Angkor Wat Sunrise Guide: What I Wish I’d Known Before The 03.30 AM Alarm
My Honest Take On The Angkor Wat Sunrise
Angkor Wat at sunrise is worth it. Yes, even with the 03.30 AM alarm, but there’s a catch and I’ll get to it.
I’ll be honest, dragging myself out of bed was rough. I was half asleep, a bit grumpy and wondering why I’d signed up for this. Then the sun came up.
I had around 1,000 people behind me, and nobody said a word. The whole crowd just went silent and watched the sky change behind those temple towers. It ended up being my favourite moment from a full month in Cambodia. Not a beach, not a night out. That sunrise.
Now for the catch. I had the three-day Angkor pass, and one morning I watched the sunrise. If you’re picturing a peaceful, just-you-and-the-temple moment, you won’t get it here. It hurts me to say this, but those dreamy sunrise photos online leave out the crowd standing right behind the camera.
Was it still beautiful? Absolutely. Would I set the alarm again? Yes.
If you’re travelling solo or as a couple, you’re probably worried about two things. Missing the sunrise because you got the timing or the spot wrong, or getting up in the dark for something that turns out to be overhyped. Fair worries, I had both.
So below I’ll show you how to get there from Siem Reap, where to head first thing so you’re not stuck at the back of the crowd, and whether the sunrise really lives up to the hype. Let’s make sure that early alarm pays off.
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Angkor Wat Sunrise – My Experience
I visited Angkor Wat at the end of May 2023.
At 05.12 AM, I saw the first light. The weather was hot and humid, but it didn’t stop me from having a great experience.
The sky was a little cloudy, but it lit up for about 25 minutes. Around 1,000 people fell quiet, and all you could hear were the cicadas.
My alarm went off at 03.30 AM, and getting up was tough, but the adrenaline got me through. The hotel had packed me a breakfast of fried rice and bananas, ready for us to go.
I left my lunch with my tuk-tuk driver, then I made my way down the floating bridge at Angkor Wat. There are five entrances to the main temple complex, and I chose the central one. I passed the libraries on both sides and was the first to reach the sunrise viewing area.
As the sun slowly came up, people started taking photos, but the most beautiful part came when the sun became visible.
The sun rose, and everybody was still, quiet and looked to the sky.
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When To Go For The Best Angkor Wat Sunrise
Choosing when to go can make or break your Angkor Wat sunrise experience.
I went in May, and it was hot and humid, but nothing a hat, water and sunscreen couldn’t help with.
There was more cloud than I’d hoped for, but I still had a decent sunrise with sunlight coming through.
It is said that November to February offers the best skies and cooler weather, something I badly missed. For the best experience, consider visiting around the equinoxes in March and September.
Between 20 and 22 March or 20 and 22 September, you’re likely to see the sun line up directly behind the lotus-bud central tower.
But you’ll be sharing the view with plenty of other tourists.
One thing I enjoyed about May was the smaller crowds.
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How To Buy Your Angkor Pass The Night Before
You can buy your Angkor Pass online the night before your visit.
Book your Angkor Pass here on the app.
I bought mine at the ticket office, which took a little time, maybe 10 minutes, and that could have made a difference in where I stood for sunrise. I would have bought it online if I’d known about that option, or if it had been available when I visited in 2023.
Tickets cost:
- 1-day pass $37.00 (€32.96/£27.72)
- 3-day pass $62.00 (€55.22/£46.44), usable on any three days within 10 days
- 7-day pass $72.00 (€64.13/£53.93), usable on any seven days within one month
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What Time To Leave Siem Reap For Sunrise
I suggest leaving as early as you can, but 04.00 AM should be fine, which is exactly when I left.
In the early morning darkness, I left the Romdoul Blossom Boutique Hotel.
There won’t be much traffic at that hour, but plenty of tuk-tuks and buses will be leaving Siem Reap.
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Getting There By Tuk-Tuk, Car Or Bike
I opted for a tuk-tuk, but there are other ways to get around.
Once my driver dropped me off to explore, I lost sight of him. But at every temple, he would appear out of nowhere and call my name, and I could hop back in.
I booked the driver through the hotel. Most hotels will do this for you, but in high season, it’s best to book online in advance. The cost is 82,147 KHR ($20.21/€18.00/£15.08).
You can hire a driver or rent a bicycle. I know someone whose electric bike broke down, and there was nothing they could do about it, so I wouldn’t recommend that option unless you join a group tour with an experienced guide.
A car would be far more comfortable. Air conditioning and seatbelts make it a safer choice, but it loses something special about travelling by tuk-tuk. I loved zipping around, hearing the engine and feeling the wind in my face.
You can book this private car and driver if that’s what you prefer.
After more than 20 months in Asia, a tuk-tuk will always be my favourite way to explore.
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Left Pond Or Right Pond, Where I’d Stand
I’d go to the right pond because the sun came up directly behind the temple, and the view nearly made me cry with happiness.
