You can visit Angkor Wat without a tour, so the real question is whether a sunrise tour is actually worth paying for.
This review covers what the tour included, which temples we visited, and whether I’d book the same Angkor Wat sunrise tour again.
This post contains ads and affiliate links, which help cover the running costs of this blog at no extra cost to you. I only recommend things I would genuinely consider useful.
If you’re still working out what else to do around the temples, I’ve also written a guide to the best things to do in Siem Reap in 48 hours.
Was the Angkor Wat sunrise tour worth it?
Yes, I’d book the Angkor Wat sunrise tour again. Not because you can’t visit Angkor independently, but because the tour made the day much easier. For around £12 each, excluding the Angkor ticket and lunch, we got hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport between temples, unlimited water and an official guide.
This is the Angkor Wat sunrise tour we booked.
What the Angkor Wat sunrise tour was actually like
The tour included hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport between temples, unlimited water and an official guide. It did not include the Angkor ticket or lunch, so those need to be budgeted separately. That distinction matters because the tour price is not the full cost of visiting Angkor.
Our pick-up was at 4:29am, followed by around 20 to 30 minutes collecting other people. We then stopped at the ticket office for anyone who needed to buy their Angkor pass in person before continuing to Angkor Wat. We arrived before dawn, and by around 5:30am it was already getting light. Sunrise was around 6:10am when we visited, although the exact timing will depend on the time of year.
After Angkor Wat, the tour continued to the other temples before returning to Siem Reap at around 1pm. The group was manageable, around 15 people, and the transport was air-conditioned with unlimited water.
Which temples we visited
Although it’s sold as an Angkor Wat sunrise tour, the visit is not only Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is one temple within the wider Angkor Archaeological Park, and the tour uses part of your Angkor ticket to take you through several major stops in the complex. Our tour covered Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Bayon and Angkor Thom.
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat was the first stop on the tour. After sunrise, we entered the temple with our guide which helped me understand more of what I was looking at, including the layout, the carvings, the history and how the towers relate to the sun. I would still have found Angkor Wat impressive without a guide, but I do think I would have missed a lot of what makes it significant.
For me, that was the main value of starting the tour here. You get the sunrise view, but you also get the context once the temple opens, which made the visit feel more meaningful than just turning up for a photo.
Ta Prohm
It’s known for the Tomb Raider connection, but the appeal is really the way the jungle has grown into the temple. Huge tree roots wrap around the stone, doorways and courtyards, so it feels completely different to Angkor Wat. The timing made a big difference. We visited after Angkor Wat and before breakfast, which meant it was much quieter than it would have been later in the morning. This was one of the clearest benefits of being with a guide who knew the route and crowd timings.
Banteay Kdei
Our guide took us here partly to show a temple that felt much less restored and less polished. It gave a different view of Angkor because you could see more of the damage, wear and collapse rather than only the most photographed or restored parts of the complex. I wouldn’t prioritise it over Ta Prohm or Bayon on a first visit, but as part of the tour it added useful context. This is the kind of stop I probably wouldn’t have chosen myself, which is also why it worked well with a guide. It showed another side of Angkor beyond the headline temples.
Bayon and Angkor Thom
Bayon was my favourite temple of the tour. It sits within Angkor Thom and is known for its carved stone faces. This was another place where I was glad we had a guide, because there is a lot of religious and historical context I would not have understood properly on my own.
What to know before booking
For this tour, a 1-day Angkor pass is enough because it follows the main temple route. A 1-day pass covers the Small Circuit, including Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei, while 3-day and 7-day passes give you more time for the wider park. The Angkor pass includes access to all temples within Angkor Archaeological Park.
At the time of writing, prices are commonly listed as $37 for 1 day, $62 for 3 days and $72 for 7 days. I’d check the official Angkor Enterprise site before you go.
It’s also worth checking the latest rules around evening access if you’re trying to make the most of your Angkor ticket. We were told it may be possible to watch sunset from outside the temple after closing, although you wouldn’t be allowed inside the temple itself. Separately, Angkor’s ticket rules can allow same-evening sunset access when buying a pass for the following day, but I’d check the current rule before planning around it.
Our group felt manageable, but you’re still following a set route and timings. If you want a slower day, more control over how long you spend at each temple, or a photography-focused visit, a private guide or driver may suit you better.
Bring something small to eat before the tour starts, especially if you’re not good with early mornings. Breakfast wasn’t until later in the morning, and it’s a long start if you’ve gone straight from hotel pick-up to sunrise and the first temple. Be careful with snacks around the temples, as there are monkeys in some areas.
Book the Angkor Wat sunrise tour here.
Who I’d recommend this tour for
I’d recommend an Angkor Wat sunrise tour if:
- it’s your first time visiting Angkor
- you want to see sunrise without organising transport yourself
- you want a guide rather than just a driver
- you want to see several temples in one morning
- you’re happy with a small-group format
- you want the day to feel organised
I wouldn’t recommend it if:
- you hate early starts
- you want a private or slower experience
- you prefer exploring without a guide
- you want complete control over how long you spend at each temple
- you’re mainly interested in photography and want to move at your own pace
For me, it was the right choice. It saved time, gave the day structure and helped me understand more than I would have alone.
Frequently asked questions about the Angkor Wat sunrise tour
Do you need a tour for Angkor Wat?
No, you don’t need a tour for Angkor Wat. You can visit independently with a tuk-tuk, private driver or guide. But if you want the early start, transport, route and context handled for you, a guided sunrise tour makes the day much easier.
How much did the Angkor Wat sunrise tour cost?
We paid around £12 each for the tour, excluding the Angkor ticket and lunch. The tour covered hotel pick-up and drop-off, transport between temples, unlimited water and an official guide.
What temples were included in the Angkor Wat sunrise tour?
Our tour included Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Banteay Kdei, Bayon and Angkor Thom. Routes can vary, so check the current listing before booking.
Is Angkor Wat sunrise worth it?
Yes, I thought Angkor Wat sunrise was worth it, but the sunrise was only part of the value. For me, the bigger benefit was having the route, transport and guide handled for the rest of the morning.
Would I book the same Angkor Wat sunrise tour again?
Yes, I would book the same tour again. For the price, I thought it was worth it for the convenience and guide.
This is the Angkor Wat sunrise tour we booked.
What else should you do in Siem Reap after Angkor?
After Angkor, I’d keep the rest of the trip simple: Khmer food, markets, a cultural show, Pub Street or a massage. For more ideas, read my guide to the best things to do in Siem Reap in 48 hours.
