Angkor Wat Tours - How to See the City of Temples without the Crowds?

Angkor Wat – built by Suryavarman II (r 1112–52) – is the earthly representation of Mount Meru, the Mount Olympus of the Hindu faith, and the abode of ancient gods. The Cambodian god-kings of old each strove to better their ancestors’ structures in size, scale, and symmetry, culminating in what is believed to be the world’s largest religious building.

The temple is the heart and soul of Cambodia and a source of fierce national pride. Unlike the other Angkor monuments, it was never abandoned to the elements and has been in virtually continuous use since it was built.

Its Etymology

The modern name, Angkor Wat (alternate name: Nokor Wat), means "Temple City" or "City of Temples" in Khmer; Angkor meaning "city" or "capital city", is a vernacular form of the word nokor, which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara. Wat is the Khmer word for "temple grounds", also derived from Sanskrit vāṭa, meaning "enclosure".

The original name of the temple was Vrah Viṣṇuloka or Parama Viṣṇuloka (Sanskrit), which means the sacred dwelling of Vishnu.

Here is everything about Angkor Wat

Below is all the information and tips for you to make the best of your Angkor Wat Tours

It is possible to visit Angkor Wat at any time of year, but peak season is from November to February, when the weather is dry and cooler, although it is still hot for most. 

The best time of day to visit Angkor Wat is sunrise when it is cooler but crowded, or lunchtime when most of the tour groups are in town.

Here is more detail about Best time to visit Angkor Wat to have the best of your Angkor Wat tour

The nearby town of Siem Reap can be reached via good roads from Phnom Penh and buses and taxis make the trip regularly. Those preferring to travel by boat can also make the trip from Phnom Penh in some five or six hours—about the same travel time as by road. The airport in Siem Reap has service to Phnom Penh and regular flights abroad to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Laos.

Here is the dedicated article about Where is Angkor Wat and How to Get there

Siem Reap is just 7km from Angkor Wat and is the base for exploring the temples. Check out Siem Reap Travel Guide for more detail

As the temples of Angkor represent a sacred religious site to the Khmer people, visitors are asked to dress modestly.

Appropriate attire when visiting temples in Angkor Wat is long pants (covering the knee) and shirts that cover shoulders. Skirts, small shorts, tank tops, and other items of revealing clothing are not allowed within temple grounds. Visitors can and are frequently turned away from temples when wearing revealing clothing.

It is not possible to visit the highest level of Angkor Wat without upper arms covered and shorts to the knees. Local authorities have visitor 'code of conduct' guidelines and a video to encourage appropriate dress, as well as reminding tourists not to touch, sit or climb on the ancient structures, to pay attention to restricted areas, and to be respectful of monks.

Check the below map plan of Angkor Wat for your reference. You can either download the high-resolution map of Angkor Wat to have the better vision of what you will visit here.

Below is the breakdown of an Angkor Wat tour cost.

1. Entrance Fees to the Angkor Wat Complex

• Single day (1-day) pass – $37.00
• Three-day (3-day) pass – $62.00
• Seven-day (7-day) pass – $72.00

According to the rules, the 3-day pass is good for use within 10 days from the issue date. The 7-day pass, on the other hand, is good for use 1 month from the issue date. That way, both passes can be used at the Angkor Wat complex, even if is not used through consecutive days.

2. Tuk Tuk Driver: $18-20/day/tuk-tuk for 2 people

3. Tour Guide: $20/guide/day

One of the best ways to enjoy Angkor Wat without the crowds is to explore beyond the most popular sites. The site spans around 400 square kilometres, so you'll have plenty of options. The 'big three' will take a full day to see properly – so plan on getting a three-day ticket. This will give you time to step away from the hordes and see some of the temples you won’t have heard of.

Ta Keo is within selfie stick swinging distance of Ta Phrom but it wasn’t in Tomb Raider and so it is not on most visitors’ itineraries. Even better, the temple steps are seriously steep, making the climb hard enough to put off most people. The result? A view over the temple-dotted landscape from 21 metres up, and away from everyone else.

