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Siem Reap Culture & history

Our most recommended Siem Reap Culture & history

Siem Reap: Angkor Wat: Small-Group Sunrise Tour

1. Siem Reap: Angkor Wat: Small-Group Sunrise Tour

Begin with an early pickup from your hotel at 4.30 AM in an air-conditioned vehicle, and travel to the main entrance of the Angkor Wat to admire the stunning sunrise over this ancient and mysterious complex. Next, visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom to marvel at the Bayon and Baphoun temples with their 54 towers and 216 faces of Buddhisatva Avalokesvara. Listen as your guide explains historical facts about the Temples and the Khmer empire. After lunch, see the Terrace of the Elephant and the Terrace of the Leper King known as the royal viewing platform and the stage of the king’s great audience hall. Enter Ta Prohm Temple and view the lush trees surrounding the temple’s stones. Finally, go to Banteay Kdei temple which was built by the King Jayavarman VII in the late of 12th century before returning to your hotel in Siem Reap.

Angkor Wat: Highlights and Sunrise Guided Tour

2. Angkor Wat: Highlights and Sunrise Guided Tour

Discover the magic and history of the Angkor Wan on a guided sunrise tour from Siem Reap. Get around this vast temple complex easily with a airconditioned bus or van. Have the option to choose from a group or private tour. See sights like the Ta Prohm and Bayon temples.  Enjoy the convenience of being picked up from your accommodation early in the morning. Arrive at Angkor wat and admire the glow of the sunrise on the ancient temple complex and surrounding jungle. Explore the interior of the great temple at Angkor, from its corridors and central chambers to the upper terraces. Hear stories behind the bas-relief carvings, and gain insight into life during the height of the Khmer Empire. Continue to Angkor Thom City and the Bayon Temple. At the end of the afternoon, visit the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric of all the temples in Angkor. Return to your accommodation in Siem Reap at the end of your tour.

From Siem Reap: 2-Day Small Group Temples Sunrise Tour

3. From Siem Reap: 2-Day Small Group Temples Sunrise Tour

Day 1 – Full Day Banteay Srei Temples and Grand Circuit Temple   Start your 2 days with pick-up from your hotel around 8:00 AM, you’ll head off to visit the most interesting temples outside Angkor Thom city. Your first stop is Pre Rup Hindu Temple, built in 961 or 962, which combines laterite and sandstone construction. Then, drive to the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei – the detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest and most skilfully crafted in Cambodia.   On the return journey, visit Neak Pean, a Buddhist temple on a circular artificial island within Jayatataka Baray, then continue to Preah Khan temple, a ruined but highly atmospheric mélange of tree roots and crumbling stone structures. Construction was commissioned by the prolific temple builder Jayavarman VII in honor of his father and a visit to this smaller site makes for an interesting contrast with the more imposing Angkor Wat. Preah Khan is currently being restored by the World Monument Fund and in places is in remarkably good condition. In the late afternoon, you’ll return to Siem Reap after a memorable day of exploration. Day 2 – Temples of Angkor with Sunrise   Spend your day temple-hopping with your local guide to make the most of your visit to the world-famous Angkor complex, a site full of temples built between the 19th and 13th centuries. Begin with pre-dawn departure (between 4:15 and 4:40 AM) from your hotel to catch the sunrise outside of Angkor Wat. Then, explore the interior of the great temple, spending a thorough 2 hours discovering its corridors, central chambers, and upper terraces. Your expert guide will decipher the myriad of stories behind the bas-relief carvings and give you insight into life during the height of the Khmer Empire. End your visit to Angkor with breakfast just outside the temple.   Continue the morning with a visit to the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side – gods to the left and demons to the right – and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. See its beautifully crafted central towers, covered in more than 200 enormous faces, before exploring the famous central terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of Elephants. Finish your day with a visit to the temple Ta Prohm, once home to almost 3,000 monks. Return to your hotel at approximately 1:00 PM.  

Siem Reap: Phare, the Cambodian Circus Show Tickets

4. Siem Reap: Phare, the Cambodian Circus Show Tickets

Enjoy the Phare Circus performance in Siem Reap, which is more than a conventional acrobatic circus. See how the artists create and perform stories based on their own life experiences. Drawing from recent history, folklore, and modern society, watch as the performers blend drama, dance, live music, and circus arts to share a part of their lives with audiences. By attending a Phare Circus show, you enjoy Siem Reap's fantastic live entertainment and financially support the school to provide opportunities for Cambodian artists.

