What Time Does Angkor Sunrise Tour Start and End? Complete 2026 Schedule Guide for Siem Reap

Angkor Sunrise Tour Times That First Visitors Ask About

One Early Wake Up Gives Calm Paths and Soft Light to See Sunrise Early and Rest After Lunch

What time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end? Standard tours start with 4:20 AM hotel pickup and end with 12:30 PM drop-off, giving you 8 hours of temple exploration during the coolest part of the day. What time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end? This proven schedule lets you witness the stunning sunrise at 5:45-6:15 AM, visit three temples with insider access before crowds arrive, and return to your hotel for lunch and rest. This complete timing guide answers the essential question with exact pickup times, sunrise viewing duration, and what to expect hour by hour.

What You Need to Know About Angkor Sunrise Tour Times

✅ Standard Pickup Time: 4:20 AM from your hotel lobby in Siem Reap (not a random downtown meeting point)

✅ Sunrise Window: Actual sunrise occurs between 5:45-6:15 AM depending on season

✅ Tour End Time: 12:30 PM hotel drop-off, giving you the afternoon for rest

✅ Total Duration: 8 hours from pickup to drop-off, covering three major temples

✅ Temple Sequence: Angkor Wat (sunrise + exploration), breakfast stop, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple

✅ Breakfast Timing: 7:30-8:30 AM stop at local restaurant after sunrise viewing

✅ Flexible Private Tours: Private sunrise experiences can depart 15-30 minutes earlier

✅ Sleep Schedule Impact: Plan to be in bed by 9:00 PM the night before

✅ Return Flight Timing: Safe to book afternoon flights departing after 4:00 PM on your tour day

Sunrise Tour Timing Statistics for 2026

Here’s what the data shows about what time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end:

• 89% of travelers rate the 4:20 AM pickup time as “worth the early wakeup”
• Average actual pickup time: 4:18 AM (operators run 2-3 minutes early)
• Sunrise viewing duration: 35-45 minutes at the reflection pool
• Peak crowd arrival: 5:30-5:45 AM (500-2,000 people at viewing area)
• Temperature advantage: Morning temperatures average 22-24°C (72-75°F) versus 32-35°C (90-95°F) by noon
• Late arrivals: Only 3% of booked travelers miss their 4:20 AM pickup
• Photography golden hour: Optimal light conditions last 45-60 minutes after sunrise

Industry Timing Trends

• Earlier departures growing: 12% of private tour bookings now request 3:45-4:00 AM departure for photographer access
• Afternoon activity planning: 74% of sunrise tour participants book spa treatments or enjoy pool times from 2:00 to 6:00 PM the same day
• Sleep preparation: Hotels report 43% increase in requests for 3:30 AM wake-up calls

Sources: Siem Reap Shuttle booking data from 1,200+ tours, Cambodia Tourism Board 2026 visitor patterns

At a Glance: Angkor Sunrise Tour Timeline

• Pickup: 4:20 AM from hotel lobby
• Drive to Angkor: 4:20-5:00 AM (25-30 minutes)
• Temple Pass Check: 5:00-5:10 AM at entrance gate
• Sunrise Viewing: 5:45-6:30 AM at reflection pool
• Angkor Wat Exploration: 6:30-7:30 AM
• Breakfast Stop: 7:30-8:30 AM at local restaurant
• Bayon Temple: 8:45-9:30 AM
• Ta Prohm Temple: 10:00-10:45 AM
• Return Drive: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
• Hotel Drop-off: 12:30 PM

Total Active Time: 8 hours
Walking Distance: 3-4 miles total across all temples

What Time Does Angkor Sunrise Tour Start and End? Hour-by-Hour Breakdown

When travelers search what time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end, they need specific details to plan their entire day. Here’s the complete timeline:

4:20 AM: Hotel Lobby Pickup

Your tour starts when the air-conditioned minivan arrives at your hotel. This specific time allows:

• Traffic-free driving: Siem Reap streets are empty, so the 15-kilometer drive takes just 25-30 minutes
• Optimal parking: Arriving by 5:00 AM secures spots closest to the entrance
• Prime viewing positions: Early arrival means better spots at the reflection pool

What happens if you oversleep? Operators wait 5-10 minutes maximum. Missing pickup means forfeiting the tour because the entire group’s sunrise experience depends on timely departure. Set multiple alarms.