If the jungle-claimed Ta Phrom captured your imagination, don’t miss Preah Khan. This a massive complex was once home to upwards of 10,000 people and today a tumbledown heap of lichen-covered stones and imposing tree roots as thick as houses. Few people wander its ruins, enclosed by a moat so placid it appears like a mirror and surrounded by jungle so quiet you feel like you’ve stumbled on a true secret.

It’s hard to choose each one is the most beautiful. I would say that the Angkor Wat Sunrise is more powerful, especially that you can witness the transformation of the dark night into a brand-new day. Watch the sunrise on your second day, so no need to buy tickets in a hurry, you already know the road and how long does it take to arrive there.

Tip: Ask your hotel to prepare the breakfast box so that you can enjoy it after sunrise

The place is crowded, people trying to walk around the ruins in a completely dark night. Hold your torch firmly and cross Angkor Wat main gate then you must find a spot in front of the building, on the left side of the bridge that leads to the temple. There will be a small lake with flowers, that is the place you want to be when the sky turns purple, orange, and light blue.  

The colors are so intense, when the show starts the crowd became silent. We could hear the cameras clicking, the self-sticks folding up and down, and tons of “Wooowwwww”. Don’t look only to the sky, pay attention to the lake too, the reflection of the temple and the clouds is stunning!!

As soon as the sun appears people tend to leave the garden. Don’t rush! Now it’s time to find a good spot in front of Angkor Wat and savor your breakfast. Until 9 am the color of the sky will change, the clouds will play with the sun creating unique sunbeams. After breakfast go back to the tuk-tuk and start your second-day expedition in Angkor Wat complex.

The sunset in Angkor Wat is beautiful too. The best place to watch it is at Phnom Bakheng or the Terrace of Srah Srang, from there you can see the sun setting over the forest. But I believe that from any temple you will have a great view, from the top you can see the sandstone buildings shining like gold.

Here is how to chase for the best Angkor Wat Sunrise & Sunset

However much research you do in advance, Angkor is just too big to take in on your own.

To get away from the coach parties you need a private tuk-tuk that can navigate the temples and a knowledgeable guide. The best guides are willing to be flexible and will suggest quiet areas you won’t find in most guidebooks. Angkor isn’t a destination where you can wing it, so book with a specialist operator who has local expertise and is up to date on the best places to get away from the ever-expanding crowds. 

Contact us to book your Angkor Wat Tours

There are 2 most popular routes to explore Angkor Wat as the below map.

The Angkor Wat Small Circuit Tour is by far the most popular tour for visitors to Angkor Wat. On this tour, you’ll get to see the Angkor Wat and the ancient city of Angkor Thom. You’ll also get to explore some of the other popular temples located in Angkor Thom.

We’ll start this tour after breakfast around 8 o’clock. We’ll take you to get your Angkor Pass and then head directly to Angkor Thom via the South Gate.

From here, we’ll explore many of the temples in the ancient city before stopping for lunch. In the afternoon, we’ll head over to explore Angkor Wat. There is also an option to explore the Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider) temple after Angkor Wat.

Places to visit

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Prasat Suor Prat, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Spean Thma, Takeo, Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei.

Detailed tour description

This is a full day tour without a sunrise or sunset. You’ll start the tour at 8am and finish around 5pm. We’ll have an hour lunch along the way.

After picking you up from your hotel, we’ll make our way to the Angkor Park and head to Angkor Wat where we will see the vast temple first. We will then go to Angkor Thom where we’ll head over to Bayon where you’ll see the 200 plus smiling faces looking down on you from the towers above. Bayon is the second most popular temple after Angkor Wat.

We’ll then explore Baphuon, Phimeanakas, Terrace of the Elephants and the Leper King Terrace. We’ll finish the morning with quick visits to the smaller Preah Palilay, Preah Pithu Group and Prasat Suor Prat temples.

We’ll find something to eat at a local restaurant or food stall in the Angkor Park before continuing our tour in the afternoon.