Angkor Wat Private 2-Day Temples Tour with Sunset & Sunrise

5. Angkor Wat Private 2-Day Temples Tour with Sunset & Sunrise

Day 1: Angkor Thom, Bayon, Neak Pean, Bantreay Srei, Banteay Samre, and Bakheng Mountain Visit the Southern Gate of Angkor Thom, flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side - gods to the left and demons to the right – and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. At ‘The Bayon’, you will see its beautifully crafted central towers, covered in more than 200 enormous faces, then explore the famous Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of Elephants. Move to Neak Pean, an artificial island with a Buddhist temple. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the intricately carved and well-preserved Banteay Srei. The detailed reliefs on this smaller sandstone structure are regarded as the finest, most skillfully crafted in Cambodia.  One the way back, enjoy a brief stop at the well-preserved Banteay Samre, a laterite structure that once featured internal moats. End your discoveries with an ascent for sunset at Bakheng mountain. Day 2: Angkor Wat at sunrise, Preah Khan, Ta Nei, and Ta Prohm Temple  Begin with a pre-dawn departure for sunrise outside of Angkor Wat. Enter the great temple in darkness (please bring a torch) from the little-visited eastern side, and creep along hoary cloistered corridors past the longest stretch of bas-relief carvings in the world.  End your touring at Angkor with breakfast outside the temple. Continue by moving on to Preah Khan temple, a ruined but highly atmospheric mélange of tree roots and crumbling stone structures. At the end of the morning, have lunch at a local restaurant. Next, drive to Ta Nei, a late 12th century stone temple located in Angkor. Move on to the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric temples in Angkor that was once home to 2,740 monks.

Angkor Wat: Sunrise Jeep Tour with Breakfast and Lunch

6. Angkor Wat: Sunrise Jeep Tour with Breakfast and Lunch

Begin your jeep tour with an early morning pick up from your Siem Reap hotel. Your guide will then find the best spot to view the sunrise and take perfect photos. Then head down to explore the ancient temple at its most atmospheric, bathed in the warm glow of the morning sun. After you will head into the inner sanctum of Angkor Wat to admire the carvings and architecture of the temple before having breakfast. Following the main road to Angkor Thom, replete with stone sculptures depicting demons and deities. Learn about the cultural significance of the Bayon Temple, the Terrace of the Leper King, and the Royal Enclosure from your guide. After roaming around Bayon, you will take a short break to enjoy a light refreshment to keep your energy level up before getting in your jeep again and continuing to the Elephant Terrace. You will then go through Angkor off roads on the way to visit Ta Prohm temple. Be ready for this iconic temple which is overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. Then return to Siem Reap through Cambodian villages that offer a glimpse into rural life.

Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise; Guided Day Tour

7. Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunrise; Guided Day Tour

The UNESCO-listed temple of Angkor Wat is Cambodia’s most visited attraction, and it’s even more magnificent beneath the glow of the rising sun. On this small-group tour, rise early to watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, then benefit from the cooler weather and fewer crowds of the morning to explore the surrounding temples. After that, visit Angkor Thom, admire the Gate to Bayon, discover Bayon Temple, and see the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei. First, your guide and driver will collect you from your accommodation and take you to the ticket office to buy your ticket. After the tour, the guide will bring you back to your accommodation in Siem Reap.

Angkor Region: 3-day Private Tour of Top Temples

8. Angkor Region: 3-day Private Tour of Top Temples

Day One:  Get picked up from your accommodation at 8:00 am by your driver and tour guide and travel directly to Beng Mealea, a sprawling jungle temple that covers over one square kilometer. Enjoy the adventurous and mysterious feeling of exploring a temple complex largely overrun by vegetation and off the beaten tourist path. Discuss your lunch preferences with your guide before stopping at a local restaurant. Afterwards, head to the floating village Kampong Phluk on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest lake in Southeast Asia. Enjoy a guided boat trip through the floating village. Then get dropped off back at your accommodation. Day Two:  Get picked up again at 8:00 am and purchase a 3-day temple pass before heading to the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Visit some small temples, including Chau Say Tevoda, Thommanon, and Ta Keo. Then head to the jungle temple Ta Prohm where the movie Tomb Raider was shot. Refuel afterwards with lunch at a local restaurant. Then make your way to the Buddhist temple of Banteay Kdei. Gain insight into the history of the powerful Khmer Empire before heading to Phnom Bakheng to see a gorgeous sunset. Day Three:  Get an early start at 5:00 am on the final day of the tour. Get picked up and see the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Following this, you can choose to visit more temples including Pre Rup and Banteay Samre. Then head to Banteay Srey, arriving before most of the crowds. Marvel at the most intricately carved temple in all of Angkor. Afterwards, see a traditional Khmer village and learn about palm sugar production. If you are interested, visit the Landmine Museum and learn how decades of conflict, foreign occupation, and brutal civil war and genocide have impacted Cambodia.  Afterwards, stop for lunch at a local restaurant. On the way back, stop at a few more temples such as East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, and Preah Khan, a fascinating vast monastic complex. The return trip will take you through many beautiful villages and provide you with great photo opportunities. Get dropped off back at your accommodation at the end of your day.

