Angkor Wat Sunrise Private Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Witness the sunrise over Angkor Wat
- Explore the ancient temples of Angkor Thom
- Visit the Bayon Temple with its iconic stone faces
- Discover the jungle-clad Ta Prohm Temple
- Enjoy a personalized experience with a private guide
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Private English-speaking guide
- Transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Meals and drinks
Itinerary
We begin with a pre-dawn departure (4.30 to 4.45am depending on the time of year) from your hotel for sunrise outside Angkor Wat. Enter the great temple in darkness from the little-visited eastern side, and creep along hoary cloistered corridors past the longest stretch of bas-relief carvings in the world.
Pass by: The south gate of Angkor Thom is the best preserved. It is approached from outside via a causeway that extends about fifty meters across a moat. On each side of the causeway are railings fashioned with 54 stone figures engaged in the performance of a famous Hindu story: the myth of the Churning of the Ocean. On the left side of the moat, 54 'devas' (guardian gods) pull the head of the snake 'Shesha' while on the right side 54 'asuras' (demon gods) pull the snake's tail in the opposite direction. In this myth, the body of the snake is wrapped around the central mountain—Mt. Meru—perhaps corresponding here to the Bayon temple at the center of the site. In any case, the myth relates that as the Devas pulled the snake in one direction and the gods pushed in the other, the ocean began to churn and precipitate the elements. By alternating back and forth, the ocean was 'milked', forming the earth and the cosmos anew.
Angkor Thom is the majestic site once served as the Khmer Empire's glistening capital city. Take a moment to consider its grandiosity before venturing inside the city. Arriving at the temple at Bayon, appreciate its beautifully crafted central towers covered in more than 200 enormous faces.
Pass by: The 350m-long Terrace of Elephants was used as a giant reviewing stand for public ceremonies and served as a base for the king's grand audience hall. It has five outworks extending towards the Central Square-three in the center and one at each end. The middle section of the retaining wall is decorated with life-size garuda and lions; towards either end are the two parts of the famous parade of elephants complete with their Khmer mahouts.
One of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor. Once home to 2,740 monks, Ta Prohm today looks much as it did in the early 1850s, when French explorer Henri Mouhot ‘rediscovered’ this crumbling site. After exploring the maze-like interior of Ta Prohm, return to your hotel after a long but fulfilling day, which will leave you with a lifetime of memories of one of the wonders of the world.
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
- Please inform the operator of any dietary restrictions in advance.
- Photography is allowed; however, tripods may be restricted in certain areas.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain.
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, and insect repellent for sun protection.
- Carry a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the tour.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- Dress Code: Respectful dress with cover your shoulders and knees is required (shoulders cover by scarf not allow).
- Breakfast: If your hotel room is included breakfast, we recommend to request the breakfast pack and you will enjoy after sunrise at Angkor Wat.
- Temples entrance fee also accept visa cards and available to purchase on the day of the tour just before sunrise
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Traveler reviews
A magical sunrise tour of Angkor Wat
Sam was a terrific and knowledgeable guide taking us to the key temples at Angkor Wat. He knows some great photo spots and took some amazing photos. He answered so many of our questions and gave us some great insights into Cambodian history, religion and its people. Da was a great driver, magically appearing to pick us up from different spots with a welcomed iced water and cold towel several. Sunrise at Angkor Wat is magical and we highly recommend Sam & Da.
SUNRISE ANKOR WAT
We had a fantastic Angkor Wat tour from start to finish. The pickup was on time, the itinerary was well planned, and we got to see the best highlights without feeling rushed. Our guide SO was knowledgeable about the history and answered all our questions with amazing photos throughout. Sunrise at Angkor Wat was unforgettable, and the rest of the temples Angkor Thom, Ta Phrom, Bayon Temple were equally stunning. Our driver SAMBATH made us feel comfortable in the scorching heat at all times. Excellent service, highly recommend Journey Cambodia! Best tour we booked in Siem Reap!
Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour with Mr So
Amazing experience, Mr So is an exceptional tour guide providing a plethora of insightful facts and details about the history of the temples that we visited. Highly recommend, one of the most beautiful experiences you can enjoy! Sambath was our amazing driver (and water provider)!
Angkor Wat Tour w/ Sopheaprath & Dara
We truly enjoyed our sunrise tour! Our guide, Sopheaprath, was wonderful — so knowledgeable about his culture. Our driver, Dara, went above and beyond by offering cold water and towels whenever needed, which made our experience even better. We wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Siem Reap!
Perfect temple tour
This tour checked off the three main temples that we wanted to see, but on top of that we had an excellent guide and driver. Sorphorn was very attentive, organized and knowledgeable. We enjoyed learning about the temples and Cambodia in general. Angkor Wat at sunrise is worth the early wake up call! I’m glad our guide kept us comfortably seated while we waited for the sunrise and knew the best places for pictures.