After lunch, we’ll then visit Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Spean Thma, and Ta Keo temples. We’ll then visit the Tomb Raider temple (Ta Prohm) which was made famous by being used as the backdrop in the popular Lara Croft movie. We’ll finish the tour with a visit to Banteay Kdei.

Why Book This Tour?

This tour is perfect for guests who just want to only spend one-day at the temples and see a general overview of the most popular temples. This tour doesn’t include the sunset or sunrise options and is a good alternative if you’re not interested in joining the large crowds early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

If you’re short on time and only have a day or two in Siem Reap then this tour is good because you’ll see the most popular temples in the Angkor Park.

The Angkor Wat Grand Circuit Tour doesn’t actually take you to see Angkor Wat. Instead, you’ll head north of Angkor Thom and visit the temples outside of the ancient city. Most guests will take the Angkor Small Circuit Tour and then take this tour on another day. However, if you prefer to take this tour and skip the small circuit, we can add Angkor Wat on the itinerary for you.

This tour starts after breakfast around 8 o’clock in the morning. We’ll take you to get your Angkor Pass if you don’t have it already and then we’ll make our way to the Angkor Park. We’ll go through Angkor Thom and leave through the North Gate starting with our first temple on the tour, Preah Khan.

We’ll head round the tour in a clockwise fashion until we get to Srah Srang at the end of the day where we will stop to see the sunset. If you don’t want to see the sunset, we can do this tour in  the opposite direction which will help to avoid any crowds.

Places to visit

Preah Khan, Banteay Prei, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Mebon, Pre Rup and sunset at Srah Srang

Detailed tour description

This is a full-day tour which starts around 8am. After you’ve finished breakfast, we’ll take the short drive out to the Angkor Park. If you are taking the Srah Srang Sunset option, then we’ll start the tour with Preah Khan temple which is located just outside of the North Gate of Angkor Thom.

We’ll then head over to the nearby Banteay Prei temple. You can also have a quick stop at the nearby Prasat Prei if you want to. Then it’s over to Neak Pean island temple which is in the centre of the Jayatataka Baray. Just opposite here is Krol Ko temple which we can quickly visit along the way if you want to.

Then we will stop for an hour to each lunch. We can eat in a local restaurant nearby or get some takeaway to eat some picnic in the area.

After lunch, we’ll continue along the grand circuit to Ta Som temple which is a 12th century Buddhist temple. We’ll continue heading back towards Siem Reap town with stops at the East Mebon and Pre Rup temples. Finally, we’ll stop at the Srah Srang to get a good spot to see the sunset.

If you don’t want to take the sunset at Srah Srang option, then we can take this tour in the opposite direction starting with Pre Rup and ending with Preah Khan.

Why Book This Tour?

If you’re spending a few days at the temples, then you might want to consider this tour as an addition to either the Angkor Wat Small Circuit, Angkor Sunrise, or Angkor Sunset tours. If you are only taking a one-day trip to the temples, you can include Angkor Wat as an option on this tour. Let the guide know in your message when using the booking form.

The small circuit is the most popular itinerary and is followed rigorously by most tourist groups, guides, and individual visitors. This causes big crowds all along the route, especially in high season.

The visit usually starts before sunrise, with most visitors leaving hotels at about 4am and gathering at the West Gate in front of the pond to meet the sun rising behind Angkor Wat (at 5:30-06:00 depending on the period of the year). The place is really overcrowded with everyone trying to take photos of this iconic view of the temple.

Then one part of the tourist groups go back to their hotels to have breakfast whilst another heads to discover Angkor Wat from the inside. Later they move to Angkor Thom and other sites in clockwise order usually gathering again in big crowds at Phnom Bakheng in the late afternoon to see the sunset. As the capacity is limited, some tourists may get stuck in the queue for the top and, as the admission is in this case on a one-out-one-in basis, may even miss the sunset.

Our tip is to do the “must-see” itinerary in the opposite direction: you can meet the sunrise at Phnom Bakheng or at the bank of Srah Srang and head to temples in a counterclockwise direction with a high chance of long corridors without any other tourist in sight. 