Siem Reap: Full-Day Small Group Temples Tour

9. Siem Reap: Full-Day Small Group Temples Tour

Embark on a guided tour to the Angkor Wat temple complex, departing from Siem Reap. Admire the spectacular architecture of the Khmer civilization as you explore the Angkor Wat, the southern Gate of Angkor Thom, the Bayron Temple, the Terrace of Elephants, among other notable buildings. Start with pickup in the early morning from Siem Reap. Travel to the complex by bus and enjoy a day of exploring the spectacular temples of Angkor. Admire the famous Angkor Wat, which is the world’s largest sacred building and an architectural masterpiece. Built in the 12th century, the temple took 30 years to complete and represents Khmer civilization at its peak. Visit the southern gate of Angkor Thom, which is flanked by a row of 54 stone figures on each side (gods to the left and demons to the right), and the fortified city of Angkor Thom. Discover the Bayon Temple, and its beautifully crafted central towers covered with more than 200 enormous faces. Pass by the famous Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. Following lunch and a rest break, set out to see the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm, one of the most atmospheric of all temples in Angkor. Once home to 2,740 monks, Ta Prohm today looks much as it did in the early 1850s, when French explorer Henri Mouhot rediscovered this crumbling site. After exploring the maze-like interior of Ta Prohm, travel back to your hotel where you’ll be dropped off in the mid-afternoon.

Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunset; Guided Day Tour

10. Siem Reap: Angkor Wat Sunset; Guided Day Tour

Tread in the footsteps of holy Hindu men, Buddhist rulers, and Khmer kings on a guided day trip from Siem Reap to see the highlights of the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. Following a hotel pickup, visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm. Watch the sunset at Phnom Bakheng. Look back to the 12th-century Khmer empire and explore the magnificent monuments of Angkor Wat, where the temple complex tells the Hindu and Buddhist history of the ancient city. Cross the moat and marvel at the towering outer wall. As you follow your guide around one of the world's most enduring architectural achievements, wander along the rectangular galleries and get up close to the bas-reliefs carved into the sandstone walls. Continue to Angkor Thom to explore the Khmer Empire's last capital city. Admire the stone figures that greet you at the southern gates, and stroll towards the Bayon Temple to see the etchings of smiling faces at its central peak. Visit the Terrace of the Leper King and the Terrace of the Elephants. Take a break and enjoy lunch at your own expense before visiting the iconic temple of Ta Prohm, built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. Soak up the atmospheric combination of trees growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings. After a full day of exploring Angkor's highlights, climb the steps to the temple mountain of Phnom Bakheng, the state temple of the first Khmer capital in the region, to watch the sunset. Then, make the return journey to Siem Reap and be dropped off at your hotel.

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What people are saying about Siem Reap

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,471 reviews

A terrific experience! Tour guide, David, was awesome. Talked about culture, history, religion, daily life, rice farming, schooling, and a bit of his own story. Easily answered all our questions. Sites visited were terrific and provided unique experiences we had not gotten with our other tours, which is why we booked it. Also, guide was super flexible and let us set our pace. He even figured out a way to recoup time by ordering lunch ahead of arrival for us. We were back on the road to our next stop in 15 minutes rather than an hour! Learned a lot, saw a lot of new things. and felt well tended to. We had a wonderful time!

We had two wonderful days exploring the Angkor Temple complex. Our driver, Nehru, got us from place to place safely and always had a cool tool and water waiting for us after each stop. Our guide, Pi, was so knowledgeable about each temple, stories that went with the carvings, who built the temples and so much more. We opted for a private tour, so we could go at our own pace, and would highly recommend it.

Very well organized tour, we had a great day. Our guide Sen was amazing, he demonstrated a lot of knowledge about Angkor and a huge sense of humor. He also took a lot of great pictures (know all nice spots)! I definitely recommend this tour and our guide Sen!

See the Temples in person, nothing compares I promise you. Our guide Narith was so kind and super knowledgeable. The best day out in Siem Reap.

The tour was enjoyable and everything went smoothly