5:00-5:45 AM: Arrival and Positioning

The van stops at entrance gates around 5:00 AM for temple pass verification. From parking, it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the reflection pools. This timing is deliberate:

• Pre-dawn darkness: You walk with flashlights (still quite dark)
• Crowd positioning: Arriving by 5:30 AM secures front-row spots
• Setup time: 15 minutes to position yourself before sunrise

By 5:40 AM, the eastern sky shows first hints of color. The crowd goes silent.

5:45-6:30 AM: Sunrise and Photography

This is why you woke up early. Actual sunrise timing varies by month:

• December-January: 6:10-6:15 AM (latest of the year)
• April-May: 5:45-5:55 AM (earliest)
• June-November: 5:40-6:00 AM

The spectacle lasts 30-40 minutes as the sun climbs above Angkor Wat’s towers. After sunrise, your group explores the temple interior while day-trip tourists are just arriving. You get nearly private access to bas-relief galleries and courtyards.

7:30-8:30 AM: Breakfast Break

Most Angkor sunrise tours stop at a local restaurant near Srah Srong reservoir. Breakfast isn’t included in tour prices, but this timing is perfect:

• Energy restoration: You’ve been awake 3+ hours
• Bathroom facilities: Clean Western toilets
• Social time: Groups bond over the shared experience

Budget $5-8 for Khmer breakfast or $10-15 for Western options.

8:45-10:45 AM: Bayon and Ta Prohm Temples

The second temple stop at Bayon features famous face towers. The 8:45 AM arrival means exploring before the 10:00 AM rush. Final stop is Ta Prohm with its tree-covered ruins from the Tomb Raider movie. At 10:00 AM, you encounter manageable crowds versus 1,500+ visitors by noon.

12:30 PM: Tour Ends at Your Hotel

So what time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end? Exactly 4:20 AM to 12:30 PM. Most travelers then shower, eat lunch, and rest during afternoon hours before evening activities.

Why This Specific Timing Can’t Be Changed

Understanding what time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end reveals why the 4:20 AM start is non-negotiable:

Sunrise Astronomy

Angkor Wat faces west, so sunrise is viewed through the western entrance looking east. Best photography happens during “civil twilight” starting 30-40 minutes before actual sunrise. If sunrise is at 6:00 AM, you need to be positioned by 5:30 AM. Working backward:

• 5:30 AM: At reflection pool
• 5:15 AM: Walking to viewing spot
• 5:00 AM: Through entrance gate
• 4:30 AM: Arrive at parking
• 4:20 AM: Leave hotel

Leave 15 minutes later and you miss optimal viewing.

Temperature Physics

Cambodia’s tropical climate means rapid temperature rises:

• 5:00 AM: 22°C (72°F) – comfortable
• 9:00 AM: 29°C (84°F) – warm
• 1:00 PM: 35°C (95°F) – oppressive

The 4:20 AM start gives you the coolest 6 hours. Tours ending at 12:30 PM get you back before peak heat.

Crowd Management

Angkor Wat receives 6,000-8,000 daily visitors during peak season:

• 5:00-7:00 AM: 2,000 people (sunrise tours)
• 8:00-12:00 PM: 4,500 people (day tours)
• 2:00-5:00 PM: 1,500 people (sunset viewers)

Starting at 4:20 AM puts you in the first wave, ahead of main crowds.

Step-by-Step: Preparing for the Early Start

Knowing what time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end is half the battle. Here’s how to make it happen:

Step 1: Adjust Sleep Schedule (Day Before Tour)

• Wake up by 7:00 AM even if tired
• Avoid napping after 2:00 PM
• Eat dinner by 7:00 PM
• In bed by 9:00 PM for 7 hours sleep

Set three alarms: 3:45 AM, 3:50 AM, and 4:00 AM.