At some moment (late morning or midday) you’ll probably cross herds of tourists moving in the opposite direction - that would be the perfect moment to rest a bit and have lunch. The Angkor Wat Temple, which is the most crowded in the morning, will be almost completely empty at about 2 pm. 

For the sunset views we recommend you search a bit for an ideal spot where you can see the sunset and suggesting the best one for you based on such criteria as crowds, capacity, atmosphere and so on.

Make the most of lunchtime, when there are less people everywhere in Angkor Wat.

Discover sites that are off the beaten track: even during peak season days, it’s easy to find a temple or a site with no one around and off of all the tourist bus routes (Preah Khan, Baksei Chamkrong, Ta Nei and many others)!

Below is the recommendation for the time to visit the three temples of Angkor Wat, the Bayon, and Ta Prohm.

First up is Angkor Wat, the iconic temple whose name is often interchangeable with the name of the whole complex. You might have seen it many times on film and in pictures, but nothing can prepare you for the beauty of its five perfectly aligned towers, each one like an ear of corn.

Nothing can prepare you for the crowds at the West Gate come sunrise either – something best avoided. Ask your guide to take you to the East Gate instead. Here's you’ll walk through the temple from the opposite side, scuffing along empty stone corridors in the dark. Watch the sunrise from here, lighting up the stones as it climbs, before heading out of the West Gate for coffee and breakfast at one of the stands nearby.

By the time you’re finished, the worst of the sunrise crowds will have gone but it will still be early enough to explore in relative peace.

Here are some breathtaking pictures of Angkor Wat Sunrise & Sunset

The Bayon, with its pyramid covered in hundreds of half-smiling faces, is busy with visitors almost all day long. It seems to magnetically pull the very worst of the shuffling crowds to its giant stone terraces.

Fortunately, most visitors appreciate a good long lunch. Between about twelve and two in the afternoon you may be able to get the fascinating faces to yourself for a minute or two. Don’t forget your sun cream and a hat – there’s very little shade.

Here is everything about Bayon Temple

Ta Prohm, which featured in Tomb Raider, is a contrast – its shady jungle-cloaked ruins are most popular during the hottest part of the day. For Ta Prohm, dusk the perfect time to visit, as everyone else heads en masse to Phnom Bakheng hill to see the sunset. Wait behind and you should have almost no competition for the perfect photograph at this most atmospheric temple.

Here is everything about Ta Prohm

Now, after having all the information and tips that you need, it is time to see our recommendation for the 15 best Angkor Wat Tours that you can join. Just contact us if you like any of them. In case you have idea of any other tours that are not listed below, give us a ring, we will make it happen.

1. 3-Day Private Tour to Angkor Wat and Floating Villages

Though Angkor Wat is one of the world’s foremost tourist sites, the amazing floating villages that dot the surrounding area are not so well known, but they’re really worth a visit.

On this three-day private tour, you’ll see much of the Angkor Wat complex, put those sea-legs to the test on southeast Asia’s largest lake, and visit an ancient university from the 12th century that was dedicated to the education and training of Buddhist monks.

You’ll see a few hidden waterfalls that are a bit off the beaten path as well.

Your professional, English-speaking guide will pick you up from your hotel or guesthouse and take you back when the tour is over too.

Here is everything about Angkor Wat & Inle Lake

2. 9-Hour Angkor Wat Sunrise Bike Tour

With some of the most amazing sunset views you’re ever likely to see, missing the early morning sun rising over Angkor Wat is akin to a crime. Make an effort to witness this beauty, even if you’re not much of a morning person.

Breakfast is included in the cost of this tour, so come hungry and fill up.

Your day will be spent riding around the main temple complex, as well as some lesser known but equally amazing temples that don’t get so much tourist traffic.

After a traditional Khmer lunch by the idyllic Sra Srang Lake, it’ll be time to head back to your hotel for a shower and a refreshing drink.

Here is how to chase the Angkor Wat Sunrise & Sunset

3. Angkor National Museum Ticket with Tuk-Tuk Pick-Up

Perhaps the largest and most complete museum in Cambodia, the Angkor National Museum will give you an amazing insight into the great Khmer Empire that was the region’s most powerful for many centuries.

