Angkor Wat Sunrise Tour Review: Is It Worth the Early Wake-Up?

Alright, so you are thinking of seeing the sunrise at Angkor Wat, yeah? I mean, that picture you have more or less seen a million times really does look sort of amazing, right? So, I gave the “Angkor Wat Sunrise Main Temples Tour included Breakfast” a shot, and I thought I would give you my thoughts. This will basically cover the entire experience, whether the early start is worth it, and basically any useful advice for folks maybe thinking of doing the same. We’ll go over stuff like the main temples, how good the breakfast really is, and tips to basically sidestep the crowds. So let’s jump into it!

The Allure of Sunrise at Angkor Wat: A Must-See?

Right, so getting up super early can really be a challenge when you’re actually supposed to be on vacation, but something told me witnessing the sunrise over Angkor Wat might actually be worth losing sleep over. Seeing pictures doesn’t even fully prep you for basically watching that temple silhouette get lighter as the sun peeks above the horizon, right? Angkor Wat has really been around since the 12th century, you see. It started as a Hindu temple, and soon enough, it became a Buddhist place. And there it is, still kinda standing, after all these years. That first light of day, it basically illuminates the stones, and casts these shadows. It really brings that history to life. It’s honestly more than just a beautiful picture; it’s basically feeling connected to all these other folks who’ve come before us. Sunrise is easily the most visitied time. So keep that in mind, but it doesn’t need to make it not worth it.

Breaking Down the “Main Temples” Portion

So this “Main Temples” thing? It turns out it basically means hitting the spots you just can’t miss around Angkor Wat. The tour makes sure you see Angkor Wat, and you get enough time to look at it properly, both from the outside and exploring what’s inside. What really stands out is, that the guides give you so many stories about the carvings. You also visit Angkor Thom, and the Bayon temple, is that is famous for all those faces carved into its towers? We stopped by Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raider temple. This thing, with those giant trees growing all over the stones, that you basically never forget, too. That particular tour actually works so that you have time at each temple to grab your own pictures. But the guide keeps it moving and they have great stories and context for where you are at.

How’s the Breakfast? A Morning Fuel-Up

Okay, the breakfast part of the tour basically wasn’t just some quick afterthought. It’s not fancy, but really? It gets the job done, for sure. I had that simple set up: eggs, bread, maybe some fruit, and coffee. After that super early start, you’re going to appreciate something hearty. Plus, we got to eat as a group. It meant that you can sort of talk about what we were going to see and trade stories about past traveling stories. That sets the mood. You may not be thinking of this as, like, fine dining, but it’s more that perfect moment to catch a quick breath before going to look at other temples.

Beating the Crowds: Tips and Tricks

Alright, so if you, like, hate big crowds (I think most folks do) it’s maybe good to plan a little when going to Angkor Wat. So go early, okay? Even if the tour goes right when it opens, move just a bit more so you can set up camp right where you want. Talk with the guides, basically they’re local and know a thing or two about finding less busy trails or spots for a decent photo. Also, try visiting other temples at, you know, less common hours, too. Everybody will generally flock to Angkor Wat at sunrise, so basically plan a different temple at that moment if you think this will bother you. The crowds ebb and flow through the day so just follow the natural waves.

What You Should Really Bring

So packing smart can make all the difference. First? Water is probably the first thing to bring to the parks, so stay hydrated, seriously. That sun can beat down hard, more or less all the time. It might be worth it to dress lightly, too, and wear comfortable shoes because that’s very important when you plan on exploring a whole heap of temples, seriously. Don’t forget sunscreen, a hat, and bug spray, by the way. And maybe, just maybe, you should think about packing a small portable charger for your phone. You don’t want to basically miss out taking photos or looking up cool temple stories online as your phone dies.

Is the Tour Worth It? Final Verdict

To give you the answer now; yes, the Angkor Wat Sunrise Main Temples Tour included Breakfast? More or less gets a big thumbs-up, I believe. Sure, the early wake-up stings a bit, but that is kind of part of the fun and adventure of it. The experience you have during the golden hour. It almost makes up for missing out on some sleep. The tour gives you the main spots to explore. You don’t really have to worry about the details of how to plan it all by yourself. You add a simple, solid breakfast, that little extra makes everything easier, too. Listen: if you are interested in seeing Angkor Wat and only want to do it once, so doing this sunrise tour thing. It’s very much something you’ll actually remember forever, in a positive light. Just do it.

Key Takeaways

• Sunrise is special: Viewing the sunrise at Angkor Wat is almost magical. It’s like, once in a lifetime thing.
• Tour covers major spots: That tour gets you to all temples like Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm, seriously making sure you hit those must-see sites.
• The breakfast does the trick: Simple, yet provides energy. Also brings everyone together to discuss adventures before heading back out to adventure.
• Beat those people, somehow: Try a less conventional sunrise watching temple and know to get their earlier than everyone else. Also know that there will still probably be a decent amount of people around anyway.
• Pack smart gear and materials: Bring water, comfy shoes, sunscreen, all that standard adventuring material. Oh and also a power bank for your mobile device.

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