Cambodia · Sunrise Tours

2-Day Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour with Beng Mealea and Tonle Sap

2 Days Round trip from Krong Siem Reap Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Watch sunrise at Angkor Wat from the lotus pond or another scenic vantage point
02 Explore Banteay Srei, the late 10th-century temple famed for delicate pink sandstone carvings
03 Visit the jungle-clad temple of Beng Mealea, a mesmerising mid-12th-century complex
04 Experience life in Kompong Phluk, an authentic stilted village on Tonle Sap Lake
05 Discover Angkor Thom's iconic monuments, including Bayon, Baphuon, and Phimeanakas
06 Admire the charming and iconic Ta Prohm, where giant tree roots embrace ancient stones

Explore Banteay Srei, the late 10th-century "Lady temple" known for its beautiful delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone, then continue through the countryside to the jungle-clad temple of Beng Mealea and the authentic stilted village of Kompong Phluk on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake. Witness local life in the flooded forest and learn how people travel by boat along roads that remain underwater much of the time. On the second day, watch sunrise at Angkor Wat, explore its inner galleries, and discover the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom with Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, the Royal Palace terraces, and the charming and iconic Ta Prohm.

Travel to the largest religious monument ever built as it slowly emerges before you while darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Siem Reap, Beng Mealea

Languages Cambodian, English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Banteay Srei, Beng Mealea and Kompong Phluk

Meet your driver and tour guide in the lobby of your hotel at 8:00 AM.
Travel to the small temple of Banteay Srei, well known for its beautiful delicate carvings in warm pink sandstone. This late 10th-century temple is fairly compact and very different from other Angkorian temples.
Continue through picturesque countryside and rural villages for approximately 60 km to the northeast, reaching the jungle-clad temple of Beng Mealea. This mid-12th-century temple features a mixture of Buddhist and Hindu attributes and is particularly mesmerising in the monsoon season.
Arrive in Kompong Phluk, an authentic stilted village on the edge of the great Tonle Sap Lake. Here, Khmer, Vietnamese, and Cham people live in harmony with the lake's rising and falling waters.

Day 02

Sunrise at Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and Ta Prohm

You will be picked up at 4:45 AM from the lobby of your hotel.
Travel to the largest religious monument ever built as it slowly emerges before you while darkness gives way to the first rays of dawn. This is a truly spectacular sight and well worth the early start. You may wish to take the classic viewing position by the lotus pond to see Angkor Wat and its reflection, or choose a different vantage point to appreciate and photograph this mesmerising temple. When the colours of sunrise begin to fade, explore the inner parts of Angkor Wat and learn about its history and the fascinating stories behind the intricate carvings adorning the walls of the temple galleries.
Explore the ancient walled city of Angkor Thom along with some other iconic temples.
Enter the ancient city through its South Gate. In the very centre lies the temple of Bayon - silent witnesses of time, the 216 enigmatic faces gaze over the horizon, and one can only wonder what they have seen throughout the ages. Take photographs here and admire the many intricate carvings on the walls of the galleries.
Continue to Baphuon with its long causeway and impressive giant Reclining Buddha, a jigsaw puzzle only put back together in 2011 following a 37-year-long disruption caused by the war. Phimeanakas hides in the shaded jungle and offers a decent over-the-treetops view to those who conquer the steep steps to the top.
Admire the Esplanade of the Royal Palace, more commonly known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Having gained its 21st-century fame from the Tomb Raider movie, the charming and iconic Ta Prohm features on most visitors' itineraries, and rightfully so. Here, nature takes over ancient human-made structures, and golden Spung tree (Tetrameles Nudiflora) roots wrap themselves around mossy stones in a tight embrace. Back to hotel.

Where this trip takes you

Banteay Srei pink sandstone carvings, Beng Mealea jungle-clad ruins, Kompong Phluk stilted village on Tonle Sap Lake, Angkor Wat at sunrise

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Krong Siem Reap 2 cities · 2 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
Driver/guide
Professional guide
Private tour
Transport by private vehicle
Toll roads
Car parking
Cold water and wipes
Gasoline
Hotel pick-up and drop-off

What's Not Included

Entrance fee
Meals
Accommodation
Personal expenses

What to bring

Some cash
Hand sanitizing gel
Sunscreen
Mosquito repellent
Hat
Sunglasses
Power bank and charger
Daily medicine
Camera or phone

Know before you go

Kindly observe the following points:

Dress Code: Revealing clothes such as shorts and skirts above the knees, and clothing that shows bare shoulders, are prohibited in sacred places. Respectful dress is strongly encouraged in Angkor.
Monuments: Touching carvings, sitting on fragile structures, leaning on temple structures, moving or taking archaeological artifacts, and graffiti are strictly prohibited. Backpacks, umbrellas with sharp tips, tripods, and high heels are discouraged inside the temples.
Sacred Sites: As Angkor is a sacred site, loud conversation, noise, and other behaviour considered inappropriate in Cambodian culture may offend others and disturb other visitors. Please remain calm and respectful.
Restricted Areas: For your own safety and for the conservation of Angkor, please comply with all signs on site and be mindful of your steps at all times. Do not climb on loose stones.
Smoking and Littering: As a member of the World Health Organization, Angkor has been a smoke-free site since 2012. Smoking cigarettes disturbs others, and cigarettes can start bush fires. To protect the environment, please do not smoke or litter.
Candy or Money to Children: Buying items from children or giving them candy or money encourages them not to attend school but to beg. If you wish to help the children, please consider donating to a recognized charity.
Monks: Monks are revered and respected. If you want to take pictures, please ask for permission first. Women should not touch, stand, or sit too close to monks.