In case you’re wondering, tuk-tuks are the small motorcycle powered taxis that are the preferred method of transportation in the area, so there’s really no better way of being conveyed to this amazing museum.

The museum boasts an astonishing collection of Buddha statues that’s unrivaled. There are lots of other artifacts and exhibits as well, all of which are well-marked so you’ll be able to soak up all the amazing history of this truly unique and majestic place.

4. Full-Day Photo Tour to the Lost Cities of Koh Ker & Beng Mealea

Long before Phnom Penh became Cambodia’s capital, the ancient city of Koh Ker held that distinction.

Now, the once opulent city has been nearly devoured by the encroaching jungle, giving it a primordial feel that’ll really take you back to a different era.

The drive to the site takes a few hours; along the way, you’ll get to see how many Cambodians in rural villages live today.

You’ll also see the impressive five-towered temple of Prasat Pram that’s been strangled by tree roots and lichens, and the sacred reservoir of Andong Preng whose water was thought to have mystical powers in years past.

Here is everything about Koh Ker & Beng Mealea

5. Full-Day Private Tour with Sunset at Angkor Wat

Due to the immensity of Angkor Archaeological Park, unless you’re in a big hurry, you’ll want to spend an entire day there.

This private tour will take you to some of the park’s major attractions – like the Bayon and Ta Prohm temples – and you’ll see some lesser known but equally stunning ones too.

Meals are included and you’ll end up at Pre Rup, which is one of the most popular sunset viewing areas in the entire park.

That enchanting period of diminishing light between afternoon and evening is especially magical when viewed against the still waters of the temple’s moat and the characteristically tapered spires of the ancient temples.

Here is some of the breathtaking photos about Angkor Wat Sunset

6. See Classic Angkor Temples via Full-Day Photo Discovery Tour

If you didn’t already know, Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the entire world.

Some archaeologists and historians claim that at its height in the 12th century, Angkor Thom was home to nearly a million residents, making it among the world’s largest at the time.

This tour is for budding and seasoned photographers alike. It focuses on taking guests to the most scenic and picturesque of the many unique and distinct areas the complex has to offer.

The two highlights of the tour may be the majestic 12-towered Prasat Suor Prat near the royal square and the always-stunning Ta Prohm.

We have the gallery of Angkor Wat photos including Sunrise, Sunset, Monkey, Carvings, and Wallpapers

7. Full-Day Small Group Temples Tour in Siem Reap

For nearly 600 years, the Khmer Empire was a dominant military, political and cultural force in Southeast Asia.

One of the best ways to see the Angkor Wat complex is with a small and intimate tour group.

Unlike large groups, in which it’s easy to get lost in the crowd, a small group will give you the opportunity to make a few friends and have a more personal interaction with your guide.

The tour includes transportation to and from your hotel and will visit the complex’s most important sights – like the Bayon and Ta Prohm temples and the Leper King and Elephant terraces – many of which you may have already seen in magazines like National Geographic.

8. Angkor Wat Full-Day Private Tour with Sunrise

You’ll probably find that Angkor Wat is shrouded in magnificence and mystery no matter when you visit, but nearly everyone agrees there’s something extra special at sunrise that really should be experienced.

If that sounds like a good plan, then bring an alarm clock, because this full-day, private sunset tour will get you where you need to be, when you need to be there, to experience this once-in-a-lifetime chance to see a natural wonder.

After the sun comes up, your tour will commence with visits to Angkor Tom and Bayon temples that are famous for the hundreds of serenely smiling faces that adorn them.

Here is some of the best picture of Angkor Wat Sunrise

9. Angkor Photo Workshop Tour

Your guides for this amazing photo-centered tour will either be American or English. Both are very knowledgeable about Angkor Wat’s history and are also professional photographers.

If you choose the sunrise option, the day will start no later than 7:00, which will leave you just enough time to get to the complex and get set up.

