What to expect
Start before dawn at Angkor Wat to see the temple’s towers reflected in the ponds as the sky brightens. Continue through the South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon, then visit Ta Prohm and other Small Circuit temples according to your pace. A licensed guide adds historical and religious context, while a tuk-tuk or car makes the circuit practical in one day.
Angkor Archaeological Park opens at 5:00 AM and a one-day foreign visitor pass costs US$37. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, carry water and sun protection, and follow all temple access signs. Sunrise is weather-dependent, and the busiest viewpoints fill early.