Step 2: Prepare Everything the Night Before

Clothing laid out:

• Long pants or knee-length skirt (temples require covered knees)
• Shirt covering shoulders
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Light jacket (cool at 4:20 AM)

Backpack packed:

• Temple pass or $37 cash
• Camera with charged batteries
• Small flashlight for pre-dawn walking
• $20-30 cash for breakfast and tips
• Water bottle

Step 3: Morning Routine (20 Minutes)

• 3:45-3:50 AM: Bathroom, splash water, brush teeth
• 3:50-4:00 AM: Get dressed (clothes already laid out)
• 4:00-4:10 AM: Quick coffee, grab backpack
• 4:10-4:20 AM: Wait in hotel lobby

Don’t shower or do full hygiene routine. Save that for 12:30 PM when you return sweaty from temple climbing.

Best Months for Sunrise Viewing

Understanding what time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end pairs with choosing when to visit:

Peak Season (December-February)

• Clear sky probability: 85-90%
• Morning temperature: 20-22°C (68-72°F)
• Crowds: 2,500-3,000 people at sunrise
• Sunrise time: 6:10-6:15 AM
• Best for: First-time visitors wanting guaranteed photos

Shoulder Season (March-May, September-October)

• Clear sky probability: 60-75%
• Morning temperature: 25-28°C (77-82°F)
• Crowds: 1,200-1,800 people
• Sunrise time: 5:40-6:00 AM
• Best for: Photographers wanting fewer crowds

Low Season (June-August)

• Clear sky probability: 45-60% (rainy season)
• Morning temperature: 26-28°C (79-82°F)
• Crowds: 600-1,000 people
• Sunrise time: 5:40-5:50 AM
• Best for: Travelers valuing empty temples over perfect weather

What If You Can’t Handle 4:20 AM?

If the early timing seems impossible, you have alternatives:

Sunset Tours

Tours depart 1:00-2:00 PM and end 7:00-7:30 PM. Normal wakeup time, but you face afternoon heat (32-35°C) and larger crowds. Learn more at Angkor Wat Sunrise vs Sunset.

Later Morning Tours (After 8:00 AM Start)

Some operators offer 7:30-8:00 AM departures. You miss sunrise but get cooler morning temperatures. Trade-off: arrive at temples during peak crowds.

Private Tour Flexibility

Book a private tour and request custom timing. You can start at 7:00 AM for “post-sunrise exploration” and still enjoy relatively empty temples.

Recommended Resources

Official passes: Check Angkor Enterprise for current temple pass prices and requirements.

Temple alignment: Learn about the alignment of Angkor Wat and why sunrise creates dramatic photos.

Complete pricing: See full cost breakdown to budget your entire experience.

Airport transfers: Coordinate arrival with Siem Reap airport transfers for proper rest before early pickup.

Your Sunrise Timing Questions Answered

What time does Angkor sunrise tour start and end? Tours begin with 4:20 AM hotel lobby pickup and finish with 12:30 PM drop-off, giving you 8 hours during optimal conditions. This timing allows sunrise viewing at 5:45-6:15 AM, visits to three temples before crowds, and return for lunch and rest.

The 4:20 AM start works backward from 5:45 AM sunrise: 25 minutes driving, 10 minutes entrance processing, 15 minutes walking to viewing position. Arriving by 5:30 AM secures spots before 2,000+ other watchers arrive. The 12:30 PM end gets you back before peak afternoon heat.

Data shows 89% of travelers rate the early timing as worthwhile. The temperature advantage alone justifies the schedule: exploring at 22-24°C (72-75°F) beats afternoon visits at 35°C (95°F).

Your next steps: Book your shared tour 3-5 days ahead, adjust sleep schedule 48 hours before, prepare everything the night before, and set multiple alarms for 3:45 AM. Yes, you can handle one early morning when the payoff is sunrise over one of humanity’s greatest monuments.

Questions about timing? Contact Siem Reap Shuttle for personalized scheduling advice.

Ready to book your sunrise experience?

• Shared Angkor Sunrise Tour – 4:20 AM start, 12:30 PM finish
• Private Sunrise Tour – Flexible timing for groups up to 14

Direct booking ensures reliable hotel lobby pickup at the correct time, not random downtown meeting points!