the duration and terrain mean regular fitness helps.