Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour Review: Is it Worth it?

Okay, so you’re thinking about seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat? I get that, you know, that classic postcard shot, right? Getting up super early and heading to the temple when it’s dark? Very well, I actually went last year, and I’m going to give you my very honest take on the whole thing, all so that you can decide if it’s very right for you.

What’s the Angkor Wat Small Tour With Sunrise All About?

Okay, so the “small tour” usually covers the big spots like Angkor Wat itself, Angkor Thom (that, very massive walled city), and often includes spots like the Bayon temple, which has, that too, very famous faces carved all over it, and maybe also the Baphuon, that’s, you know, a cool mountain-like temple, right in the area? Many tours will bundle all of this with seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat, that many tourists find it quite appealing as well.

Okay, so these tours usually start super early – like, seriously, that early, very 4:30 am early! Basically, the idea is to get to Angkor Wat while it’s very dark to snag that absolutely prime spot for watching the sunrise. Typically you’ll get transported in a tuk-tuk, car, or very small van, with a local guide who, you know, knows their stuff. After sunrise, the guide shows you around the temples, explaining the history and all of those, almost unbelievably, interesting details.

My Personal Sunrise Experience: The Good, The Crowded, and That Somewhat Unexpected

The sunrise itself? A sight, very marvelous I have to admit. Seeing Angkor Wat silhouetted against that colorful, you know, a sky like an actual painting is just, well, it’s worth experiencing firsthand. You sort of get this, that unique and special vibe, especially when the sun, very slowly, peeks above the towers and starts to illuminate everything.

Is that you’ve actually gotta be prepared for what you’ll, maybe, discover with that view! You see, that viewing area right in front of the reflecting ponds gets… you know, a bit crowded. When I was very visiting, there were seriously hundreds of people packed in, all, that literally trying to get, actually, the same picture. That actually meant jockeying for position, accidentally getting whacked by selfie sticks (very real!), and a pretty constant murmur of voices and camera clicks. Some, it has to be said, might find it a little difficult to totally be present at that sort of thing.

Another thing I sort of realised is, that is just something I wished I’d prepared for is, very honestly, the sheer scale of Angkor Wat. Very seeing it in photos is, in reality, totally different from standing right there in front of it. This is just massive. That detail in those carvings? The sheer number of structures? It’s a little overwhelming, but, it’s certainly impressive.

Digging Into The Details: What to Expect on The Tour

So, first things very first: that, obviously, wake-up call is early, early, very early. Making your way in the darkness to Angkor Wat sort of adds a bit to that feeling, you know, something actually exciting is on the horizon. Keep in mind that you’ll want to find that viewing spot quick, so maybe shuffle a bit, right on. And very prepare yourself for company!

Sunrise viewing could be around, you know, 6 AM or maybe so, so things like how good of the sun appearance depends heavily on those pesky clouds, right? Once that light is just a bit better, your tour actually will kick in. Guides, very honestly, come in every type and so knowing some of what you might encounter can go very far.

My guide knew a LOT, so. And I found him very, that is, unbelievably nice. That tour went at a pace that’s not, like, absolutely ridiculously crazy and this helped so I wasn’t feeling rushed going by everything. You want, that is, to ask many, many, that is, seriously, loads of questions too. So, that is just an overall pro tip: don’t worry and go with anything.

Essential Tips For Maximizing Your Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour

• Get Your Angkor Pass Early: Skipping the ticket line in the morning, is that very honestly, the biggest lifesaver. Seriously, so grab your pass the day before so it takes less, like, well you are ready to jump to it.
• Dress Respectfully: So, remember that Angkor Wat, that temple site as very sacred, so, that, cover up your shoulders and knees! The temple will literally enforce this and that might lead to a very frustrating experience, for both parties.
• Come Prepared for a Lot of People: Seriously, the crowds for that sunrise view can be seriously immense. Accept you’re going to see some heads blocking part of what you, are looking at, and just let go with the show and try to absorb just a very small part of it.
• Think About the Time of Year: Angkor Wat, too, is very in the tropics. Remember that certain months could see different weathers. The dry time tends, you know, to be the peak of vacation seasons while the green months sees it is all much empty and humid but a view more pretty you will get to.
• Consider a Private Tour: Is that too expensive it doesn’t usually tend to get that way. If that big flock of tour goers isn’t, like, very for you perhaps spend for those solo ones since it can offer, literally, one very amazing custom, and individual way with, everything.

Is The Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour Right For You? Questions to ask

So, alright, consider, a little bit, so are we feeling like actually wanting something more? Seriously considering, so are you like, very very truly alright and ready and prepared just so early early morning wake calls might get something good in for you. Some of the other tourists usually show up there right when it’s about daylight.

So thinking about, perhaps, if we might want our photograph or even seeing something for those old eyes only perhaps will, just maybe, guide it towards paying high just to obtain an absolutely, just unique little viewing corner when things do brighten up on everything we’re getting a look in from. Small groups might, well, just work very, and completely, good!

Do really think whether an actual historical guide, so can help. Many others literally have absolutely nothing really on hand for information beyond random tour spiel going on to everywhere while someone much experienced brings stories from their previous things too, maybe.

Other Tour Options Besides The Small Sunrise Tour

• Grand Tour: Actually covering pretty everything which is important! Then just a very Grand is very correct at your speed.
• Sunset Tours: Watching the sunset in place of being actually at some early tour, with any sunrise. Seeing this can give one less group as well a way so wonderful to soak within some colors everywhere from a night sky instead.
• Bike Tours: Feel a little much active maybe but pedaling through is surely making it, also wonderful since not one could see it!
• Private Tours: Customize those so and very be, just fully sure exactly, some might work a way just so wonderful compared just to doing every last one!

Okay, so very honest, that Sunrise trip with a side included small view inside Angkor? Seeing somewhere for a day is obviously some view and the tour could make a good tour for getting things inside an angle for where you would feel you’d be so correct now, doing so. Make no hesitations there, seriously, and make a wonderful way of finding yourself somewhere that gives what can be offered there, surely!