The tour is appropriate for beginner and advanced photographers and is less formal than other tours, so if the group agrees they’d like to see something particularly interesting that wasn’t on the original itinerary, that’s okay.

Regardless of where you end up, rest assured that you’ll get tips and pointers to ensure that your photos are all that they should be.

We have the gallery of Angkor Wat photos including Sunrise, Sunset, Monkey, Carvings, and Wallpapers

10. Angkor Wat & Tonle Sap Lake Intimate Guided Tour

With all there is to see and do in Siem Reap and the surrounding areas, one day really isn’t enough.

If your travel schedule can only accommodate a day and a half, however, this intimate guided tour is for you.

You’ll get an English speaking guide who’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you to the archaeological site’s most historically important and aesthetic temples.

On day two, you’ll drive about an hour into the country, hop on a boat, and skim across Southeast Asia’s largest lake to visit a floating village that’s been making its living on the fish-rich waters of the Tonle Sap for ages.

Here is everything about Angkor Wat & Tonle Sap Lake

11. Siem Reap by Jeep. 1-Day Tour to Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm

Jeeps are a great way to see the sights of Angkor Wat, especially when someone else is doing the driving and all you need to do is sit back, relax, take in the splendor of it all and ask the occasional question.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, then get online and book in advance because these tours fill up quickly.

You’ll hit all the most important temples like Angkor Thom, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, and you’ll visit some other gems that aren’t so often visited but are just as rich in history and splendor.

The Jeep tour package includes transportation to and from your hotel as well.

Here is our epic guide for Angkor Wat & Ta Prohm

12. Banteay Srei and Angkor Day Trip from Siem Reap

Tours that offer options are usually the best value for your hard-earned travel dollars. This day tour gives you the option of adding an English speaking guide.

Though there are places inside the complex where you’ll be able to read about what you’re seeing, a professional guide will definitely give you much more detailed information that you’ll probably find fascinating and impressive.

Unlike some tours that only hit the largest two or three temples, this day tour will take you to some lesser known but equally impressive ones like Pre Rup, which is one of the most completely intact in the complex.

In the Khmer language, “srei” means woman or girl, so when you get to see the appropriately pink temple of Banteay Srei, you’ll know why the name was chosen.

Here is our guide for Banteay Srei - The Citadel of Women

13. Phnom Bok Temple Tour from Siem Reap

It’s not well known that in addition to Buddhist temples, the complex at Angkor Wat is also home to Hindu temples. This really isn’t surprising when you consider that some historians suspect that Buddhism evolved from Hinduism in the era before the Khmer Empire’s rise to prominence.

This full-day tour will visit Banteay Samre, one of the most stunning Hindu temples in the complex.

This is an especially great area to visit if you’re keen on avoiding the crowds and burning some calories – nearly 700 stairs discourage most but the fittest visitors.

You’ll also climb Phnom Bok, or Bok Mountain, as it’s called in English.

Here is our guide for Banteay Samre

14. Angkor Zipline Tour

Ziplining has become a popular vacation activity in recent years. It’s safe, exhilarating, and gives you an amazing bird’s-eye view of the surrounding area.

What better way to see the wonders of Angkor Archaeological Park than hanging from a narrow cable hundreds of feet above the ground.

If you’re not an experienced zipliner, don’t worry, you’ll get all the gear and training you need and you’ll even get a dry-run just a few feet above the ground.

You’ll be treated to stunning views of the rainforest around the park, but be warned – after your first zip line adventure you may turn into a raving adrenaline junkie.

15. Angkor Sunrise on a Vespa

Admit it, even if you’ve got a Harley in your garage back home, you still probably think Vespas are hip.

If you’re looking for a fun and original way to see the amazing sunrise at Angkor Wat, this is the tour for you.

After the sun is done with its dazzling, you’ll scoot on over to the Bayon and Ta Phrom temples – and a few other rare gems that don’t get as much foot traffic.

Your Khmer guide will be a local who knows all the history associated with each site, so you’ll get a great glimpse into the area’s ancient history that dates back more than a thousand years.

Here is how to catch your best Angkor Wat Sunrise