Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour & All Major Temples from Siem Reap

Start your adventure in Siem Reap, the gateway to the splendor of Angkor, with a warm welcome from a local guide ready to take you to the city center. In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip to the floating village of Kompong Khleang on the iconic Tonle Sap Lake. Here, high-pitched houses, a floating school and a floating church create a unique landscape that reflects the lives of local people who have adapted to the ebb and flow of Southeast Asia’s largest lake. If you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a mesmerizing sunset, creating beautiful silhouettes against the calm water. In the evening, sample a typical Cambodian dinner while enjoying a colorful traditional Khmer dance performance.

The next morning, a spiritual experience awaits as you witness sunrise at Angkor Wat – the sacred moment when the first light illuminates the majestic ancient towers. Afterwards, explore the historic ruins at Angkor Thom, including the smiling faces at Bayon, the long reliefs of Baphuon, and the grand carved terraces that were once the stage for kings. Continue to mysterious Ta Prohm, where giant tree roots hug the ruins of ancient temples, like a world stopped in time. In the afternoon, return to Angkor Wat to explore its architectural details, including the epic relief gallery and the central tower that symbolizes Mount Meru. If you still have energy, hike to Phnom Bakheng to witness your final sunset over the jungle and temple landscape. On day three, you’ll be transferred to the airport-but the memories of Angkor’s magic will stay with you for a long time.

Day 1 Arrive in Siem Reap, Cambodia | Airport Pick-up, Floating Village, Tonle Sap Lake

Welcome to Siem Reap, your gateway for the Temples of Angkor. When you arrive at Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport (SAI), your tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Siem Reap.

Siem Reap is a city in northwestern Cambodia, best known as the gateway to the Temples of Angkor, including the iconic Angkor Wat, which is just 6 kilometers away. The city has transformed into a major tourist hub, with a diverse range of accommodations, and bustling nightlife with numerous restaurants, bars, and night markets.

In the afternoon, you will travel to Tonle Sap Lake to visit the floating village of Kompong Khleang. Known as the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, Tonle Sap is home to numerous floating villages. These are unique for their stilted houses, which are built on platforms supported by wooden poles or tethered to boats, adjusting to the lake’s changing water levels. The villages also have floating schools, shops, and even churches.

Enjoy a boat ride (about 1.5 hours) to observe the residents’ unique lifestyle and the region’s rich biodiversity. If it happens to be dusk, you will appreciate the beautiful sunset on Tonle Sap Lake.

Optional Activity: In the evening, you can join an optional sumptuous welcome dinner buffet. While dining,you’ll be treated to a captivating hmer traditional dance performance, featuring elegant movements and vibrantcostumes set to melodious traditional music.

Arrival Ideas:

Siem Reap Airport: Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP) is the main airport in Siem Reap, located about 45 kilometers from downtown and approximately 50 kilometers from the Temples of Angkor.

Flights to Siem Reap: For internal flights, the most common routes are from Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and occasionally from Sihanoukville, especially during the tourist season. For international flights, it is well connected with major cities in Asia, making it relatively easy to find direct flights from places like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and various cities in China.

Day 2 Angkor Archaeological Park | Sunrise, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm, Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng

Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Angkor Archaeological Park is a vast and impressive complex. It spans an area of roughly 400 square kilometers and contains the magnificent remains of the various capitals of the Khmer Empire, which flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries.

Today, we will guide you through an exploration of some of the most iconic temples and structures within the park, including the majestic Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom complexes, and the enchanting Ta Prohm.

Scenic Spots You will Pass:

Sunrise → Angkor Thom → Ta Prohm → Angkor Wat → Phnom Bakheng Sunset → Get back to your Hotel

Start your day early with a sunrise viewing at Angkor Wat. Arrive at Angkor Wat in time to find a good spot to watch the sunrise. Tips: The sun rises between 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM, depending on the time of year. The silhouette of Angkor Wat’s iconic spires stands sharply against the lightening backdrop, creating a stunning contrast that slowly fills with color. The temple’s vast moat reflects this magical scene, doubling the beauty in a perfect mirror image that enhances the surreal atmosphere. After the sunrise, head back to your hotel for breakfast and a short rest.