This is where I stood and waited for the sun.
You can also go to the left pond, which offers the classic view of the temple. It’s said to be less crowded, and in my experience, this was true. Both options were fine, but I liked how I managed to get to the front at the right pond.
My advice is not to delay getting there or be stuck at the back of the group of people.
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What To Bring And What To Wear
From my experience, here’s what I suggest bringing for the Angkor Wat sunrise.
Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and lunch.
Also bring breakfast. I had fried rice and fruit from the hotel. Bring lunch too. I got a large portion and ate half in the morning when I got hungry, then had the rest for lunch. Wear long trousers or a sarong to cover your knees, and a light top to cover your shoulders. The morning can be cooler, so bring a light layer you can tie around your waist or put in your bag later.
Bring plenty of bananas for energy and rehydration salts like Dioralyte to help you stay hydrated. A head torch will make walking easier in the morning. I wish I’d brought mine.
You can leave your things with your tuk-tuk driver, which is what we did with the lunch. Good walking shoes or trainers are very important.
I did 35,000 steps exploring Angkor Wat that day.
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What To Do Straight After Sunrise
After sunrise, you can start exploring the temple.
I first went to see the Churning of the Ocean of Milk and admired the figures carved into the walls.
Then I walked around the perimeter, taking in the temple from outside and seeing Chey Non Stupa.
I entered through the Terrace of Honour and visited the Hall of a Thousand Buddhas, the Battle of Lanka Gallery and the Northwest Pavilion.
Finally, I climbed the stairs to the top of Angkor Wat. There was no queue, and each side had a staircase, though a couple were closed for maintenance. There was plenty of shade, but my legs were burning on the steep climb. The view back towards the entrance was fantastic.
You could spend hours here admiring the complex and taking in the details.
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Quieter Sunrise Spots If You Hate Crowds
There are alternatives for those who really struggle with crowds.
I didn’t feel overwhelmed at Angkor Wat in May, but I imagine it’s far worse in busier months. If you want to explore somewhere quieter, Pre Rup and Sra Srang are good options.
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Sunrise Or Sunset At Angkor Wat?
I was lucky enough to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat and the sunset from Phnom Bakheng.
There I witnessed a brilliant sunset and could see Angkor Wat surrounded by trees as the sky lit up red and pink.
Everyone sat at the top of the temple, quietly moving around to find the best seat. I loved how unusual it felt to be out so early, with barely anyone else on the streets.
Stepping out of the tuk-tuk and walking towards Angkor Wat’s dark silhouette was chilling in the best way. If you’re not a morning person, consider sunset instead.
Still, after my experience, sunrise wins for me.
It’s also an option if you’ve already seen the sunrise and want a different experience.
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Would I Do The Angkor Wat Sunrise Again?
Standing in the dark with around 1,000 people behind me, I wasn’t sure the clouds were ever going to move.
But they did, and it made the day. If I went again, I’d check the forecast in advance and choose the best day. Look for some clouds, not a completely clear day. When I was there, there was some cloud, but not enough to spoil it. As the sun rose, my tiredness disappeared.
I’d tell my best friend to wear light, long trousers, get a good night’s sleep, and be prepared to feel exhausted afterwards. And the three days don’t have to be consecutive. If you are tired, take a rest day.
The sunrise at Angkor Wat wasn’t just the best thing I experienced in Siem Reap. It was the highlight of my entire month exploring Cambodia.
You can now buy tickets through the official Angkor-Pass app. I would have done this to save a stop at the ticket office, although I didn’t have to wait long.
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Any questions, just ask.
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Is It Worth Seeing Angkor Wat At Sunrise?
Yes, after seeing it for myself, I can say it absolutely is. I visited in May, and although the sky was cloudy at first, the red sun eventually came through and lit the sky. When I reached the reflection pool, there were around 1,000 people behind me. Seeing the sun rise above the temple made setting the alarm for 03.30 AM worthwhile. If you dislike large crowds, you might prefer Sra Srang or Pre Rup instead.
What Time To Arrive At Angkor Wat For Sunrise?
The gates open at 05.00 AM, so I suggest arriving between 04.45 AM and 05.00 AM for the best Angkor Wat sunrise experience. I waited about 25 minutes in the dark before the sky began to lighten. I left my hotel and took around 40 minutes to get there, including ticket collection. I bought my ticket at the Angkor Enterprise Ticket Office. I took a tuk-tuk from Siem Reap at 04.00 AM and picked up my ticket on the way. The timing worked out perfectly. Most people head to the reflection pools to find a good spot for photos.
Do I Need To Wear Pants At Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is a temple, so you need to cover your knees and shoulders, as you would at other temples across Southeast Asia. This does not mean pants only; a sarong will do. I’ve been turned away from temples before, so it’s important to dress appropriately. I wore long, light, breathable pants, but you can buy sarongs outside Angkor Wat; it’s best to come prepared.
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