After breakfast, head to Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late 12th century by King Jayavarman VII in the late twelfth century. Angkor Thom means “Great City” in Khmer. Set over 10 square kilometers, the aptly named last great capital of the Khmer empire took monumental to a whole new level.

Enter through the South Gate and proceed to the Bayon Temple at the city’s center. This temple is known for its numerous smiling faces carved into its towers. Each of its 54 Gothic towers is decorated with 216 gargantuan smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara. The temple also features 1.2km of extraordinary bas-reliefs, incorporating more than 11,000 figures. Take your time to marvel at these detailed bas-reliefs, which portray historical events and scenes from daily life in the empire. A short walk northwest from the Bayon will bring you to the Baphuon Temple. This temple, which predates Angkor Thom, was originally a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

Next, visit the Terrace of the Elephants. King Jayavarman VII used this terrace as a viewing platform to observe his victorious returning army. You’ll find it adorned with carvings of elephants and other animals, providing excellent photo opportunities. Continue to the nearby Terrace of the Leper King. This 7-meter high laterite platform features multiple tiers of meticulously carved walls depicting nagas (serpents), demons, and various mythical beings. Conclude your visit to Angkor Thom by exiting through the Victory Gate on the east side of the city.

Later, proceed to Ta Prohm (Jungle Temple). Its appeal lies in the fact that, unlike the other monuments of Angkor, it has been swallowed by the jungle, and looks very much the way most of the monuments of Angkor appeared when European explorers first stumbled upon them. It was also featured in the movies “Tomb Raider” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, which adds to its popularity. After exploring Ta Prohm, enjoy a relaxing lunch at one of the local restaurants nearby.

In the afternoon, return to Angkor Wat for a more detailed tour of this iconic temple. Uniquely designed with a westward orientation, Angkor Wat is best viewed in the afternoon light. Angkor Wat, the largest monument of the Angkor group and the best preserved, is an architectural masterpiece. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief, and sculpture make it one of the finest monuments in the world.

Angkor Wat is surrounded by a vast moat, 190 meters wide, forming a rectangle of 1.5 by 1.3 kilometers, which symbolizes the mythical oceans surrounding Mount Meru, the center of the universe in Hindu cosmology. Visitors can enter through the west-facing main gate, which leads directly into a long causeway lined with naga balustrades. Spend time in the galleries which feature extensive bas-reliefs depicting epic stories such as the Battle of Kurukshetra from the Mahabharata, the Judgment by Yama, the Hindu god of death, and scenes of heavenly nymphs (Apsaras) and everyday life in the Khmer Empire. At the heart of the temple complex is the central sanctuary surrounded by four smaller towers, forming a quincunx. The central sanctuary, rising majestically above the forested landscape, symbolizes the mythical Mount Meru and offers a unique perspective on the temple’s layout and the geometric precision with which it was built. Climb up to the central tower, a privilege that offers not only a closer view of the intricate lintel carvings and sculpted friezes but also panoramic views of the entire complex and its surroundings.

Note:

• To visit the Bakan tower of Angkor Wat temple, visitors are required to wear proper attire, covering shoulders and knees to show their cultural respect, as this temple is still considered as a sacrificial site for the Khmer people (no short miniskirt nor short trousers).
• Children under twelve years old are restricted not to climb up the tower. The tower will be closed on the Buddhist Sabbath Days, the Buddhist religious days and four days a month in accordance with Lunar Calendar.

If you have enough energy, consider climbing up to Phnom Bakheng Hill to enjoy the sunset view. The climb takes about 15-20 minutes. Arrive early as this popular spot can get crowded at sunset. From here, watch the sky change colors over the main temples of Angkor and the surrounding forests – a perfect end to a day of exploration.

After the tour, drive back to your hotel. Stay overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3 Siem Reap Departure | Hotel Check-out and Airport see-off

It is time to end your 3 Days Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour. Today, you’ll driven to Siem Reap–Angkor International Airport for your departure. The drive takes approximately an hour.

Trip Extension: If you plan to continue exploring neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, or Laos, don’t hesitate to let us know. We can customize your itinerary and assist with travel arrangements.

Thank you for choosing Asia Journeys for your Asia tour, we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to Asia. Safe journey!